Using the clone tool

[Ruski]

Hi i wondered if anybody could help with a bit of advice on how to use the clone tool in elements 9. Are there any good tutorials anywhere ?

What i am after is trying to remove the power cables from this image. Is it really difficult ? Not really sure if i have the skills to do it but will give it a go.

Thanks Ruski


Canola Field 2 by Ruskiman, on Flickr

[ricktas]

work slowly, use about 15% opacity, work in small sections and undo if it mucks up. Choose different source points regularly. Slowly build up your cloning of each section.

[Pandawan]

I don't have much experience with PE, but it should work as it is with Photoshop.

IMHO removing power lines in your picture is a bit tough due to the background (trees). Unless you are really really careful in cloning them one by one, you will end up having a "cloned" leaves vs. power lines.

I would leave the power line as is or convert the picture to B&W to minimize the distraction.

Good luck!

[J.davis]

I tried a quik grab at it and used 100% opacity and cloned from under and too the left of the lines. When finished I wnt back and cloned at a different area (down right) and cleaned up any obvious imperfections.
Hope I helped.

[Ruski]

Thanks to all for your replies.

That looks great John, i have tried tonight and it looks terrible. Can i ask what size brush you used.

I think i need lots of practice.

[ricktas]

you are right. cloning does take practice to perfect. take this chance to get lots of practice.

[ameerat42]

You have set yourself a hard task with this example!!! All the above comments apply, so I won't add. As a little "helping hand" - I don't know how proficient you are with shortcuts - try this technique.
With the clone tool selected from the toolbar:
Alt + Left mouse click selects the source area you want to use to clone over the target area
Alt + Right mouse click brings up the little tool parameters box, size, etc.
Ctrl Z is an undo of immediate last action
Alt + Ctrl Z is an undo of earlier actions.

If you get confused with where you are with your Undos, check the History palette.

And now back to your problem, as I had a thought: As an alternative to the Clone Tool, try the Healing/Spot Healing brush tool.

Dig liberally into the good luck jar.
Am.

[J.davis]

This is a capture of the tool bar from Elements 9 that I used to clone out your power lines.
Hope it helps.


Capture.jpg


For some reason when I use the image uploader, it produces two images - sorry for that.

[Ruski]

About halfway any good or give up ....eyes need a rest.

[Greg Johnston]

Hi Ruski, You are dong great. Very clean job so far.

[Ruski]

Thanks Greg.

Here is the final image.

Thanks to all for the advice, nice to learn something new. Will still need to practice but at least i have some idea.



Canola Field 3 by Ruskiman, on Flickr

[Epoc]

Well done Ruski. Looks great. You now have another tool in your arsenal.

[Mary Anne]

Totally agree I think you did well also

[Mathy]

You've done a great job That was not the easiest task to pick for your first attempt at cloning! cheers Deb

[Pandawan]

and I always thought that removing pimples is the easiest cloning practise one can get LOL ..

great job!