Capture One 20 Cloning Tool
I'm attempting to use the Cloning tool in Capture One 20. I select the Draw Cloning Mask tool, then Alt-click to define a source, and then start to draw a mask. Initially this works but then I begin to see part of the image located near to the masked area appearing within the masked area. I'm using a brush size that is not too large and is set to 100% hardness - i.e. it doesn't overlap over areas adjacent to the area to be cloned. If I keep brushing I find that parts of the area that were initially removed start to reappear but not in the same place. I'm using a mouse rather than a tablet and I wondered if the left-click function on the mouse was not 'holding' the selected source area, but I don't think this is the case. I’ve Googled, watched videos, read instructions without being any the wiser. It’s obviously operator error but this operator is still confused. Any suggestions? J.
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Jeremy,
It should be just a question of the positioning of the source point.
When you draw the visible mask area a virtual mask area will be applied around the source point and the contents that virtual mask area covers will be cloned to the location on which you are drawing the visible mask.
Where the amount of the image you wish to replace is quite large and the source point quite close to that area you may well end up overlapping the source and the target. I think that is what you are describing here.
If you need to use a smaller source area than the target area one option would be to choose a different source area if possible.
If that is not possible the best approach would be to use multiple clone applications all using the same, or nearly the same, source point.
I would guess what you are expecting is something more like a cut and past "Stamp" tool often found in pixel editors like Photoshop. That's not quite how Cloning works although using the same source for multiple targets is an option that may achieve more or less the same result in the right circumstances.
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SFA to the rescue again :) I had completely failed to realise that when I draw a visible mask area a virtual mask area of the same size will be utilised around the source point. I thought only a small area around the source point would be sampled. Once more; thanks. J.
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Jeremy,
You are very welcome.
I think both the Clone and the Heal tool are powerful in their own way but there are some logical limitations to the approach that sometimes present results that look strange until one adapts one's approach to the problem in line with the way that C1 works.
Some needs can really only be addressed with applications like Photoshop or Affinity because they really require manipulation of the source data - stretching, bending and so on - rather than some form of direct duplication of the source.
However I find that in my case most of what I feel I need to do is possible using just C1 and without having to acquire a lot of specialist skills or top end equipment (i.e. a quality large Wacom or similar) to obtain a result.
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For the time being I think that the Clone and Heal tools will cover all my needs for that type of editing. I don't have Photoshop or Affinity. I do have Elements 14 but have found no need to use it since acquiring Capture One 20 which I find to be excellent for RAW conversion and editing. Interested to hear your comment about not feeling the need to acquire a lot of specialist skills or top end equipment. I guess a Wacom tablet or similar is very useful (essential) if one is involved in considerable manipulation in something like Photoshop, but I think the mouse will be sufficient for me for the time being. Cheers. J.
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