Focus Stacking Software

[Mike Farley]

A while back davidc mentioned a free application which he thought might work better than the focus blending routine in Photoshop CS/CC. I am finding that Photoshop does not seem to be very good at aligning images where position have shifted as the focus has been changed. Is there anything out there which people have tried which could give improved results? I have currently got a couple of images in my PAD project which I have not yet posted as I need to do some manual manipulation, so I am wondering about other options.

[Paul Heester]

I used Zerene Stacker after PS failed to stack my insect image - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8182614@N08/9947141343/ and found it to be a very effective tool.

[davidc]

That's the one I used too.

[Mike Farley]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give it a try, although it seems a bit expensive just for occasional use.

[davidc]

I used a free version?

[Mike Farley]

I used a free version?

I can find a 30 day free trial, but the cheapest non educational licence costs $89, rising to $189 to get a more fully featured version. Should I want to use it professionally and sell images processed with the software, as well as get all the functionality, the price increases to $289.

http://www.zerenesystems.com/cms/stacke ... purchasing

Based on what I have read, it seems like it is a good tool and probably the best out there, but I would have to do a lot of focus stacking to justify those sorts of prices, which appear to be on the high side for an application with just one primary purpose.

[davidc]

I've used this one too.

http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

I'm curious about how Zerene are able to differentiate between the prosumers and professional users - how do they know you've sold a stacked image? What happens if you are not a professional tog but happen to make a sale? Seems like a blatant attempt at profiteering no?

[Mike Farley]

I've used this one too.

http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

That was the one I was going to try first, but without any great expectation that it will improve on what Photoshop can do. It does not seem to have been updated in a while.

I'm curious about how Zerene are able to differentiate between the prosumers and professional users - how do they know you've sold a stacked image? What happens if you are not a professional tog but happen to make a sale? Seems like a blatant attempt at profiteering no?

There are two possible explanations. The first is relying on people's honesty, which will take them quite a long way especially as the extra $100 will not make a lot of difference to most users in that category. The other is that they embed something in the stacked image to denote the version used. If they come across something which has been published by an institution or offered for sale, they can follow it up if they wish.

I do find the idea of pricing software according to how it is used somewhat invidious, to be honest, and it is another factor which puts me off wishing to have any dealings with them.

There is a review of the different applications at this website.

http://www.laurieknight.net/article/view/7