15th Feb 2024: Astro Pixel Processor 2.0.0-beta29 released - macOS native File Chooser, macOS CMD-Q fixed, read-only Fits on network fixed and other bug fixes
7th December 2023: added payment option Alipay to purchase Astro Pixel Processor from China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and other countries where Alipay is used.
@annehouw Thanks for that link! As a brand new user I have been struggling with the basics like file naming conventions and understanding the process. Much easier to see the bigger picture than hovering over each individual box in the program trying to figure out if this is something I need to consider right now.
Admins: I absolutely love what the program can do. Far better than anything else I've tried. But you really need a user's manual, even if it's just a basic version for now.
I have had this software for a while now, and am quite upset that we keep being fobbed off that a manual for it is on the way, we pay a lot of money for this, and the fact there is no proper manual of any description is unacceptable TBH...C’mon guys, this is something that should take priority....
we should not have to rely on other people producing user guides, it’s a complicated piece of software and it needs a full manual users guide....
I have had this software for a while now, and am quite upset that we keep being fobbed off that a manual for it is on the way, we pay a lot of money for this, and the fact there is no proper manual of any description is unacceptable TBH...C’mon guys, this is something that should take priority....
we should not have to rely on other people producing user guides, it’s a complicated piece of software and it needs a full manual users guide....
I thought I was the only one feeling a bit overwhelmed by the lack of instructions for the complete beginner. I have used Lightroom a fair amount and I’m comfortable with that process. It took me awhile to even figure out that I could not load images directly from my CF card in APP, that I had to do that manually outside of the program. I would not say that is intuitive.
I do appreciate what is currently available from YouTube and other users, but all of this assumes a large base knowledge.
A manual that starts from receiving the license all the way through the last feature is very necessary.
A suggestion: I’m sure this is a monumental task to create. I have seen scholarly textbooks where each chapter has a different author or set of authors and then those chapters are compiled and edited by the chief author/authors. This may be a more realistic approach if time is scarce. There is certainly an abundance of talent in the astrophotography community.
Thank you for listening
Hi all,
I fully agree, a full documentation needs to be written and released and I have been working on this and I still am 😉
Together with releasing APP 1.083, I consider it the highest priority and I can only promise you that I am here and working for all of you to help you get the most out of your images !
Mabula
Hi all,
I fully agree, a full documentation needs to be written and released and I have been working on this and I still am 😉
Together with releasing APP 1.083, I consider it the highest priority and I can only promise you that I am here and working for all of you to help you get the most out of your images !
Mabula
No, releasing the next version is NOT high priority, what use is it when we can’t use what we already have, due to lack of instruction, I am sick of trawling the internet looking for videos or alike that someone has made to help me out....TBH I am stopping using APP and looking elsewhere because of this, £60 a year I have wasted.....😡😡
No, releasing the next version is NOT high priority, what use is it when we can’t use what we already have, due to lack of instruction, I am sick of trawling the internet looking for videos or alike that someone has made to help me out....TBH I am stopping using APP and looking elsewhere because of this, £60 a year I have wasted.....😡😡
APP has a lot of tooltips, which de facto are manual/documentation inside of the application, if you hover a mouse pointer over a button/dropdown etc it will display explanation what it does and how to use it. There is also a red "?" button on the right panel which explains all sliders with example images.
In my opinion APP (same as PixInsight) is this kind of software which has to be learned through trial and error, no manual will teach you how to process images because there is no single workflow for all types images. Personally I use tutorials on the internet plus videos on YT and it is enough for me. Also, great thing about APP is that it is NOT PixInsight and options are limited and default values make sense.
This is why I spent money on APP and I am far from regretting it! 🙂
Well over a year since your last update. What is the outlook for a user manual? I refuse to fork out $200 for software that has no supporting documents.
John L.
A few posts above yours, Mabula chimed in with his update on it. I have no set date unfortunately.
I’m new to this hobby and am in the trial period of APP. Of all the software packages I have tried I am getting the best results with APP but I’m uncomfortable purchasing this software without a manual.
Hopefully this is resolved soon as I need to make a decision on what software I will be using.
@markabbott - Hi Mark. I hear you. A manual would be nice, but it's not essential. I am a total beginner at astrophotography, but I bought APP last week and find it super easy to use. You can just load up all your lights and calib frames and use the default settings and get a nice result. Sure at some point, I'd like to learn how to fiddle with all the dials and do some fine tuning, but I think Mabula has set it up so it works really nicely 'out of the box'
@stuart
Thanks Stuart, I went ahead and purchased APP and the default settings are working well for me as I begin my AP journey. I’m still believe that there should be a manual which would help me learn this technical and challenging hobby. APP is very easy to use as a beginner but I want to dive deeper as I get more experience
Hi APP moderators - given the age of this thread I realize I probably already know the answer to this one, but is there a realistic expectation of any kind of manual in the near future?
It seems like such a shame to have spent so much time building sophisticated functionality but then not to tell anyone how to use it optimally, other than via tiny help texts.
Hi APP moderators - given the age of this thread I realize I probably already know the answer to this one, but is there a realistic expectation of any kind of manual in the near future?
It seems like such a shame to have spent so much time building sophisticated functionality but then not to tell anyone how to use it optimally, other than via tiny help texts.
I have to agree. If a person is new to astrophotography, it’s very very difficult to figure out how to use this software without documentation. I would suggest that this is a key segment of the population for APP.
There must be some rough draft. I think if it’s released as a rough draft. People will appreciate that something has at least been released.
