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.
Good Morning,
I'm doing some Milky Way imaging while the season is still in. Was wondering which Algorithm to use for this type of image, in the RAW/FITS Tab..? First time doing this with APP.
Any other tips I may need to know, while I'm asking...
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Thanks,
RodneyÂ
Same as for any other astro-image, it's the registration where things get different etc.
@vincent-mod
The Registration will not affect the image though, correct? That's all I'm concerned with.
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R
In what way do you mean? It will yes, in the sense that it has to project the milky way in some way that works.
@vincent-mod
In the overall quality of the image, Grain, sky etc. This type image seems to be having background issues. Not a good even black sky, but spotted dark and gray blotched for some reason. I was in a Bortle Class 4 last night
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Oh like that, well that's just what the data has in it then. To correct for some of that you'd need good use of the Light Pollution correction tool etc. But if the data has a lot of that, that's going to be tricky. APP itself won't degrade the image.
@vincent-mod
The LP feature knocked a lot of it out. I'm using PS to try and even the color and smooth things out, without subduing my image.
Okay, I'll play with it some more! Thanks for the comeback!
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Rodney
@vincent-mod I realize this is an old thread but I'm new and doing Milky Way myself right now. What do you mean when you say "it's the registration where things get different etc.". What do I need to do differently/specific for a set of Milky Way subs?
Maybe helpful to have a look at this tutorial? https://www.astropixelprocessor.com/mosaic-tutorial-milky-way-to-rho-ophiuchi-by-mabula/
It's a bit old, but most of the tips are still valid. If you need any help after that, happy to help.
