Prevent source canvas from cloning

[ThePhotographer]

Why do you want to have your clone source on a layer above a white canvas ? Try using an image flattened to the canvas - that would probably make a great difference.

Is it important to you to have the cloned image on a layer ? You can always copy and paste it as a layer in PhotoShop after ....

Also, if you don't have layers anyway, why not use TIFF or JPG instead of PSD ?

[Molecule]

Click the visibilty eye of the canvas layer of the imported PSD. Now when you clone, the white won't show up because it's not visible in the source. Done and done. =)

[fiannasidhe]

Hi! Thanks for the reply. I am not sure I understand your response. I will do my best to explain my reasons for how I am working.

My main working file is a psd file - so I can open it in either photoshop or painter to work on it.

The type of image I am creating is sort of a collage of various "photo objects". I keep them all on seperate layers so its easy to adjust their position in relation to the other items in the collage.

I have been preparing each photo object for cloning first in its own psd file. The file is the same size as my main working file, the photo object is positioned roughly where I want it, and is otherwise transparent (sometimes cleaned up manually). I open my object source file in Painter and then link to it using File > Clone Source then I use the Cloning brushes to clone it into its own layer in my main working file.

However, because the clone brush picks up the color from the canvas layer I end up with white all around my photo object which I have to go back into photoshop to clean up again.

I was hoping that there was a way to mask out the transparency/canvas color of the source image while using cloning brushes so that I wouldn't have to repeat this step.

I hope this makes sense!

[fiannasidhe]

Click the visibilty eye of the canvas layer of the imported PSD. Now when you clone, the white won't show up because it's not visible in the source. Done and done. =)

Hmm.. I have been trying out different things and it doesn't matter (on my machine anyhow) if the source image's canvas layer is visible or invisible the cloning brushes still pick up white from the canvas.

As a temporary work around I have copied the original photo object as a layer in my mainworking file, and created a layer mask based on its transparency.

I am still using the original document as the Clone Source and using the cloning brushes to clone the image onto its own layer. I switched layers and used the layer mask of the copied photo layer to make my selection, then I switch back and deleted the excess white paint from my cloned layer.

:) I was just wishing for an easier way.

[fiannasidhe]

My trouble was that I was using an external file as the clone source. If I load all of my photo objects on different layers and then set the document to use itself as a clone source, I can use the clone brush to clone only the layers that are currently visible. Transparency selections are easier now because I have access to all the photo and painted layers while I am working.

I guess it makes sense to do most of my photo compositing at the beginning - instead of doing it bit by bit as I go along. Thanks both for your help. :)

[Cris-Palomino]

The one way to isolate the pieces in your composite...since the clone will flatten the image...is to have alphas for all your pieces. In your source, generate a mask and under the clone attributes of your brush, set it to Obey Source Selection. Remember that if you use any of the smeary clone variants, they will smear somewhat past the selection boundary.

Hope this helps.
Cris

[Jinbrown]

Deleted, already answered.

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[Cris-Palomino]

I forgot to finish that thought:

Change out your mask to put in the next piece.

Also remember, that if you change brushes, you must again activate the Obey Source Selection for that brush.

Cris

[fiannasidhe]

Hi Cris,

Thanks for the tip! I will try it out tonight! I didn't think to check the brush settings - too bad I am too late for your Painter Brushes class - sounds like it would be useful to me right now! Hopefully you'll do another one in the Spring. :)

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