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BEST AI Image Restoration & Colorization Tools 2023

Science & Technology

Introduction

Restoring an image can be a delicate task, as it requires careful attention to the conditions of the image and the specific fixes that are needed. Whether it's physical damage like scratches, marks, or stains, or issues with photo quality like monochromatic images, noise, or blurriness, there are many factors to consider when restoring an image. The composition of the image, whether it's a portrait, a group photo, or a scenery, can also impact the difficulty of the restoration process.

While Photoshop is often considered the king of digital image restoration tools, not everyone has access to it or the knowledge to use it for image restoration. Fortunately, there are several AI solutions available for colorization, restoration, and enhancement that don't require Photoshop expertise. In this article, we will explore the current best AI tools in these areas.

Open Source AI Research

Before diving into online services, it's important to understand the open-source AI research that serves as the backbone for many of these tools. These research projects are typically free but may be locked behind paywalls when used in online services. Some notable open-source AI research in image restoration include:

  1. "Bringing Old Photos Back to Life" (2020): This research is known for its ability to automatically detect, mask, and repair scratches and photo marks. It has been widely adopted by many image restoration services.

  2. "Theodify" (2018): This research focuses on colorization and has been popularly used by online services for restoring black and white images with color.

  3. "CodeFormer" (2022): This research is specifically designed for facial restoration and offers advanced features for upscaling and enhancing images of faces.

These open-source AI models are often the basis for many online image restoration services. However, it's worth noting that running these models may require specific hardware or knowledge to set up, making the online services more convenient options for most users.

Online Services Comparison

To evaluate the various online services available, we tested six images ranging from the 1860s to the 1920s. We focused on colorization, physical damage restoration, and facial restoration. Here are the results:

Colorization

When it comes to colorization, several online services rely on the same AI backbone called "Theodify", which offers decent colorization but lacks customization options. However, there are exceptions:

  • Palette.fm: This online service stands out for its natural-looking colorization and customizable options. It allows users to edit prompts and adjust the colorization process according to their preferences.

  • MyHeritage: Although my Heritage uses the same AI backbone as "Theodify", it has made significant improvements in colorization. However, it tends to produce more saturated colors and has a bias towards specific shades.

Physical Damage Restoration

For physical damage restoration, some online services provide automated solutions:

  • Fence AI and Hotpot.ai: Both services use the "Bringing Old Photos Back to Life" AI backbone, which excels at detecting, masking, and repairing scratches and marks.

  • Remini: Popular in the past, Remini offers image restoration, but the results may not be as effective as other options.

  • Photo Works: While this service offers enhancements, it does not address physical damage restoration.

Facial Restoration

When it comes to facial restoration, my Heritage takes the lead with its AI-powered upscaling and enhancement capabilities. However, CodeFormer offers similar features, but it tends to overprocess images, making my Heritage the preferred option for most users.

Keyword

image restoration, colorization, physical damage, scratches, marks, stains, monochromatic images, noise, blurriness, composition, portrait, group photo, scenery, Photoshop, AI solutions, online services, open-source AI research, Bringing Old Photos Back to Life, Theodify, CodeFormer, Palette.fm, color customization, natural-looking colorization, Palette.fm, MyHeritage, saturated colors, physical damage restoration, Fence AI, Hotpot.ai, Remini, Photo Works, facial restoration, upscaling, enhancements, CodeFormer overprocessing.

FAQ

1. What are some of the best AI tools for image restoration and colorization in 2023? Palette.fm and MyHeritage stand out as the top choices for colorization, offering customizable options and improved results. For physical damage restoration, Fence AI and Hotpot.ai excel at repairing scratches and marks. MyHeritage also leads in facial restoration capabilities, providing AI-powered upscaling and enhancements.

2. How do these AI tools compare to Photoshop? While Photoshop remains the gold standard for image restoration, AI tools offer convenient alternatives for users who don't have access to Photoshop or prefer automated processes. AI tools like MyHeritage and Palette.fm provide efficient and effective restoration and colorization options without the technical expertise required by Photoshop.

3. Can I use these AI tools for free or are they paid services? While some AI models used by online services are available for free with the right setup and knowledge, the convenience and additional features provided by paid services often make them worth the price. MyHeritage and Palette.fm, among others, offer paid options for their advanced image restoration and colorization capabilities.