Repair/Clone Tools Not Working Correctly DxO PhotoLab 9

BobTarte · March 10, 2026, 3:54pm

I’ve just started using DxO PhotoLab 9 on a Mac Mini M4, Sequoia 15.6.1.

When I use the Repair or Clone tool, it is not giving me a control point to move around to select a source area for the repair or clone. Instead, it makes an immediate change to the image, and my only option is to undo if I don’t like the change. I’ve watched videos on how to use this tool, but it doesn’t match my experience of this tool, which is a PhotoLab 9-determined change and no way for me to edit the process.

Any help or solution would be appreciated. Thanks.

LVS · March 10, 2026, 4:40pm

If you use the cursor to select the Repair section (small white circles indicated by arrows in the example) then you can drag the source around.

If you select the selection tool (red circle) then you can reshape the source using the drag points.

Note: this panel only shows if the Show Retouch Settings is turned on (small blue square at the bottom)

Wolfgang · March 10, 2026, 6:02pm

@BobTarte

Btw … the same in Windows

→ “Show masks”

BobTarte · March 11, 2026, 1:57pm

Thanks, but the problem is that I don’t get a Repair or Clone selection bounded by a white outline. The white circle appears when I am using the cursor to select the area to be repaired or cloned, but as soon as I release the mouse button, the repair is made and the white circle vanishes. There is no white outline around the area that was repaired/cloned and no way to edit my repair. The Retouch Settings do show up, and whether I choose Repair or Clone, the results are the same. I get an instant ‘repair’ with no way of editing the result - no white outline bounding the repair I just made, no white circle for me to drag to edit.

BobTarte · March 11, 2026, 1:59pm

Thanks for taking the time to response. Please see the response I made to to LVS. I am not getting any repair/clone results that I can edit. No white outline around the repair, no white circle to drag to edit.

unchdxoly · March 11, 2026, 2:38pm

Did you check the “Show ReTouch settings” box that @LVS referred to?

EDIT:
Sorry that’s the wrong box needed for the lines to show. There’s also a “show masks” checkbox to the far-right of that. Make sure that’s selected.

tnp75 · March 11, 2026, 2:47pm

you need to manually draw the area that you want changed, clicking on one area will create a point and hence to area. so click hold draw the area you want release

Wolfgang · March 11, 2026, 6:15pm

revisiting the image (with retouch ON / active)

after click on the shown “dot” the white line becomes visible

.

after “reset” for a new attempt
with an enlarged “brush” click/hold + drag …

The handling under MacOS is slightly different, but you need to experiment a bit.
If you just click on a spot it does what you describe.

Click / hold + drag over the area you want to repair or clone. Then click + drag the visible “dot” if to move either your source / target area. Use the +button to add, the eraser to … and the dotted square box to transform …

.

ANNEX
If you need some official description you can go to → Edit pictures with the Customize tab – PhotoLab and scroll about halfway down

as well → https://download-center.dxo.com/Support/docs/PhotoLab_v9/user-guide/PL9_manual_EN.pdf and go to page 287.

BobTarte · March 12, 2026, 1:25pm

Brilliant! That did the trick. I can’t thank you enough for the help. I just needed to check the Show Masks box.

BobTarte · March 12, 2026, 1:27pm

Thanks so much. Turns out I needed to check the Show Masks box. But your info is very helpful, too.

unchdxoly · March 12, 2026, 1:42pm

No problem, glad to hear it!

Wolfgang · March 12, 2026, 3:20pm

Now keep it on / checked. In the Windows version it’s sticky.

jss455 · March 12, 2026, 4:28pm

Same! I just thought it was me and my MacBP. Ugh!

unchdxoly · March 12, 2026, 5:40pm

Not sure if you saw my reply which solved @BobTarte 's original issue:

But if not, that will likely solve for you too.

jss455 · March 14, 2026, 3:25pm

Yes. I have finally gotten back to it and the “Show Masks” does the trick. Thanks!