Clone Stamp Tool: won't work on layers

I'm a beginner, and cannot find the answer to this online. I've been trying to use the Clone Stamp Tool, but it only works on the background image, not on any layers. When I try to use it on layers, I press Alt and the target comes up, but then when I click to brush, it does not clone. It doesn't do anything at all. Any ideas on how I can get this to work? I don't want to edit the original image.

Set the Tool to "Current Layer" in the Options bar at the top.
More detail here. The Ultimate Guide To Cloning In Photoshop | Smashing Magazine

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Clone Stamp Tool does not work

This is a re-post of an old problem. Using PS CS4 Extended v. 11.0.2 in Win XP SP3.
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Uninstalled PS and reinstalled. Clone stamp worked for a while, then quit working again.
Image seems to be OK, in that I can open it on my Laptop with CS3 on Win Vista, do my cloning, save and all works fine.
Any ideas appreciated. I may uninstall and reinstall again, but if I do, would like some ideas of what I should monitor as I go through my work process.

Jack wrote:
The second method worked. Many thanks.
To avoid this happening again, would appreciate any idea on what to look for in my Preferences.
Glad it fixed it.
When the preferences get corrupted it is not due to a wrong setting. One of the files has been damagrd. This is a known problem with computers not just Photoshop.
It can be caused by incorrect shut-downs, hard drive faults, or a dozen other reasons. Deleting the preferences just lets Photoshop generate a fresh set at factory default.
Make sure you check through to get your personal settings back and then save a copy.

Clone stamp tool won't apply

Hello all,
I just moved to CC and I'm having trouble applying the clone stamp tool.
So, I create a duplicate unlocked layer and select my area to clone from using ALT.
When I hover over the area to place the clone it previews what it'll look like, but when I click the mouse it won't apply.
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Selection active, Opacity too low, Flow too low, Blend Mode, …?
Have you reset the Tool yet?

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Anyone have suggestions on why the tools stop working?

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Hi Trevor!
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Hi, i am working on photoshop CC classroom in a book, and i find that i cannot use clone stamp tool, why ?

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Good day!
What kind of Layer is selected, is the Layer locked, …?
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Could this be a hardware problem? Graphic board problem?
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Hi Joan
It sounds like you are not having fun at all : )
>I talked with a for fee Mac guru today who says I need to wipe slate clean and install operating system from scratch since I did not use time machine.
.....you ever notice how easy it is for a consultant to tell you what to do when they don't have to do it?
..... I wonder why the guru thought your system was gone if your new user account was working?
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Clone Stamp Tool and Healing Brush not working - why?

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The fix posted above only applies to linux os systems, which is
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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).
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What to do after making mask layer adjustment--other tools won't work??

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Hi there, I am working in CS5 and lately when I have been drawing with the Clone stamp tool, the cloned content seems to be transparent instead of being a 100% opaque clone of the source. The tool is in normal mode but the result looks almost identical multiply mode. I am coming from CS3 and I have not run into this problem in the past. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

…and the align sample to current layer is checked on.
This implies that you need to understand what the settings actually do. You have a choice "current layer", "current and below" or "all layers". These have nothing to with Align, they are all about which layers are sampled.
"Aligned" is about where multiple clicks of the Clone Stamp sample from. How they relate to the source area that you sampled.
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Hi,
I think, Can you verify that you are working on the correct layers?
If you have more than one layer in the layers panel of your image, Make sure, you select " Sample All Layers" option from the options bar on the top.
Also, make sure you have selected the correct layer(mostly the top layer works) while cloning the areas.
So, make sure you follow this:
while doing "Alt+Left Click" to sample area, make sure you have "Sample All Layers" selected
While painting the sampled area to another position, make sure you are on the top layer or the layer you want to clone to.

Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined (option-click to d

Could not use the clone stamp tool because the area to clone has not been defined (option-click to define a source point). this is what shows up in the command box when ever I click to start to pick the spot i want to use as the clone. makes my cloning tool useless. can any one help? I have reset the tools restrted my computer. i am at a loss...

Are you working with more than one layer? If you are working with multiple layers it makes a difference when selecting source spot and then trying to clone to a different layer. I find that I have to be sure I am selecting the corresponding layers for source and then for application when working within multiple layers.
At least for me this is the case when getting that type of message. I am very new to this program though, so maybe someone else has a more concise answer for you.
Good luck and write again if this doesn't help.
Moon52
Sent from my iPhone

Photoshop Elements 8. "Could not use Clone Stamp Tool because of a program error." Please help.

Photoshop Elements 8. "Could not use Clone Stamp Tool because of a program error." Please help.

Try this:
Open your picture file
Access the clone stamp tool
Hold down the ALT key on the keyboard and left click on the area from which you wish to clone, then release the ALT key, and click to place the pixels at the destination
TIPS:
It is a good idea to open a blank layer at the top in the layers palette, and do the cloning on this layer. Be sure that "sample all layers" at the top is checked. You can change the layer opacity if necessary
Use the bracket keys next to the letter p on the keyboard to increase & decrease the size of the cursor
Let us know how you make out with the error message now.

Clone Stamp Tool: won't work on layers

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