PDN Fanatics

The Subterranean Copy/Paste Blues
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Working Below the Visible Top Layer
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Courtesy of pdphoto.org


Plugins
Feather Object

AAs_Assistant

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When it comes to eliminating unwanted elements
in an image many people swear by the Clone Stamp tool.

Many more people swear at the Clone Stamp tool!

Fortunately, there is an alternative. Copy/Paste.

This tutorial shows a way of working with copy/paste
that can save a lot of time that might otherwise be
wasted on cutting, trimming, erasing and so on
in an effort to get the pasted bits to blend in well.

So, here is the mantra:

Erase

Feather

Change Layers

Select

Copy/Paste into a New Layer

Position Pasted Selection

Esc (Or use your favorite other way of deselecting.)

Merge top layer down onto the pasted-into layer.

Repeat as needed.

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Hmmm.... that seems like a lot of steps, but once
you get the concept down, it flows pretty smoothly.

Here's how to set things up.



1 --- Bottom layer is a solid color that will contrast
with the colors of your working image.

Next two layers are your working image duplicated.

The middle layer is unchecked in the Layers window.
It remains not visible throughout the process.

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2 --- Once you have your layers set up, the first step
is to erase something on the top layer that you don't like.


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3 --- Then use Feather Object or AA's_Assistant to soften the edge.


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4 --- Now, in the Layers window click the middle layer,
then use the Selection tool of your choice,
and select a suitable area to fill in the erased gap.


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5 --- Press:

Ctrl C
Ctrl+Shift V

This copies and pastes the selection into a new layer.


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6 --- Use the mouse to position the pasted selection
where you want it. Remember, using the right
mouse button allows you to rotate the selection.


7 --- Use your favorite way of deselecting,
then merge top layer down onto the pasted-into layer.

8 --- Repeat as needed.

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Sometimes the pasted-and-moved pieces
will blend better with some minor adjustments of
brightness, contrast and/or saturation.

Sharpen or blur is sometimes helpful for better blending.

(These would need to be done before merging layers. )
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This method may take longer than running roughshod with the Clone Stamp,
but it allows greater control and often gives a much better end result.

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'A Simpler, Easier Way To Do This' | Show

Here's a variation that is much simpler.

1)

Open the image in Paint.NET.

Erase a part that you don't like.

Use Feather Object or AA's Assistant.

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2)

Duplicate the layer.

Layers > Duplicate Layer
(In the top menu)

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3)

Click on the bottom image layer in the Layers window to highlight it.

Click on the top-right icon in the Tools window. (Move Selected Pixels tool)

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4)

On the canvas, click and drag the bottom image layer until the erased spot looks good.
(You'll be moving the bottom layer beneath the visible top layer)

Merge layers.

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'Disclaimer' | Show

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Don't take my anti-Clone-Stamp comments too seriously.

It's a valuable tool, and often the best tool for a particular job.

http://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/en/CloneStamp.html

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'It's not just for zoo animals. --- Spot retouching on human subjects.' | Show

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This method works well when retaining a natural unretouched look is needed.
Blemishes are replaced by natural skin texture rather than blurriness.
The obviously-retouched airbrushed look can be avoided.



Nina Paley Photo by Ian Akin
http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/images ... ait5.2.jpg
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/



A full-resolution before-and-after .pdn file is available for download. (8.5 MB)
SubterraneanCopy_PasteRetouch

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Blood brilliant method mate. Does what the clone stamp does but with good control like you said. The clone stamp is basically a copying and pasting tool as well mate. Its not too hard to use when you get the hang of it. I find using a soft brush with clone stamp works pretty good. Also i never clone stamp on the same layer in case i fudge up. Great tut though man. Good job for thinking outside of the box.

Same here. Brilliantly thought out. Well done

Now that's something I would have never thought about doing.

Sticky!

Thanks for the sticky, Lance.

Goonfella, Chad thanks for the positive feedback.

Chad's tips on using a "soft brush" and cloning into a separate
layer are good things to remember when using clone stamp.

For those new to Paint.NET, the "soft brush" clone stamp method
is done by clicking on the "More >>" button in the Colors window
and moving the Primary color "Transparency - Alpha" slider to the
left before clone stamping.
(Uhm... not all the way to zero though.)

The "soft brush" cloning works well for "airbrushing" to reduce spots and
blemishes in portraits, as one example.

For images where its desirable to retain texture
(like the face of a puppy or hairy pig) copy/paste
or full opacity clone stamping is probably better.


Clone Stamp is a valuable tool, and often the best tool for a particular job.

(But I bet a lot of people really do swear at it the first few times they try to use it.)

Swear using the Clone Stamp - you bet! This looks great. Saved for later! Many thanks!

Added a section at the end to show how the technique can be
used for natural looking spot retouching on human subjects.

I never swear using the Clone Stamp ... 'cos I hardly ever use it

Sarkut ... that is awesomeness in the extreme. Brilliant result.
I had to lafff when a couple of people told a new member it was impossible to get rid of a concrete post in a picture on the main board ... then you posted your result. I spent ages looking for the lil' giveaway signs that Clone Stamp can sometimes leave ... now I know why I couldn't find them.

Total respect mate. With a capital 'R'

~WelshBlue~ wrote:I had to lafff when a couple of people told a new member it was impossible to get rid of a concrete post in a picture on the main board

Well I didn't know much about the clone stamp

Well .......... that's something new I've learned today, thank you Sarkut. I've only ever used the Clone stamp once, in Aguba's 3D tut, and I couldn't see what I was doing with it at all

my copy and pasting method is now perfect! thanks

Thanks to all who have stopped by and commented.

I have added a simpler way to do this in the first Hide/Show tag at the end of the tutorial.