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stacker:docs:faqlist [2020/08/23 00:06] rjlittlefield My stack got shot out of order. What can I do? |
stacker:docs:faqlist [2020/10/05 18:19] rjlittlefield Added "I did not save a project. Can I retouch anyway?" |
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| * [[#is_there_some_way_to_save_exif_and_other_metadata|Is there some way to save EXIF and other metadata?]] | * [[#is_there_some_way_to_save_exif_and_other_metadata|Is there some way to save EXIF and other metadata?]] | ||
| * [[#why_do_my_output_images_say_they_re_only_72_pixels_per_inch|Why do my output images say they're only 72 pixels per inch?]] | * [[#why_do_my_output_images_say_they_re_only_72_pixels_per_inch|Why do my output images say they're only 72 pixels per inch?]] | ||
| + | * [[#what_exactly_is_a_project|What exactly is a project?]] | ||
| **Shooting Stacks** | **Shooting Stacks** | ||
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| * [[#what_are_some_tips_for_fast_retouching|What are some tips for fast retouching?]] | * [[#what_are_some_tips_for_fast_retouching|What are some tips for fast retouching?]] | ||
| * [[#what_are_the_different_brush_types_for_retouching?|What are the different brush types for retouching?]] | * [[#what_are_the_different_brush_types_for_retouching?|What are the different brush types for retouching?]] | ||
| + | * [[#i_did_not_save_a_project_can_i_retouch_anyway|I did not save a project. Can I retouch anyway?]] | ||
| **Miscellaneous** | **Miscellaneous** | ||
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| There is an option to preserve the ppi setting, by selecting Options > Preferences > Image Saving > "Copy metadata from source images to saved output images", before doing File > Save Output Image(s). This [[stacker:docs:faqlist?&#i_see_some_menu_items_labeled_pro_what_does_that_mean|Pro-only]] option will also save all other EXIF metadata such as camera & lens type, exposure settings, GPS location, and so on. Note that "Copy metadata..." is automatically selected by default when you are running the Lightroom plug-in, so if you're running the trial version with default settings, you may notice a difference between going through Lightroom and launching Zerene Stacker separately. | There is an option to preserve the ppi setting, by selecting Options > Preferences > Image Saving > "Copy metadata from source images to saved output images", before doing File > Save Output Image(s). This [[stacker:docs:faqlist?&#i_see_some_menu_items_labeled_pro_what_does_that_mean|Pro-only]] option will also save all other EXIF metadata such as camera & lens type, exposure settings, GPS location, and so on. Note that "Copy metadata..." is automatically selected by default when you are running the Lightroom plug-in, so if you're running the trial version with default settings, you may notice a difference between going through Lightroom and launching Zerene Stacker separately. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== What exactly is a "project"? ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the computer’s file system, each Zerene Stacker project consists of a folder that contains a ".zsj" file and several subfolders. The .zsj file is the master description for the project. You can look inside it with any text editor. Typical subfolders include "generatedimages", which contains output images in ".zsy" format; "previewimages", which contains cached screen preview images as low quality ".jpg"; "AdjustedSourceImages" if Save Adjusted Images has been used; and so on. | ||
| + | |||
| + | When using File > Open Project inside Zerene Stacker, the project may appear in a couple of different ways. Usually it appears as an ordinary folder, so to open the project you must navigate inside the project folder, select the .zsj file, and open that. However, if Options > Preferences > Look & Feel is set to //not// use "system native File Choosers", then File > Open Project will show the project folder as a single "yellow smiling dog" icon that can be selected and opened without navigating inside it. | ||
| + | |||
| ===== Does Zerene Stacker help me to shoot a stack? ===== | ===== Does Zerene Stacker help me to shoot a stack? ===== | ||
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| Edge streaks can also be caused by forcing a stack to be processed starting at the "wide" end, meaning whichever end of the stack has the widest field of view. In this case the streaks are likely to appear on all four edges, and may extend from the edge of the image to the edge of the narrowest field of view. With standard settings, Zerene Stacker automatically determines which is the narrow end of the stack and starts there, which completely prevents edge streaks with a well aligned stack. However, it can be forced to start at either end by de-selecting Options > Preferences > "Automatic order". Normally we recommend to leave "Automatic order" selected, and set things up when the stack is shot so that everything you care about is contained even within the narrowest frame. See the tutorial [[http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorial002#summaryuse_either_method_but_be_sure_to_check_framing|HERE]] for more information on that point. | Edge streaks can also be caused by forcing a stack to be processed starting at the "wide" end, meaning whichever end of the stack has the widest field of view. In this case the streaks are likely to appear on all four edges, and may extend from the edge of the image to the edge of the narrowest field of view. With standard settings, Zerene Stacker automatically determines which is the narrow end of the stack and starts there, which completely prevents edge streaks with a well aligned stack. However, it can be forced to start at either end by de-selecting Options > Preferences > "Automatic order". Normally we recommend to leave "Automatic order" selected, and set things up when the stack is shot so that everything you care about is contained even within the narrowest frame. See the tutorial [[http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/tutorials/tutorial002#summaryuse_either_method_but_be_sure_to_check_framing|HERE]] for more information on that point. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In recent versions of Zerene Stacker, edge streaks can be avoided by checking the box at Options > Preferences > Preprocessing > "Use dust & defects mask", and also checking the box under that to "Avoid edge streaks". (For this use, you do not need to provide a dust & defects mask "from file".) However, while this option will prevent the introduction of streaks, that region of the result image may still be degraded if the subject has details that were never captured in sharp focus due to the shift in framing. It is better to avoid the shift in framing while the stack is being shot, if possible. | ||
| ===== My output images have worm trails! Why is that? ===== | ===== My output images have worm trails! Why is that? ===== | ||
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| The Darken and Lighten brushes are like the Pixels brush, except that they only copy pixel values if that copy will make the target get darker or lighter, respectively. This is occasionally handy when retouching small isolated features such as the bristles of an insect. | The Darken and Lighten brushes are like the Pixels brush, except that they only copy pixel values if that copy will make the target get darker or lighter, respectively. This is occasionally handy when retouching small isolated features such as the bristles of an insect. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== I did not save a project. Can I retouch anyway? ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Yes, in most cases. But the process is cumbersome, so it's better to use File > Save Project and File > Open Project as intended. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In detail, the process goes like this: | ||
| + | - Open or re-create a project that has source images in the same alignment that produced the image you want to retouch. | ||
| + | - Go to Options > Preferences > Preprocessing, and put a checkmark on the option to "Add files to existing project as already aligned". | ||
| + | - Add the image that you want to retouch, into the Input Files panel. You can do this by either drag-and-drop or File > Add File(s). | ||
| + | - Be sure the project has as least one output image. Create one by stacking, if necessary. | ||
| + | - Select any output image. | ||
| + | - Edit > Start Retouching. | ||
| + | - Set scale to "Fit window". | ||
| + | - Position the retouching brush in the center of the image, then resize it big enough to cover the entire image at one time. | ||
| + | - Click once, to replace all pixels in the placeholder with pixels from the image that you really want to retouch. The "Current Retouched Image" will then be equal to the image you want to retouch, just as if it would have been if selected from the Output Images panel. | ||
| + | - Resize the retouching brush to be a normal small size. | ||
| + | - Proceed with retouching as you originally intended. | ||
| ===== Do you have a user forum? ===== | ===== Do you have a user forum? ===== | ||