Recently came across Picolay Stacking Software, did a forum search to find out if others are using it but found nothing.
Is anyone using it and any comments about it?
Decided to downloaded the Picolay Manual
http://www.picolay.icbm.de/picolay-manual.pdfSome Picolay features would like comments.
Stacking based on target colours instead of sharp areas (what advantage?) later mentions "[==>] Stacking based on sharp areas...you can follow how the sharp result is sequentially composed. When done an overlay of the sharp image and teh depth map is displayed in the left window. This should help you to assess the performancee. The result will not always represent the optimum. Often one would like to change some of the parameters to improve it. This can also be done before you start the stacking routine....Depth map Concomitantly with the sharp image, a map is generated showing from which layer each pixel is derived. The depth map is helpful for finding the perfect stacking parameters. Grey areas indicate where the pixels were averaged as no sharp structures were detected. The information in the map is used to generate three-dimensional pictures and projections (see below)."
Auto-align positions and size if images are not perfectly congruent (wonder how accurate?)
Generate a flat field with adjustable background Later "Set background /flat field correction If you select this function and a 'Factor' of -1 (a negative factor means subtract) this function can be used to eliminate disturbing elements that are present in all pictures of your stack (e.g. 'Coolpix rings', vignettes or dust particles on your lenses). The function does not simply subtract the first image (which would result in nearly black images) but adds RGB values required to reach the background colour you have selected
by clicking in the image with the RIGHT mouse button. The best result is usually obtained when you select the natural background colour.
Add text and a scale bar to pictures
PICOLAY generates animations of picture series either as slide show or
as animated gif file.
There are many more functions to improve images by changing parameters
like sharpness, contrast, size etc.
Unique features of PICOLAY are various routines to generate threedimensional
views, projections and animations:
- Generation of three-dimensional images from a single stack taken at a
constant perspective.
- Generation of rotating 3D images, red-cyan overlay images and images
for crossed-eyes or parallel viewing
- 'Hologram stacking', a routine that makes items visible that are hidden
by the normal stacking process.
A special feature of PICOLAY is the following: When you have zoomed in or you have selected a certain part of an image, the position and size will be kept constant during browsing other images in the list.
Ken
