clipdrop
clipdrop
1. From Stability AI to Jasper: Clipdrop's Journey
Clipdrop has a prestigious lineage. Founded by ex-Googlers, acquired by Stability AI (creators of Stable Diffusion), and in 2024, acquired by marketing giant Jasper AI.
This makes it not just a fun tool, but a core component of enterprise marketing workflows.
Its defining characteristic: Turning cutting-edge AI research papers into one-click consumer products.
2. The Core "Magic" Features
1. Relight (AI Lighting)
This is Clipdrop's claim to fame. Few competitors come close.
- The Problem: A photo is too dark, or you want a cool blue rim light on a subject.
- The Fix: Upload photo -> AI detects the subject -> Add "Virtual Lights." You can move lights around in 3D space, change color, and intensity. The AI calculates realistic shadows based on the subject's geometry.
2. Cleanup (Inpainting)
- Unlike the old "Clone Stamp," Cleanup uses Diffusion-based inpainting.
- Brush over a tourist, a watermark, or a power line. The AI "hallucinates" what should be behind them. It is incredibly efficient for e-commerce to remove dust or scratches from products.
3. Uncrop (Outpainting)
- Scenario: You have a landscape photo but need a portrait Instagram Story.
- Feature: Uncrop expands the canvas and generates the missing surroundings. While faces can sometimes glitch, for backgrounds, it is a lifesaver.
4. Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) Integration
Clipdrop is the easiest way to use the official SDXL models.
- Reimagine XL: Upload an image, and it generates variations with similar composition but different details. Great for brainstorming.
- Text to Image: Generate high-quality assets instantly from prompts, faster than running SD locally.
3. Ecosystem & Plugins
Clipdrop isn't just a website.
- Photoshop Plugin: Access Relight or Remove Background directly inside PS. Layers are handled automatically. This is a massive workflow booster for pros.
- Mobile App: Famous for its AR "Clip and Drop" feature. Point your phone at a real object, it cuts it out, and you "drop" it onto your desktop screen.
4. Pros and Cons
| Feature | Pros | Cons | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | Relight & Cleanup are top-tier | Uncrop struggles with faces | Avoid Uncrop for close-up portraits |
| Usability | Minimalist, drag-and-drop | Free tier queues can be long | Buy Pro for daily use |
| API | Powerful API available | API prices rose after Jasper acquisition | Developers check pricing first |
| Integration | Excellent PS & Figma plugins | AR needs good lighting | Best used with Desktop |
5. Conclusion
Clipdrop is a tool that turns "Post-production" into "Pre-production."
Effects that used to require a lighting studio can now be done with a slider. Masking that took 30 minutes now takes 1 second.
For e-commerce sellers, product photographers, and designers, Clipdrop Pro is an investment that buys you the most valuable resource: Time.
Is Clipdrop free?
Clipdrop offers a free version. Free users can use certain tools each day (such as background removal or Cleanup), but results often include watermarks, resolution limits, or daily usage caps (around 10–20 images). The Pro version (about $9/month) unlocks unlimited background removal, HD downloads, watermark-free exports, and advanced Stable Diffusion XL image generation.
What is the Relight feature used for?
Relight is one of Clipdrop’s most impressive features. It allows you to redesign lighting in a photo after it’s taken using AI—adding colored lights, adjusting light position and intensity, saving failed shots, or creating cyberpunk-style visuals.
Which is better: Clipdrop or Photoshop Generative Fill?
Photoshop is more comprehensive and suited for professional workflows, while Clipdrop excels in “lightweight” use and specialized tools. In certain cases, Clipdrop’s background removal and Relight effects can outperform Photoshop, and it requires no installation—just open the web app or mobile app.