Adobe has introduced several innovations aimed at professional video editors with the announcement of new Firefly-powered workflows in Premiere Pro.
These tools are set to enhance video editing by simplifying processes like extending clips and smoothing transitions. Additionally, Adobe announced performance upgrades across its video suite, which includes After Effects and Frame.io.
A standout feature in the Premiere Pro beta is the Firefly-powered Generative Extend tool. This feature offers video professionals the ability to address a common challenge: filling in gaps in footage or extending clips to fit a desired edit length.
This tool generates new frames at the start or end of a clip, ensuring seamless transitions and smoothing out audio or video gaps with ease. Editors can also create ambient audio, such as room tone, to bridge audio gaps by dragging and clicking.
Speaking about the transformative potential of this new tool, Ashley Still, Senior Vice President of Digital Media at Adobe, said he belives the Firefly Video Model will "revolutionise video editing in ways that video professionals are going to love."
"The latest innovations across Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Frame.io will empower video professionals to do their best work more quickly, efficiently, and beautifully," she added.
This new release marks Adobe's continued effort to develop generative AI tools that are commercially safe by design.
The Firefly-powered models, including the Firefly Video Model (beta), have been trained on licensed content, such as Adobe Stock and public domain materials, ensuring they comply with commercial-use standards. Adobe has also integrated Content Credentials, providing transparency for creators. These credentials act like a "nutrition label" for digital content, offering insight into how the content was generated, especially when AI tools were used.
Apart from generative AI features, Adobe introduced several performance upgrades and new tools to boost efficiency for editors. These upgrades include a redesigned Premiere Pro colour management system (beta), which allows editors to work faster by transforming log footage into HDR and SDR, ensuring improved skin tones and more vibrant colours.
Another key addition is the introduction of context-sensitive properties panels within Premiere Pro. These panels bring the most relevant tools directly to the editor, reducing time spent navigating through complex menus and improving the overall editing workflow. In terms of performance, Adobe announced that ProRes exports are now up to three times faster, providing a significant improvement for video professionals working under tight deadlines.
On the integration front, Adobe highlighted its 3D capabilities within After Effects, which has seen significant upgrades. These enhancements include an improved 3D workspace and better integration with Substance 3D, allowing for more seamless workflows between 3D models and After Effects.
The ability to transfer fully textured models from Substance 3D Painter directly to After Effects with one click is expected to save motion designers time and elevate the quality of 3D motion designs and visual effects (VFX) projects.
Also making headlines at the conference was Frame.io, Adobe's collaboration platform for video production teams. The new version of Frame.io simplifies complex workflows by allowing richer feedback loops and more dynamic collaboration. The Frame.io Camera to Cloud ecosystem is also expanding, with Canon, Nikon, and Leica joining the platform, making it easier for production teams to transfer footage securely and quickly from the set to their editing teams.
As video production evolves with the increasing demands for short-form content, these innovations signal Adobe's commitment to providing comprehensive tools for professionals.
The company is supporting some of the industry's most recognised projects. Adobe tools have been used in Emmy-winning productions such as The Bear, Saturday Night Live, and Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as noteworthy films including Frida and Thelma.
Looking ahead, Adobe's Firefly Video Model remains in public beta, with generations currently free. This beta phase will offer editors a chance to explore these new tools, and Adobe promises to release more details about pricing once the tools move out of beta.
"We are excited to see how these new capabilities will inspire and empower video creators around the world," Still expressed.
