Architectural imagery has always been a balancing act between accuracy and speed. A single client comment — “what if the façade was brick instead of stone?” — can mean going back into your model, setting up materials again, re-rendering, and post-processing. That can take hours.

AI software is changing that process. Instead of regenerating a full render, new tools let us edit only the part of an image we want to change — swapping a material, inserting a new massing block, or superimposing a new design into an existing photograph — while leaving the rest intact.

Here’s a breakdown of the software already making this possible, and how it can be applied in architectural workflows.

Adobe Photoshop – Generative Fill and Harmonise

Photoshop has become one of the most valuable tools in architectural post-production. With the addition of AI, it’s now possible to:

Mask out a section of a façade and generate alternative materials instantly.
Add elements such as trees, furniture, or people without disrupting the background.
Superimpose a new structure into an urban photo and automatically balance light and shadow with the Harmonise feature.

Photoshop sits well in practices where renders are produced externally, and in-house teams need the agility to adapt images quickly for presentations.

Google Gemini – Nano Banana Editing

Google has introduced Nano Banana, a conversational editing model built into its Gemini suite. Unlike Photoshop’s manual masking approach, Gemini allows prompt-based editing:

Upload a render or photo.
Select the area to change and describe the update in text (“replace this cladding with corten steel panels”).
Iterate with follow-up prompts until the result fits the design intent.

This makes it well suited to early-stage design reviews where multiple variations need to be explored rapidly.

Canva – Magic Edit

Canva’s Magic Edit is simpler but effective. With a brush tool, you can highlight a zone of the image and then instruct the AI to add or replace elements. For architecture, it’s useful for:

Testing street furniture layouts.
Adding people and activity to public realm visuals.
Making small adjustments to landscaping or signage.

Because Canva is cloud-based, it’s also easy for project teams to collaborate on quick edits without advanced software training.

Photopea – Browser-Based Photoshop Alternative

Photopea mirrors much of Photoshop’s workflow but is browser-based and free. It integrates AI tools such as background removal and object replacement, meaning it can:

Replace parts of an existing render with new design options.
Insert context elements into a massing visual.
Adjust details without touching the overall composition.

It’s particularly useful for small studios or individuals who don’t have access to full Adobe subscriptions.

Fotor and Phot.ai – Quick AI Replacements

These online tools aren’t as precise but serve a clear purpose:

Fotor allows quick swapping of materials and skies, great for trying out design atmospheres.
Phot.ai includes an object replacer, letting you add architectural elements like doors, windows, or furniture into a photo-render hybrid.

They’re not production-level tools, but they provide accessible ways to create options during early client conversations.

Specialist Plugins for Architects

Beyond general AI tools, architectural visualisation platforms are also building AI-powered editing into their software:

Enscape + AI Denoiser: While not object-level editing, AI denoising allows fast render previews that can then be touched up in Photoshop.
Lumion AI Tools: Some AI-assisted features exist for sky replacement, vegetation scattering, and lighting adjustments.
Arkio (Collaborative AR/VR): While not strictly image editing, Arkio lets architects test new massings directly in real-world contexts through AR. This aligns with the same principle — superimposing without re-rendering.

Why These Tools Matter

Architectural workflows often stall between iterations. Clients want to see options, but time and budget don’t allow multiple full render passes. AI editing tools provide the middle ground:

Quick iterations without re-rendering.
Visual clarity for non-technical stakeholders.
Faster feedback loops during design development.

The key is to use these tools strategically. They are not replacements for high-quality renders, BIM models, or construction-level documentation — but they are invaluable for storytelling, design reviews, and client engagement.

👉 The bottom line: Architects now have access to a set of AI editing tools that can superimpose, replace, or update visual elements instantly. Whether it’s swapping a façade material, testing a new massing, or adding context to a street view, these platforms save time while keeping the integrity of the original image.