CombineZ is
Free software image processing software package for creating
extended depth of field
Focus stacking (also known as focal plane merging and z-stacking or focus blending) is a digital image processing technique which combines multiple images taken at different focus distances to give a resulting image with a greater depth of fi ...
images. It runs on
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...
. The current release is CombineZP (CombineZ-Pyramid), successor to CombineZM (CombineZ-Movie) which was based on CombineZ5 (designed for older versions of Windows and is no longer maintained).
CombineZ processes a stack of images (or "Frames") and is most frequently used to blend the focused areas of several partially focused
digital photographs in order to create a composite image with an extended
depth of field
The depth of field (DOF) is the distance between the nearest and the furthest objects that are in acceptably sharp focus in an image captured with a camera.
Factors affecting depth of field
For cameras that can only focus on one object dist ...
(DOF), created from the in-focus areas of each image.
Other uses
CombineZ has many image manipulation functions that can be used in modifying images (frames) or sets of sequential images (stacks). It can take videos and split them into individual frames which are then manipulated as a stack. For instance, since version CombineZM one can take a movie through a microscope as you wind the focus up or down, and use it for
focus stacking. Alternatively, one can convert a sequence of static frames into a movie (including generating intermediate transitional frames for smoothness) or a pseudo-3D 'rocker' image stack animation.
Limitations
* Does not support 16 bit images
* Images must be in height order (closest to furthest, but can be flipped within the application)
* Supports a limited number of image and video formats
* Only runs on Microsoft Windows
Gallery
Image:Nuctenea.umbratica.edof.2.jpg, Macro image created with CombineZM. All parts of the spider are in focus.
File:PlatycryptusUndatusFemale.jpg, 13 images were combined to create this image of a jumping spider.
Some images created with CombineZP and taken with a
Nikon Coolpix P7000
The Coolpix P7000 is a digital compact camera introduced by the Nikon Corporation in 2010.
Features
References
External links
COOLPIX P7000 Product page
at Nikon USA
Nikon Coolpix cameras, P7000
Cameras introduced in 2010
{{camer ...
:
File:2011-12-02 12-42-51-electronic-devices-11f.jpg, Electronic components
File:2011-12-02 12-49-40-electronic-devices-11f.jpg, Electronic components
File:2011-11-30 21-25-37-scolytinae-sp.jpg, Bark with scolytinae sp. galleries
File:2011-11-30 21-20-20-scolytinae-sp.jpg, Bark with scolytinae sp. galleries
Some images created with CombineZM/CombineZP and taken with a
Nikon D300 with a
macro lens:
File:2011-06-02-diaph.jpg, A diaphragm from an old videocamera
File:2011-06-02-capteur.jpg, A sensor from an old videocamera
File:2011-07-04-fossile-focus-stacking.jpg, Fossil
File:2011-07-21-cactaceae-1.jpg, '' Rebutia minuscula''
File:2011-07-22 15-02-46-fuse-box.jpg, Electric device
File:2011-12-04 16-24-26-Asteraceae-71f.jpg, Asteraceae sp. flower
File:2011-12-04 16-28-58-Asteraceae-88f.jpg, Asteraceae sp. flower
References
External links
*
* {{Cite web , url=http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZ5/Examples/getting_started.htm , title=Getting started guide for CombineZ5 , access-date=May 5, 2007 , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724191259/http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZ5/Examples/getting_started.htm , archive-date=July 24, 2011 , url-status=dead , df=mdy-all
Easy to read explanation of how CombineZM works
Digital photography
Free photo software
Windows-only free software
Free graphics software
Articles containing video clips