2026-10-09 APP 2.0.0-beta48 has been released !
This is mainly a bug fix release for the reported bugs in beta47. In addition it has a significant User Interface performance improvement noticable when you need to process 1000s of images in APP.
2026-10-03 APP 2.0.0-beta47 has been released !
This is a very big release... many code optimizations/rewrites, many parts of APP are much faster and more precise, especially star analysis and registration are much faster ! Big mosaics will go much faster 🙂
And we introduce a new preview filter, which includes the new Adaptive Deep Sky Stretch and a General Levels Stretch, this has been long over due. The old preview filter (the panel on the right side to stretch and preview your data) has not been updated for a couple of years and it is a critical part of any APP session.
Adaptive Deep Sky Stretch or ADSS is a much more intuitive stretch algorithm. It is also color preserving (which is a great new addition in itself ! ) which means that the highlights are no longer bleached, color is maintained from the linear data while stretching. You can simply stretch your data using the sky background level and signal width sliders which work much easier and more intuitive. You no longer need to fiddle with the old complicated sliders with zoom buttons. All the zoom buttons for the sliders are made redundant. And you can enter slider values in the slider value fields yourself. I will make a youtube video in the coming days to explain and fully introduce ADSS. Once the video is ready, it will be highlighted on the forum.
RGB Combine upgrade !. The RGB Combine Tool has been rewritten mostly. The tool is faster and easier to use and most importantly, the Luminance slider to inject a luminance channel or channels into the RGB composite is now working correctly. It no longer bleaches the RGB colors. Combined with the new ADSS preview, you will get much better and easier great composites with great color! I will also explain this in a new youtube video.
Hi there! Thank you for the new release! My question is two-fold. First, I am having an issue with the layout of the new beta version... as you can see from the attached image, I am unable to click on the "confirm" option for my comet registration since it is off the screen 🙂
Also, I am wondering if, included in the new beta version, is an option in integration to keep the comet stacked with no star trailing. Â
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Thank you!
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First, I am having an issue with the layout of the new beta version... as you can see from the attached image, I am unable to click on the "confirm" option for my comet registration since it is off the screen 🙂
If you notice on the Registration box, there is a scroll bar along the right side of box. That will allow you to move to the area that is off screen. Is this what you were asking? or did I misunderstand your question?
Right now you can only align the comet or the stars, but not both. I asked the same question a few days ago and Mabula replied that he is going to start working on the feature soon.
@dtc1999 Cheers, I will try that! Â I am noticing that the layout of the beta version is pretty wonky for me overall, but so happy they keep adding to and improving the program!
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Is there a tutorial anywhere else on comet stacking and getting round stars (like using photoshop to combine)? Â I know several people stack in APP 2 times (one on comet and stars) and combine later but I could def use some pointers! Â It will be a great feature when it is ready!
@luckybudd I am sure there are ways in PS and PI to combine images to get sharp stars and comet, but I have never learned those programs. The only way that I have done it is with DSS. It's comet stacking has an option to have sharp stars and sharp comet. It will do 2 stacks in the process and then combine them for you. I was never able to get good results from it, though other people have. I just keep banking up comet data until APP has the feature.Â
Much appreciation, my friend!
I am required to click on the nucleus on every image for my current data set from last night, That wasn't the case for the previous night's images. I'm using the latest Beta. Is this due to the rapid motion of the comet? Any settings to try and make it easier? The comet motion is several pixels in each dimension.Â
Thanks
Hey,
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I would defer this question to @vincent-mod. Â He would know the ins and outs of the software way better than me! Â I would suggest, while you are waiting, to try it with an older version and see? Â
I tried it again with fewer images and it worked. The initial try was 150 images, 80 was OK
I tried it again with fewer images and it worked. The initial try was 150 images, 80 was OK
I am running 2.0.0-beta9, processing images of C/2022 E3 (ZTF).  I followed Mabula's video tutorial and have a serious issue:
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1. Registration of the comet--I go to linear, that is, no stretch.  I zoom in far enough to see clearly each pixel.  When I point and click at the pixel in the nucleus with the maximum brightness, the crosshairs are at the upper left of the nucleus.  I therefore have no control over the positioning.  Unacceptable.
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I will be grateful for any assistance with this.
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