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Known Participant
January 19, 2022
Answered

Stamp/Healing - Sample layer above

  • January 19, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 565 views

So...

How do I get samples from a different layer ?

 

On the Stamp or Healing tool I have the option to sample the current and below layers, but I need, for instance, to sample from a layer above, or not sample from the current.

 

Unless I'm wrong, "Saving" a pattern doesn't allow for variations. It would leave me always with the same pattern. I need to dynamically variate the sample with Alt key as I go.

 

Thank you ahead

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Earth Oliver

Set Stamp to 'Current Layer', select B as the source, switch to A, start cloning.

4 replies

Earth Oliver
Earth OliverCorrect answer
Legend
January 19, 2022

Set Stamp to 'Current Layer', select B as the source, switch to A, start cloning.

LucasBSAuthor
Known Participant
January 19, 2022

I responded the others without noticing your solution...

 

Man, and it's a simple/ellegant one !
I knew that the tool "memorizes" the sample, even if it's from a different layer, but when I needed that information, it didn't cross my mind !

 

Despite the extra clicks necessary, it is so far, the most appropriate solution.

 

Thank you

 

Earth Oliver
Legend
January 19, 2022

Yes! It's been that way since the 90s, but not very obvious that it's possible 😃

LucasBSAuthor
Known Participant
January 19, 2022

I've attached a picture.

 

Suppose I want to manually fix (Stamp or Healing) the blurry area A picking textures from B

 

- I cannot merge B into the picture (unless I can remove it later).

- I cannot send B to a layer below (if I do, it disappears from sight, and I won't see what samples I'm picking)

  - Even if I did bring B to the layer below, the sample would also pick the texture above.

- In this picture, I can make B a giant clone source, and place it exactly on A, but that's not always possible.

- In this picture, I can place B on top of A and merge it, but that's not always the case.

 

Thanks for the support so far

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2022

You could open B as a separate image, use the Clone Stamp Tool to pick a Clone Source, switch to image A and stamp. 

 

In this case I wonder, though, if it might not be more convenient to place B as a Smart Object, position it, apply a Layer Mask to remove the edges and (if necessary) Clipping Mask a Curves Layer to B to adjust the colors. 

LucasBSAuthor
Known Participant
January 19, 2022
quote

You could open B as a separate image

quote

 

Only convenient if I pick few samples. Otherwise, imagine the work if I have to keep tabbing to pick them...

 

Split the screen would help, though...

 

Yeah... it's a solution

 

quote

apply a Layer Mask to remove the edges


That helps a lot to cut-off "unwanted" texture on the border of the source. But there's also "unwanted" texture on the "inner" side of the source.

 

In my beach picture/example, eating the outer edge is enough, but on another picture I'm working on, there are "wrinkles" inside the texture, hard to be removed, that would merge on the result.

 

Still, I think this strategy of yours is the best possible.

 

Gonna wait a little to see if someone else could enrich it

 

Thank you two.

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2022

If »All Layers« does not work for you it seems like you may have to re-organize your Layer order. 

And even worse alternative for the Clone Stamp Tool might be to us a separate document as Clone Source. 

 

As @Leslie Moak Murray already mentioned please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

Earth Oliver
Legend
January 19, 2022

you can use Current Layer to clone from one layer to another...

Leslie Moak Murray
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 19, 2022

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you're trying to do, but sometimes the Content-Aware fill can be useful. Do you have a screenshot of what you mean?