Need recommendation for focus stacking software.
Mar 22, 2019 16:56:30 #
Guyserman
Loc: Benton, AR
My Photoshop Elements 2018 does not have automatic focus stacking. I'm not interested in the subscription version. I am interested in hearing from people who have used other free or "hobby" priced focus stacking software. Thanks in advance.
Mar 22, 2019 16:58:21 #
Guyserman wrote:
You can do focus stacking in PSE, but it is rather somewhat involved, not "automated" like in PS!My Photoshop Elements 2018 does not have automatic focus stacking. I'm not interested in the subscription version. I am interested in hearing from people who have used other free or "hobby" priced focus stacking software. Thanks in advance.
Mar 22, 2019 17:05:33 #
Guyserman
Loc: Benton, AR
speters wrote:
You can do focus stacking in PSE, but it is rather somewhat involved, not "automated" like in PS!
I understand and I have tried but results not good. I am wanting to use hand-held shots and so the hardware needs to be able to align the shots.
Yesterday I spent three hours in a botanical garden and carrying a tripod would have been difficult (I'm 82). Thus I'm looking for software that will align and choose in focus areas. Thanks again.
Mar 22, 2019 17:19:24 #
Guyserman wrote:
My Photoshop Elements 2018 does not have automatic focus stacking. I'm not interested in the subscription version. I am interested in hearing from people who have used other free or "hobby" priced focus stacking software. Thanks in advance.
Your desire to do stacking without a tripod will be extremely frustrating.
Helicon Soft is the granddaddy of stacking software - not free
Photoshop does a great job - not free
Zerene stacker gets it done as well - also not free
Combine Z supposedly works, never tried it - it's free.
But no software will allow you to stack hand held images- you will have random movement in the X, Y and Z axes - so good luck.
Mar 22, 2019 17:24:20 #
I recomend HeliconFocus. Faster than others I tried, happy with everyone I did with it.
Mar 22, 2019 17:38:47 #
I use Zerene and am very happy with it. Stacking takes time and Zerene has good tools for clean up and the results are good. Zerene does a good job of aligning shots but no software can handle a lot of movement.
Mar 22, 2019 18:21:13 #
Mar 23, 2019 06:52:48 #
Elements+ has a focus stacking mode in its scripts section. Elements+ sells for $12 or &14. How well it works compared to dedicated focus stacking software I don't know. For the price and for what one gets, it seems to be a real bargain.
Bill
Bill
Mar 23, 2019 07:13:30 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
I recomend HeliconFocus. Faster than others I tried, happy with everyone I did with it.
Mar 23, 2019 07:49:40 #
Wanderer2
Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains
Affinity Photo does a very nice job of photo stacking, or merge as they call it. It's not free but has a one time fee and is currently on sale for $40. I believe they have a free trial period. It's a very capable program.
Mar 23, 2019 07:51:51 #
ON1 2019.2 has a Focus Stacking function.
I haven't tried that feature, but you can download and try the software for 30 days.
I haven't tried that feature, but you can download and try the software for 30 days.
Mar 23, 2019 08:10:13 #
I agree with ilg1000. ON1 does a great jobe focus stacking and has an alignment feature for handheld.
Mar 23, 2019 08:18:42 #
Mar 23, 2019 08:53:23 #
Mar 23, 2019 10:16:06 #
Guyserman wrote:
My Photoshop Elements 2018 does not have automatic focus stacking. I'm not interested in the subscription version. I am interested in hearing from people who have used other free or "hobby" priced focus stacking software. Thanks in advance.
Registax works well - free
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkTiVdx30CQ - tutorial
http://www.astronomie.be/registax/download.html - download
JimmyT Sends
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