New Focus-Stacking Program: A new (to me) focus-stacking product on the market is called FOCUS Projects 3 Professional . Has anyone tried the free trial version? Has anyone even heard...

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

A new (to me) focus-stacking product on the market is called FOCUS Projects 3 Professional. Has anyone tried the free trial version? Has anyone even heard of this program?
It is currently on sale (until end of March).
https://www.projects-software.com/focus/focus-projects-3-professonal-special-deal?emsac=279275014&utm_source=20170314-franzis-1701815&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Franzis+US+Mailing+FOCUS+projects+3+professional+-+14.3.2017&sc_src=email_1701815&sc_lid=51502395&sc_uid=G1kSRE2ecI&sc_llid=1853&sc_eh=eb3d85d8e1092e9d1&emst=G1kSRE2ecI_1853_1701815_249

YouTube promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbkci45nA9o&t=1s&emsac=279275014&utm_source=20170314-franzis-1701815&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Franzis+US+Mailing+FOCUS+projects+3+professional+-+14.3.2017&sc_src=email_1701815&sc_lid=51502399&sc_uid=G1kSRE2ecI&sc_llid=1853&sc_eh=eb3d85d8e1092e9d1&emst=G1kSRE2ecI_1853_1701815_253

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I've never heard of it or the parent company Franzis.
I didn't see anything in the video that I can't do with Helicon and Lightroom together.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I'll give it a whirl. I'm not a likely buyer since I have Zerene which is the Cadillac of the FS programs. I also have Helicon and Affinity has focus stacking capability.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Not really new. A known company in Europe (German Company). Every so often they have some major promotional sales. I first tried their DENOISE on a trial and liked it, good results. Purchased it in Feb 2016. Then in June 2016 they had a drastic one day sale for registered customers where I got six of their apps for $98. I got their upgraded 64 bit versions of: HDR, DENOISE, Sharpen, Focus, Color & B&W apps, in both Windows and Mac downloadables. I got that first DENOISE 32 bit from an ad in either Canon Watch or Canon Rumors, I forget which. I have tried the HDR, DENOISE, Sharpen and all do good jobs.
Haven't tried the Focus, or really tried focus stacking at all except one experiment that didn't go well at all. But I have a good candidate for a test. When the lawn guy cut the grass last Saturday a dandelion head that is in puff ball mode but not yet to the shedding stage got chopped off intact and I was able to get it into a small box without causing it to fall apart. I also have one of last fall's leaves that our special needs son likes and wants a picture of so as soon as I finish moving furniture I will set up and try it on them. Maybe this afternoon or evening.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I have it. There was a low promotional price a few months ago, and I bought it. Here it sits in my computer and I have not tried it yet owing to not having enough play time in general.

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

I bought an HDR program from this company when it was on sale and never was able to get good results from it. There was no manual and the interface was pretty mysterious. On the plus side it seemed to give the user a lot of options and great control over the process. I put quite a bit of time into trying to learn to use it but finally gave up. I'd be reluctant to try another of their products.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

pecohen wrote:

I bought an HDR program from this company when it was on sale and never was able to get good results from it. There was no manual and the interface was pretty mysterious. On the plus side it seemed to give the user a lot of options and great control over the process. I put quite a bit of time into trying to learn to use it but finally gave up. I'd be reluctant to try another of their products.

This is an aspect of Zerene that really shines....a lot of information on stacking.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Several Franzis programs were free for a 24 hr "giveaway of the day" as were and will be other photo related programs. Costs nothing to join the site... wide range of excellent programs for $0.
Same question before in UHH question regarding FRANZIS FOCUS http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-447801-1.html

While I am a Topaz Suite guy for years, some of the "alternate" programs, Franzis being one. My first FRANZIS program was the HDR which I found to be superior to the "best program" ... especially since I got it for $20 thru Ashampoo. Ashampoo is an outlet for yesterdays program #3 when #4 is newest.
For those "stacking exposures" The HDR programs are discussed http://www.captainkimo.com/hdr-software-review-comparison

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I had noticed some instructional videos for the program on You Tube, but I have not looked at them. They should have a manual somewhere, so perhaps it can be accessed from their website. I remember that Gimp provides its manual that way.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

pecohen wrote:

There was no manual and the interface was pretty mysterious.

Manual for Franciz HDR Projects (reg, not the Pro version) http://www.projects-software.com/wp-content/uploads/70575-HDR-projects-5-manual.pdf
If that isn't the right version then go to their homepage http://www.projects-software.com/, Support, Manuals
Every so often Murphy used to strike and you got lead to the German version, hasn't happened to me in about 6 months or more. Their homepage has evolved and gotten better in its English version.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I got the manual with the download of the program.