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.
This was a multi-filter/multi-session (7 sessions) and my first project using APP. Being new to APP, (3 days), I used it for steps 1 - 7 and LRGB combine. I'll have to learn more about the post-processing portion but felt this was a good trial license test. Unfortunately, I didn't notice until I got home from my trip that I imaged this with a gain 139 instead of 0. So pardon the slightly bloomed areas.Â
By the way, I also did pre-process using all manual steps in PI and my results with APP was equal to better. I'm impressed! My settings were from watching the multi-filter tutorial by Mabula. I'm sure I will find optimum results as I gain experience with the tool.Â
I really love the workflow and results. My noticed thoughts for enhancements look to be already suggested. I did notice that using 7 sessions had me concerned. When you assign a sub to a session there are 5 listed sessions. I created custom "session 6" and "session 7". Rather them being added to the list, sessions 4 and 5 are dropped from the list and 6 and 7 are added. So, in all other steps where I need to assign to session 4 or 5 I had to type their name in the custom session area. They all looked to be assigned correctly but all it would have taken was a typo and they wouldn't.
Sheesh what a shot . i like NGC 1333 and need to try it out . when you said  " Gain at 139 " right away ASI 1600 MM pro TEC came up in my mind. is hat the camera?Â
Yes, the ZWO ASI 1600mm pro (cooled).Â
I posted the image on Astrobin and my very first APP image received my first Astrobin 'Top Pick" recognition. Thanks APP!
