How to Replace Objects in Photos Using AI
Got a power line crossing your landscape? A cluttered background behind your product? PhotoQuill's AI inpainting lets you select any area, describe what should go there, and generate a replacement that fits the scene — no clone stamp, no manual painting.
Two Modes: Remove vs. Replace
The AI inpainting feature in PhotoQuill handles two distinct tasks — it's worth knowing which one to use:
Object Remove — erase and fill
Use this when you want the object gone and the background reconstructed. Select the object, open the AI Generator, choose Object Remove, and leave the prompt empty or type empty background matching surroundings. The AI fills the hole using the context around it.
Works best on: power lines, tourists in landscape shots, watermarks, small distracting objects.
Replace — swap one thing for another
Use this when you want a different object in the same location. Select the original object, choose Replace in the AI Generator, and describe what should appear instead. The AI generates the new object sized and lit to match the selection.
Works best on: product variants, clothing color/style swaps, seasonal props, background changes.
Step-by-Step Workflow in PhotoQuill
Upload Your Photo
Drag and drop your image directly onto the PhotoQuill canvas, or use File → Open. Supported formats include JPG, PNG, WebP, and PSD.
Select the Object
Press L for the Lasso tool. Draw around the object you want to change. Include its shadow — if you leave the shadow behind after replacing the object, the result will look pasted-in. Hold Shift and draw again to add missed areas; hold Alt to subtract.
Open AI Generate and Pick an Operation
With the selection active, click AI Generate in the top menu. The Simple AI Photo Generator & Editor dialog opens. In the operation dropdown, choose Object Remove or Replace.
Write Your Prompt (Replace mode)
For Replace mode, describe the new element. Example: A vintage red fire hydrant on a city sidewalk, noon sunlight, photorealistic. For Remove mode, you can leave the prompt empty.
Generate and Refine
Click Generate. The result appears on a new layer in 5–15 seconds. If the edges look sharp or unnatural, click the layer mask and paint over the edges with a soft 50% opacity brush set to black to blend them into the background.
Getting the Selection Right
The quality of your selection determines the quality of the result. A few things that consistently help:
- Include the shadow. If the object casts a shadow, select that too. Removing an object and leaving its shadow behind immediately looks wrong.
- Go slightly outside the edges. A 5–10 pixel buffer around the object gives the AI enough context to blend the transition naturally.
- Don't feather the selection manually. The AI handles edge blending better when given a clean hard mask. Feathering in advance can cause the AI to mix pixels unexpectedly.
- For backgrounds: Select the subject first using the Magic Wand or Lasso, then use
Ctrl+Shift+Ito invert the selection so the background becomes the active area.
a blurred bokeh garden in spring, soft light, depth of field. The AI needs context to generate something coherent.
If you want full manual control over which pixels are kept, this background removal guide walks through using masks and layer blending techniques that pair well with the AI result.