Hi, we all know how I like to ask questions; I sometimes think I ask the questions that other want to ask but for some reason they do not venture out to play the game. BTW, even on this forum with all these incredible photographers eager to assist, I am actually receiving PMs from members thanking me for asking all the Qs that I do ask.

So, with that intro, I am now learning PS - lots of books open! Primary methodology is using Adobe CS4 Classroom In A Book. When stuck, like I am now, the other resources I have at hand - besides everything available on the internet including Adobe's various supports - are Photoshop CS3 All-In-One Reference for Dummies, Kelby's CS4, Anon's CS4 for Nature Photographers, and Kloskowski's Layers.

With that intro, which will not be repeated, I am having a problem with the Clone Tool, specifically getting to to work in a nonaligned mode.

The "aligned" box is unchecked. I do an Alt-Click sample of what I want to use to paint over the offending object. I move the cursor over to the offending object and click the mouse and two things occur: 1) the Overlay appears and I can see what will appear as I paint, and 2) the cross-hair appears showing me from where the sample is being taken.

Is there something else I should be checking/unchecking to get rid of the cross-hairs?

I am using the Australian Ibis I posted to practice on.

In the lesson image the cross-hairs do not appear when I uncheck the "align" box; in the Ibis image the cross-hairs appear in both instances.

I hope some one/several some ones want to play the Teaching Game; I also hope that others learning PS obtain some benefit for all of the Qs I am going to ask. :D

Thanks in advance,