How to Use The Clone Tool in Adobe Photoshop

The clone tool, sometimes known as the "Rubber Stamp" tool allows the Photoshop user to select a part of the image and then paint with that selection. The selection can be painted into the existing image or into a new image. The creative possibilities with this tool are endless.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Photoshop 6.0 or later running on a PC or Mac
• A copy of an image file

1. 
   Clone Palette

   Open Phototshop and select and open the image file copy. Use CONTROL+O or FILE/OPEN to browse for and then select your file. When the file is open, select the clone tool from the tools palette on your left. The tool looks like a rubber stamp. After selection, you will see the clone toolbar at the top of the image screen.

2. You can select your brush size and type, opacity level and mode from the clone toolbar. Select your start point by moving your mouse to the area you want to clone from and press the WINDOW and ALT key together. On a Macintosh this is the APPLE and ALT key. The clone tool will select this area to paint from.

3. 
   Adding the clone

   Move your mouse to where you want to paint the clone image and depress the left mouse button while moving your mouse in small circular motions. The technique is similar to using the airbrush tool. The more you paint, the darker the image will become up to the limits of the opacity setting.

4. 
   Adding additional clones

   To add an additional clone of the same selection, release the mouse button , move to the next area on the image and begin painting again.

5. 
   Creating a new file from the clone.

   You may want to paint the cloned image into a new file. To do this keep the clone tool selected in the original file. Open up a new file by selecting FILE/NEW or pressing CONTROL+N. Paint the cloned image into the blank new file as you did in the original.

Tips & Warnings

• Start by choosing simple images with plain backgrounds. Black and white images are the easiest to practice on since there will not be conflicting colors between the clone and the original.
• If you just want a ghost image, select an opacity of about 30%. Choose 100% to duplicate the selected part of the image.
• Use a small feathered brush for blending the clone in to the background.
• Remember to use the step backwards tool or the history panel to move back to a previous step. It is easy to make mistakes with this tool.

Resources

• Adobe Photoshop

[pyewacket]

on 2/21/2009 Great article. I find I'm always learning new things with my Photoshop

[sexychef]

on 7/1/2008 This is helpful. Thanks.