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.
Hi,
I'm hoping for some help identifying what I may be doing wrong with calibration.
I use an ASI533 CMOS camera, have a Master Flat calibrated by Master Dark Flat, have a Master Dark and BPM.
When I view a linear light frame with BG neutralized, all looks OK colour balance wise, but when I choose the calibrate view, the image takes on a red cast.
Taking each master out of the equation and accepting the warnings, it seems it's using the Master Dark that introduces this red cast.
While removed in post processing previously, I've just used my L-Enhance filter and this time it basically shifts the entire image to fully red when calibrated. This is in the preview linear Vs calibrated view and in the final stacked image.
The Masters all look OK, so I'm wondering if anyone can help?
Here is a link to Master Dark, Master Flat, BPM and one light frame (it's not great!).
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZAuM3cdxSHh3TlskSDpmGwsli-HpR_cz?usp=sharing
Example:
Thanks in advance
Lee
Just for me; the right red frame looks correct to me, why do you think it's not?
Just for me; the right red frame looks correct to me, why do you think it's not?
Hi Vincent,
Good question and it could be my misunderstanding on OSC calibration. I was surprised at the change in colour balance when I'm just calibrating files. With the background neutralized, when viewing the light frame or stacked image, I hadn't expected such a shift in colour. Â
Perhaps the question I should be asking is why does the image (this one or my normal broadband OSC images) go much more red following calibration? What in the calibration files makes this happen?
Thanks in advance
Lee
I'm not 100% sure what happens in the algorithms. But I think it has to do with proper noise calibration and therefore getting better background readings. It will also neutralize the background in the preview, which influences color a lot when it removes possible gradients.
I'm not 100% sure what happens in the algorithms. But I think it has to do with proper noise calibration and therefore getting better background readings. It will also neutralize the background in the preview, which influences color a lot when it removes possible gradients.
OK, thanks Vincent, appreciate the replies.
