Merge bracketed focus images into one with photoshop
nazgulled | 05/10/2007 @140 | edit post

I've already found a lot of tutorials on how to merge bracketed exposures image files into one HDR image and I like it, however. I know have 6 images of my cell phone (just for testing) with different manual focus applied to focus each part of the phone. How do I merge this images into one image totally focused with photoshop? Can anyone point out any tutorial or plugins for this? Or help me out on how to achieve this?

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
Inabottle | 05/10/2007 @183 | edit post

Usually you use raw files, thats the way i figured out how to do it in photoshop automatically. Im sure there is a way to do it with JPEG files, I dont know, but what file formats do you use. I suggest emailing TommyGuns or any of the other people on GFX who hoot HDR

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
dakoo | 05/10/2007 @313 | edit post

Here U go !!! These tools are the exactly the ones U r looking for !! Also do check out the links on each page ! For they will point to 2-3 other tools of such kind !!! Though i have known these tools for quite a while i have never experimented with them. If U do let me know the results !! Especially in non MACRO stuff !!! http://www.janrik.net/ptools/ExtendedFocusPano12/ http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZ5/combinez5.htm http://www.helicon.com.ua/pages/index.php?heliconfocus

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
nazgulled | 05/10/2007 @525 | edit post

Yo are right, that was exactly what I was looking for... However, It would be really nice if I could do this inside of Photoshop with some kind of plugin...

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
dakoo | 05/10/2007 @590 | edit post

sorry mate !!! Not yet possible !! These algo's are still a bit raw... I myself hit upon it while doing some research for an image processing algorithm while developing a software application........ !!!

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
nazgulled | 05/10/2007 @661 | edit post

Someone else, on another forum, suggested me to use the "Lens Blur" filter along with channels to accomplish what I want... But I think that will take a lot of work to merge the various images.

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
Slapo | 05/10/2007 @851 | edit post

Using layer masks could work well too.

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
nazgulled | 05/11/2007 @990 | edit post

I tried the latest Helicon Focus and it worked like a charm, however, it's shareware... Then, I tried CombineZM, but it's a bit harder to work, and I didn't managed to create a final image... :/ What I really wanted was some kind of Photoshop plugin for this, that would have been perfect, but I guess there isn't one. Yeah, I know I could use masked layers but that will take more work than any of these applications. Helicon Focus works pretty well, too bad it's shareware. [Message edited on 05/11 @037]

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
dakoo | 05/11/2007 @680 | edit post

there is another one which works on the LINUX command line.. Which is completely free. (Both as in BEER & FREEdom) But i am sorry that i can't remember the name for that.... ? Try googleing it with other names that i mentioned maybe U could find it... !

Re: Merge bracketed focus images into one with pho
nazgulled | 05/11/2007 @825 | edit post

I already googled a lot... but couldn't find anything else different from your suggestions... However, I decided to give another shot at CombineZM and it worked fine on the simple test I made with my cell phone... I just don't like the interface and how everything has to be done... I would prefer Helicon Focus, but it's shareware... Anyway, I think CombineZM will do the trick for now, if not, if it's an important shot, I'll just composite the image myself.