GenSwap, Luminar Neo’s latest AI innovation, marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of photo editing. Designed by Skylum, this cutting-edge tool empowers photographers to reimagine their visuals by seamlessly replacing objects in images using AI-generated content. Whether it's a subtle change or a creative overhaul, GenSwap introduces a new level of flexibility, precision, and artistic control.
In an industry where efficiency and creativity often collide, GenSwap offers a solution that satisfies both. It eliminates complex manual selections and compositing work, making high-end visual transformations more accessible than ever. With its intuitive design and intelligent capabilities, GenSwap serves not just as a feature but as a catalyst for creative exploration.
This article explores the technology behind GenSwap, its capabilities, and how photographers can integrate it into their editing workflow. Through examples, tutorials, and usage tips, you'll gain a complete understanding of what makes GenSwap a standout tool in modern photography.
What Is GenSwap and How Does It Work?
At its core, GenSwap is a generative AI tool built into Luminar Neo that enables users to select and replace specific parts of an image with entirely new AI-generated elements. Unlike traditional editing methods that rely on stock assets or manual manipulation, GenSwap uses advanced machine learning to understand context, lighting, and structure. It generates new content that naturally blends with the surrounding image.
Users begin by selecting an area of an image they want to modify using a brush tool. Once the selection is made, they describe what they want to appear in that space using a text prompt. This prompt could be anything from "a blue sea" to "a white pearl earring." The AI processes the request and replaces the selected content with a newly generated element that fits the description.
This approach offers several benefits. First, it allows for a higher level of creative input, as the user controls the prompt. Second, it significantly reduces editing time. Third, the AI-generated elements are customized to fit seamlessly into the image, considering lighting, angle, and even reflections.
Seamless Integration with Luminar Neo's Ecosystem
GenSwap is not a standalone app; it’s fully integrated into the broader Luminar Neo environment. This means users can combine GenSwap with other AI-powered features like Sky Replacement, Relight AI, and Structure AI. The result is a unified editing experience where one tool complements the other.
The user-friendly interface of Luminar Neo ensures that even beginners can start using GenSwap with a minimal learning curve. The tool is accessible from the “Catalog” view, where users can choose any image and immediately begin editing. Once an object is selected, the GenSwap prompt field becomes active, and the AI begins generating possibilities.
This seamless workflow is particularly beneficial for professionals who need to maintain efficiency in their editing pipeline. Whether you're a portrait photographer, a landscape artist, or a visual storyteller, GenSwap integrates smoothly into your existing processes without the need for additional plugins or software.
The Creative Potential of Generative AI
What sets GenSwap apart from other editing tools is the creative freedom it offers. Photographers are no longer limited to what they captured through the lens. With GenSwap, the imagination becomes a direct extension of the editing process.
Want to replace a cloudy sky with a golden sunset? Done. Need to remove distracting background elements and replace them with something more visually pleasing? Easy. Thinking about adding fantasy elements like unicorns or floating lanterns? GenSwap makes it possible.
This flexibility encourages experimentation. Since the results are generated in real-time, users can iterate quickly. Don’t like the first result? Click “Swap” again to generate a new version. Adjust the prompt slightly and see how the image transforms. This iterative approach mirrors the creative process itself, making editing more intuitive and enjoyable.
Practical Example: Enhancing a Castle Landscape
To better understand GenSwap in action, consider an example provided by landscape photographer Jakub Bors. In one of his tutorials, he demonstrates how GenSwap can transform an image of a European castle into something even more striking.
He starts by selecting a portion of the landscape in the lower part of the image, which includes a rather bland section of terrain. Using the GenSwap brush tool, he marks the area and enters a prompt: “lake with green water and reflection.” After clicking the “Swap” button, the AI processes the input and renders a lake that blends naturally with the rest of the image.
This enhancement not only adds visual interest but also changes the story the image tells. It creates a mood of tranquility and elegance, matching the regal appearance of the castle. The ability to dramatically alter the tone and message of an image in such a short time showcases the powerful creative utility of GenSwap.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Using GenSwap
Getting started with GenSwap is simple. After launching Luminar Neo, navigate to the Catalog view and choose an image to edit. Once selected, follow these basic steps:
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Brush Selection: Use the adjustable brush tool to mark the area of the image you wish to replace. Be generous with your selection, including surrounding shadows and reflections for a more natural result.
