Purpose: PICOLAY generates improved images from picture series on Windows computers.
Focus stacking: It combines sharp areas from images taken at different focus levels in a z-stack.
3D imaging: It can create depth maps, 3D projections, stereo images, hologram views, and 3D animations from stacks.
Image editing: It includes image resizing, color and sharpness adjustments, filtering, rotation, flipping, painting, cloning, text, and scale-bar tools.
Alignment: It can align displaced stack images by their x and y positions and harmonize their brightness.
Portability: PICOLAY runs without installation and can be copied to a folder or USB stick.
Download formats: The download page offers 64-bit versions and a 32-bit ZIP version.
Current download: The download page labels the current release Version 2026-09-29 and lists AI-supported builds.
Security note: The maker says some antivirus software may flag the download because the site lacks broad distribution and a strong reputation score.
Warranty: The maker provides PICOLAY as-is without express or implied warranty.
Documentation: Manuals are available in English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish, with tutorials and FAQs also linked from the site.
Support contact: The maker’s September 2026 program note invites feedback at [email protected].
Commercial use: The maker states that PICOLAY may be used freely for non-commercial purposes.
Recent development: The maker’s September 2026 note says PICOLAY is being coded with Claude under the author’s direction and warns that the new program may contain bugs.
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Focus Stacking Software in 2026#6 of 23

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Sources

picolay.de/about.htm· checked 4 Oct 2026
picolay.de/download.htm· checked 4 Oct 2026
picolay.de/manuals.htm· checked 4 Oct 2026
picolay.de/forum/newPICOLAY_En.pdf· checked 4 Oct 2026