Focus Stacking - Elements 10: Do any of you experts out there know whether one can do focus stacking in Elements 10? I am considering buying a Cognisys Stackshot but before I spend a...

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Do any of you experts out there know whether one can do focus stacking in Elements 10? I am considering buying a Cognisys Stackshot but before I spend a huge amount of dosh (English slang for money!) I need to know whether PSE10 will do the job. I don't want to upgrade to PSE11 - or to any other software for that matter. It's going to be a big learning curve anyway, and my old brain only takes in a little info at a time.... And if PSE10 will do the job, could anyone recommend a video clip showing how to do so? Thanks for the help. Sarah

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

photosarah wrote:

Do any of you experts out there know whether one c... (show quote)

Your willing to put out the cash for the Cognisys Stackshot and unwilling to spend a little more on a focus stacking program. I really don't understand the point of your question.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

naturepics43 wrote:

Your willing to put out the cash for the Cognisys Stackshot and unwilling to spend a little more on a focus stacking program. I really don't understand the point of your question.

Do you know, naturepics43, I was looking for help, not a criticism. If I spend what is for me a LOT on a Stackshot, I'm at the end of my cash for the time being. Maybe you have lots of cash and can go on spending: I can't. All I am asking is whether I can use the software I already have. If I can't use Elements 10, then I shall have to wait until I can afford both the StackShot and a new programme as I can't afford both right now. If you don't know, then please don't bother to answer.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I don't know of any easy way to do focus stacking in any elements software.
Helicon Focus isn't too bad for a years license. http://www.heliconsoft.com/helicon-focus-licenses-swreg/

I have done a little bit in Elements 11 just by manipulating layers but it is very time consuming and tedious especially for anything with a lot of detail.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

photosarah wrote:

Do any of you experts out there know whether one c... (show quote)

I undersand what your tying to accomplish, no need to scratch my head. Below are 4 or 5 links to information that should answer your questions. Sorry there are 6 of them.
Hope these answer your questions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlgyg3ruKik

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAF0ziARmOs

http://www.amazon.com/stacking-version-Photoshop-Elements-expensive/forum/FxJOOG30JREDR3/Tx19K27LGJ0SMI2/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B005MMMT6E

http://www.perpetualvisions.com/new-articles/photoshop-elements10/photoshop-elements10.html

http://www.lightstalking.com/focus-stacking-in-photoshop

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/elementsuser/?gclid=CLrimsPZg7kCFRGi4AodRxEAWQ

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

UP-2-IT wrote:

I undersand what your tying to accomplish, no need... (show quote)

Thanks so much, UP-2-IT. I appreciate your help and taking the time to reply. I'll have a look at the links this afternoon. Sarah

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Country's Mama wrote:

I don't know of any easy way to do focus stacking in any elements software.
Helicon Focus isn't too bad for a years license. http://www.heliconsoft.com/helicon-focus-licenses-swreg/

I have done a little bit in Elements 11 just by manipulating layers but it is very time consuming and tedious especially for anything with a lot of detail.

Someone mentioned that the other day, and I took a look. I find it very strange that makers of software want to sell their products by the year. I buy it today, and then I have to buy it again next year. I don't get it. I can understand with antivirus software, but not a regular program.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

photosarah wrote:

Do any of you experts out there know whether one c... (show quote)

This idea came up a few weeks ago, and a question resulted. If you are using different focusing points for the same scene, why use a device like that to move the camera? Focus stacking is easily done with software.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

Country's Mama wrote:

I don't know of any easy way to do focus stacking in any elements software.
Helicon Focus isn't too bad for a years license. http://www.heliconsoft.com/helicon-focus-licenses-swreg/

I have done a little bit in Elements 11 just by manipulating layers but it is very time consuming and tedious especially for anything with a lot of detail.

Lordy, Country's Mama, Helicon Focus looks wonderful! And as you say, not too greatly expensive. Just a little more saving, I reckon, and I'm in business! (Not literally, you understand), but I do love macro and this looks like the way to go.

jecanes Loc: Taumarunui, New Zealand

I don't know about PSE but PS can do what you require, see...
http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/post-processing-articles/focus-stacking-made-easy-with-photoshop/

lovitlots Loc: Tottenham, Ontario, Canada

There is free photo stacking software available. All you have to do is type in "free focus stacking software" in your search bar and it'll come up. The man who developed it for his own use now gives it for free. It works, it's not the best, but it'll tie you over until you can afford some better software. There's three versions on the site so you'll have to decide which one works better for you.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

photosarah wrote:

Lordy, Country's Mama, Helicon Focus looks wonderful! And as you say, not too greatly expensive. Just a little more saving, I reckon, and I'm in business! (Not literally, you understand), but I do love macro and this looks like the way to go.

They used to allow a free download where you could use it on a couple photos to try it. Didn't see that option right off but didn't look to hard either.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

jecanes wrote:

I don't know about PSE but PS can do what you require, see...
http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/post-processing-articles/focus-stacking-made-easy-with-photoshop/

jecanes, it would be so easy if I had the full PS but I don't, and I don't want it either, because it is too expensive, more complicated than I usually need, and now you cannot even buy it outright. Helicon Soft might be the answer, I think, and it lowest level is not too expensive and seems to do what I want. Thanks for replying.

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

lovitlots wrote:

There is free photo stacking software available. All you have to do is type in "free focus stacking software" in your search bar and it'll come up. The man who developed it for his own use now gives it for free. It works, it's not the best, but it'll tie you over until you can afford some better software. There's three versions on the site so you'll have to decide which one works better for you.

Thanks, lovitlots, I'll have a look. Thanks for this info.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

The primary reason for the trends towards leasing of programs rather than being allowed to buy them is GREED on the part of the software publisher, especially Adobe, and is the reason I'm not going to upgrade my PSE10. It works just fine for what I need, and I'm no longer in business so I can't write off the costs.