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On the recordRead 4 Oct 202624 facts

HDR Merge Master

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What it is

HDR Merge Master is a free, open-source tool that uses Blender’s compositor to combine exposure brackets in batches. It can output 32-bit OpenEXR or Radiance HDR files, with tonemapped JPG previews alongside the merged files. Users can add multiple input folders, process subfolders recursively, and import or export batch lists as JSON. Alignment options include no alignment, Hugin pre-alignment, or MTB alignment, depending on Blender version and selected mode. A headless command-line mode supports batch JSON input, folder processing, alignment choices, thread settings, and cleanup. Camera RAW processing requires RawTherapee, and adjacent PP3 profiles are used automatically. The documented workflow can include Blender, RawTherapee, Hugin, Luminance HDR, and PTGui; an included script can replace JPG paths with EXR paths in a PTGui PTS project. The project actively tests with Blender 4.5 LTS and 5.1 LTS; older versions use a legacy script with reduced features. It does not remove ghosting, and the maker advises a steady tripod. Its intended HDRI workflow uses JPG previews before replacing them with EXR files for final export.

For and against

For

  • Outputs 32-bit OpenEXR or Radiance HDR.
  • Processes multiple folders and recursive subfolders.
  • Offers no alignment, Hugin, or MTB options.
  • Headless mode supports JSON batches and folder processing.
  • Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Against

  • Does not remove ghosting.
  • Camera RAW processing requires RawTherapee.
  • Older Blender versions have reduced features.

The verdict

HDR Merge Master offers batch bracket merging, HDR output formats, and command-line processing. It does not handle ghost removal, and RAW workflows require RawTherapee.

Who it suits

It suits photographers or HDRI workflows that need to merge exposure brackets in batches and work with EXR output. Users processing camera RAW files need RawTherapee, and those concerned about ghosting should note that the tool does not remove it.

On the record

Alignment
It offers no alignment, Hugin-based pre-alignment, or MTB alignment modes, with MTB as the default.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Automation
A headless command-line mode supports batch files, folder input, recursive processing, alignment options, thread counts, and cleanup.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Batching
The app supports multiple input folders, recursive processing, and batch lists that can be imported or exported as JSON.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Batch processing
Users can add multiple input folders and optionally process subfolders recursively.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
Blender versions
Blender 4.5 LTS or 5.1 LTS are actively tested; older versions use a legacy script with reduced features.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
Download
The installation instructions direct users to download the latest GitHub release and run hdr_merge_master.exe.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
HDRI workflow
The maker says Poly Haven uses the tool to merge exposure bracket sequences for HDRI creation.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
HDR output
The output format can be 32-bit OpenEXR or Radiance HDR.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
Integrations
The project documents optional use of Blender, RawTherapee, Hugin, Luminance HDR, and PTGui workflows.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Linux builds
The release notes state that Linux release binaries were added.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Maker
The repository owner is Greg Zaal, whose GitHub profile lists South Africa.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
Notable limit
The tool does not perform ghost removal, and the README recommends using a steady tripod.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
The tool does not remove ghosting, and the maker advises using a steady tripod when shooting.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Other integrations
The workflow can use Hugin's align_image_stack for image alignment and includes a script to replace JPG paths with EXR paths in PTGui project files.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Output formats
Merged output can be 32-bit OpenEXR or Radiance HDR, and the app also creates tonemapped JPG previews.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
Preview files
The tool creates tonemapped JPG previews alongside the merged HDR files.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026
PTGui workflow
An included script can replace JPG paths with EXR paths in a PTGui PTS project.github.com · read 3 Oct 2026

Alternatives to HDR Merge Master

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