PhotoDirector 20.15.0

CyberLink PhotoDirector is a photo editor for Windows and macOS. It combines photo organizing, RAW development, layer-based compositing, portrait retouching and a wide set of AI tools. These include features that generate new images and short videos. A free Essential edition with core editing and basic AI tools has no time limit. The full feature set comes as a one-time purchase or as the PhotoDirector 365 subscription.

Library and RAW development

Users import photos into PhotoDirector through its library, where they tag and sort them. Face-based smart collections group pictures by the people in them.

PhotoDirector develops RAW files non-destructively: it stores exposure, color and tone changes as edits while keeping the original image data intact. The adjustment tools also cover HSL, curves, sharpness, detail and lens correction.

Composites with layers and blending modes

For composites, PhotoDirector stacks images as layers. Masks limit an image or edit to a chosen area, and blending modes control how a layer mixes with those beneath it.

Removing objects and backgrounds

Object Removal erases a distraction and fills the area behind it. In Auto Detect mode the user marks the object with a box, a lasso or a single click. The program then finds its edges; Manual mode uses a brush for irregular shapes. Marked areas turn red before removal. Power lines and cables have a separate Wire Removal tool.

Background removal cuts out the subject automatically, and brushes refine the cutout. Users can keep the background transparent, blur it with feathered edges, turn it into a solid color or replace it with another photo. They can resize and position the subject on that photo.

The AI Image Extender works the other way. After the user picks a wider or taller aspect ratio, including social media and marketplace presets, the AI generates the missing area around the untouched original. It offers two versions per run.

Portrait retouching

Separate face tools handle skin smoothing, blemish, spot, wrinkle and shine removal, concealer, skin tone, plumpness and face shaping, each with its own strength slider. A One Click Face Retouch pass can come first, with individual tools fixing what it missed. Users can save settings as a preset. Body tools reshape arms, legs, hips and waist.

Repair and enhancement

The Image Enhancer improves facial detail and reduces noise and blur in one pass. AI Deblur targets camera shake, motion blur and soft focus. Auto Color Enhancement corrects dull or unbalanced color. AI Image Upscale raises resolution while trying to keep detail.

Editing by chat

Edit by Chat lets a user describe a change in plain language, and PhotoDirector applies it. It also analyzes the photo and suggests fixes suited to it, such as background blur, light balancing or wire removal. PhotoDirector adds each result as a version in a strip below the canvas and keeps the original at the start. The AI Photo Agent goes further by planning the steps a request needs, applying them and suggesting refinements.

Generated images and animated photos

PhotoDirector’s generative tools create images from text prompts with a choice of AI models. They also change objects through a text prompt, swap up to four faces in one image and place outfits on a photo or video of a person. AI Image to Video turns a still into a clip with motion, depth effects, ambient sound or generated dialogue. AI Cinematic Shorts adds camera movement and music to a single photo.

Photo Animation is non-generative. The user draws straight or curved motion arrows over areas such as water or clouds and places anchor points to hold the rest still. One slider sets the speed, and an optional music track sets the clip length. The result exports as MPEG-4, WMV or a looping GIF.

Local and cloud AI processing

PhotoDirector can run supported AI features locally or in the cloud. Users can switch the mode from the top bar. Local mode uses the computer’s GPU, CPU or NPU, works offline and consumes no credits. Cloud mode runs video generation and the most demanding image models on remote servers and uses AI credits.

Batch Editor

The Batch Editor applies one tool at a time to every loaded photo, with each tool building on the previous result. Tools include crop and rotate to a shared aspect ratio, background removal, enhancement, denoise, deblur, color LUT filters, upscaling and resizing. The Batch Editor then exports the whole set together.

Free, perpetual and subscription editions

The free Essential edition keeps core tools and basic AI but restricts advanced AI and some export options. A PhotoDirector 365 subscription covers one platform, and a canceled subscription reverts to Essential with existing projects kept.