Work faster with the Clone Stamp tool using Clone Source shortcuts
The Clone Stamp tool can do more than simple copying. With a few keyboard shortcuts and the Clone Source panel, you can precisely align, rotate, and scale your sampled pixels to match perspective and size, then save multiple sources for quick switching.
Step-by-step instructions
Set up the Clone Stamp tool
Select the Clone Stamp Tool (S)
Create a new empty layer and enable Sample: All Layers in the Options bar
Alt-click (Option-click on Mac) on the area you want to sample to set the source
Preview and nudge the source
Watch the overlay preview to align the sample
Hold Alt+Shift (Option+Shift on Mac) and press Arrow keys to nudge the source offset (X/Y)
Click/paint to clone once aligned
Rotate and scale the source with shortcuts
Rotate: Hold Alt+Shift (Option+Shift on Mac) and tap , or . (less-than/greater-than) to rotate the source
Scale: Hold Alt+Shift (Option+Shift on Mac) and tap [ or ] (brackets near P) to scale down/up
Combine rotate/scale nudges to match perspective and size before painting
Refine with the Clone Source panel
Go to Window → Clone Source to open the panel
Reset transforms with the Reset Transform button
Set Offset X/Y to 0 to re-center the sample; adjust Rotation and Width/Height numerically if needed
Store up to five sources by clicking the source slots (useful for quickly switching between sampled areas)
Clone cleanly
Use a soft brush for seamless blends and vary Flow/Opacity for subtle transitions
Resample often (Alt/Option-click) to avoid repeating patterns
Toggle the overlay in the Options bar if you need a clearer view while painting
