Helicon Focus User Guide

Use the Export menu to resize images for social media. A common mistake is exporting 4000px wide images to Instagram—resize to 2048px for faster uploads.

To speed up your workflow, memorize these shortcuts:

No automated algorithm is perfect. The most critical feature in this Helicon Focus user guide is the Retouching brush. helicon focus user guide

After rendering, click the Retouching tab (or press Ctrl+T).

Helicon Focus offers three distinct algorithms. Do not guess—use them strategically. Use the Export menu to resize images for social media

The Golden Rule: Start with Method B for macro. Try Method A for landscapes. Try Method C if you see halos or artifacts.

| Problem | Likely cause | Fix | |--------|--------------|------| | Blurred bands across image | Focus step too large | Re‑shoot with finer steps or use Method C | | Speckled noise | Sharpness detection struggles on textureless areas | Increase smoothing (Method B) or use Method C | | Ghosting / transparent edges | Subject moved | Realign images; if severe, retouch manually | | Focus breathing (image changes size) | Lens extends while focusing | Enable Scale correction in Alignment tab | | Long processing | Too many megapixels or images | Resize to 16–24 MP for stacking, then upscale | To speed up your workflow, memorize these shortcuts: