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.
Hello
I am a 'sporadic' imager!
I have read a few posts here, but without any clear conclusion.
I do have APP Owner's Licence and after a few years of doing nothing I am trying to get back to it.
Since in the future I would like to get a 8" RC, I am quite concerned about the Diffraction Spikes - I like Newtonians and RCs - that is why I never bought any expensive Refractors yet.
I guess I would not have big problems in using stars 'separated' file and then clean all the small spikes manually and maybe leave some of the large one when the looks allow it, but ...
Can APP actually take care of it? Will save a lot of time.
Can I have a quick resume of what is being done about it?
Purchasing Astronomy gear can be expensive and I am not one of those people with a large wallet or that make a lot of 'debts'!
It is really important to know if there is a decent way of doing it, even if not APP.
I totally understand this is probably the hardest challenge for a Astronomy Processor software developer - quite a nightmare (I have some 'basic knowledge on programming - a very old one!).
I even suggest Mabula - if he thinks he can crack it - to sell it separately as an add-on or plug-in - at reasonable price of course !
Thank you
M
PS maybe a quick solution would be to get a SCT F/8 and use a 0.67x flattener reducer when possible ! 🤣
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You can use the StarNet2 command line to produce starless images, separate the stars from the BG, but I'm not aware of removing only the diffraction spikes and leaving the cores...
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As an RC aficionado myself, why would you want to lose that beautiful feature...? 🙂
Yes @gideon96, I did that already - very good indeed, I improved my old images a lot - I also improved with the age - like wine! 😉
It is just a thought for now - about the 8" RC and I remember the spikes with a Skywatcher 10" Newtonian.
Spikes: I am not exactly a fan of them, but they are nice 'sometime' when they are 1-3 on major stars, too many will detract from the image itself - for example a nebula etc. Also not exactly nice on galaxies in my view... I am not a all-or-nothing person, everything has a balance I guess.
I used to like them initially, then I started to see them too much on the way.
The only thing I could think of, was shooting additional data once data has been taken apart, so spikes won't line up.
In that case, I'd suggest you switch to a different design of scope, honestly...
Personally, I don't know about how to remove spikes. Stars, yes, but not spikes 🙂
@gideon96 Yes, I agree.
That was only a thought because I do have an old Meade SCT 10" and it is getting heavier as I cannot have a proper fixed pier etc.
I did manage to add a 'weirdly shaped' shed juts for the mount, which I am thinking to enlarge (not too much) to fit the SCT + weights, ready to go. Just adding the rest when needed.
I am space constricted and also sky is narrow too!
In the next few years I may even move house and it may change things - i.e. shed and possible pier - finally.
The SCT 10" has an additional focuser and I could use a 0.67x reducer ready fit and leave it outside in a secure shed (attached to house - would also add webcam opposite it) and only attach the rest when imaging or observing.
mmm a lot of thinking, not easy.
I saw some of your imaged, nice work, I guess you are happy with it.
The other thought was to get a C8 - less heavy and still good for planets and Deep Sky too.
We will see...
Re: Spikes (post subject!), as mentioned, yes they are nice, but when they are not too many and not degrading vision of the actual main subject. Then it looks like a Hubble image!
@astropixpro Oh wait wait!!!
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I just remembered I saw sometime ago this mask you put infront of RC's etc, which cancels the spikes!
trying to find it.
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It does reduce incoming light though.
Okay, with the help of some colleagues I found it:
http://serge.bertorello.free.fr/antiaigr/antiaigr.html
Good luck!
