Shadow Alignment
Shadow Alignment is an AI-assisted feature in Adobe Photoshop that automatically adjusts shadows to maintain visual consistency across edited image elements. When users modify portions of an image—such as repositioning objects or compositing multiple elements together—the tool analyzes existing shadow patterns and applies corresponding adjustments to new or altered areas. This reduces the manual work required to achieve realistic lighting continuity in composite images.
How It Works
The feature uses machine learning to detect and understand the light sources and shadow characteristics present in an image. When users make edits that would logically affect shadows—moving an object to a different location, for instance—Shadow Alignment calculates how those shadows should change based on the apparent direction and quality of light. The adjusted shadows are then applied automatically to maintain spatial and temporal coherence in the edited composition.
Use Cases
Shadow Alignment is particularly useful in digital compositing workflows where multiple image elements are combined. Rather than manually painting or adjusting shadows to match the lighting environment, users can rely on the tool to handle these adjustments, speeding up the editing process and improving consistency across complex multi-element compositions.