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Paul Leadingham
Participant
Nov 23, 2011 1:26 AM UTC
Answered

Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined

Freshly installed Elements 10.  Can not use the option-mouse click to define an area for the clone stamp.  The error I get is:

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

New Mac Mini.  Had the same problems in Elements 9 so I installed the 10 trial.  Is this a key binding error?  Did not have this issue with Elements 9 on my Mac Air or my Windows 7 system. 

I'm not a newbie and know how to use the clone tool.  I won't say I'm an expert so if it's something related to layers please throw out some ideas.

    Correct answer
    Nov 23, 2011 4:02 AM UTC

    Yeah, it sounds like a layers issue.  If the area you're using to define the clone source is a transparent area on one of your layers, it won't work.  Keep the Layers Palette open, and ensure you're using the image area (and not the mask area) -- if the image area of the layer is active, it will have a border around it.

    Ken

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    9 replies

    mary_8384
    Participant
    Apr 25, 2025 3:26 PM UTC

    I have two keyboards, a laptop and a bluetooth keyboard. You can't use bluetooth anything with some of these tools. Not the mouse either. The blue tooth signal does not register as clicking on the layer with the alt key, you have to do it with the actual laptop keyboard that's connected to the PC and monitor. 

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    Joanna27391691uv6c
    Participant
    Dec 1, 2022 7:02 PM UTC

    I achieved success by holding the Option key while clicking the mouse.

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    Paul LeadinghamAuthor
    Participant
    Nov 23, 2011 12:44 PM UTC

    This did it.  Thanks!

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    Anonymous
    Nov 23, 2011 9:33 PM UTC

    You're welcome.

    Ken

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    99jon
    99jon
    Legend
    Nov 23, 2011 8:52 AM UTC

     

    If working on layered documents make sure you have sample all layers checked on the options bar. Otherwise keep the clone tool selected and choose reset tool from the dropdown menu on the left.

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      Steph23302921tzn9
      Participant
      Feb 23, 2022 7:18 PM UTC
      • Thank you this also helped me with the same problem 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
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      Anonymous
      Correct answer
      Nov 23, 2011 4:02 AM UTC

      Yeah, it sounds like a layers issue.  If the area you're using to define the clone source is a transparent area on one of your layers, it won't work.  Keep the Layers Palette open, and ensure you're using the image area (and not the mask area) -- if the image area of the layer is active, it will have a border around it.

      Ken

      Translate
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