Canva AI Photo Editor: Which AI Tool to Use for Which Job

The catch: Effects moved, and AI Effects isn't in the editor

If you learned Canva a while ago, you'll go looking for the Effects section and it won't be there. Canva has reorganised it across the photo editor (source: Canva Help Center). Blur, Auto Focus and Face Retouch are now under Tools, Duotone sits at the very end of Filters, and Shadows has its own section.

AI Effects is the bigger surprise. It turns a single photo into a short video, but you can't reach it from the editor at all. It's only on the Homepage under Templates, and it isn't available on Enterprise subscriptions yet.

Three ways to open the photo editor

1. From the homepage, select Photo editor, then upload a photo or choose one from your files.
2. From a design, select a photo, then select Edit in the toolbar.
3. From Quick Create or the Create tab on the homepage, choose Photo editor.

When you're done, add the image to your design or download it directly. Made a mistake? The Undo button reverses recent changes, and Reset in the Adjust tab takes you back to the original photo settings.

Which AI photo tool handles which job

What you want to do	Tool to use
Add, remove or replace an object	Magic Edit
Select and move elements inside an image	Magic Layers
Erase the background in one click	BG Remover
Generate or replace a photo's background	BG Generator
Rescue a low-resolution image	Upscale
Apply a ready-made look to photos and graphics	Style Match
Make a still image move	Image to Video
Smooth skin and even out a complexion	Face Retouch (under Tools)
Brightness, contrast and more	Adjust
Preset looks	Filters
Trim the photo	Crop
Extend the frame beyond its edges	Magic Expand
Select and change text inside a photo	Grab Text
Sharpen a soft photo	Auto Focus (under Tools)
Blur part of a photo	Blur (under Tools)
Add a drop shadow	Shadows

For Magic Edit's brush-and-prompt steps, see my Magic Edit guide. For cutouts, my walkthrough on removing a background in Canva goes step by step. The photo editor also has app sections you can scroll through, including Mockups, Image Upscaler, Colorize, Pixelify and ColorMix.

Retouch a portrait with Face Retouch

Face Retouch detects faces and skin tones, smooths skin texture and removes blemishes. Canva says it works best on individual portraits, so don't expect much from a group shot.

1. Select the photo in your design. It works on photos in grids and frames too.
2. From the editor toolbar, select Edit.
3. Select Face Retouch.
4. Drag the Smooth skin slider until you like it. The photo updates in real time.
5. Select Remove effect if you change your mind.

You can also retouch straight from Projects: go to Images, hover over the photo, select More, then Edit image, then Tools, See All and Face Retouch.

Give a whole design a new backdrop with Magic Background

Magic Background is different from BG Generator. It creates a background for your whole design that fits your text and images, rather than replacing the background inside a photo. It only works with fixed-size designs like presentations, Instagram posts and posters, not Docs or Websites, and it isn't available in China.

1. Open a design that has at least one element, such as text or an image.
2. Select the background layer, then Edit in the toolbar.
3. On the Edit Page panel, select Magic BG.
4. Optionally describe your background idea.
5. Select Generate to get 4 options, then pick one to apply it.

It works best with readable text, distinct foreground visuals and clean, uncluttered designs. Generate again and Surprise me give you more options.

To compare notes with a similar topic, open the guide on how to add a border in Canva.

Turn one photo into a video with AI Effects

• It's only on the Homepage under Templates, not in the editor.
• You can use one image per video.
• Videos come out in vertical format for social media.
• You choose from ready-made effect templates; custom prompts aren't supported.
• It uses your AI allowance, and you can make up to seven AI Effects videos every 30 minutes.

1. From the Homepage, go to Templates and find the Meet AI Video Effects section.
2. Select See all, hover over an effect to preview it, then select it.
3. Select Add image and choose a single image from your Uploads or your device.
4. Select Create with AI. You can leave while it loads.
5. Select Download or Open in editor, or Generate again for a different result.

For best results, Canva suggests a high-resolution image with a clear subject or face. If an effect is designed for a person and you upload an object, results may differ. Want a horizontal AI video, or motion inside a design you're already editing? The tools in my Canva AI video generator guide are the better fit.

My verdict on Canva's AI photo editor

I'd stop thinking of it as a photo editor and start thinking of it as a toolbox. Decide the job first, then pick the tool from the table above, and you'll save yourself a lot of clicking around. For quick fixes, Adjust, Filters and Crop are still the fastest route, and my guide on editing photos in Canva covers the manual side. Save the AI tools for the jobs only AI can do.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Edit button missing on my photo?

It may be restricted by your team's brand controls. Contact your team admin for help.

Why can't I use some AI tools in the photo editor?

Some advanced features, like Magic Studio, may be limited to specific Canva plans. If BG Remover is unavailable, check whether your plan includes it.

Why are the photo editor tools loading slowly?

Canva suggests checking that your internet connection is stable and closing extra browser tabs.

Can I use more than one photo in an AI Effects video?

No. AI Effects uses one image per video, chosen from your Uploads or your device.