No single focus stacking software consistently handles both clean stacks and scenes with movement; users must switch between multiple tools to get acceptable results.

Workarounds Described

• uses multiple focus stacking tools (Helicon, Zerene, Shine) and compares results manually
• falls back to Photoshop for movement-heavy stacks despite its lower quality on clean stacks
• tests Affinity and Shine on different scenes to find best performer

Implied Software Gaps

• Automated scene movement detection and adaptive algorithm selection for focus stacking
• Unified focus stacking software that handles both clean stacks and motion without manual switching
• Per-region blending to preserve sharpness in static areas while compensating for movement

StackMaster AI

StackMaster AI is a focus stacking app that adapts its algorithm based on scene movement detection. It automates the trade-off between clean-stack sharpness and motion-handling, delivering consistent high-quality results without manual trial-and-error.

Existing Solutions Mentioned