Photoshop’s Forgotten Clone Source Panel

If you’re already using the Clone Source panel in Photoshop, kudos to you, join us again next week. *grin*

If you’re not taking advantage of this useful panel, it doesn’t surprise me. I consistently come across folks who use the Clone Stamp, Healing Brush, etc., in their daily workflow, but have never heard of the Clone Source panel. Let’s discuss what you’re missing:

1. The Clone Source panel allows you to save FIVE source points. These can be within the same image, or across five difference images. You can even assign keyboard shortcuts to quickly change between source points. Think about the number of times you’ve worked on a large retouch or restoration, and needed to resample the same point you used earlier. No longer necessary.

2. You can transform the source point BEFORE you start cloning/healing across an image. Sure, we’ve done that by duplicating layers & free transforming AFTER cloning, but wouldn’t this be easier? Adjust the width, height, even rotation of the source point and see how it will appear on your image.

3. You can adjust the brush overlay. It used to be that you picked a source point and did your best to line up the cloned area blind. Most people noticed the update to the Clone Stamp that shows a portion of the source object; the Clone Source panel let’s you control the visual overlay.

4. Help with video frames. Yes, you can clone/heal within video. The Lock Frame option will make sure that your source point doesn’t drift as you scroll through your video timeline. You can also offset the source by moving forward or backward a few frames.

5. Different source points for different tools. Find yourself switching between Clone Stampe & Healing Brush? No need to resample when switching, just assign & choose a source point.

You can find the Clone Source panel by choosing Window > Clone Source from the menu inside Photoshop. I hope it improves your workflow as it has mine. If you’re already using the Clone Source panel, what tips do you have?