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Craft Your Prompt: In the prompt box that appears, type a brief but descriptive phrase of the element you want to appear. Avoid using verbs or action-based words. Instead, focus on nouns and adjectives. For example, use “snowy mountain” instead of “add a snowy mountain.”
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Initiate the Swap: Click the “Swap” button. The AI begins generating the new content based on your prompt. You may have to wait a few moments depending on the complexity of the image and your system’s processing speed.
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Review and Iterate: Use the preview icon to compare before and after views. If the result isn’t quite right, adjust the prompt or selection and try again. Repeat the process until satisfied.
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Save the Final Image: When happy with the result, click “Save.” The edited image will be stored in the Generative Creations folder, with “GenSwap” included in the file name for easy identification.
This workflow empowers users to create dramatic edits with minimal effort, all while maintaining artistic control over the outcome.
Troubleshooting and Prompt Tips
Although GenSwap is designed to be user-friendly, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid common issues. One challenge users may encounter is the “Inappropriate Content” error. This occurs when the prompt includes terms that might trigger unintended or restricted results.
To avoid this, steer clear of prompts that refer to body parts or could be misinterpreted by the AI. If you’re replacing clothing or editing near sensitive areas in a portrait, make sure the selection is clear and that the prompt is straightforward. Instead of saying “remove hat,” try saying “hair with curls.”
Prompt crafting is an art in itself. The best results come from specific yet concise descriptions. For instance, “a large golden retriever with floppy ears” is more effective than simply “dog.” Try to visualize the object you want in your mind first, then describe it clearly in the prompt box.
Also, keep in mind that the AI performs better when modifying or replacing existing objects rather than creating something from scratch. Focus on selecting tangible parts of the image that have depth and form, which gives the AI more context to work with.
Portrait Editing with GenSwap: Subtle Enhancements Made Simple
While landscape photography often invites dramatic changes, portrait editing with GenSwap reveals the power of subtlety. In another tutorial, Jakub Bors demonstrates how GenSwap can be used to refine a portrait image by adding a delicate accessory: a pearl earring.
He begins with an elegant image of a woman in a black dress. Using the brush tool, he selects the area around her ear and types the prompt “white pearl earring.” With one click, the AI generates a realistic earring that fits seamlessly into the portrait’s lighting and contours.
What’s remarkable is how natural the result appears. The earring casts appropriate shadows, aligns with the curvature of the ear, and complements the existing color palette. This kind of enhancement, which might take significant time and skill in traditional editing, is now achievable in moments.
If the first result isn’t ideal, GenSwap allows for rapid iteration. Click “Swap” again to see alternative designs. You can also tweak the prompt slightly, changing “white pearl earring” to “gold hoop earring”—to explore different creative directions. These variations open up new possibilities for portrait styling and visual storytelling.
GenSwap for Storytelling and Conceptual Imagery
Beyond corrections and aesthetic upgrades, GenSwap can also be a powerful tool for conceptual photography. For artists who aim to tell stories or create thematic visuals, the ability to insert imaginative elements directly into photos is invaluable.
Imagine a photo of a forest path, quiet and empty. With GenSwap, that scene could be transformed by adding a lone wolf in the distance, or perhaps glowing lanterns hanging from the trees. In another example, a cityscape could be brought to life with futuristic vehicles or surreal color tones introduced through creative prompt design.
Because GenSwap uses generative AI, it isn’t bound by reality. It allows photographers to introduce fantasy, symbolism, or narrative elements that elevate an image from documentation to visual storytelling. This creative freedom has the potential to expand what photography can represent.
Conceptual photographers, visual artists, and digital storytellers now have a tool that bridges the gap between photography and illustration. And since the edits occur within a photographic context, the final product maintains the realism and believability that photography offe, s—enhanced with imaginative elements.
How GenSwap Supports Efficient Workflow for Professionals
For working photographers and editors, efficiency is as important as creativity. GenSwap was designed with both in mind. The process of selecting, prompting, and generating new elements can be completed within minutes, streamlining common editing tasks that would otherwise require multiple tools and techniques.
