Achieving Consistent Results With Luminar Neo Generative AI Tools

AI has personally helped my workflow in many areas, but one area I have been particularly surprised by is the use of Generative AI and how it has helped me out of some very tricky situations. However, when I first started using these tools, I found my results to be inconsistent, and many other photographers and editors have experienced the same issue. With Luminar Neo’s Generative AI tools, there are certainly ways to improve consistency and feel far more satisfied with the final results.

I have discovered a few tricks and techniques that I am going to share with you in this article today, so let’s get started.

What “Consistency” Actually Means in Editing

When working with Generative AI tools, it can sometimes feel as though you are getting completely random results as you repeatedly try to fix an issue or create new content for your image. What we are aiming for is not only consistency in producing good results, but also consistency within the context of the image itself.

Let’s take an example. If I wanted to remove a random person from a landscape shot, I could use the GenErase tool inside Luminar Neo. Consistency here would mean that the newly generated area matches the surrounding image. This includes texture, lighting, and overall tones, so that the edit feels like it naturally belongs in the scene, almost as if it slots into place like a puzzle piece.

If you have multiple elements that you wish to remove from an image, you will want each result to align with the original scene in the same way. Every generated area should feel cohesive and believable, rather than standing out as a separate edit. With that in mind, let’s take a look at where you should start if you want to achieve the best results.

Understanding Generative AI in Luminar Neo

To get the best and most consistent results in Luminar Neo, it helps to understand how Generative AI actually works. Every Generative AI tool operates contextually, and this is extremely important to grasp. The algorithm analyses the surrounding patterns, textures, and lighting in order to fill in the selected space.

Colours, contrast, and perspective also play a role in how the Generative AI interprets your image before producing a result. Ultimately, this technology is powered by interpretation rather than cloning, and this is where inconsistencies can sometimes occur. If you are working with more complex areas that contain a mixture of these elements, the interpretation task becomes far more challenging.

Personally, I do not view AI tools as a magic fix, but rather as collaborative tools, and the same applies to Generative AI. Understanding exactly how these tools work will help you achieve far better results, rather than using them like a roulette wheel. This approach makes Generative AI a much more reliable part of your editing workflow.

Start With a Strong Base Edit

Firstly, let’s start with good foundations before making any changes with Generative AI. I always complete my edit first, and if needed, will make adjustments after any generative alterations. This is a crucial first step for several reasons.

I go through my usual editing process, starting with development to ensure my tones are balanced correctly. I then move on to bringing out details and textures using tools such as Structure AI. Final tweaks to contrast can then be made using the Supercontrast tool, where I now have a very clear idea of how my finished image will look.

At this point, I start to identify which areas may actually need the help of Generative AI tools. You may have noticed a random person in the background the moment you took the photo and assumed they would need removing straight away. However, during the initial editing phase, certain elements can become far less noticeable as you deepen shadows and draw more attention to your intended subject. This means any Generative AI work done before editing may have been unnecessary.

On the other hand, brightening parts of an image can also reveal distractions that were not obvious before, meaning you could end up doing double the work if you rush ahead. Completing your colour grading first will also help you achieve more accurate tones, especially if the area you plan to modify has specific colour or lighting requirements. All of this leads to a far more seamless result when you do use Generative AI, and puts you in the best position to move on to the next step: generating!

Luminar Neo’s Generative AI Tools

Now, let’s go through the various generative tools that Luminar Neo has to offer and how to get the best results with them. Just bear in mind that you should complete your edit first, with any further tweaks and adjustments made afterwards if needed.

GenErase

This tool allows you to remove unwanted elements from your scene by simply brushing over the area and hitting Erase. There are also options to undo any brushing or erasing if you need to refine your selection.

There are a few approaches to getting great results with the GenErase tool. The first is to avoid removing large portions of the image in one go. Keep your selections small and build up gradually if needed. Be sure to remove not only the object itself, but also any shadows or reflections it may be casting. The background also plays an important role, with more uniform areas generally producing better results. However, if you try to remove something that forms part of a repeating pattern, the algorithm will often attempt to continue that pattern, meaning you may not get the desired result. You can also generate a range of outcomes by clicking Erase again and using the undo and redo buttons to cycle through the variations.

GenSwap

By brushing over an area, you can insert generative content by describing what you want to appear. Luminar Neo will then analyse the selected area and create content that fits naturally within your image. For example, if you generate something on water, such as a swan, the tool will often include both the subject and its reflection, helping the result feel more believable.

The best results come from writing a strong prompt. Be as descriptive as possible and avoid using verbs such as remove or add. Instead, focus on nouns and adjectives to define the scene you want to create. The more detail you provide, the more context the AI has to work with, which leads to more consistent results. You may also need to brush slightly beyond your target area to allow space for shadows and reflections, which is crucial for realism.

GenExpand

This tool works by dragging out the edges of your frame, allowing Generative AI to fill in the expanded areas and create a larger or wider image. It is especially useful for photographers looking to create panoramic views from a single shot.

GenExpand works both intuitively and with your instruction. By clicking Expand without entering a prompt, Luminar Neo will automatically generate the missing areas, or you can guide the result further with a description, just like with GenSwap. I have found this tool to be particularly effective for landscape photography, often without the need for a prompt at all. Images with clearly defined textures at the edges tend to produce the most consistent results. This applies not only to trees and mountains, but also to skies, water and sand, which are all well suited to expansion.

All of these tools allow you to keep pressing the action button and generate new results, with your previous versions saved and recoverable using the undo key. I usually try just a few iterations, as it can be all too easy to keep generating endlessly. To avoid that, I tend to limit myself to around five attempts and then choose the result that blends most seamlessly with the image.

The Bottom Line

The use of Generative AI has sped up photographers’ workflows and allows them to be far more creative with their work. Tedious tasks such as removing unwanted elements from an image can now be achieved with just one click, while imaginations can run wild as images are enhanced by adding new elements and visual interest.

While it can sometimes be tricky to achieve consistent results with these tools, Luminar Neo’s Generative AI is very intuitive. By following the tips outlined in this article, such as completing your edit first and using more considered prompts, you are far more likely to achieve realistic and convincing results that help fix or elevate your image. Enjoy the process and the results it brings!