CombineZP vs ForgePix

CombineZP is a Windows focus-stacking program that combines focused regions from multiple photographs into an image with greater depth of field. Its documented methods include Do Stack and Pyramid Maximum Contrast. It provides quick and thorough image alignment, with rotation correction in thorough alignment. Batch processing can stack images, and users can adjust memory use for image sets that demand more from the computer. Macro parameters are editable for additional control over close-up stacking. JPEG is the documented output format. The program is free and the repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0. The repository preserves code originally created by Alan Hadley and shared under the GPL; it contains CombineZ5 and combineZP directories, a README, a license file, and an installer. The README refers to a compiled Windows x86 version 1.0, updated January 27, 2012, in a file named combinezp.msi. The repository says it is kept for posterity, lists no published releases, and a microscopy tools page describes the software as not maintained. Windows is the listed platform; a third-party microscopy tools page also says it works with Wine on Linux.

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.