For instance, product photographers can use GenSwap to clean up backgrounds, remove distractions, or replace props without setting up a new shoot. Event photographers might use it to eliminate unwanted objects or enhance a scene’s visual impact after the fact.
One of the standout features of GenSwap is its ability to maintain natural lighting and perspective. This is essential for commercial work, where believability is critical. By analyzing the entire image before generating a replacement, the AI ensures consistency in depth, color, and light direction.
Additionally, GenSwap is compatible with Luminar Neo’s batch processing tools. While object swapping itself is a manual action, users can apply overall adjustments—such as tone, color grading, or sharpening—across multiple images once the generative edits are complete.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with GenSwap
To make the most of GenSwap, it helps to follow a few key guidelines. These practices ensure higher quality outcomes and fewer errors during the AI generation process.
First, always aim for clear and descriptive prompts. Avoid ambiguity. If you want to replace a plain wall with “a stone wall with ivy,” say exactly that. The more context you give, the better the AI can match your vision.
Second, include the surrounding area in your brush selection. This helps GenSwap understand how the replacement should integrate with the image. Including shadows, edges, or adjacent textures leads to more coherent results.
Third, take advantage of the undo, redo, and preview tools. Don’t settle for the first result if it doesn’t meet your expectations. Small adjustments to the prompt or selection area can lead to significantly better outcomes. Think of the tool as part of an iterative creative process rather than a one-click solution.
Fourth, don’t ignore Luminar Neo’s other tools. Combining GenSwap with features like Relight AI or Structure AI can enhance the realism of your final image. For example, if you swap in a glowing lantern, use Relight AI to adjust the surrounding light accordingly.
Finally, embrace experimentation. The greatest creative breakthroughs often come from playing with ideas. Try different prompts, edit unexpected areas, and let the results inspire new directions in your work.
GenSwap in Action: Transforming a Scottish Landscape
To illustrate GenSwap’s full potential, consider a detailed editing session with Skylum’s Director of Education, Vanelli. He starts with a photo of a majestic Scottish medieval castle perched above a rocky shoreline. The original image is beautiful but slightly unbalanced due to some uninteresting rocks in the foreground.
Using GenSwap, Vanelli selects the foreground area and enters a prompt: “dark rocks on a cliff leading to a castle.” The AI processes the prompt and replaces the bland section with a more dramatic and textured rocky surface, giving the image depth and a stronger sense of place.
Not content with just that change, Vanelli continues. He selects another area and adds “a small stone bridge” to guide the viewer’s eye toward the castle. The result is not just a visual upgrade but a more immersive scene that tells a fuller story.
Throughout the process, Vanelli demonstrates how easy it is to iterate. If the first bridge appears too large or misplaced, he simply adjusts the prompt or refines the selection. Within minutes, the scene is transformed from a standard landscape photo to an editorial-worthy piece of visual art.
Compatibility and System Requirements
GenSwap is available within Luminar Neo, which is compatible with both Windows and macOS. Users should ensure they have the latest version of Luminar Neo installed to access the full capabilities of GenSwap and its supporting features.
The software is optimized for performance, but it does benefit from a system with ample RAM and a dedicated GPU for faster AI processing. While most modern consumer-grade laptops can run Luminar Neo, users working with high-resolution files or large project volumes may want to consider upgrading their hardware for the smoothest experience.
Because GenSwap involves complex AI calculations, image generation may take a few moments depending on the size of the selection and the prompt complexity. Patience is part of the process, but the resulting quality is well worth the wait.
Expanding the Boundaries of Photography
GenSwap is more than a new feature; it represents a shift in how photographers think about their images. By introducing generative AI into the editing process, Luminar Neo enables users to move beyond the limitations of the original photo. They are now free to reimagine, enhance, and reinvent their work in ways that were previously impossible without advanced compositing skills.
Whether you’re a professional photographer seeking efficiency, an artist pushing creative boundaries, or a hobbyist learning the craft, GenSwap provides a toolset that aligns with your goals. It offers the rare combination of technical sophistication and user-friendliness.
As AI continues to evolve, tools like GenSwap are setting the stage for the future of visual storytelling. By merging the power of artificial intelligence with the human eye for creativity, Luminar Neo is helping redefine what it means to edit—and ultimately create—a photograph.
