Helicon Focus User Guide — Pro

Helicon Focus offers three main stacking algorithms — choose by subject and texture:

To start working with Helicon Focus, you need to load the images you want to stack. You can do this by clicking on the button and selecting the images from your computer. Helicon Focus supports a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and PSD.

This is the engine room where you select your stacking methods, radius, and smoothing parameters. Part 3: Step-by-Step Stacking Workflow Step 1: Importing Files

Before diving into the software, it is crucial to understand why we stack and how to capture the source images. The Macro Problem helicon focus user guide

to manually paint sharp details from a specific source image onto the final composite. Saving Mode to export the final image or create a 3D model. Software Modes Rendering Mode

Before you can master focus stacking, you need to install Helicon Focus correctly.

Ensure each focus shift overlaps slightly with the previous one. If you leave gaps between your focus points, Helicon Focus will create blurry bands (artifacts) in the final image. Helicon Focus offers three main stacking algorithms —

If you shoot tethered, Helicon Remote automates the focus-stepping process, ensuring perfect focus increments.

This gives the software more data to work with, resulting in less noise and better detail.

Calculates sharp areas based on the closest pixels and averages them. Best for: Smooth transitions and simple geometries. This is the engine room where you select

Name your file clearly, noting the method used (e.g., Insect_Macro_MethodB.tiff ) so you can track your processing choices for future reference.

After rendering, you’ll have a composite. Rarely perfect – use :

If you encounter issues:

It finds the sharpest areas and creates a continuous "depth map" of the image, keeping the foremost surfaces intact.

Displays your current image or the final rendered output. You can zoom in to 100% to check fine details.