15th Feb 2024: Astro Pixel Processor 2.0.0-beta29 released - macOS native File Chooser, macOS CMD-Q fixed, read-only Fits on network fixed and other bug fixes
7th December 2023: added payment option Alipay to purchase Astro Pixel Processor from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and other countries where Alipay is used.
What Happened to APP?
has development stopped?
The last update was 9 Months ago.
@darrenphillips666 Darren, APP is far from dead. Mabula is working hard to get version 1.083 ready for release. See the announcement at the top of each forum page.
It maybe a good idea if Mabula, from a purely public relationship point of view, can give us a brief update on where things are and what to expect when. Many of us invested a lot of time in both using and promoting APP.
I renewed my renter's license last month for the 4th time since 2018 and it got me thinking about updates and value afterward.
Has there actually been a major update to APP that I would have missed out on had I got an owner's license in 2018 instead?
Looking back on my orders, I've paid €267.48 in total for 4 years of renter's licenses. An owner's license is currently €198. I can't help but feel I would have been better off buying instead of renting.
Well, that's kind of the thing with a renter's license, it's not too much per year on a product you use regularly and you always get the latest updates no matter how big. It also supports our team better, which in turn makes the product more viable for longer.
On the other hand, the owner's license is always yours forever, but there is going to be an update that requires an extra fee (if the update is deemed big enough), you have the option not to upgrade though and the current version will work forever, if you're happy with it and don't need the new features then you can simply keep on using the current version you have. So it is a choice, I think APP is one of the very few packages that gives you the choice of either an owner or renter's license.
I get what you're saying but I was wondering whether there have actually been any updates/features added in the last three years that a person who bought an owners license at the same time as me wouldn't have got.
No, Mabula hasn't charged that fee for the owner's license yet.
Hi Vincent,
I was also asking myself if the development still continues since
the update to 1.083 beta 2 has been anounced since quit some time now.
Is the development on the CUDA paralel processing is still at the same point?
Stay well,
Mert
It is yes @lammertus, very much so. It may be a good idea to put a webcam in Mabula's office. haha This is the first time a version is just taking a long time, due to the complexity and Mabula moving over to an office etc. I expect, depending on the feature going forward, the updates may come every month or so again, just like they were before this version.
Hi Vincent,
Yes growing into an office environment etc. means a lot of
other things to attend to as well and time is limited.
Do you think when ( ever ) the Vulkan stuff is up and running that
that would be a major upgrade ( extra fee )??
Stay well,
Mert
I unfortunately don't know about that, only Mabula does. Vulkan is not yet near as that is quite tricky to implement. I do think that once he's settled in the new office there will be some new focus again on the road ahead.
What a coincidence - I came into the forum this afternoon to ask exactly this same question as to whether APP was still being actively developed, as I have had a couple of up-and-coming astro-photographers ask me what software I would recommend they purchase.
I have recently been very reluctant to recommend APP due to the lack of response from Mabula to certain questions and the lack of any update news on the 1.083 release. I've certainly had the impression that something has been wrong.
It's good to hear Mabula is still in good health and working hard on the next version
What is the Vulkan thing?
APP went from monthly-ish updates to nothing..
If its not breathing, its dead...
Say whatever you want
But the only proof of life is a software Release......
The fact the developers are actively answering questions in this forum and the reasons for the delays were relayed above you still believe it's dead?
I wouldn't be here if it was indeed. 😉 I understand the frustration about the delay of this release, but it's actively developed, while Mabula is moving office. I can say that he is going to change the release schedule after this as he understands that more, smaller releases give less frustration overall. Also, regarding saving settings which is highly requested, he moves that up from being released in 1.085 to 1.084, which is the next release after the one coming out very soon now.
It's as dead as a DoDo,
proof is in action not words.
Its been over a year, with Zero Releases
Although I have gotten used to restarting APP 5-10 times until it stops opening multiple duplicate windows
Try following the forums there was an update to the beta we are on version 2 and Mabula will be releasing the next update in the next few weeks.
"https://www.astropixelprocessor.com/community/release-information/astro-pixel-processor-1-083-preparing-next-release/"
It's doing great! Still the best way I know to quickly and effectively reduce data for subsequent processing AND it has the benefit of doing enough processing "in the box" for me to make pleasing images without a lot of headaches or hours of training videos and books.
I'm usually a pretty crankily camper when it comes to software (and own a LOT of AP software) and it's still my daily driver go to - and as Wouter says, there's a lot going on - Mabula has acknowledged he made a tactical error in taking a waterfall vs. continuous delivery approach, but he's delivering value again with this release and there's more to come I'm sure.
Try following the forums there was an update to the beta we are on version 2 and Mabula will be releasing the next update in the next few weeks.
"https://www.astropixelprocessor.com/community/release-information/astro-pixel-processor-1-083-preparing-next-release/"
How many weeks till the new version? its been 5 months since you said that?
It's been a Year & Half since the last full release.
Why are you asking me? I'm not the developer mate I answered what I did when I did in context.
Just my 3 cents worth… As a developer for many years and having done management for the past few I can really appreciate the difficulty involved here. Even so I’ve tried PixInsight (have a license) and DSS and I’ve had no success like I have had with APP. It’s absolutely worth the money. In fact I paid for the renters license a few days ago before the sale and I don’t regret the 15% even. I’m happy to support a small business and one that has removed a mountain of frustration for me. Just like my Stellina has removed a mountain of frustration from imaging.
Anyway, wishing clear skies to you all.
Just my 2 cents worth, APP IS AWESOME software, dss is poop, lots of poop and forget about PI, unless its pumpkin pie 😀 😀
Happy Thanksgiving
Hey Robert
I totally agree with you Pixinsight is such a mind***k I love APP and eventually when it does come out with the latest version it will only be better but it's damned good as it is. In particular combining different focal lengths and making panoramas and allowing excellent separation of bandpasses with OSC filters
All without difficult mathematical pixel maths thingy. Some people are visual others are analytical, for the analytical Pixinsight works for them for the truly visual I love APP and Photoshop
Bit unfair that, I pay for both APP and PI so no axe to grind but there's a world of difference in terms of updates to the software, user highlighted issues/fixes and even forum responses. Which software you prefer and why not being relevant here though....
@sparkdawg068 @nicholas64 We tolerate discussion about other image processing software on this forum but please keep the conversation civilized.
@wvreevenwhich part of that conversation was uncivilised if you are referring to the banter then I think that's more a cultural bias, there was nothing "uncivilised" in our exchange and definitely in praise of APP I dont understand. Explain please
Even if APP stopped being developed I'd continue to use it. The stacking and gradient reduction are awesome. There are a few things I wish it did better, like getting flats right on my Pentax K1 and K1ii cameras, and if not then pulling out any structure and checking for an uneven illumination and allowing a false flat to correct it (the correct vignetting tool has never worked when I stack without flats even doing Mabula's method), or even allowing the synthetic flats I can create in PI to be used as a flat.
As far as the star removal and reduction tools, I imagine that is what is taking all the time to finish up. I use StarExterminator in either Photoshop or PI for removal since it blows Starnet out of the water, or I use either StarShrink or my own star reduction actions in Photoshop if I want to make the stars smaller. I do wish there was a nice noise reduction module in APP, but to be honest the output files whether stretched or unstretched are great to shove into PI or Photoshop or sometimes both.
I'd rather Mabula take the time he needs to get it right than to push it out with things that are broken in it.
