Topic: Stumped by clone tool behaviour (Read 4012 times)

andyptak · « **on:** July 28, 2018, 05:43:24 pm »

Ever since my last version upgrade, my clone tool - I use just the basic soft circle - produces either too dark or too light cloning. Not at all the same as the source sample. I've tried varying the opacity and it doesn't work too well. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

digitaldog · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2018, 05:51:07 pm »

All files, no matter how many layers, mode is set to Normal?
I suppose you could try the old delete preferences standby, can't hurt:

Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (Mac OS) immediately after launching Photoshop. You will be prompted to delete the current settings.
(Mac OS only) Open the Preferences folder in the Library folder, and drag the Adobe Photoshop CS Settings folder to the Trash.

andyptak · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2018, 08:56:48 pm »

Thanks. What other preferences will be deleted also? Wondering if I'll shoot myself in the foot. Been there, done that, many times!

digitaldog · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2018, 10:02:01 pm »

Quote from: andyptak on July 28, 2018, 08:56:48 pm

Thanks. What other preferences will be deleted also? Wondering if I'll shoot myself in the foot. Been there, done that, many times!

You can back up the pref file first but you don’t lose anything that can’t easily be reset in General Preference. But again, is this issue showing up on any document and is blend mode set to Normal etc?

Garnick · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2018, 10:16:05 pm »

Also, have you tried to reset the clone stamp tool. Occasionally I have an issue with a tool, but the reset always seems to get it back on line. And if you have a number of layers below the one you want to work on, make sure the option is set to "Current and Below", and as per Andrew, always "Normal" mode. As far as deleting PS prefs it is a good idea to backup the prefs file and drag it out of the folder. I always do screenshots of all prefs dialogs in case I ever have to delete the prefs or reinstall PS.

Gary

DesW · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2018, 10:17:05 pm »

Hmmm--the Prefs refresh should correct to the Default settings--I've had the problem mentioned couple of times inadvertently clicking the Multiply/Screen/etc--duhhh!

This is probably not the fix for you at present--but when I use the Clone tool I like Mode setting>Darken (if cloning lighter spots) and >Lighten if same on Darker ones

Hope you can correct your dilemma pronto!

DW

andyptak · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2018, 07:58:10 am »

The issue is showing up most, but not all of the time on "Normal" . If I am cloning an area with rich detail such as tree leaves etc., it isn't bad at all, but smoother areas such as sky or a stucco wall, are terrible. Light areas tend to clone darker, while dark areas tend to clone lighter. Go figure.

I'm going to try the preferences when I get back to my home machine. I just cringe every time I update software. Something unintended often happens.

Simon J.A. Simpson · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2018, 05:17:16 pm »

You may not have reset all the preferences. Take a look at the screenshot below which shows how you can change the blending mode for the tool.

andyptak · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2018, 07:13:42 pm »

Thanks Simon.

I'm on normal, as usual. Choosing "lighten, darken" etc., can do the trick at times - if I'm lucky and get the right luminance. It's a similar effect and concept as adjusting opacity in some instances. Both of these can work on a trial and error basis but aren't reliable and repeatable for a reasonable workflow. And it shouldn't be necessary and wasn't until recently. Cloning source to target at 100% opacity should be identical, end of story. Except on my machine at the moment!

Peano · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2018, 10:38:34 am »

Don't delete your preferences file. If you've made a lot of modifications, it can be a royal pain to restore all of them one at a time.

Instead, just drag the prefs file onto your desktop and then launch Photoshop. It will create a new prefs file with default settings. If that doesn't solve your problem, you can delete the new prefs file and restore the one you saved.

digitaldog · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2018, 10:42:50 am »

Quote from: Peano on July 30, 2018, 10:38:34 am

Don't delete your preferences file. If you've made a lot of modifications, it can be a royal pain to restore all of them one at a time.

Ah no, it really isn't.

Quote

Instead, just drag the prefs file onto your desktop and then launch Photoshop. It will create a new prefs file with default settings. If that doesn't solve your problem, you can delete the new prefs file and restore the one you saved.

No, you need to drag and then REMOVE the preference file or all you did was copy it to a new location which I also did suggest. Then delete the original, test and if desired, place that desktop copy back over the newly built PS preference file.
May work, may not work but PS and additional Adobe applications have historically had issues with preference files. As someone that did tech support for a Photoshop plug-in, I can't tell you how many times deleting PS preferences fixed dozens of issues; quick and easy and worth a try.

digitaldog · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2018, 10:45:39 am »

Quote from: andyptak on July 29, 2018, 07:13:42 pm

Thanks Simon.

I'm on normal, as usual. Choosing "lighten, darken" etc., can do the trick at times - if I'm lucky and get the right luminance. It's a similar effect and concept as adjusting opacity in some instances. Both of these can work on a trial and error basis but aren't reliable and repeatable for a reasonable workflow. And it shouldn't be necessary and wasn't until recently. Cloning source to target at 100% opacity should be identical, end of story. Except on my machine at the moment!

Consider uploading a small file with the layers and the cloning so we can attempt to clone on our systems to see the results.

Peano · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:26:18 pm »

Quote from: digitaldog on July 30, 2018, 10:42:50 am

No, you need to drag and then REMOVE the preference file or all you did was copy it to a new location which I also did suggest.

No, that isn't accurate. If you Ctrl-click and drag the prefs file, that will copy the file to the new location as you describe. But if you just click and drag, that does not copy the prefs file. It removes the file from its home directory and moves it to the new location.

