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 đŸ™‚
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 Mabula -
A month or so ago, you had posted a version 0.4 of the manual (Quick Reference Guide). Â I've searched throughout the entire forum; and, for the life of me, I can't find it. Â Could you please post a link to this version of the guide? Â I know it wasn't complete, but it definitely had some very useful information.
Also, a suggestion - even though it's not complete, I think it would be very helpful to have an obvious link on your site to this documention. Â Perhaps something like changing the Video Tutorials link at the top (between Presentations and About) to "Tutorials/Manuals" would make it very easy for users to find this helpful information?
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott,
Currently, you can find the Quick Reference Manual between your downloads, where you can also download the latest APP version. Let me know if you can find it now đŸ˜‰
I am working hard on completing the documentation (and French translation as well by André Cajolais).
Yes, I'll remove the documentation from the download section soon, and will make it available through a clear menu on the main web site. So everyone will be able to download/read/study the documentation.
Thank you for your thoughts again đŸ˜‰
Cheers,
Mabula
Â
Thank you, Mabula - yes, I do see it now. Â I had looked there the other day, but I guess I was too busy looking at the description in the left column and never looked in the right column!
I had wanted to post a link on the DSLR-Astro Image Processing group forum, as Chuck was asking about directions on getting started. Â Is there a URL that someone could use right now, or are you preferring to wait until it's complete?
Thank you,
Scott  - http://www.astronomersdoitinthedark.com/
Â
Hi Scott,
I'll wait with posting it on the site for everyone to see and download until it's at least properly filled with no blanks. But you're welcome to share the pdf as you wish.
Kind regards,
Mabula
Â