If you’re ready to experience GenSwap for yourself, download Luminar Neo and begin exploring the endless possibilities it offers. With every click and every prompt, you’ll discover new ways to bring your vision to life.
A Deeper Look into Creative Control with GenSwap
One of GenSwap’s most significant contributions to modern editing is the return of full creative control to the photographer. Traditional photo manipulation often required multiple layers, brushes, and masking techniques in software like Photoshop. GenSwap condenses much of that into a straightforward selection and prompt workflow.
Instead of learning complex layer blending techniques, users now only need to focus on their vision. Want to swap a bland sky for an epic storm cloud setting? Simply select the sky area and describe the cloud formation you want. If you imagine a hot air balloon drifting across the scene or a medieval ship at sea, GenSwap can bring that vision to life without requiring advanced technical skills.
What’s equally important is that this process does not feel overly automated. The user still makes all the artistic choices—the area selected, the language used in the prompt, and the decision to approve or reject generated results. GenSwap acts more like a creative assistant than a replacement for the artist.
This balance between control and automation is what makes GenSwap stand out from both traditional editing tools and other AI-assisted options. It augments the user’s creativity rather than directing it.
Educational Benefits for Photography Learners
GenSwap’s user-friendly interface and real-time feedback also make it an excellent tool for photography education. New photographers often struggle with seeing the full potential of an image or understanding how different visual elements can alter mood and composition. With GenSwap, they can experiment freely and visually learn the effects of composition changes in seconds.
Educators and photography coaches can use GenSwap in workshops or online courses to demonstrate editing techniques that would normally take hours. For example, in a lesson about storytelling through visuals, students can practice adding narrative cues to their photos—such as a road leading into the distance or a bird flying overhead—using simple prompts and selections.
This level of interaction not only makes learning fun but also helps students internalize how small changes can make a big difference in an image’s impact. And because GenSwap offers multiple variations, students can compare different outcomes and understand the nuances of visual editing more deeply.
Furthermore, photography students who lack access to high-end gear or diverse locations can still create complex visuals and expand their portfolios. With GenSwap, a basic photo can become a richly layered visual story, ready for critique or showcase.
Ethical Considerations and Creative Integrity
As with any generative tool, it’s important to address the ethical side of using AI in photography. While GenSwap unlocks powerful creative possibilities, it also raises questions about authenticity, transparency, and artistic integrity.
Photographers and editors must ask themselves: When is it appropriate to use AI to alter an image? In commercial photography, clients need to know when an image contains AI-generated elements, especially if it depicts products or real-world settings. Transparency is key in maintaining trust.
For photojournalism or documentary work, GenSwap should be used with extreme caution—or not at all—depending on the publication’s standards. These genres rely on the authenticity of visuals, and AI manipulation could undermine their credibility.
However, in artistic, commercial, and conceptual photography, GenSwap is a valuable tool that enhances creativity. The key lies in being honest about your methods. Many artists now include disclaimers or process notes explaining how AI tools contributed to the final piece.
In creative industries, the lines between reality and imagination are often blurred on purpose. GenSwap fits within this tradition, but the responsibility lies with the creator to use it ethically and communicate clearly with their audience.
The Role of GenSwap in Post-Processing Trends
The release of GenSwap signals a broader shift in the world of photo editing. For decades, post-processing has been moving toward greater accessibility and smarter automation. Tools like content-aware fill, sky replacement, and neural filters have paved the way for more intuitive editing.
GenSwap represents the next evolutionary step. It moves beyond automation into co-creation, where the software doesn't just fix a problem—it imagines a new possibility in collaboration with the user. This aligns with trends across the digital art world, where generative tools are becoming standard parts of the creative workflow.
As more photographers adopt GenSwap and similar tools, we can expect editing styles to evolve. Portfolios may include more fantastical elements. Commercial campaigns may become more imaginative. Visual storytelling will continue to blur the line between photography, illustration, and digital art.
What’s exciting is that this transformation is now accessible to all levels of photographers. You no longer need a massive editing suite or formal training to produce sophisticated visual results. GenSwap lowers the barrier to entry while still offering depth and complexity for professionals.
