If you're into virtual tours and 360 photography, then today AI is about to make your life much easier! 🙌

I'm sure you've heard of the new Generative Fill feature that was released with the Photoshop beta version, where you can select an area, tell it what you want, and it digitally generates it from scratch.

You can add or subtract elements seamlessly, making this a game-changer for enhancing your virtual tours and 360 photos.
 

Why This New Workflow is a Game Changer 🙌

Although Photoshop has discontinued its 360 features, you can still leverage its powerful new tools in conjunction with Affinity Photo, which has become the go-to 360 photo editor.

Here's how you can use these tools together to create awesome virtual tours. 👇

Removing Objects ✂️    

Step 1: Install the Necessary Software    

1. Download and install Photoshop beta from the Adobe Creative Cloud app.
2. Ensure Affinity Photo is installed.

Step 2: Open Your 360 Photo in Affinity Photo        

1. Open your 360 photo in Affinity Photo.
2. Navigate to Layer > Live Projection > Equirectangular Projection to enter 360 mode.

Step 3: Export the Section to Edit       

1. Select the area you want to edit and export it as a high-quality PNG.

Step 4: Edit in Photoshop Beta     

1. Open the exported PNG in Photoshop beta.
2. Use the lasso or marquee tool to select the area with unwanted elements.
3. Click on Generative Fill, provide instructions (e.g., "remove cables"), and let AI work its magic.      

Adding Objects 🛠️  

Step 1: Select and Describe the Addition    

1. In Photoshop, carefully select the area where you want to add an object.
2. Provide a detailed description for better accuracy (e.g., "add a calm, warm, inviting fire to the fire pit").

Step 2: Choose the Best Result  

1. Photoshop will generate multiple options; select the one that looks most realistic.

Step 3: Reintegrate with Affinity Photo

1. Export the edited section as a PNG.
2. Import it back into Affinity Photo, overlay it on the original image, and merge the layers.

Removing The Tripod 📹

Often, the tripod comes with stitching issues around the base of the 360 camera if you're using 360 cameras. And this can work its way into patterned surfaces below, like tiles or carpets.

Here's how to remove them:

1. Export the affected section from Affinity Photo.
2. Open it in Photoshop, select the area around the tripod, and use Generative Fill to remove it and fix any patterns

Virtual Staging 🛋️

Use the Generative Fill feature for virtual staging, adding furniture, decor, and other elements to an empty room:

1. Select the area in Photoshop where you want to add an object.
2. Describe the object in detail for accurate results.
3. Export and reintegrate the edited section back into your 360 photo.

Upselling Advanced AI Editing Services

By mastering these AI editing techniques, you can offer advanced virtual tour services, such as:    

• Staging Properties: Add virtual furniture and decor.
• Enhancing Realism: Simulate fires, lights, and other elements.
• Clean-Up: Remove unwanted objects like cables and tripods effortlessly.

These services add significant value to your virtual tours, providing an excellent upsell opportunity for your clients. 

And if you're interested in learning my workflow for Virtual Tours using Insta360 cameras, check out this blog post.     

By optimizing your virtual tours with AI tools like Photoshop's Generative Fill and Affinity Photo, you can create stunning, professional-quality images that stand out in the market. 

Happy editing!

Full YouTube video here! 👇