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Clone Stamp Tool Error (Alt-click does not define source)

Community Beginner ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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.

screenshotofproblem.png

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Community Expert , Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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Adobe
Community Expert ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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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Community Beginner ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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secondscreenshot.png

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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Community Expert ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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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Community Beginner ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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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Community Beginner ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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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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Community Expert ,
Jul 27, 2017 Jul 27, 2017

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Good to know it works now – at least somehow.

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New Here ,
Oct 22, 2019 Oct 22, 2019

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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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Community Beginner ,
Jan 28, 2024 Jan 28, 2024

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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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Community Expert ,
Jan 28, 2024 Jan 28, 2024

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Why are you using Photoshop 2022? 

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Community Beginner ,
Jan 29, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

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Have updated to 2024 but getting the same result.  

peter35090310qfr4_0-1706523060728.pngpeter35090310qfr4_1-1706523087877.png

 

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Community Expert ,
Jan 29, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

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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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Community Beginner ,
Jan 29, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

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Thanks for the support - keyboard was the issue. Now working properly.

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New Here ,
Dec 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

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Same problem 

 

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Community Expert ,
Dec 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

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Have you tried using another keyboard? 

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