Community Inspiration and User Stories
The GenSwap community is quickly growing, with photographers around the world sharing their results, prompts, and workflows. On social media platforms and photography forums, users showcase before-and-after comparisons that highlight just how transformative the tool can be.
Some users replace entire backgrounds in travel photos to create cinematic scenes. Others use it for fantasy-inspired portraits, swapping mundane surroundings for enchanted forests or moonlit vistas. Still others apply it subtly—adding reflections to water, extending landscapes, or cleaning up compositions.
In these communities, users often exchange tips for better prompt writing, share clever uses of masking, and celebrate surprising outcomes. The collaborative spirit around GenSwap encourages experimentation and continuous learning.
Skylum has also partnered with content creators like Jakub Bors and Vanelli to publish tutorials and challenges, further inspiring the community to explore what’s possible. By watching real photographers use the tool in different scenarios, new users can quickly get up to speed and start crafting their generative edits.
Looking Ahead: The Future of GenSwap and Luminar Neo
As AI editing technology continues to develop, it’s clear that GenSwap is only the beginning. Future updates to Luminar Neo are expected to include even more refined control over AI generation, better integration with other tools, and potentially the ability to animate changes or generate multiple object variations at once.
One potential evolution is dynamic object generation, where users can input multiple prompts and preview side-by-side options before applying a swap. Another could involve scene-aware lighting adjustments, where GenSwap automatically updates lighting and shadows based on new objects introduced into a photo.
Moreover, AI training will continue to improve, allowing GenSwap to understand more nuanced prompts and produce more contextually accurate results. This will further reduce the need for manual touch-ups and increase user confidence in AI-generated outcomes.
Skylum has also hinted at expanding generative features beyond object swapping, such as expanding a scene outside its current frame, similar to AI outpainting. These innovations could position Luminar Neo not just as a photo editor but as a full creative studio for photographers and digital artists alike.
Empowering the Next Generation of Visual Creators
GenSwap isn’t just a new feature—it’s a milestone in the evolution of visual creativity. By combining powerful AI with intuitive design, Luminar Neo empowers creators to explore new ideas, solve editing challenges, and produce images that once seemed out of reach.
From fine art and fantasy to commercial and casual photography, the tool adapts to the user’s vision. It democratizes advanced editing by making it accessible, fast, and creatively flexible.
As we move forward into a new era of image-making, GenSwap represents the kind of thoughtful innovation that expands not only what we can do with our photos—but also how we think about them. It’s not about replacing the human touch. It’s about enhancing it.
With tools like GenSwap, the only real limit is your imagination.
Real-World Use Cases Across Genres
GenSwap’s flexibility makes it an appealing tool across a variety of photographic styles and genres. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional, the tool can be adapted to match the visual needs of your creative process.
For landscape photographers, GenSwap offers the ability to remove manmade intrusions or enhance natural features. Imagine shooting a pristine coastal view only to discover a powerline cutting across the sky. With GenSwap, this distraction can be selected and replaced with a clear blue sky or dramatic clouds. You can also add wildlife, like birds or deer, to enrich the storytelling element of a landscape image.
In portrait photography, small but meaningful enhancements can be applied. Jewelry, accessories, or subtle background adjustments can change the entire mood of a photo. For example, adding falling petals in a wedding portrait or replacing a busy urban backdrop with a soft-focus park scene can elevate the emotional tone of the image.
Even in commercial photography, GenSwap becomes a practical asset. It allows marketers and designers to customize campaign visuals without needing reshoots. Product packaging can be adjusted, reflections cleaned up, and distracting background elements replaced with more on-brand environments—all with a few clicks and a clear prompt.
Workflow Integration with Other Editing Tools
One of the standout features of GenSwap is how smoothly it integrates with the rest of the Luminar Neo editing ecosystem. It doesn’t replace traditional editing tools—it enhances them. After completing a swap, users can still apply all the regular adjustments available in Luminar Neo, such as structure, color enhancement, dodge and burn, or portrait retouching.
This means that GenSwap can be inserted into any point in your workflow. Some photographers prefer to begin with basic adjustments before using GenSwap to swap or enhance elements. Others might use it first to lock in the major creative changes, then follow up with fine-tuning and polishing.
