Tom: The unlock key only removes the The image produced by Helicon Focus quotation from the photo. The program is the same and there aren't any additional features that are unlocked. Stay cool and run steam.... [ January 18, 2006, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Helicon ought to give Yourestone a commission on each new sale above its average licensing numbers starting with the date of publication of the magazine.
The version I downloaded has no promotional messages for 30 days, supposedly full features, and no documentation. I'm down to day 26. I know how this stuff works, technically, so I don't need much documentation. The defaults work well. It's really just "Add New Items" and "Run". Mark, I heard about Helicon well before Rich Yourstone even put results on the Web. I didn't explore it because it was Windows-only, and I've had terrible results with PC emulators on previous Macs. Now I have a big Mac. I bought a Windows-emulator because another program from my major client required it (I can get paid in a day, or less!). So why not try Helicon at the same time? Many photography forums had the buzz on Helicon before we caught on. This is powerhouse software well beyond model railroading.
Same here for me Pete, I am on a Mac, using Virtual PC, I was worried that the software would really drag in emulation mode, but I have to say it was very snappy. I too plan on paying for the 1 year or full license. It should be noted, they will aloow up to 4 computers on 1 license, as long as only one is in use at a time. Helicon could well be the best thing to happen to the "Common Man" in model railroading photography. Even slobs like me can now get pro results with my point and shot Cannon A95. Here's one of my attempts:
David: That's a very nice photo. How many images did you use for the final photo? Stay cool and run steam.....
I think I used 8 for that one, most of the others I am trying to have around 8-10, seems to be a good enough range of focal points to get a smooth blend, though I can see some out of focus points. I do love the software. It has given me a whole new desire to photograph the layout. Thanks for the compliments.
This is my first attempt at using the Helicon software package with a Nikon 60 mm micro lens. The camera was a bit to close to the rocks and pine tree on the extreme left hand side of the photo. I used 6 images to make the final photo. I need to do at least 8-12 images . I really didn't have the time to spend on this first attempt. Stay cool and run steam....
Bob, I've found that shooting the sequence itself doesn't take that much time/ It's setting up the shot that takes the effort! I generally start at an appropriate close focus (too close doesn't help!), and then advance the focusing ring one nub (or notch) at a time. That way I don't have to think about it too much. I shoot jpegs at the largest resolution. The lens is set to manual focus; the camera is also set to manual, so that every exposure is the same aperture and time. I determine the correct aperture and time by experiment. That's one of the joys of a digital!
