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Paint Shop Pro Clone Tool

The Paint Shop Pro Clone Tool is like most Clone Tools.  It takes pixels from one place, layer or picture and moves them to another place, layer or picture.

This is one of the first tools most people start messing with 'cause it is just fun to use.

Producting good resluts with a Clone Tool is more than just blasing away.  For best results you need to take into account a number of different things, especially the source point.

The Tools

The Paint Shop Pro Clone Tool lives with the Scratch Remover and the Object Remover and the keyboard shortcut for all of them is C.

Source - the place where the pixels are coming from - aka the good pixels.  Effective selection of a good source is the key to doing a good clone.  The hue and saturation (color and darkness) need to be as close as possible to the area surrounding the destination.  
PSP Source
Destination - the pixels you are going to replace - aka the unwanted pixels.

Aligned Mode - if this is checked the Source will follow you around the screen even after your lift the pen or release the left mouse button.  If Aligned is not checked then the Source will always return to the initial point you set after you lift the pen or release the left mouse button.

Use All Layers - with this box checked you can add a new layer, set your Source on the layer and Clone to that layer.  It tends to prevent desctruction of the original image.
PSP Clone Tool
Continuous - when this box is checked the paint you are laying down does not build on itself and if it is not checked then the paint does build on itself.

Brush Variance - the Paint Shop Pro Clone tool is pressure sensitive which is really fabulous.  Setting the variance to Opacity or Density makes it much easier to produce really seamless clones.

The other two tools that live with the PSP Clone Tool are the Scratch Remover and the Object Remover.  They are demonstrated in the video.

  PSP Scratch Remover PSP Object Remover
Scratch Remover Object Remover

The Learning Center

ToolClone IconScratch IconObject Icon
Learning
Center
Clone LC
Clone 1 LC		Scratch LCObject LC
Object 2 LC


Using the Clone Tool

  1. Examine your image and decide on the best source point - when you have it Right Click on it.  If you are using a Wacom tablet it is best to change the Opacity setting in Brush Variance to Pressure.
  2. Move your pen over to the edge of the destination and start painting away to cover the unwanted pixels - go lighly and watch the results carefully.  Be sure to zoom in tightly so you can see what you are doing and selecting the best Source.
  3. Change the Source from time to time to avoid getting any annoying and distracting patterns on your image because - everyone's eyes will find them immediately and keep going back there as if it is the only thing in the picture - those annoying patterns that scream "newbie"!
The best way to become proficient with the Clone Tool is to practise a lot. Try out the other two removing tools as well, the Scratch Remover and the Object Remover.

The three of them are in the following video.  Give it a watch and then give them a go!


Return to Paint Shop Pro page from Paint Shop Pro Clone Tool.

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