You can also export your image and continue editing in Photoshop or Lightroom if needed. GenSwap does not flatten your creative control; instead, it opens new avenues that blend seamlessly with both Skylum and third-party software workflows. The saved versions of your edits are non-destructive, ensuring you can always return to the original or rework your changes later.
GenSwap in Collaborative Projects
As collaborative photography projects become more common—especially in remote teams or digital content creation—GenSwap serves as a powerful tool for idea sharing and quick iterations. Creative directors, retouchers, and photographers can work together more efficiently by generating multiple concepts from the same base image.
For example, in an editorial shoot, a stylist may want to see how the subject looks with different backgrounds, props, or accessories. GenSwap allows for rapid visual prototyping. This is particularly useful when time or budget doesn’t allow for reshooting. It’s also ideal for storyboarding or pitch decks where visual concepts need to be presented compellingly before the actual shoot begins.
As AI becomes more acceptable in creative pipelines, tools like GenSwap enable teams to stay agile and visually consistent. They can work faster, smarter, and more in sync—even when physically apart.
Understanding Prompt Crafting for Best Results
While GenSwap is user-friendly, crafting effective prompts takes a bit of skill and creativity. The best results often come from clear, concise, and specific descriptions. Instead of saying “make this better,” it’s more effective to describe exactly what you want to appear: “a calm lake with green reflections,” or “a vintage streetlamp with a warm glow.”
Nouns and adjectives form the foundation of strong prompts. It’s important to avoid using verbs like “add” or “remove,” as these can confuse the AI. Instead, focus on what you want to see in the selected area. Using comparative language also helps—for instance, “a larger tree with red leaves” gives the AI a better sense of scale and color.
Experimentation is key. If one prompt doesn’t yield the desired outcome, try adjusting the phrasing, using synonyms, or simplifying the description. With time, users often develop a personal style of prompt writing that reflects their visual taste and creative intent.
Limitations and Workarounds
Like any tool, GenSwap is not without its limitations. Sometimes the generated elements may not blend perfectly with the lighting or perspective of the original image. Other times, the AI may misinterpret a vague prompt and produce results that don’t align with the user's intent.
In such cases, combining GenSwap with masking tools or using the undo and redo options allows users to fine-tune the final look. You can also run the “Swap” function multiple times with slightly adjusted prompts or selections until the output feels right.
Another limitation is the 256-character prompt limit, which can sometimes feel restrictive when trying to describe complex ideas. However, this also encourages clarity and precision. If a complex concept needs to be conveyed, breaking it down into smaller, sequential steps can often produce better results.
It’s also worth noting that GenSwap may trigger content safety checks if it interprets a prompt or selection as inappropriate. This built-in safeguard ensures the platform remains ethical and secure for a broad user base. When this happens, users should consider adjusting their selection area or choosing alternative phrasing for their prompt.
Enhancing Your Creative Confidence
One of the most powerful aspects of using GenSwap is how it builds creative confidence. Users who previously felt limited by their editing skills now find themselves empowered to try bolder ideas. What was once intimidating—like removing a car from a street or replacing an overexposed sky—now becomes approachable, even exciting.
This confidence often leads to more frequent experimentation and exploration. Photographers may revisit older photos with fresh eyes, applying new ideas or finally fixing elements they once overlooked. GenSwap enables this process of rediscovery and transformation.
By encouraging experimentation and rewarding curiosity, GenSwap fosters a mindset of continuous improvement. It nudges users to ask “what if?” and offers a reliable, intuitive way to explore the answer.
Final Thoughts
As the world of photography continues to evolve, tools like GenSwap serve as catalysts for a more inclusive and boundaryless creative environment. What once required expensive gear, years of training, and painstaking hours in editing software is now available to anyone with a vision and a few descriptive words.
While GenSwap doesn’t replace the photographer’s eye, it enhances it. It gives users the ability to manifest what they imagine—whether that’s a perfect landscape, a polished portrait, or a whimsical piece of digital art. In this way, it bridges the gap between intention and execution in a way that’s never been so seamless.
Whether you’re a professional refining your portfolio or a beginner exploring your first creative edits, GenSwap is more than just a feature—it’s a companion on your visual journey.