Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 (Version 22.0) was a landmark release launched in October 2020, primarily defined by the introduction of AI-powered "Neural Filters"
. It moved the software beyond traditional manual editing toward automated, intelligent image manipulation. 🤖 The "Neural" Evolution The headline feature of v22 was Neural Filters
, a workspace that uses Adobe Sensei (AI) to generate new pixels that weren't originally in your image. ProDesignTools Skin Smoothing
: Instantly removes blemishes and noise with a single slider. Smart Portrait
: Allows you to change a subject's age, gaze, or even their expression (like adding a smile).
: Automatically adds realistic color to old black-and-white photos. ✨ Key Feature Milestones
Beyond AI filters, Version 22 introduced several tools that became industry standards: Sky Replacement
: A one-click tool that detects the sky in a photo and swaps it with a new one, automatically adjusting the scene's lighting and colors to match. Pattern Preview
: Real-time visualization for textile and wallpaper designers to see how a pattern tiles as they draw it. Live Shapes
: Improved control over geometric shapes, allowing for easier on-canvas adjustment of corners and proportions. Enhanced Cloud Documents adobe photoshop cc 2021 v22
: Introduced version history for cloud-saved files, letting users revert to older versions of their work. Adobe Help Center 🛠️ Technical Details & Legacy
Photoshop 2021 (version 22, I think it is). I need it back. | Community 3 Nov 2021 —
Newest first ... In your CC Desktop app click on three dots in the right bottom of product thumb, see screenshot. Adobe Photoshop 2021 v22.5.6.749 (x64) [2022, Multi + RUS] 18 Feb 2022 —
Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 (v22): The Era of AI-Driven Creativity Adobe Photoshop CC 2021, internally designated as version 22.0
, was officially released in October 2020. This version marked a significant shift in digital imaging by deeply integrating Adobe Sensei
, Adobe's artificial intelligence and machine learning engine, to automate complex tasks that previously required hours of manual labor. Groundbreaking AI Features
The 2021 release is best known for introducing several AI-powered tools that transformed the standard workflow: Neural Filters
: This new workspace introduced "non-destructive" filters like Skin Smoothing Smart Portrait
. The latter allows users to adjust a subject’s age, gaze, expression (like adding a smile), or pose using simple sliders. Sky Replacement Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 (Version 22
: One of the most popular additions, this tool automatically detects the horizon and masks the sky in an image. Users can swap a dull sky for a dramatic sunset or clear blue day from a preset library, while the AI automatically adjusts the foreground colors to match the new lighting. Refine Hair
: Improvements to the "Select and Mask" workspace specifically targeted complex hair selections, making it easier to isolate subjects from busy backgrounds. Enhanced Design and Collaboration Tools
Beyond AI, version 22 introduced features aimed at improving efficiency for designers: Pattern Preview
: This mode allows designers to view their work as a seamless, repeating tile in real-time, which is essential for textile and wallpaper design. Live Shapes
: The Shape tool was overhauled to allow on-canvas controls for resizing and rotating shapes like triangles and rectangles directly. Version History for Cloud Documents
: As Photoshop moved further into the cloud, version 22 began automatically saving previous states of documents, allowing users to revert to an earlier version of their work within the Version History Hardware and System Requirements
Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 was a "modern-only" release, dropping support for several older environments: Operating Systems : It required Windows 10 (64-bit) version 1809 or later. On Mac, it supported macOS Mojave (10.14) Apple Silicon Support
: Version 22.3 (released March 2021) was the first version of Photoshop to run natively on Apple M1 chips
, offering a significant performance boost over the previous Rosetta emulation. : While the minimum requirement was 8 GB, was strongly recommended for professional workflows. Conclusion Launch speeds were 1
Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 v22 represented a "creative powerhouse" era for Adobe. By moving away from legacy 32-bit systems and embracing AI and native ARM architecture, it set the stage for the highly automated, cloud-integrated software we use today. or how to install the v22.x patches for stability?
2021 was the transition year for Apple Silicon (M1 chips). Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 v22.3 was the first version that ran natively (not emulated) on the M1 MacBook Air and Pro.
Benchmark results from 2021:
For Windows users, v22 introduced GPU Acceleration for Lens Blur. If you had a decent Nvidia RTX or AMD Radeon card, applying depth-of-field blur became real-time rather than render-heavy.
Before v22, making a person in a photo look slightly up, down, or left required complicated warping and liquify tools. In v22, you moved a slider.
This was the killer feature of v22. Powered by Adobe Sensei, Neural Filters are a set of AI-powered tools found under Filter > Neural Filters. They allow destructive (or non-destructive, via Smart Filters) edits that previously took hours.
Standout filters in v22:
Critic’s note: In v22.0, Neural Filters required an internet connection for processing. By v22.5, Adobe enabled local processing.