Nero AI Image Toolkit is a Photoshop plugin for two jobs: cutting a subject out of its background and exporting it as a transparent PNG, and upscaling an image 2× or 4×. You can download it for free from Adobe Exchange. New users get 50 trial credits, and each operation uses 1–2 credits. Once the trial credits run out, you buy more inside the plugin.
At a glance
What it does | AI background removal (transparent PNG output) and AI upscaling (2× or 4×) |
Where it runs | Inside Photoshop, under Plugins → Nero AI Image Toolkit |
Cost | Free download; 50 trial credits; 1–2 credits per operation; more credits available via Buy Credits |
Compatibility | Photoshop 23.0.0 or later |
Get it |
How it differs from Photoshop's built-in tools
Photoshop already includes a built-in Remove Background quick action and several ways to enlarge images, including Super Resolution in Camera Raw and, in supported versions, Generative Upscale (Image → Generative Upscale), which uses Adobe generative credits. If those tools already cover your work, you may not need an extra plugin.
Nero AI Image Toolkit puts background removal and AI upscaling together in one dedicated Photoshop panel. Upscaling comes in 2× and 4×, with four models to choose from: Standard, Photograph, Anime, and Face Enhancement. That setup suits people who want both tools in one plugin interface. Processing is paid with Nero credits, per operation. These credits only cover the plugin's processing. They don't replace your Photoshop subscription.
Install and set up
Get the plugin from Adobe Exchange and install it.
In Photoshop, open Plugins → Nero AI Image Toolkit.
Sign in or enter your API key in the panel. Once your account is linked, the panel shows your remaining credits.
The Remove BG and Upscale tabs are now ready to use.
You can open your Nero Account or Buy Credits at any time from the plugin menu.
Remove a background and export a transparent PNG
Select the image layer you want to cut out.
Go to Plugins → Nero AI Image Toolkit → Remove BG.
Under Output Image, choose PNG. PNG keeps the transparency, which is what you need for compositing.
Click Remove Background.
A progress bar shows the job's status. When it finishes, the subject appears on a transparent background, ready for you to add text or graphics behind it.
This works well for product photos, portrait cutouts, social graphics, and promo banners like the "Summer Sale" example above.
Upscale an image 2× or 4×
Select the photo layer, or open the source image.
Go to Plugins → Nero AI Image Toolkit → Upscale.
Choose an Upscale Model (Standard, Photograph, Anime, or Face Enhancement), then choose x2 or x4.
Click Upscale Image.
Zoom in to check the result, then keep working in your PSD.
Which scale should you choose? Start with 2× if you only need a moderate increase in resolution. Choose 4× when the source image is much smaller than your target output size. Either way, check the result at full size, especially fine details and edges.
Ready to try it on your own images? Download Nero AI Image Toolkit from Adobe Exchange. Your 50 trial credits are added once you connect your Nero account.
Pricing and free trial
Free trial: you get 50 credits after connecting your Nero account and entering your API key.
Per operation: each operation uses 1–2 credits, depending on the feature.
After the trial: buy more credits from Buy Credits in the plugin menu.
At 1–2 credits per operation, the trial covers roughly 25–50 operations. The exact number depends on which operations you run. That's enough to see how it handles your own images before you pay anything.
Who it's for
The plugin is a good fit if you repeatedly prepare cutouts or enlarged images inside Photoshop and would rather pay per use:
E-commerce sellers who need transparent product PNGs for their store listings.
Social media managers who build ads, stories, or banners around cutout subjects.
Photographers and designers who need to upscale older or low-resolution photos for print layouts, posters, or high-resolution mockups.
Marketing teams who regularly produce promo banners.
FAQ
Is the Nero Photoshop plugin free?
It's free to install and comes with 50 trial credits. After that, you buy credits to keep using it (see Pricing and free trial above)
Which Photoshop versions are supported?
Photoshop 23.0.0 or later.
What output format does Remove BG support?
Choose PNG when you need a transparent background. PNG works for compositing in Photoshop and for use on the web.
Do I need an internet connection?
Yes. Nero AI Image Toolkit uses Nero AI's online processing services, so you need an internet connection to process images.
How long does processing take?
It depends on the image. The panel shows a live progress percentage while the job runs.
Should I use this instead of Photoshop's built-in Remove Background?
Not necessarily. For occasional single cutouts, the built-in quick action is already part of Photoshop. The Nero plugin makes more sense when you also need upscaling with content-specific models, or when you want both tools in one panel.
