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focus-stack
What it is
focus-stack is a free desktop tool that combines photos taken at different focus settings into an image with greater depth of field. It selects the sharpest source image at each pixel, which suits cases such as microscope photography where one focus setting may not cover the whole subject. The program can resize and rotate images to align their contents, with options to skip or adjust alignment. It can create a focus-stacked image, a depth map, and a 3D preview derived from that map. Inputs can use formats supported by OpenCV, including JPG, PNG, and TIFF; the output format follows the file extension. Processing controls include denoising, consistency filtering, batch size, and thread count. OpenCV's OpenCL interface provides GPU acceleration when available, and an option can disable it. The README estimates memory use at about 100 MB per megapixel by default, or about 50 MB per megapixel with one thread and batch size two. Binary packages are listed for Windows 10, Ubuntu 20.04, and Mac OS X. Linux builds require OpenCV 3.0 or newer and basic build tools.
For and against
For
- Combines images from different focus settings.
- Can align images by resizing and rotating them.
- Produces focus-stacked images, depth maps, and 3D previews.
- OpenCL GPU acceleration is available when supported.
- Free and MIT licensed.
Against
- Default memory estimate is about 100 MB per megapixel.
- Linux builds require OpenCV 3.0 or newer.
- macOS app is unsigned and may be quarantined by the operating system.
The verdict
focus-stack offers alignment controls and several output types for focus-stacked photography. Review its stated memory use and platform notes, especially if installing the unsigned macOS app or building on Linux.
Who it suits
focus-stack suits photographers working with subjects whose depth is not sharp at one focus setting, including microscope photography. It is available as a desktop tool for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Plans and prices
focus-stack
No pricing or usage limits stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Acceleration
- OpenCL GPU acceleration is used when available and can be disabled with an option.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Android
- The README mentions a third-party Android app that uses focus-stack's algorithm.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Android connection
- The README links to a third-party Android app that uses focus-stack as its algorithm.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Build dependency
- The Linux build instructions specify OpenCV 3.0 or newer and basic build tools.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Depth outputs
- Optional outputs include a depth map and a 3D preview generated from the depth map.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop downloads
- The README says binary packages are available for Windows 10, Ubuntu 20.04 and Mac OS X.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The README lists binary packages for Windows 10, Ubuntu 20.04, and Mac OS X on the GitHub releases page.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The README says input can use formats supported by OpenCV, including JPG, PNG, and TIFF.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- GPU acceleration
- The tool uses OpenCV's OpenCL interface for GPU acceleration when available, and provides an option to disable it.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Image alignment
- It can resize and rotate images to align them, and can compensate for white balance and exposure differences.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Input and output formats
- Inputs can use formats supported by OpenCV, including JPG, PNG and TIFF, and output format is selected by file extension.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- macOS caveat
- The README says the macOS application is unsigned and may be quarantined by the operating system.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Memory requirement
- The README estimates about 100 MB of RAM per megapixel at default settings and about 50 MB per megapixel with one thread and batch size two.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Memory use
- The README estimates about 100 MB of RAM per megapixel by default and about 50 MB per megapixel with --threads=1 and --batchsize=2.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Output options
- It can generate a focus-stacked image, a depth map, and a 3D preview image.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Processing controls
- Options include image alignment, denoising, consistency filtering, batch size, and thread count.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Combines photos taken at different focus settings by selecting the sharpest source image for each pixel to create an extended depth of field image.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
