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Hello. I have come upon a very frustrating problem that I can't find any answers to, despite a lot of googling.
I am very new to Photoshop and I am learning how to use the clone stamp tool by following various tutorials, however I get stuck with the following error:
"Could Not Use Clone Stamp Tool Because Area To Clone Has Not Been Defined" and then it tells me to Alt-click to define the source. However when I do that, I get the error again!
I have tried:
- To reset the tool
- Made sure all layers were selected (It initially gave me an error for that)
- Made sure the layer isn't locked.
- Reinstalled Photoshop
- Tried to see if it was somehow not the alt-key I needed to use but I can't find any other key that lets me do this.
- Closed all other programmes besides google chrome to see if anything was conflicting
I use Windows 10, my computer is brand new and powerful, I have a wired mouse and keyboard.
The only thing I seem to be able to conclude is that my Alt key is not working probably in Photoshop, but it works fine in other contexts. I can also still alt-tab between programmes when I have photoshop open. My keyboard is nordic as I am from the nordic countries.
I was initially working on two layers but since I was having issues now I am just working on one layer. I am really at a loss as how to solve this, it is the first time I ever have to use the clone tool and right away it gives me this error. I appreciate any help you can give.
Thanks, but now you hid the Layers Panel.
Does the Clone Stamp Tool’s cursor change to crosshairs when you press the alt-key?
When you alt-click does the Layer’s appear near the top of the Clone Source Panel?
Does the issue arise with both alt-keys?
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Please include the Clone Source Panel, Channels Panel, Toolbox and Options Bar in a screenshot.
- Made sure all layers were selected (It initially gave me an error for that)
Only one Layer should be selected.
What have you done for trouble-shooting so far?
Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html
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I hope I got everything onto it.
By all layers selected I meant the sample-all layers setting.
Some keybindings involving Alt does not appear to be working correctly. For example if I try to do control+alt+shift+k it should have brought up keyboard shortcuts, but it brought up Color Settings instead. I tried this after I did a reinstall of photoshop where I told it to delete all of my settings. I have not messed around with the settings a whole lot beforehand either, like I never had any costumized presets before.
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Thanks, but now you hid the Layers Panel.
Does the Clone Stamp Tool’s cursor change to crosshairs when you press the alt-key?
When you alt-click does the Layer’s appear near the top of the Clone Source Panel?
Does the issue arise with both alt-keys?
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I'm not entirely sure what happened, but clicking altgr+left click let me get a red dot up that I could scale and I did some random clicking around and after that now suddenly the Clone Stamp Tool works just fine. It did not turn into a cross hair before and now it does. I must have somehow prompted it to change some settings somewhere?
I am going to mark this as solved as it was solved for me, though I'm really not sure what I did. But it works.
Thanks for the help!
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Follow up: It appears to be bound to my windows key, rather than alt. I am still not sure why. But apparently this is just how it works now.
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Good to know it works now – at least somehow.
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I had the same problem...turns out only one of my alt keys could work with the tool.
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Having same problem in Photoshop 2022. Left ALT key does not react when clicked in Clone Stamp mode. Right ALT key generates a black/white superimposed arrow but does not generate crosshairs and does not define a source point. This is a new issue after using this version for a long while. Have reset preferences, selected all layers, tried pressing and releasing one/both ALT keys but still getting the issue.
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Why are you using Photoshop 2022?
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Have updated to 2024 but getting the same result.
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Can you borrow a different keyboard to make sure the problem is not with the hardware?
Do other shortcuts that utilize the alt-key work?
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Thanks for the support - keyboard was the issue. Now working properly.
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Same problem
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Have you tried using another keyboard?