Focus Magic Frequently Asked Questions

Please see Supported Programs for Windows or Supported Programs for Mac to find out what image editing software Focus Magic supports.

Focus Magic works on both Windows and Mac.  For more details, see the System Requirements page.

Please see the Mac Installation Instructions.  The Supported Programs for Mac page also lists supported software and the correct installation paths.

1. Download Focus Magic for Windows.
2. Double-click the .exe file you downloaded.

The stand-alone app will be installed.  The Focus Magic plugin will also automatically install itself into any supported image editing software it finds on your system.

See the Supported Programs page for a list of image editing apps that work with the Focus Magic plugin for Windows.

The registration codes are designed to work once as an anti-piracy measure.  If you're a registered user and need another registration code, such as after reinstalling the software, you can request a new code here.

Some Mac browsers give errors so it may be necessary to use a different browser or a Windows computer to get the unlock code.

If you've only just registered but haven't received your code by email, please check your spam or junk folder.  If it still hasn't arrived, please contact support.

If you're using the stand-alone app for Windows, you can work with JPG, BMP, PNG and TIFF files.

If you're using the plugin on Windows or Mac, you can work with any file format supported by your image editing software.

You can use all of the features available in Focus Magic on up to ten images.  After that, you will need to register.

Photoshop's sharpening and shake-reduction tools produced less recovered detail in our comparison.  See how the Focus Magic image sharpening software differs from ordinary edge-contrast sharpening.

Focus Magic matches the repair method to the blur.  Focus Magic 6 for Windows uses pattern matching for out-of-focus photos, while Fix Motion Blur uses the movement's direction and distance.  This differs from ordinary sharpening, which increases edge contrast to make the image appear sharper.  See how the Focus Magic photo deblur software recovers detail differently.

To find out what hardware Focus Magic requires, see the System Requirements page.

Maybe ten percent of recent photos and twenty percent of older photos are noticeably blurred and need sharpening.

Nearly all photos can benefit from some sharpening with Focus Magic, even if only by a small amount.  Many people are surprised to discover that a photo they thought was pin-sharp can be improved.  Some Focus Magic users focus every photo they care about with a blur width of two.

Please make sure that you sent your email to support@focusmagic.com.  Allow up to 24 hours for a response, or longer over weekends.

We respond to every email that requires a reply.  If you haven't received one, please check your spam or junk folder.

Please refer to our Return Policy.

The Windows stand-alone app opens and saves image files in its own interface.  The plugin is opened from within a supported image editing program, so you can apply Focus Magic to the image or selection you're already editing.

The Windows download includes both the stand-alone app and the plugin.  Focus Magic for Mac is available as a plugin only.  See the System Requirements and the supported-programs pages for Windows and Mac for more information.

Focus Magic can improve out-of-focus and motion-blurred photos when the source image still contains recoverable detail, but no tool can guarantee a perfect result.  Very severe blur, heavy noise, compression damage, clipped highlights, and too few recorded pixels all limit what can be recovered.

Use the photo unblurring and diagnosis guide to identify the problem and choose the appropriate repair.

Use Out-of-Focus Blur when the image is soft in every direction.  Use Motion Blur when the blur forms streaks in a particular direction because the camera or subject moved.

Some images contain both types of blur.  The guide to identifying and fixing blurry photos explains how to choose the right repair.  Once you have confirmed directional streaking, follow the step-by-step guide to remove motion blur from a photo.

For Out-of-Focus Blur, try the image at several settings and increase the Blur Width until the preview looks sharpest.  Bright point sources in the image can also be measured: their diameter in pixels gives you a good starting Blur Width.

Focus Magic Version 6 also includes Auto-Focus, which is now the preferred method for out-of-focus blur because it does not require you to determine an exact Blur Width first.  See how to fix an out-of-focus photo with Auto-Focus, or use the Focus Manually tutorial for selective control.

Yes.  You may install Focus Magic on two computers, provided both installations are for your own use.  You do not need to purchase Focus Magic again when you change computers.  If another installation requires a new registration code, use the Request a New Code page.

No.  A Focus Magic registration is yours to keep for life, and upgrades are free for registered users.  You can download the latest version without purchasing Focus Magic again.

In Photoshop, open an image and select Focus Magic from the Filter menu.  In other supported image editors, look in the program's filters, effects or plugins menu.