Adobe's latest Photoshop and Lightroom updates are aimed at speeding up workflows
Adobe has rolled out its April 2026 updates to Photoshop and Lightroom, bringing version 27.6 to desktop users with a mix of smarter AI tools, cleaner workflows, and a few welcome performance boosts.
The overall direction is pretty clear. Adobe is trying to make everyday editing feel quicker and less fiddly, while also folding more generative AI directly into the creative process.
Rotate object
In Photoshop, one of the standout additions is Rotate Object, now out of beta and ready for general use.
It lets you tilt and reposition 2D elements on the canvas with real-time previews, giving them a 3D-like feel without the usual multi-step workaround. For anyone doing compositing, it should make lining things up a lot less painful.
AI continues to be a big focus. Photoshop 27.6 expands support for multiple models, including Adobe Firefly Image Model 5, alongside integrations like Gemini 3.1.
In practice, that means more flexibility and better results when using tools like Generative Fill, which now responds more naturally to simple text prompts.
Adobe is also tightening up the workflow around these tools. You can now generate images from text without leaving Photoshop, and support for multiple reference images makes it easier to keep a consistent look across a project.
There is also a new panel that tracks generative credit usage, so you are not left guessing where they went.
Layer cleanup
Outside of AI, there are some handy quality-of-life updates. A new Layer Cleanup tool can automatically remove empty layers and tidy up naming, which should help keep larger projects under control.
The Actions panel has been refreshed with search and previews, and the Contextual Task Bar is a bit smarter about surfacing the tools you actually need.
A few core tools have also been improved. The Remove tool now does a better job spotting distractions like people or background clutter, while a new Reflection Removal feature helps clean up images shot through glass.
Text and gradient controls have been refined as well, giving a bit more flexibility without overcomplicating things.
Faster performance
On the performance side, Adobe says users on newer AMD systems should see some gains, and there is broader support for newer file formats, including HDR workflows.
And Lightroom gets some love
Lightroom is not left out. It picks up improved natural language search, making it easier to find images just by describing them, along with Assisted Culling, which uses AI to help sort through large batches.
General performance tweaks, including smoother sliders, should also make editing feel a bit snappier. Support has also been added for newer formats from cameras like the Sony a7 V and its compressed RAW files.
There is also a bit of forward-looking tech in the mix. Firefly Boards integration is aimed at speeding up the jump from idea to finished image, and Adobe’s Firefly AI Assistant has now entered beta, promising a more automated way to handle multi-step creative tasks across its apps.
As expected, the update also includes a range of bug fixes and stability improvements.
Photoshop 27.6 and the latest Lightroom updates are available now through Creative Cloud.