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.
Moved a couple of posts to the main gallery
Hello everyone,
I am new to astrophotography and certainly new to APP. Here is my first attempt at both -- the region around Sadr. Taken with a WO Redcat and a Star Adventurer. 30 exposures of 90 seconds each is all I could manage without getting any star trailing. I have simply followed steps in a tutorial about the basics...Much appreciate any guidance on how to improve the image.
Many thanks.
Suparno
That’s a stunning image. Apart from suppressing blue a bit in the background and making the red of the nebula a bit redder I’d say it is perfect. Well done!
Wouter
Yep that looks very good, especially for a beginner! Did you try tools like "light pollution correction"? That might make the image a bit nicer balanced.
Hi Vincent, Wouter,
Many thanks! I’ll try the light pollution correction tool as well as boosting some of the colors as you have suggested. Lots to learn!
Suparno
Don't hesitate to ask if anything isn't clear!
Certainly, thank you.
Bravo - Yes I'm new too - I stack then I use tools and use LP removal. Make some boxes in the areas (black sky) stay away from nebula and it will enhance a great deal. Else if you have photoshop you can just saturation and levels too. I perked it up some. AMAZING first image.
Thank you, Ron! You have worked wonders with the image....I am going to try using Photoshop.
