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Participant
August 26, 2009
Question

Clone Stamp Tool and Healing Brush not working - why?

As pointed out in the thread subject line, both the clone stamp tool and healing brush are not working for me in Photo Elements 7.

When I am attempting to use it, I get the message: "Could not use clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined".   Well, this is not the case since I did define it with command Alt + left mouse click.

Background:

Photo Elements 7 is installed in Windows XP Professional SP3. The latter runs as a virtual O/S with Sun VirtualBox on host SuSE Linux 11.1 (Gnome).

I have run out of ideas as to what the problem could be, so I am requesting assistance from the forum community. Thank you very kindly in advance for replies.

    Ce sujet a été fermé aux réponses.

    4 commentaires

    Participant
    March 2, 2013

    I had the same problem as reported here in my Photoshop Elements 7.0 and Win 7 x64.  The simple resolution was to "Merge All Viewable Layers" in the "Layers" pull down menu.  The tool then worked perfectly!  My guess is that the top layer had the text only which I was trying to cover up.  The rest of the layer was probably clear which wouldn't overwrite the text (just a guess).

    Participant
    December 23, 2011

    I've had this issue with Photoshop CS5 on Windows 7 and I found that it was my Wacom PTK-640 tablet as well.  Using the Wacom mouse was the problem.  For some reason the mouse must not register the same clicks for some reason.  I picked up the pen and all the sudden it worked!  I'm just making note of this for future searches on the subject.  The clone stamp tool also didn't work.  It was registering in the history state, it looked like it was going to paste by showing the defined area on top of it as you hover.  But once you click, nothing happened at all.  This was happening on a real layer (not adjustment) with sampling set to current layer or all layers, 100% opacity with no defined selections using 'normal' mode. 

    Participating Frequently
    August 4, 2010

    OH MY GOODNESS, It would mean A LOT TO ME IF YOU HELPED ME. I HAVE THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM RIGHT NOW, EXCEPT MINE IS ONLY THE CLONE STAMP.
    I don't have a mac. I use a Windows Vista and use Adobe Premiere Elements 7.0 on it.
    I have the same exact problem now, the clone stamp randomly stopped working, a week ago. I tried resetting, doing everything else you can think
    of and its just not working. Now I also tried doing that trick you did that helped yours work, but since I have a windows vista I am so lost and
    don't know how to get to those settings or where to go. Anyone know anything about how to help fix mine, please reply to me. It would mean so much
    to me. What also makes me sad is that I misplaced my cd-rom to uninstall and re-install, thats why I want to get through this naturally and try to fix it without
    re-installing it and stuff. Please help me.

    August 4, 2010

    Do you mean photoshop elements 7 and not premiere elements?

    The fix posted above only applies to linux os systems, which is

    different from mac and windows.

    On windows vista Alt+left click is to set the clone source.

    Try the following steps one at a time.

    1. reset the clone stamp tool by clicking triangle on the far left of the

       tool options bar and select reset tool.

    2. Go to Edit>Preset Manager and click Done in the dialog that appears.

    3. Reset the elements 7 preferences by holding down the Shift+Alt+Ctrl keys

        at the same time you start elements 7. In the dialog that appears, click yes.

    Hope this helps.

    MTSTUNER

    August 4, 2010

    Thank you so much for the reply. However, I have tried that too, and it still doesn't work. And yes, it is for photoshop elements 7.0

    I really don't know what to do anymore, none of those stuff work. This is so frustrating. :*(


    Could you describe the problem with the clone stamp tool?

    MTSTUNER

    Inspiring
    August 27, 2009

    Has it ever worked right?

    39erAuteur
    Participant
    August 27, 2009

    No it did not work. It is actually a pity since I find this tool quite useful to remove unwanted objects in a photo.

    Thank you for replying.

    Inspiring
    August 27, 2009

    Okay, it sounds from your posts like you know to be sure you're not alt-clicking an adjustment layer or something. Start by deleting the preferences. Quit the editor, then restart it while holding down ctrl+alt+shift. Keep holding the keys till you see a window asking if you want to delete the settings file. You do.