After adding a dedicated YouTube Shorts creation section in the Premiere app for iOS last year, Adobe has now announced big updates to Premiere and After Effects on the desktop, with new AI-powered tools designed to speed up video editing.
Adobe says the latest update to its video editor introduces an object mask feature that leverages AI to help users easily create masks of complex, moving subjects. This tool allows users to simply hover over a subject and click to create a mask, rather than manually drawing around it with the pen or shape tools.
After making a general selection with the new tool, users can “add or remove areas from the object mask with quick lasso and rectangle editing tools, and easily adjust the mask with feathering and resizing controls.” Essentially, the Object Mask feature takes the work out of creating masks while still giving users the flexibility to refine the result.
AI-powered masking runs locally in Premiere
Adobe says this tool uses a new, internally developed assistive AI model that runs entirely on the device. This means users can create masks without sending footage to the cloud, which should result in faster performance while maintaining the privacy of projects. The company adds that it does not use customer data to train the model, underscoring its focus on privacy.
The update also improves the Shape Mask tool, allowing users to create redesigned ellipse, rectangle, and pen masks directly from the toolbar. It even refines the mask controls, allowing for more precise movements and adjustments.
Adobe claims the updated masks can now track objects in video clips 20 times faster. Additionally, the update makes it easier for users to import media from Firefly Boards, Adobe’s AI-powered digital canvas, and integrates Adobe Stock into Premiere, streamlining access to licensed assets.
The After Effects update adds support for importing SVG files and introduces 3D parametric meshes, allowing users to create graphics and photorealistic objects with customizable shapes such as cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, toris and planes. The new Premiere and After Effects updates are already rolling out and users can install them via the Creative Cloud app.
