Paint Fill Setup, Cloners and Layers

[Mark B]

I'd love it if there was a contextual layer option to target a specific layer to the Paint Fill Setup in my current preset. I could fly with my cloning/painting using multiple layer variations as a resource for cloning to the top layer in my stack. This way each layer can have say a different image op that I could clone from at will to my top layer.

Is there a way of doing this at the moment?

[liveart]

yes--

 

Kind of... look at the layer to layer clone tools.

 

These will only clone from layer 1 to the current layer so not as flexible as you would like but you can always shuffle a layer to the layer 1 position (even without re-naming it).

[Mark B]

Yes there is a way?

[liveart]

in a more technical answer if you set the Paint Brush load source to Bus 1 Absolute the source is set to be whatever is in the layer 1 position regardless of which named layer you put there. so if you have 10 layers and want to brush clone in a part of layer 5 to layer 7 for example. Move layer 5 to the first position in the stack, then select layer 7 as the active layer and paint with a cloning brush that has the source set to Bus 1 Absolute.

 

This is really a powerful tool, and the brush does not have to be a pure cloning brush.. it could modify the color or add a displacement... etc.

 

[Mark B]

Oooh now I think I may weep tears of pure joy. I have stayed up late so many nights with Studio Artist 4 and it just keeps on getting better. I'm tired and emotional. Is this a common response? :-)

 

Thank you again Liveart, with this and your advice on modifying pa seqs I feel like skipping through a meadow. Oh Happy Day!! :-)

 

The bus thing does sound a bit fiddly compared to a contextual selector to target layers ( I'm sure for good reason)  but I shall try it out as soon as possible

 

[liveart]

It would seem that your goal is similar to that of a73x15--

 

I have been thinking about a workflow that would be conducive to what you are trying. In addition to the layer to layer compositing tools, are you aware that you can send your canvas to the source and then switch back to the original source via the recent source option. you can actually drag and drop images to the source area or to the canvas layer, without disturbing the other.

 

I think that this would allow you to do much of what you want. Either shuffle the layer to the top of the stack or pop it over to the source. make liberal use of the save current view as new layer as a method of "flattening" your view without collapsing the stack.

 

 

[Mark B]

Thank you Liveart that is very kind of you to give further thought to this.

You're advice - much appreciated!!