Adobe just pushed the envelope again. In its latest update, Photoshop now supports AI-driven 3D object generation from text prompts, enabling users to conjure fully editable 3D models merely by describing them. This marks a striking evolution: from 2D image editing to converting imagination straight into three-dimensional assets.
Below, I’ll unpack what this update means, how it works, and how you can leverage it in your creative workflow.
Why This Update Matters
For years, 3D modeling was the domain of specialized software and expert users. To produce a 3D object, you’d need to sculpt or mesh, map textures, adjust lighting — a laborious, technical process.
Adobe’s update democratizes that. Now, even designers or illustrators who’ve never touched a modeling tool can generate 3D visuals simply with language. You type something like “a golden teacup with floral etchings” and out pops a 3D object you can rotate, view from any angle, or import directly into your Photoshop layout.
This change isn’t just cool — it’s transformative. It blurs the line between 2D and 3D workflows, lets creators iterate faster, and opens doors for experimentation without steep learning curves.
The Tech Behind It: Firefly + 3D Representation Models
How does Adobe pull this off? The secret is in combining its Firefly generative models and advanced 3D representations like neural radiance fields (NeRFs) and Gaussian splatting. Adobe Research+1
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Modal bridging via transformers: Adobe’s research team found that transformer architectures, which power modern language models, could mediate between image (2D) and 3D modalities. They treat images (or views) as tokens and learn to convert them into spatial 3D representations. Adobe Research
- Hybrid 3D representations: Instead of just traditional triangular meshes, the system uses Gaussian splatting or NeRF-style volumetric data. These handle complex textures (like fur, foliage, translucent materials) more naturally. Adobe Research
- Firefly integration: The newly designed pipeline takes advantage of Firefly’s text-to-image capabilities, generating multiple views from a prompt and stitching them into a unified 3D scene. Adobe Research
- Mesh fallback: For users who prefer a conventional 3D model, Adobe still offers mesh exports in addition to the volumetric version. Adobe Research
So under the hood, Photoshop is orchestrating a complex symphony: text prompt → imagined 2D views → transformer fusion → 3D object. The result appears nearly instant to the user.
How It Integrates with Photoshop & Substance 3D Viewer
This isn’t a standalone feature floating off in isolation. Adobe ties it into the ecosystem:
- Substance 3D Viewer Beta: The newly introduced 3D viewer app lets you inspect, edit, and preview these objects. Objects edited in the Viewer sync back to Photoshop smart objects. Adobe Blog+2news.adobe.com+2
- Smart Object workflow: Generated or imported 3D models can be treated like Smart Objects in your Photoshop document. You can reposition, edit, or re-render them within your 2D compositions. Adobe Blog+2news.adobe.com+2
- Interoperability with RTX acceleration: On machines with NVIDIA RTX GPUs, rendering, ray tracing, and viewport interactivity get a performance boost. NVIDIA Blog
- Generative AI features expansion: This 3D capability joins a growing suite of AI tools in Photoshop — such as Generative Fill, Generative Expand, Generate Background, etc., all powered by Firefly. Adobe Blog+2TechRadar+2
Together, they create a more seamless bridge between imagination and polished output.
Use Cases & Creative Possibilities
Let’s explore some scenarios where text-to-3D can be particularly powerful:
- Concept prototyping and pitching
Need to show a product mockup quickly? Describe it in a prompt, generate a 3D object, and insert it into your layout. You can spin it, light it, or texture it — virtually eliminating back-and-forth with modelers. - Illustration meets 3D
You’re working in 2D but want an element in your scene to have depth. Generate a 3D object and integrate it as a realistic “pop-out” element. - Rapid variation and iteration
Want multiple versions of a sculpture or object? Tweak your prompt (“made of glass,” “matte finish,” “weathered metal”), regenerate, and compare variations side by side. - Augmented reality and 3D exports
Export to glTF, OBJ, or other 3D formats to bring your design into AR or web 3D viewers. - Learning and exploration
For students and artists, this lowers the barrier to experimenting with 3D aesthetics without needing to master Blender, Maya, or ZBrush.
Challenges, Limitations & Ethical Considerations
Of course, it’s not a magic wand — there are trade-offs and cautions to keep in mind.
1. Quality & fidelity
While impressive, generated models may lack fine detail, consistent topology, or perfect proportions. For high-precision design work (e.g. industrial CAD), this won’t replace domain tools — but it can inspire or start the direction.
2. Ambiguity in prompts
The better your prompt, the better result. Vague descriptions may produce objects that diverge from your mental image. Prompt engineering remains key.
3. Consistency across scenes
If you generate multiple objects separately and try to combine them, lighting, scale, and style mismatches may appear. Harmonization still requires manual tweaking.
4. Intellectual property, authorship & content credentials
Adobe emphasizes that Firefly and related generative tools are trained on licensed or public-domain data to avoid infringing works. Wikipedia+2Adobe+2
Still, creators must be careful about derivative works, proper attribution, and transparency (e.g. marking what was AI-generated).
5. Resource demands
Rendering 3D models, especially volumetric ones, requires GPU resources. On underpowered machines, performance might lag. The full experience is optimized for more capable hardware (e.g. GPUs with RTX support). NVIDIA Blog
6. Quality control & hallucinations
Just like text-to-image models, the system might hallucinate unrealistic features or warped geometry, especially when pushed beyond its training scope.
Tips to Get the Best Results
- Be specific in your text prompt (material, lighting, style, color).
