Adobe Express Beta

 

I received an email from Adobe today inviting me to try the new Beta version of Adobe Express.  As far as I can make out from Adobe's announcement, the thrust of the improvements to the free web-based app has been to integrate it more fully with other of the company's Cloud apps (e.g., a file updated in Photoshop CC will automatically be updated at the same time in Express), thus facilitating ease of use and communication among members on group projects.  To be honest, this isn't of much use to me since I do not subscribe to any of Adobe's Cloud apps and do not work with teams of creators.  More interesting is the incorporation into Express of Firefly, Adobe's AI generative app, to facilitate the creation of content.  At least at present, though, I've found Firefly to be extremely limited when attempting to create realistic AI imagery.  Many results I've obtained using it appear almost cartoonish in quality, This, however, may in part at least be due to Adobe's laudable attempt to ethically train Firefly on non-copyrighted material.

While Express will undoubtedly prove useful to professionals subscribing to Adobe Cloud, it's evident that the app has been targeted to social media content creators.  The email I received is quite explicit on this point.  Its brief message reads:

"Level Up

"Design Reels, Tik Toks, flyers, and more with the new, all-in-one Adobe Express.

"Create videos fast with easy, drag-and-drop editing.  Add amazing artwork and text effects generated by Adobe Firefly AI.  Start inspired with thousands of professionally-designed templates and Adobe Stock videos, photos, and music.  Let's go!"

Note that at present Adobe Express beta is available only on desktop and must be accessed via one's computer.