SUMMARY
Nathan Cool evaluates Photoshop's new AI-driven features and reworked adjustment layers against established workflows. He notes that while AI tools promise speed, they can compromise image quality and responsiveness. Cool found that smart objects combined with Camera Raw Filter provide greater consistency and control than the new 'Light' layer or AI editing views, which sometimes produce soft results or unexpected behavior. The AI features also incur generative credit costs, with some operations proving unreliable for commercial work.
TAKEAWAYS
Classic Photoshop workflows using smart objects and Camera Raw Filter offer superior consistency and control.
New AI features in Photoshop can lead to softer images and unpredictable results compared to older methods.
Reworked adjustment layers like the 'Light' layer may not align with legacy settings, causing inconsistencies.
AI generative features incur credit costs and can be unreliable for complex commercial edits.