- Use reference images when possible.
- Generate multiple variations and pick the one closest to your vision.
- Use the 3D Viewer to inspect and refine edges, textures, or lighting.
- After insertion, polish shadows, reflections or textures manually in Photoshop.
- Combine with other AI features (e.g. Generative Fill) to blend 2D and 3D elements seamlessly.
The Bigger Picture: Where Adobe Is Heading
This move is more than a flashy update — it’s Adobe betting on the convergence of 2D, 3D, and AI-driven creativity.
- Democratizing 3D in everyday workflows
Rather than reserving 3D for specialists, more types of creators (designers, illustrators, marketers) can reach into 3D without switching to separate tools. - World-building ambitions
Adobe’s research team mentions “world-building” as a future vision — generating full 3D scenes beyond standalone objects. Adobe Research - Tighter ecosystem connections
The integration with Substance tools, seamless syncing between Photoshop and Viewer, and GPU acceleration all signal a cohesive 2D–3D pipeline. - Responsible AI practices
Adobe continues to emphasize ethics, transparency, and content origin. For creators, maintaining integrity and understanding AI’s role is crucial as the tools grow more powerful. - Competition and innovation pressure
As AI-enabled design tools proliferate, Adobe is positioning itself to remain a hub for creatives, not just a software vendor. The addition of 3D AI tools is a leap in that direction.
In Summary
The new text-to-3D object generation in Photoshop is a landmark update. By combining Firefly’s generative power with advanced 3D modeling representations, Adobe is making 3D creativity accessible to a broader audience. From faster prototyping to richer visual storytelling, designers now have a new lever to pull in their workflows.
That said, it’s not a silver bullet: prompt discipline, post-processing, and hardware considerations still matter. But as the technology matures, the boundary between imagining, describing, and creating may begin disappearing.
🧭 Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Generate 3D Objects from Text in Adobe Photoshop (2025 Update)
🔹 Step 1: Update Photoshop
Make sure you’re running the latest version of Adobe Photoshop (2025).
This feature is included in the newest update under the Generative AI suite powered by Firefly.
- Go to Creative Cloud Desktop → Updates → Photoshop → Update.
- Restart Photoshop after installation.
🔹 Step 2: Open the AI 3D Panel
Once updated, open Photoshop and follow:
Menu → Window → AI Tools → Text-to-3D (Beta)
You’ll see a new panel where you can enter text prompts and preview generated 3D models.
🔹 Step 3: Write Your Prompt
This is where creativity meets precision.
Type what you want to create in natural language — e.g.:
“A metallic coffee mug with a matte finish and steam rising from it.”
✅ Tips for best results:
- Be descriptive (include materials, colors, lighting, style).
- Add context like “studio lighting,” “minimalist design,” or “cartoon style.”
- Use short, clear sentences.
🔹 Step 4: Generate the Model
Click Generate and wait a few seconds while Photoshop’s Firefly AI processes your prompt.
You’ll see:
- A rotating 3D preview
- Material and texture controls
- Multiple variations to choose from
🔹 Step 5: Edit or Refine Your 3D Object
Once generated, you can:
- Rotate or resize the model.
- Adjust materials, surface roughness, or reflectivity.
- Switch between solid, wireframe, or textured view.
- Apply lighting presets or custom HDRI environments.
You can even use Substance 3D Viewer (integrated into Photoshop) to inspect fine details before exporting.
🔹 Step 6: Insert into Your Composition
When ready, click “Insert as Smart Object”.
Your 3D object will now appear directly on your Photoshop canvas, ready for:
- Layer adjustments
- Generative Fill background integration
- Shadow blending
- Export to PNG, PSD, or glTF for web and AR use
🔹 Step 7: Export or Share
You can export:
- glTF / OBJ → for AR or 3D web viewers
- PNG / PSD → for 2D composition use
- MP4 (Turntable Animation) → for showcasing your 3D designs online
💡 Prompt Guide: 10 Examples to Inspire Your 3D Creations
| Category | Prompt Example |
| Product Design | “A futuristic smartwatch with holographic display and chrome finish” |
| Decor | “A wooden chair with Scandinavian minimalist design” |
| Concept Art | “A sci-fi helmet with neon blue lights and matte black metal” |
| Toys | “A cute robot figure made of plastic with smooth round edges” |
| Jewelry | “A gold ring with emerald gemstone under soft lighting” |
| Architecture | “A modern house with glass walls and rooftop garden” |
| Gaming Assets | “A mystical treasure chest with glowing runes” |
| Nature | “A bonsai tree on a white ceramic pot with realistic textures” |
| Vehicles | “A retro motorcycle in red leather and chrome style” |
| Abstract | “Floating geometric shapes made of glass and light” |
⚙️ Pro Tips for Realistic Results
- Use lighting cues: Add “studio lighting,” “sunset light,” or “diffused daylight.”
- Control material feel: Try words like polished, matte, metallic, wooden, glassy.
- Mix realism + art style: Example: “A clay sculpture of a dragon in Pixar style.”
- Keep prompts under 25 words for faster results.
- Save variations — each generation may surprise you.
🚀 Why It Matters for Designers
This update brings 3D creation to anyone — no need for Blender or Maya.
It’s perfect for:
- Product mockups
- Creative marketing visuals
- Concept prototyping
- Art direction previews
- Educational visualization
Adobe’s Firefly-powered 3D generation is reshaping creative workflows, making imagination truly the only limit.
