10 Replies Latest reply: Oct 30, 2010 4:51 PM by Jack

Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Jack Oct 26, 2010 6:03 PM

This is a re-post of an old problem. Using PS CS4 Extended v. 11.0.2 in Win XP SP3.

The clone stamp tool does not alter my image. After selecting source region, cursor hovers over the target region and the preview looks like what one would expect. After clicking, however, the desired change does not occur.

Uninstalled PS and reinstalled. Clone stamp worked for a while, then quit working again.

Image seems to be OK, in that I can open it on my Laptop with CS3 on Win Vista, do my cloning, save and all works fine.

Any ideas appreciated. I may uninstall and reinstall again, but if I do, would like some ideas of what I should monitor as I go through my work process.

1. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Silkrooster Oct 26, 2010 8:59 PM (in response to Jack)

If you are working on multilayers, make sure sample all layers is enabled if working on a layer above the image.
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2. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

John Joslin Oct 27, 2010 12:38 AM (in response to Jack)

Try resetting the tool from the drop-down menu next to the tool icon in the Options bar.

If that doesn't help, try resetting your PS preferences as described in the FAQ.

http://forums.adobe.com/thread/375776?tstart=0

You either have to physically delete (or rename) the preference files or, if using the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift method, be sure that you get a confirmation dialog.

This resets all settings in Photoshop to factory defaults.

A complete uninstall/re-install will not affect the preferences and a corrupt file there may be causing the problem.
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3. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Jack Oct 27, 2010 7:17 AM (in response to Silkrooster)

Thanks, but the problem persists even after flattening the image. "Sample all layers" appears to be set by default.

Best,
jwc
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4. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Userbak610 Oct 27, 2010 7:22 AM (in response to Jack)

Is the opacity set to zero?
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5. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Jack Oct 27, 2010 7:24 AM (in response to John Joslin)

The second method worked. Many thanks.

To avoid this happening again, would appreciate any idea on what to look for in my Preferences.

Best,

jwc
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6. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

John Joslin Oct 27, 2010 7:45 AM (in response to Jack)

Jack wrote:

The second method worked. Many thanks.

To avoid this happening again, would appreciate any idea on what to look for in my Preferences.

Glad it fixed it.

When the preferences get corrupted it is not due to a wrong setting. One of the files has been damagrd. This is a known problem with computers not just Photoshop.

It can be caused by incorrect shut-downs, hard drive faults, or a dozen other reasons. Deleting the preferences just lets Photoshop generate a fresh set at factory default.

Make sure you check through to get your personal settings back and then save a copy.
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7. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work

Jack Oct 27, 2010 2:12 PM (in response to John Joslin)

Problem has returned on second attempt to use clone stamp tool. Tried reopening with Ctrl+Alt+shift depressed, got the "delete preferences file" dialog. Still unable to use clone stamp tool on flat file or background layer of layered image.

Further ideas appreciated.
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8. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work - CS4 Win XP SP-3

Jack Oct 30, 2010 3:05 PM (in response to Jack)

I am now finding that the reset of "preferences" file at startup of PS works consistently.

Bad news is that a stop/start with reset key combination is required after every instance of using my clone stamp tool.

Any ideas of what can be the cause, and a possible cure, would be appreciated.
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9. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work - CS4 Win XP SP-3

dec9 Oct 30, 2010 3:34 PM (in response to Jack)

Jack,

I would try these simple to do checks on your computer to help rule out problems.

Go to start and type in CMD. Your will see CMD.exe. Right click on that and choose run as Admin. Type in scf /scannow at the command prompt. This will check windows 7 system files and if problems are found will fix them. It may ask you for the disk or to reboot. Keep doing this until nothing is found. If nothing is found then everything is ok.

You should also scan the hard drive for disk errors. Something might be on a bad sector or trying to write to a bad sector.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Check-a-drive-for-errors
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10. Re: Clone Stamp Tool does not work - CS4 Win XP SP-3

Jack Oct 30, 2010 4:51 PM (in response to dec9)

Thanks dec but I'm running in XP. Will see what I can get done anyway. Thanks for tips.
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