Using the clone stamp tool

You can use the clone stamp tool to clone pixels and repair images in the Layer window. The clone stamp tool samples the pixels on a source layer (before effects are applied) and then applies the sample to the same layer or a different layer in the same composition as the source layer. You can clone a single frame or apply clone strokes continuously over several frames. Each clone stroke paints on more of the sample.

If you select Aligned in the Paint palette, you can release the mouse button without losing the current sampling point. As a result, the sampled pixels are applied continuously to reproduce the entire sampled area, no matter how many times you stop and resume painting. If you deselect Aligned, the sampled pixels are applied from the initial sampling point each time you stop and resume painting.

When selected, the Lock Source Time option applies samples from a single frame to all subsequent frames with applied strokes. When this option is deselected, the clone tool continuously samples and applies strokes over all subsequent frames with a fixed duration (measured in seconds) between the two, specified by the Clone Time Shift value in the Timeline window.

To use the clone stamp tool:

1. Select the clone stamp tool from the Tools palette.
2. Select a brush in the Brush Tips palette, and set brush options.
3. Do any of the following in the Paint palette:
• Specify opacity and flow, a blending mode, or a channel.
• Specify how you want to align the sampled pixels.
• Sample a single frame or a range of frames.

Removal of wire frame in moving footage with clone tool
4. Move the current-time indicator in the Layer window to the frame that you want to sample. Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) in the layer to set the sampling point.
5. Move the current-time indicator in the Layer window to the frame to which you want to apply the sample. To apply the sample to a different layer in the composition, double-click the layer and move the current-time indicator in the Layer window to the desired frame.
6. Position the clone stamp tool over the layer in the Layer window, and then drag to apply the sample.

Each clone stroke includes properties that are unique to the clone stamp tool in addition to blending modes, stroke options, and transform properties.You can view these properties in the Stroke Options section in the Timeline window:

Clone Source

Specifies the sampled layer.

Clone Position

Specifies the x, y location of the sample within the source layer.

Clone Time

Specifies the time (measured in seconds) in the Composition window when you sampled the source layer, as indicated by the current-time indicator. This property appears only when Lock to Source is selected.

Clone Time Shift

Specifies the number of seconds between the sample and the clone stroke. This property appears only when Lock to Source is not selected.

For information on brush tip options, see Working with brushes. For information on blending modes, channels, opacity, and flow, see Specifying options for painting. For information on paint strokes, see Working with paint strokes in the Timeline window.