Clone Stamp Tool not working (Photoshop Elements 2020 on Mac)

[danielvandermunnik]

The Clone Stamp Tool is not working. Everytime I select something (Yes, the cursor changes into a crosshair) and I want to use the tool, I get this message: 

"Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined (option-click to define a source point)."

I tried resetting the tool and to sample all layers. What else can I do to get this useful tool working again?

[hatstead]

Reset preferences to default. That may fix it. Go to Edit>Preferences>General and reset on nexr launch.

[danielvandermunnik]

Hi Hatstead,

Thanks for your help, but resetting the prefs did not work. I still get the same message "Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined (option-click to define a source point)." The search continues...

[Phinny]

See if this post from yesterday helps.

[hatstead]

You have already activated "sample all layers" so it would seem unlikely that this is the issue.

Two other suggestions:

1. Go to Edit>Preferences>Display&Cursors, and check "standard" for the cursor.

2. When engaging the clone stamp tool, use the bracket keys next to the letter P on the keyboard to increase the size of the cursor to fetch more source pixels. 

[danielvandermunnik]

Hi Hatstead,

Thanks again for directing me towards a possible solution, but this does not work either. I still get the message "Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined (option-click to define a source point)." Hope someone has the golden trick!

[Jeff Arola]

What version of macOS are you using and mac model and year?

[danielvandermunnik]

I'm using Mac OS X Catalina Version 10.15.4 on an iMac 27-inch Late 2013, 3,5 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M 4 GB and a 3 TB Fusion Drive. I just posted it here, but I had this problem on Photoshop Elements 14 as well, so it exists for some years now. Buying the new Photoshop 2020 I thought I ask around on the Adobe forum to see if there would be a fix.

[Jeff Arola]

Are you using a Magic Mouse or a Magic Trackpad?

An apple keyboard?

[danielvandermunnik]

Yes, I use a Magic Mouse and a full Apple keyboard, wired. No Magic Trackpad.

[Jeff Arola]

Under Apple>System Preferences>Keyboard you have the Modifier Keys set as Default like below?

[danielvandermunnik]

Yes, modifier keys are set as default. I have the fn key in there as well.