diff --git a/crates/engine/src/prefs.rs b/crates/engine/src/prefs.rs
index 600b015ee3..ceddb8942f 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/prefs.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/prefs.rs
@@ -1127,7 +1127,6 @@ pub const HIDDEN_UNTIL_IMPLEMENTED: &[&str] = &[
     "unitsAndRulers.gutter",
     "plugIns.showExtensionPanels",
     "plugIns.allowScriptsToConnect",
-    "plugIns.generatorEnabled",
     "type.textEngine",
     "enhancedControls.scrubbySliderAcceleration",
     "rawDefaults.colorSpace",
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/web_cmds.rs b/crates/engine/src/web_cmds.rs
index 1ed070c020..a68f439e17 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/web_cmds.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/web_cmds.rs
@@ -1515,7 +1515,7 @@ fn image_assets(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
 /// After a save: regenerate the document's image assets when Generate › Image Assets is on.
 pub fn on_saved(s: &Session, index: usize) -> Option<Value> {
     let d = s.documents().get(index)?;
-    if !s.file_menu.image_assets.contains(&d.doc.id) || cfg!(target_arch = "wasm32") {
+    if !s.file_menu.image_assets.contains(&d.doc.id) || !s.prefs().plug_ins.generator_enabled || cfg!(target_arch = "wasm32") {
         return None;
     }
     let dir = assets_dir(d.path.as_deref()?);
@@ -1532,6 +1532,16 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
     fn has_doc(s: &Session) -> std::result::Result<(), String> {
         s.active().map(|_| ()).ok_or_else(|| "no document open".into())
     }
+
+    /// Generate ▸ Image Assets needs Preferences ▸ Plug-ins ▸ Generator enabled, as in
+    /// Photoshop (where "Enable Generator" is unchecked until turned on).
+    fn generator_enabled(s: &Session) -> std::result::Result<(), String> {
+        has_doc(s)?;
+        if !s.prefs().plug_ins.generator_enabled {
+            return Err("Enable Generator in Preferences ▸ Plug-ins".into());
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
     vec![
         spec!(
             "file.export.saveForWebLegacy",
@@ -1566,7 +1576,7 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
             &["File", "Generate"],
             None,
             r##"{"on":bool? (default: toggle),"dir":folder? (default <document>-assets next to the file)} → {enabled, files, errors}; layers named like "foo.png", "200% foo@2x.png", "48x48 icons/a.png8", "photo.jpg80%" are exported, now and after each save"##,
-            has_doc,
+            generator_enabled,
             image_assets
         ),
     ]
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/web_cmds/tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/web_cmds/tests.rs
index 9ba644719d..b35289bedb 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/web_cmds/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/web_cmds/tests.rs
@@ -610,10 +610,35 @@ fn generator_naming_grammar() {
     assert!(parse_defaults("defaults are nice", 72.0).is_none());
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn image_assets_needs_the_generator_preference() {
+    let dir = tmp("generator_pref");
+    let mut s = session(8);
+    let id = s.active().unwrap().active_layer.unwrap();
+    s.execute("layer.renameLayer", json!({"layer": id.0, "name": "logo.png"})).unwrap();
+    assert!(!s.prefs().plug_ins.generator_enabled, "off by default, as in Photoshop");
+    assert!(!s.is_enabled("file.generate.imageAssets"), "unavailable until it is enabled");
+    assert!(s.execute("file.generate.imageAssets", json!({"dir": dir})).is_err());
+
+    s.execute("prefs.set", json!({"path": "plugIns.generatorEnabled", "value": true})).unwrap();
+    assert!(s.is_enabled("file.generate.imageAssets"));
+    assert_eq!(s.execute("file.generate.imageAssets", json!({"dir": dir})).unwrap()["enabled"], true);
+    s.active_mut().unwrap().path = Some(format!("{dir}/doc.psd"));
+    assert!(crate::automate_cmds::document_saved(&mut s, 0).is_some(), "assets are written on save");
+
+    // Turning it off again takes the menu item away and stops the export, even for a document
+    // left switched on.
+    s.execute("prefs.set", json!({"path": "plugIns.generatorEnabled", "value": false})).unwrap();
+    assert!(!s.is_enabled("file.generate.imageAssets"));
+    assert!(crate::automate_cmds::document_saved(&mut s, 0).is_none(), "no assets while Generator is off");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn image_assets_are_generated_now_and_on_save() {
     let dir = tmp("assets");
     let mut s = session(8);
+    // Preferences ▸ Plug-ins ▸ Generator enabled: the feature is opt-in.
+    s.execute("prefs.set", json!({"path": "plugIns.generatorEnabled", "value": true})).unwrap();
     let id = s.active().unwrap().active_layer.unwrap();
     s.execute("layer.renameLayer", json!({"layer": id.0, "name": "logo.png, 50% small/logo.gif, logo.jpg80%"})).unwrap();
     let r = s.execute("file.generate.imageAssets", json!({"dir": dir})).unwrap();
diff --git a/crates/ui-egui/src/file_ui.rs b/crates/ui-egui/src/file_ui.rs
index e014ca9e36..18ac75478a 100644
--- a/crates/ui-egui/src/file_ui.rs
+++ b/crates/ui-egui/src/file_ui.rs
@@ -1822,6 +1822,10 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(checked(&app, "view.lockSlices"), Some(false));
         crate::menus::invoke(&mut app, &ctx, "view.lockSlices", json!({})).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(checked(&app, "view.lockSlices"), Some(true));
+        // Generator is opt-in (Preferences ▸ Plug-ins), as in Photoshop: the menu item is
+        // unavailable until it is enabled.
+        assert!(crate::menus::invoke(&mut app, &ctx, "file.generate.imageAssets", json!({})).is_err());
+        app.run("prefs.set", json!({"path": "plugIns.generatorEnabled", "value": true})).unwrap();
         crate::menus::invoke(&mut app, &ctx, "file.generate.imageAssets", json!({})).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(checked(&app, "file.generate.imageAssets"), Some(true));
         // Form dialogs open for the rest.