Focus Stacking Online vs ForgePix

Focus Stacking Online combines photographs of one scene taken at different focus distances, blending the sharp portions into a single image. The maker describes it as free to use in a browser, without installing software. The workflow is to add pictures, choose an alignment method and a reference picture, stack the images, then download the result. Standard and Beta alignment methods are listed; the maker says Beta can perform better in some cases. A reference picture can be selected according to how much of the subject is in focus. The service is described as working on home laptops and smartphones. Focus stacking is presented as useful for producing sharper images, particularly in macro photography, where depth of field can be shallow. The maker recommends keeping the camera fixed because camera shake and scene variation can make stacking harder. A stack may contain two images or more than 100. The homepage also describes a recent stacks gallery and a feature for sharing to social media. FAQ and Contact us links are provided.

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.