Summary
The video reviews Adobe Camera Raw 17.5’s new AI-based dust removal tool compared to traditional manual cleanup. Dust spots, especially visible in skies and water at small apertures, typically require dozens of tedious manual healing clicks. The new AI tool automatically removes most dust spots in one click, saving significant time. However, it sometimes misses obvious spots and can introduce subtle unintended image changes, particularly when applied globally in raw. Using it as a filter instead of directly in raw gives cleaner results, avoids global shifts, and allows selective masking to protect key areas. Final clean-up requires a few manual clicks but far fewer than before. Overall, the tool is effective, safe, and greatly reduces editing workload, though careful checking is still needed.
Key Points
- Manual removal = 40+ clicks, time-consuming.
- AI tool removes ~80–90% of dust automatically.
- Some spots may be missed.
- Global raw use can cause unintended tonal shifts.
- Filter-based use is cleaner and allows masking.
- Combining AI + minor manual fixes = best workflow.
Key Takeaways
- AI dust removal saves time but is not perfect.
- Applying as a filter gives better control and avoids unwanted changes.
- Manual touch-up is still necessary but reduced to a handful of clicks.
Conclusion
Adobe’s AI dust removal tool is a major improvement, handling most of the cleanup in seconds. While not flawless, its efficiency combined with selective manual fixes offers the best balance of speed, control, and quality.