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SPECIFICTION
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ForgePix

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.8 #11 of 24 in Focus Stacking Software

What it is

ForgePix is beta software for automatic focus stacking and computational photography, with workflows for macro, astrophotography, and long-exposure image series. Its Macro, Astro, Hybrid, and Long Exposure modules include a one-click Automatic mode that selects usable frames, aligns and merges them, then applies gentle sharpening. Focus merges can use Laplacian pyramid, depth map, weighted average, à-trous wavelet, or halo fix methods. Astro tools cover calibration-frame detection, star alignment, rejection methods, drizzle, multi-session stacking, and FITS export. Editing and output features include RAW support, a Camera-Raw editor, retouch brush, batch processing, watch folder, and export presets for JPG, TIFF, layered Photoshop TIFF, and FITS. ForgePix says processing is fully local and does not require AI, a server, or external astronomy software. Optional language assistants and external tools are available. Assistant setup sends preview frames, sharpness profile, basic EXIF data, and the user's wish, but not original files or location data. Experimental local AI image models are not enabled by default and may alter faint structures, flux, or star shapes. ForgePix is free under the MIT license, with downloads for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Spec sheet

Purpose
ForgePix is beta software for automatic focus stacking and computational photography for macro, astrophotography, and long-exposure series.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
ForgePix is distributed under the MIT license.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
AI data handling
For its optional language assistant, the setup states that preview frames, sharpness profile, basic EXIF data, and the user's wish are sent, while original files and location data are not.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
AI integrations
Optional language-assistant connections include OpenAI-compatible servers such as Ollama, llama.cpp, LM Studio, and vLLM, as well as OpenAI and OpenRouter.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Astrophotography
Astro features include calibration-frame detection, star alignment, rejection methods, drizzle, multi-session stacking, and FITS export.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Automatic workflow
Its one-click Automatic mode selects usable frames, aligns and merges them, and applies gentle sharpening.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Editing and export
Built-in tools include a Camera-Raw editor, retouch brush, batch processing, watch folder, and export presets.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Experimental AI limits
The local AI image models are experimental, are never enabled automatically, and may alter faint structures, flux, or star shapes.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
External tools
Optional external tools include Siril, GraXpert, StarNet++, and Cosmic Clarity.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Focus stacking
Focus merge methods include Laplacian pyramid, depth map, weighted average, à-trous wavelet, and halo fix.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Languages
The interface includes German and English, and users can add languages by translating a language file.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Local processing
ForgePix says it works fully locally without AI, a server, or external astronomy software.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Modules
The app includes Macro, Astro, Hybrid, and Long Exposure modules.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Release status
The GitHub releases page labels v1.28.0-beta a prerelease and says it is a beta version rather than a release candidate.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported desktop systems
Prebuilt downloads are listed for macOS, Windows, and Linux.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free (MIT) Free Free software under the MIT license Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com

Every ForgePix plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Automatic mode selects, aligns, and merges usable frames.
  • Includes five focus merge methods.
  • Astro tools include multi-session stacking and FITS export.
  • Supports batch processing and manual retouching.
  • Free under the MIT license.

Limits

  • The current release is labeled a beta prerelease.
  • Experimental AI models may alter faint details or star shapes.
  • Optional assistant setup sends preview and EXIF data.

Who it suits

ForgePix suits photographers working with macro, astrophotography, or long-exposure series who want focus merging, stacking, and local processing. Its beta status and experimental AI image models are worth noting before use.

Verdict

ForgePix combines focus stacking, astrophotography workflows, and editing tools in a free, locally processed desktop app. Its beta status and the stated limits of experimental AI models are important caveats.

Where Specifiction places it

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