Shine Stacker
Shine Stacker combines images captured at different focus distances to create an image with greater depth of field.
What Shine Stacker is
Shine Stacker combines images captured at different focus distances to create an image with greater depth of field. It is intended for microscopy, macro photography, and computational imaging, and offers Laplacian pyramid and depth map stacking methods. Listed processing features include automatic alignment, color or luminosity balancing, noisy pixel masking, vignetting correction, and final filters. For retouching, users can choose details from individual frames to address dust, ghosts, or other artifacts. Batch processing can divide large frame sets into groups before merging them into one focused image. The tool also supports Python batch workflows and scripting in Jupyter notebooks. Shine Stacker is open source under the LGPL-3.0 license and is free to download. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is also listed for API access. RAW files are supported, with TIFF, JPEG, and multilayer TIFF listed as output formats. Installation options include a GitHub download and Python installation through PyPI with pip.
Good
- Free and open source under LGPL-3.0.
- Offers two focus-stacking algorithms.
- Includes automatic alignment and manual retouching.
- Supports RAW input and multiple output formats.
- Python and Jupyter support batch workflows.
Watch out
- Designed for focus stacking rather than general image editing.
- Listed desktop platforms are Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Who it suits
It suits photographers and imaging users working with macro images, microscopy, or computational imaging. Python and Jupyter support may also suit users building batch workflows.
Verdict
Shine Stacker focuses on combining frames for extended depth of field, with both automatic processing and manual retouching options. Its batch tools and scripting support are relevant for users handling larger frame sets.
Plans and prices
From Shine Stacker's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free download · Windows, Mac OS, Linux |
The facts
Each one read from Shine Stacker's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Batch workflows
- The maker says users can split many frames into smaller bunches and merge them into a single fully focused frame.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Image processing
- Listed functions include automatic alignment and color or luminosity balance, noisy pixel masking, vignetting correction, and final filters.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- The maker offers a free download from GitHub and says Python users can install it from PyPI with pip.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes it for microscopy, macro photography, and computational imaging.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Maintainer
- The maker identifies Luca Lista as Shine Stacker's developer and maintainer.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The maker describes Shine Stacker as open source and lists the LGPL-3.0 license.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Shine Stacker combines images taken at different focus distances to produce images with extended depth of field.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Python and Jupyter
- Shine Stacker supports batch processing through a Python framework and scripting in Jupyter notebooks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Retouching
- Users can interactively pick details from individual frames to remove dust, ghosts, and artifacts.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Stacking methods
- It offers Laplacian pyramid and depth map focus stacking algorithms.checked 30 Sep 2026
Alternatives to Shine Stacker
- 1
Focus Stacking Online
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux7.3Free plan - 2
OpenFocus
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.1Free plan - 3
CKAN
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9Free plan - 4
ImageFocus Alpha
Free planAndroidiOSLinuxmacOS6.6Free plan - 5
focus-stack
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.5Free plan - 6
CombineZP
Free planWindows6.4Free plan