Clone Stamp Tool: won't work on layers

Forum|Forum|11 years ago
July 28, 2014
6 replies
38073 views

I'm a beginner, and cannot find the answer to this online. I've been trying to use the Clone Stamp Tool, but it only works on the background image, not on any layers. When I try to use it on layers, I press Alt and the target comes up, but then when I click to brush, it does not clone. It doesn't do anything at all. Any ideas on how I can get this to work? I don't want to edit the original image.

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gener7

Community Expert

jes-shaw wrote
I don't want to edit the original image.

I just remembered. Make a copy of the original image and work on it. That way you have a backup. Some even duplicate and hide the background layer and simply work on the duplicate layer. Of course don't flatten your layered image.

C

chamberwindmill

Participant

This just happened to me. In case anyone else finds this in a google search, I figured out I was in quick mask mode! Accidentally hit Q on the keyboard.

gener7

Community Expert

An easy way to know if a layer is in Quick Mask mode is to check the Layers Panel. If the Layer is displayed as red, Quickmask is active.

josephlavine

Community Expert

As other have already posted, you need to select either "all layers" or "current & below" to clone into a different layer. Hopefully the attached screen capture helps.

BartonGarrett256

Inspiring

Every once in a while my Clone Stamp goes on walkabout. It just did for me. All the settings were right, but it would not work. I looked at all the usual suspects, the settings were what they should be.

I solve the problem by saving the image, closing and re-opening Photoshop. I just had to do this. All is well in the Photoshop world, for now.

If it goes wanky on you try saving your work, shutting it down and restarting.

K

kozip

Participant

This also happens to me. Stamp tool stops stamping. save and re-open image, stamp works again

Abambo

Community Expert

There are some legit reasons for the stamp tool not working (or apparently not working).

examples:

the source area is empty.
the destination area is masked out.
you are on a text layer or adjustment layer
you are on a layer mask and stamp in an area where no data is affected in the composite image
etc.

Never and really never I had the problem that the stamp tool did not work.

I suppose that by saving and reopening you positioned the stamp to a correct area allowing stamping.

ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer