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 am playing Whac-a-Mole with the 'undo' button in Light Pollution Correction. Although I have not yet learned the art of light pollution correction, I find I use the undo button, sometimes a lot, to remove the latest box. Doing that changes the variable length text above the buttons which then moves the buttons. So sadly, although not moving the mouse, the cursor is now over 'cancel', canceling all previous work.
Chasing buttons does not make sense to me. Obviously losing work doesn't either. I understand variable length text displays, but if they move the interface controls, that seems bad.Â
I also miss an ability to select previous boxes, so I may remove boxes other than the last box. I don't fully understand the intent of box placement or how they interact. I hope practice will help. Perhaps a simplified explanation of what the calculations are trying to do that I have not read yet will help.
Yes I am just starting out. Some picture processing is well beyond my understanding. Many of the terms used in astronomy and astrophotography are still unfamiliar. I hope to learn more.Â
To me however, moving controls, reference tabs, and variable interfaces, interfere with usability. Hopefully not having to chase things makes sense and will be an upcoming update.
Thanks
Moving controls I've not seen yet, what version of APP and on what OS are you working?
Sorry should have included screen shots. Version 1.082, Windows 10. Clicking 'Undo' changes the text box causing the controls to move. If the cursor is near the bottom of the 'Undo' control focus then moves to 'Cancel'.
Could not include cursor in pictures as the screen shots required me to move the mouse.
Ah now I see, that I never noticed. 🙂 Thank you and I'll report this to Mabula.
