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ForgePix
What it is
ForgePix is free beta software for focus stacking and computational photography, aimed at macro, astrophotography, and long-exposure image series. Its Macro, Astro, Hybrid, and Long Exposure modules provide distinct workflows. Automatic mode chooses usable frames, aligns and merges them, then applies gentle sharpening. Focus merging offers Laplacian pyramid, depth map, weighted average, à-trous wavelet, and halo-fix methods. Astro tools include calibration-frame detection, star alignment, rejection methods, drizzle, multi-session stacking, and FITS export. Editing options include a Camera-Raw editor, retouch brush, batch processing, watch folder, and export presets. ForgePix says image processing works locally without AI, a server, or external astronomy software. Optional language assistants and external tools can be connected, but local AI image models are experimental, are not enabled automatically, and may alter faint structures, flux, or star shapes. Prebuilt downloads are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows. The interface includes German and English, and the software is distributed under the MIT license. Version 1.28.0-beta is labeled a prerelease.
For and against
For
- Automatic mode selects, aligns, and merges frames
- Includes multiple focus-merge methods
- Astro workflow exports FITS
- Batch processing and retouch tools included
Against
- The current version is labeled a beta prerelease
- Experimental AI image models may alter faint details
The verdict
ForgePix combines focus stacking, astrophotography workflows, and editing tools in a locally processed desktop application. It remains beta software, and its experimental local AI image models are not enabled automatically.
Who it suits
ForgePix may suit photographers working with macro, astrophotography, or long-exposure series who want stacking and editing tools in one application. Its beta status and experimental AI image models are worth considering before use.
Plans and prices
Free (MIT)
Free software under the MIT license
Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- AI data handling
- For its optional language assistant, the setup states that preview frames, sharpness profile, basic EXIF data, and the user's wish are sent, while original files and location data are not.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- AI integrations
- Optional language-assistant connections include OpenAI-compatible servers such as Ollama, llama.cpp, LM Studio, and vLLM, as well as OpenAI and OpenRouter.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Astrophotography
- Astro features include calibration-frame detection, star alignment, rejection methods, drizzle, multi-session stacking, and FITS export.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Automatic workflow
- Its one-click Automatic mode selects usable frames, aligns and merges them, and applies gentle sharpening.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Editing and export
- Built-in tools include a Camera-Raw editor, retouch brush, batch processing, watch folder, and export presets.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Experimental AI limits
- The local AI image models are experimental, are never enabled automatically, and may alter faint structures, flux, or star shapes.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- External tools
- Optional external tools include Siril, GraXpert, StarNet++, and Cosmic Clarity.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Focus stacking
- Focus merge methods include Laplacian pyramid, depth map, weighted average, à-trous wavelet, and halo fix.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Languages
- The interface includes German and English, and users can add languages by translating a language file.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- License
- ForgePix is distributed under the MIT license.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Local processing
- ForgePix says it works fully locally without AI, a server, or external astronomy software.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Modules
- The app includes Macro, Astro, Hybrid, and Long Exposure modules.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- ForgePix is beta software for automatic focus stacking and computational photography for macro, astrophotography, and long-exposure series.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Release status
- The GitHub releases page labels v1.28.0-beta a prerelease and says it is a beta version rather than a release candidate.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Supported desktop systems
- Prebuilt downloads are listed for macOS, Windows, and Linux.github.com · read 29 Sep 2026
