How to Use the SmartClone Tool
Get an introduction to the new SmartClone tool in PaintShop Pro 2020 and see clone technology at its finest. In this video, we’ll review the options and settings for this feature and briefly show how it can be used to retouch images, remove flaws and create interesting composites that merge elements from multiple image into one. You can also save any of your SmartClone selections as presets to use in other images.
Download a printable copy of this tutorial (PDF, 696 KB).
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How to Use the SmartClone Tool
Content-aware tools can be extremely helpful in removing unwanted elements, flaws, or distractions from your photos. They can also be a powerful asset in creating unique compositions and interesting designs. In this tutorial you’ll learn about PaintShop Pro’s SmartClone tool which harnesses clone technology and produces amazing results. SmartClone can be used in a variety of different ways, for all different styles of projects.
Click on any of the images below to view full-size.
Let’s start with some basic retouching. We’ve all snapped photos similar to this one that require a little touching up. In this case, there’s a big spot on the grass that’s brown and dead and is kind of an eyesore. With the intelligence of the SmartClone tool we can easily fix that by selecting the tool or pressing D on the keyboard.
We’ll first choose our Selection Type, and there are three options: Ellipse, Rectangle or Freehand.
We’ll choose Ellipse then select an area of grass that looks good and use that clone selection to fill in the patch of dirt.
If we like this selection and want the option of using it later or in another project, we can save it as a preset. To do that, just select the dropdown from the Options toolbar, click on the Plus icon at the bottom to Create SmartClone tip from selection, give it a name and press OK.
Now we can easily use this preset on future projects, and manipulate the Size, Rotation and Mode.
The Mode option determines how much of your source image will appear on your destination image. For example, if we change the mode from Original to Blend, that will apply a light transparency to our selection so that it blends nicely into its destination. Whereas the Original mode maintains almost the exact appearance of the source selection. If you choose Black and White mode, that will desaturate the clone selection so that it’s mostly just texture that’s pasted on to the destination image.
Give this intelligent tool a try and see how it can make it super easy to create some interesting and fun design projects.
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Comments (12)
I’ve watched the tutorial on using the new Smart Clone tool several times. I get it through saving a favorite as a pre-set. Then the narrator shows how to use the Smart Clone to transpose a woman’s face onto a leopard’s and vice versa. Nice! But the cursor is moving at rapid speed with a click here and a zip zip there! I have searched and searched for written tutorials or a downloadable users guide as I have used before in previous versions. Nothing! Very, very frustrating. I don’t mind reading hard copy. I really don’t. Does that exist anymore?
Hello Joyce,
Thank you for the feedback! We have written tutorials for some of our video content, and are working to expand the availability of this format to new and existing tutorials. We have passed your comments on to our tutorial team for their consideration.
Discovery Center Team
Is there a way to get a notification when the written tutorial for the “How to Use the SmartClone Tool” is online? Following some of these video tutorials is very difficult. Way too fast in pretty much every video tut I watched.
Hi Ron,
We have created a written version of this tutorial and added the link in the description at the top of this page. Here are 2 other tutorials that demonstrate the SmartClone tool that you might find helpful:
https://learn.corel.com/tutorials/advanced-cloning/
https://learn.corel.com/tutorials/face-swap-in-paintshop-pro/
Best regards,
The Discovery Center team
Hello,
I stumbled upon this blog thread regarding the tutorial on the new clone tool. I have watched it myself at least a dozen times. I’ve reduced the video speed, .075, .50 it still left me frustrated.
I have been a loyal Corel Software User since 2010 and have many hours of time logged working with the software and I have to tell you the tutorials as currently produced look like they’re geared towards a professional user. That’s wonderful but just because you know the software and can blaze around clicking and cloning doesn’t mean it is a teaching moment for your average customer.
These are strictly my opinions I’ve done no study groups or research on other folks concerns about the clone tool, Just Slow it down if needed create the old cliche “Clone tool for dummies” or “novice users”.
I mean no disrespect and sincerely appreciate the amazing talent of your software engineers, Technical Support, and sales teams . And by the way, when should we expect to see PSP2021 Pro Ultimate? Looking forward to upgrading again.
Respectfully,
USMC Retired
Semper Fidelis
Hi Joyce,
We have added a written version of the tutorial in the description at the top of this page. Also, you can download the PaintShop Pro 2020 User Guide here http://help.corel.com/paintshop-pro/v22/en/user-guide/paintshop-pro-2020.pdf.
Hope this helps!
The Discovery Center team
I’m very happy with the addition of the Smart Clone tool, and the direction that it is taking the PSP’s editing capabilities, but it would be nice to have the hardness and opacity adjustments that are found in the regular Clone tool.
DONDE ESTA EL SmartClone EN EL COREL 2020, QUE NO LO ENCUENTRO, POR FAVOR
Hello Encarnacion,
The SmartClone tool can be selected by either clicking the dropdown arrow next to the standard clone tool, or by pressing the “D” hotkey on your keyboard.
Discovery Center Team
Hi Corel crew! thank you so much for this tutorial and all the others as well. i love all the new features!!! PSP and i go way back!!! looking forward to what you guys come up with in the future!!!
I wish you would have more tutorials on Corel videostudio pro the newest version or at least 10
Hi Keith,
You can find all of our VideoStudio tutorials here https://learn.corel.com/video-tutorials/videostudio-pro-tutorials/ including tutorials for the newest version (VideoStudio 2019) and older versions as well. If there is a specific tutorial topic you are interested in please let us know.
Best regards,
The Discovery Center team