If anyone has any doubt about this, try it and see for yourself.

Peano · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:33:21 pm »

Quote from: Peano on July 30, 2018, 10:38:34 am

Don't delete your preferences file. If you've made a lot of modifications, it can be a royal pain to restore all of them one at a time.

Quote from: digitaldog on July 30, 2018, 10:42:50 am

Ah no, it really isn't.

Once again, you're not reading carefully. I said that restoring all your settings one at a time CAN be a royal pain, not that it IS a royal pain. It just depends on how much customizing you've done to your workspace. Over time it is easy to build up literally scores of custom menus and custom keyboard shortcuts, plus your grouping and arrangement of various panels. If you've done that much customization, it can indeed be a royal pain to restore all of them.

digitaldog · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2018, 12:53:21 pm »

Quote

Once again, you're not reading carefully. I said that restoring all your settings one at a time CAN be a royal pain, not that it IS a royal pain.

Once again, you're not reading carefully, no, restoring all the preferences is pretty darn easy and when it fixes such potential issues, is a fix.
Just make a screen capture of the General Preferences if you're really mucked around altering them to such a massive degree you can't recall how to set em. OR as I suggested before you arrived, keep a back up if it doesn't.
What is a royal pain is that for some reason, over dozens of years, we have seen Photoshop prefe's get hosed and cause all kinds of issues within the host product.

Quote

No, that isn't accurate. If you Ctrl-click and drag the prefs file, that will copy the file to the new location as you describe

Depends on where the preference's reside (which drive) and where you move that file to. In any case, before you arrived, I suggested to the OP he copy the preferences, then told him how to delete them easily upon starting up PS.

Peano · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2018, 01:03:42 pm »

Quote from: digitaldog on July 30, 2018, 12:53:21 pm

Just make a screen capture of the General Preferences if you're really mucked around altering them to such a massive degree you can't recall how to set em.

Make A screen capture of the General Preferences? What planet are you on? It would take scores of screen grabs to capture all of the custom menus and keyboard shortcuts that I've made. It's an individual thing, Rodney. You don't possess the Universal Answer to everything. Try being a little less contentious about these things. Delete that chip on your shoulder.

digitaldog · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2018, 01:16:27 pm »

Quote from: Peano on July 30, 2018, 01:03:42 pm

Make A screen capture of the General Preferences? What planet are you on? It would take scores of screen grabs to capture all of the custom menus and keyboard shortcuts that I've made. It's an individual thing, Rodney. You don't possess the Universal Answer to everything. Try being a little less contentious about these things.

The planet I'm on is the one where I've been using Photoshop since version 1, been a beta site since 2.5 and have done PS tech support for Pixel Genius for decades. Let me fill you in on some facts don't take my word for it, take Adobe's:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

About preferences

In order for Photoshop to run as smoothly as possible, in a way that's customized for your particular workflow, you need to set up your Preferences to your liking.

Numerous program settings are stored in the Adobe Photoshop Prefs file, including general display options, file-saving options, performance options, cursor options, transparency options, type options, and options for plug‑ins and scratch disks. Most of these options are set in the Preferences dialog box. Preference settings are saved each time you quit the application.

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. If you suspect damage to preferences, restore preferences to their default settings.

Of course and again, all this was outlined before you arrived here....

Peano · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2018, 01:27:11 pm »

Quote from: digitaldog on July 30, 2018, 01:16:27 pm

The planet I'm on is the one where I've been using Photoshop since version 1, been a beta site since 2.5 and have done PS tech support for Pixel Genius for decades. Let me fill you in on some facts don't take my word for it, take Adobe's:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

About preferences

In order for Photoshop to run as smoothly as possible, in a way that's customized for your particular workflow, you need to set up your Preferences to your liking.

Numerous program settings are stored in the Adobe Photoshop Prefs file, including general display options, file-saving options, performance options, cursor options, transparency options, type options, and options for plug‑ins and scratch disks. Most of these options are set in the Preferences dialog box. Preference settings are saved each time you quit the application.

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. If you suspect damage to preferences, restore preferences to their default settings.

Why are you posting all that information? Everyone knows that a damaged preferences file can cause erratic PS behavior. I haven't questioned that fact. And no need to recite your CV to remind everyone that you're a Photoshop expert. We know you are, and your reputation on that score hasn't been challenged. Relax, Rodney. I only questioned your suggestion that ONE screen shot could capture all the customized settings. It can't not by a long shot. Can't you just acknowledge that without flying off on another tangent?

digitaldog · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2018, 01:27:32 pm »

Quote from: Peano on July 30, 2018, 01:03:42 pm

It would take scores of screen grabs to capture all of the custom menus and keyboard shortcuts that I've made.

Not after you learn how to save them out, separate from the other preferences....

digitaldog · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2018, 01:29:24 pm »

Quote from: Peano on July 30, 2018, 01:27:11 pm

Why are you posting all that information? Everyone knows that a damaged preferences file can cause erratic PS behavior

Speaking for everyone now? Just speak for yourself sir.

Quote

And no need to recite your CV to remind everyone that you're a Photoshop expert. We know you are, and your reputation on that score hasn't been challenged. Relax, Rodney.

Speaking for everyone now? Just speak for yourself sir.
Your assumptions I'm not relaxed is equally incorrect.

Author Topic: Stumped by clone tool behaviour (Read 4012 times)