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.
I tried to install the trial version last month but ran into issues. APP kept locking up after I entered the license so I gave up. I want to try again so I requested another trial copy. After I enter the key I get an error message saying there's no internet connection and other stuff. It says to delete the old key in a non existent directory.
How can I get this installed on my laptop to do an evaluation?
Hi jwaters125,
I have checked my records. I can see that your license hasn't been activated yet.
If APP tells you that there's no internet connection to activate your license while you actually do have an active internet connection. Then there must be a firewall on your side blocking outgoing TCP/IP connection to port 6426.
- Some places of business block this on their network.
- Some firewall/security software on business laptops are configured to block it.
If it is blocked on your network at home, then you probably have configured your own firewall to block this. Normally, outgoing TCP/IP connections on this port are not blocked.
Since the license is not activated yet, there won't be a key to delete.
So to get your licens activated, you need to figure out which firewall on your network or software on your computer is blocking APP from making connections to my license activation server.
Let me know if this is clear and/or if you need more help.
Kind regards,
Mabula
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What's the TCP/UPD port numbers?
Sorry, I hit reply too quick - Are their other ports? I had no outgoing activity on this port. The app just locked up after the message. I had to kill the app.
Hi jwaters125,
TCP/IP port 6426 is the only port used to connect to my server from APP.
Did activation work now? I believe I just saw confirmation of your activation.
Can you share what solved it?
Cheers,
Mabula
I was able to activate APP. My Router has a built in Firewall. The install app did lock up on me again after the Firewall was opened. I am not sure why it randomly locks up. I am running Win7 Pro w/ all current MS patches installed.Â
I don't mean to be sarcastic but isn't Windows 10 free upgrade?
If you are asking why I am not running Win10, some QHY drivers, ASCOM and some other astro apps have problems or are unstable.  I can't rely on Win10 in the field. My astro platform will remain Win7.
Used to be, for a period of time. It is no longer free.
I was able to activate APP. My Router has a built in Firewall. The install app did lock up on me again after the Firewall was opened. I am not sure why it randomly locks up. I am running Win7 Pro w/ all current MS patches installed.Â
Hi jwaters125,
I can only assume that the problem that you face is probably a security setting in your firewall or even perhaps some security package installed on Windows 7. I have not experienced this myself on windows 7 and haven't heard this problem from other users I am afraid.
Is it still problematic to use APP now? Or have you solved the issue in the mean time?
Kind regards,
Mabula
If you are asking why I am not running Win10, some QHY drivers, ASCOM and some other astro apps have problems or are unstable.  I can't rely on Win10 in the field. My astro platform will remain Win7.
Honestly, I think windows 7 is very good and if you can stick with it, I would recommend it, in several years I haven't had any major problem with windows 7.
Due to hardware upgrades for faster development of APP, I am now forced to run windows 10. The AMD Threadripper hardware that I bought has no drivers for Windows 7 (or 8) so I was forced to use Windows 10 pro. I am not very happy with windows 10 because in 3 months time I had several major issues with hardware not working well after a forced windows update. After a forced and not announced major update, the windows 10 Fall Update, the system completely stopped working, I had to roll back and I lost precious time...
The AMD threadripper is very fast so I am very! happy with using it, but I am not enjoying the windows 10 experience very much 😕Â
Mabula
