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OpenFocus

github.com

Free plan Open source WindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.4 #5 of 24 in Focus Stacking Software

What it is

OpenFocus aligns and fuses multi-focus image sequences to create images with focus throughout. It offers ECC and Homography alignment and several fusion methods: Guided Filter, DCT, DTCWT, GFG-FGF and the StackMFF V4 AI model. A wipe view lets users compare source frames with results, and the software can generate depth maps showing focus position per pixel. It supports folder-based batch processing and a headless command-line interface for scripting and CI. Listed inputs include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, MP4 and numbered image folders; the manual also describes decoding additional video formats. Outputs include those image formats, image-sequence folders and GIF animations. Research functions include metadata-calibrated scale bars and multi-page TIFF stacks that preserve 16-bit depth. The interface supports English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, with automatic system-language detection. OpenFocus is free under the MIT License, though included algorithms may have separate license terms. Its Windows and macOS app builds are unsigned and may trigger SmartScreen or Gatekeeper warnings on first launch.

Spec sheet

Purpose
OpenFocus aligns and fuses multi-focus image sequences into images with greater depth of field.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The manual describes OpenFocus as a desktop application for researchers, engineers, and image-processing professionals.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository is released under the MIT License.Read 15 Oct 2026 · raw.githubusercontent.com
3D export
Version 1.54–1.55 added textured OBJ export combining a depth map and fused image.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Algorithm limitation
OpenFocus A produces a deliberately soft look and is not intended for the supplied benchmark.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Batch and CLI
It supports batch processing across folders and a headless command-line interface for scripting and CI.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Batch processing
The application can process multiple folders with progress reporting, cancellation and organized outputs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Command line
A pip-installable headless CLI runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and returns exit codes 0, 1 or 2 for success, processing errors or usage errors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Compare and inspect
A wipe compare view uses a draggable divider to compare source frames and results, and the software can generate per-pixel focus-position depth maps.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Depth maps
Index-deciding fusion methods can produce per-pixel focus-position maps with pseudo-color display and 16-bit export.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Documentation
The project links an English manual, Chinese manual, changelog, large-stack performance notes and build commands.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Exports
The manual lists JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, image-sequence folders, and GIF animations as output options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Extensibility
Source builds use Python 3.10 with requirements.txt, and PyInstaller packaging instructions are provided.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Feature limitation
The comparison table lists camera or rail control as unavailable in OpenFocus.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Fusion methods
Fusion options include Guided Filter, DCT, DTCWT, GFG-FGF, StackMFF V4 and OpenFocus A/B/C.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
GPU limitation
GPU acceleration is optional and is provided for the StackMFF V4 neural model.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Image alignment
It offers ECC and Homography methods to align image sequences.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Input formats
The manual lists JPG, PNG, BMP, TIFF, MP4, and numbered image folders as supported inputs; it also describes decoding several additional video formats.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Interface
The desktop application is built with PyQt6 and supports CPU processing by default.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Languages
The interface supports English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, with automatic system-language detection.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License caveat
Included research algorithms may carry original license terms in addition to the OpenFocus MIT license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Microscopy features
The software supports TIFF µm-per-pixel calibration, dust-map flat-field correction and publication scale bars.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
News: 2026-10-15
The project announced OBJ export, camera RAW support and depth smoothing for OpenFocus B on October 15, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
News: 2026-10-15 retouch
A same-day release added the retouch brush, live progress, per-method kernel memory and improved DTCWT and GFG-FGF behavior.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Output formats
Exports include JPG, PNG, WebP, BMP and TIFF, with 16-bit data preserved through the pipeline.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
PyPI author
PyPI identifies the author as Xinzhe Xie.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI extras
PyPI provides ai, heic and raw optional extras.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI latest release
PyPI lists version 1.55 as released on October 15, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI maintainer
PyPI lists one maintainer, xiexinzhe.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI operating-system classifier
PyPI marks the package as operating-system independent.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI publishing
PyPI states that the 1.55 files were uploaded with twine and not through Trusted Publishing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI Python requirement
The package metadata requires Python 3.9 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI release size
The 1.55 source archive is 3.8 MB and the wheel is 3.7 MB.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI stability
PyPI classifies OpenFocus as Development Status 5, Production/Stable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
PyPI subject tags
PyPI tags the package for image fusion, focus stacking, microscopy, photography, Helicon and depth maps.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
RAW input
Version 1.54–1.55 added camera RAW support including DNG, CR2/CR3, NEF, ARW and RAF through 16-bit development.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Registration
Registration methods are bounded similarity alignment, ECC and homography.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Research features
The software can add scale bars calibrated from image metadata and save multi-page TIFF stacks while preserving 16-bit depth.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Retouching
The retouch brush paints pixels from a source frame and automatically chooses the sharpest frame beneath the cursor.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security limitation
Windows and macOS binaries are unsigned, so SmartScreen or Gatekeeper warnings can appear at first launch.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security note
The project says its Windows and macOS app builds are unsigned and may trigger SmartScreen or Gatekeeper warnings on first launch.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Startup limitation
The README warns that the first Windows start may take 30–60 seconds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Wipe comparison
A wipe view overlays a source frame and result with a draggable divider and shared zoom.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free and open source Free Windows/macOS GUI · Linux CLI · MIT source license Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every OpenFocus plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Offers multiple alignment and fusion methods.
  • Creates per-pixel focus-position depth maps.
  • Supports batch processing and command-line use.
  • Can preserve 16-bit depth in TIFF stacks.
  • Free under the MIT License.

Limits

  • Windows and macOS builds are unsigned.
  • Included algorithms may have separate license terms.
  • GUI is listed for Windows and macOS.

Who it suits

The manual describes OpenFocus for researchers, engineers and image-processing professionals working with multi-focus sequences. Its batch and command-line options also suit scripted workflows.

Verdict

OpenFocus combines sequence alignment, fusion, inspection and research-oriented output options in a free desktop tool. Users should account for the unsigned app warning and check license terms for included algorithms.

Where Specifiction places it

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