Expert: Neal Ziring - 9/26/2004

Question
When using the clone tool it is difficult to clone an image an keep the edges precise. Is there a way to select a specific object in one picture and clone it easily onto another?

Hope you can help. Thank you!

Answer
Jim,

>
> When using the clone tool it is difficult to clone an
> image and keep the edges precise.

Yes, this is true.  The clone brush tool is best for
clones pieces or swatches of an image.  I tend to use it
for touch-ups and for obliterating unwanted items in an
image by cloning the background or sky over them.  The
clone brush is not suited for copying items in your image.

>
> Is there a way to select a specific object in one
> picture and clone it easily onto another?
>

Yes, this task is what masking and copying are for.
The usual steps are:

      - create a selection (mask) that exactly covers
        the item or object you wish to clone.
      - choose Edit->Copy
      - bring up the other image
      - choose Edit->Paste->Paste as New Object
        (you can do this as many times as you like)
      - position the new Object
      - choose Object->Combine->Combine objects with bkgnd

The tricky part is selecting the object initially.  You
need to use the Mask Tools in the mask tools flyout, and
that takes some skill and patience.  The key is to build
up the selection gradually, by using the Mask Modes
(+ and -).  Using masks is covered in the Corel Photopaint
tutorial.

Hope this helps...

...nz