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 there !
I'm new user to APP. I have purchased this software cause i have inform before that APP can stack images from different nights, iso's, f.stops....
So, i have here data for Hear and Soul nebulas from 2 nights.
I also have darks and bias frames, don't have flat frames, cause i wasn't at my home and i couldn't leave camera there to do flats later 🙂
Is there any other tip for shooting flats ?
I want simplest procedure for stacking images in APP.
Can i load all lights from 2 nights together, also darks and bias frames ?
Any tip or suggestions would be nice.
Best,
Matej
Yes, this is very simple to do. On the first tab, you have the option at the top to choose Multiple Sessions. Pick that. Then select lights, load in your first night of lights. It will ask you which session, pick session 1. Then select lights again, load in your second night of lights, it will ask you again which session. Pick session 2 this time. Then do the same for your darks, and bias. Then on the integration tab, you can choose to integrate them all together into one image, or you can choose to integrate them into two separate session images. I have a tutorial on my website showing how to do this.
The easiest way too do flats is simply take them with your scope setup at dusk before your imaging session - while your rig is pointing to the NCP. Take the flats with auto exposure, ISO priority. Later you can do PA when the stars come out and you're good to go.
Another way to shoot flats is to use a flat panel. The advantage is that you won’t run the risk of getting stars in your flats. The downside is that you’ll need a panel that completely covers your telescope. If your telescope is small enough you can use an iPad if you have one. Simply load a blank document and make sure that true tone is enabled.
Wouter
Yes, this is very simple to do. On the first tab, you have the option at the top to choose Multiple Sessions. Pick that. Then select lights, load in your first night of lights. It will ask you which session, pick session 1. Then select lights again, load in your second night of lights, it will ask you again which session. Pick session 2 this time. Then do the same for your darks, and bias. Then on the integration tab, you can choose to integrate them all together into one image, or you can choose to integrate them into two separate session images.
Thanks for your reply !
I have already tried in APP to stack images, before your reply, but i have loaded them all into one project, no multisession and results were the same.
Both nights were integrated together.
But next time i'll work like you mentioned, if i'll have more than 1 session.
The easiest way too do flats is simply take them with your scope setup at dusk before your imaging session - while your rig is pointing to the NCP. Take the flats with auto exposure, ISO priority. Later you can do PA when the stars come out and you're good to go.
Thanks !
Another way to shoot flats is to use a flat panel. The advantage is that you won’t run the risk of getting stars in your flats. The downside is that you’ll need a panel that completely covers your telescope. If your telescope is small enough you can use an iPad if you have one. Simply load a blank document and make sure that true tone is enabled.
Thanks !
Well, i don't have so advanced equipment, i'm shooting with camera, tracker and different lenses. 🙂
