focus-stack vs ForgePix

focus-stack is a free desktop program that combines photographs taken at different focus settings into an image with extended depth of field. For each pixel, it selects the sharpest source image, a method documented for uses such as microscope photography. The tool can resize and rotate stack images to align them, or alignment can be skipped or adjusted. Outputs include a focus-stacked image, an optional depth map, and a 3D preview based on that map. Input formats supported by OpenCV include JPG, PNG, and TIFF, while the filename extension determines output format. Processing controls cover denoising, consistency filtering, batch size, and thread count. OpenCV’s OpenCL interface provides GPU acceleration when available, with an option to disable it. Binary packages are listed for Windows 10, Ubuntu 20.04, and Mac OS X. The project is MIT licensed; Linux builds require OpenCV 3.0 or newer and basic build tools.

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.