When I got into AP three years ago, I applied for a trial of PixInsight. Man, was I in over my head! I didn't know about APP back then, so I did the natural thing and learned Deep Sky Stacker (DSS). It worked but it only got me so far before I was yearning for more. Then I overheard someone talking app APP. There weren't that many video tutorials back then, so I gravitated toward Sara Wager, my idol. She got me started, and as I learned, APP's defaults take you very far to where you want to go. You just need to familiarize yourself with the workflow. Members on the forum are very helpful, so if you are stuck, then ask a question. Right now, I'm digging into functionality built into "Color Combine" that I never needed before. I've figured it out on my own by simply giving it data and moving slider controls. I don't necessarily need to know what is happening under the bonnet; I just need to find out what to do to achieve my goal.
It really is an absolute joke, the money people spend on this software, and the author just constantly bullshits on the fact a manual is on the way, it’s clearly not, and should stop saying otherwise, he spends time updating and promoting the software and wanting to make more money from it, but refuses to do as people ask and produce a manual…
this is totally unacceptable in my eyes…😡😡😡
It really is an absolute joke, the money people spend on this software, and the author just constantly bullshits on the fact a manual is on the way, it’s clearly not, and should stop saying otherwise, he spends time updating and promoting the software and wanting to make more money from it, but refuses to do as people ask and produce a manual…
this is totally unacceptable in my eyes…😡😡😡
I don’t really need a ton of detail in the manual to begin with. Just “here’s what this setting does” and which way to go on the slider for an intended effect.
I can’t see how that takes years.
Calling all entrepreneurs! Here is an opportunity to make money. The People want a manual, but frankly I would rather have Mabula work on software. I would gladly pay $25 for a decent manual.
Calling all entrepreneurs! Here is an opportunity to make money. The People want a manual, but frankly I would rather have Mabula work on software. I would gladly pay $25 for a decent manual.
You may well do, but all the beginners need a manual
so good for you your an expert…
I am by no means an expert. I watched Sara Wager's video tutorials (which are still available). APP is easy.
It would not be so bad if he was just honest and says he is not producing one, but no, he keeps saying it’s coming….and yet still no sign….it’s all about making money, and 🖕 to the users that need the manual….
I think Mabula is a honest and decent guy. I just think he over-promises.
Calling all entrepreneurs! Here is an opportunity to make money. The People want a manual, but frankly I would rather have Mabula work on software. I would gladly pay $25 for a decent manual.
I’ll second this. I’d really like a manual. Something even barebones. What this feature does. Move the slider which way for intended result. In certain cases it might be nice to have someone say “it’s useful in this situation”. Especially when there are multiple selections. Which selection does what?
It can be added to over time. Show me a manual for purchase and I’ll buy it. Please.
Guys,
Please quit beating on Mabula.
I don't know him, but what I do know (from decades on large, complex software projects), is that it is brutally hard to create COMPREHENSIVE doc for a complex system that is under active development by a very small team. Only so many hours in the day. What one wants to do, and what one is able do, are sometimes very different things.
My original recco (way back up the thread) is basically this: get a superuser to finish the quick start guide that ships with APP, and then press ahead with the ToolTips during development. Simpler and more maintainable. Set expectations, and you're good to go.
In the meantime, Charles Bracken is happy to help. Always good to have a third party writing books about your stuff.
His work is here:
https://digitalstars.wordpress.com/2020/09/19/an-astropixelprocessor-quick-start-guide/
Hope this helps...
- Bob
Again, here I go defending him, but only because I can relate to him. Mabula is brilliant. He is genius level. He immerses himself in mathematics and software every waking moment. I am a software developer with 1/10th of Mabula's intellect. The one thing I hate more than anything is writing English. In my opinion, Mabula needs help with this user manual, but it is not the best use of his time. Someone needs to volunteer. Mabula needs to make himself available to answer a question or two each day while someone writes it. I am a strong believer in a profit motive, but Mabula needs to agree to it and be part of the process.
Guys,
Please quit beating on Mabula.
I don't know him, but what I do know (from decades on large, complex software projects), is that it is brutally hard to create COMPREHENSIVE doc for a complex system that is under active development by a very small team. Only so many hours in the day. What one wants to do, and what one is able do, are sometimes very different things.
My original recco (way back up the thread) is basically this: get a superuser to finish the quick start guide that ships with APP, and then press ahead with the ToolTips during development. Simpler and more maintainable. Set expectations, and you're good to go.
In the meantime, Charles Bracken is happy to help. Always good to have a third party writing books about your stuff.
His work is here:
https://digitalstars.wordpress.com/2020/09/19/an-astropixelprocessor-quick-start-guide/
Hope this helps...
- Bob
I think comprehensive is exactly the problem. It would be better to release what is there, done or not. Honestly, I think the way to do it is in layered releases. Adding detail with each release. And stop fixing what isn’t broken with the few man hours that are available.
Guys,
Please quit beating on Mabula.
I don't know him, but what I do know (from decades on large, complex software projects), is that it is brutally hard to create COMPREHENSIVE doc for a complex system that is under active development by a very small team. Only so many hours in the day. What one wants to do, and what one is able do, are sometimes very different things.
My original recco (way back up the thread) is basically this: get a superuser to finish the quick start guide that ships with APP, and then press ahead with the ToolTips during development. Simpler and more maintainable. Set expectations, and you're good to go.
In the meantime, Charles Bracken is happy to help. Always good to have a third party writing books about your stuff.
His work is here:
https://digitalstars.wordpress.com/2020/09/19/an-astropixelprocessor-quick-start-guide/
Hope this helps...
- Bob
I think comprehensive is exactly the problem. It would be better to release what is there, done or not. Honestly, I think the way to do it is in layered releases. Adding detail with each release. And stop fixing what isn’t broken with the few man hours that are available.
Exactly….well said….👍🏼
Calling all entrepreneurs! Here is an opportunity to make money. The People want a manual, but frankly I would rather have Mabula work on software. I would gladly pay $25 for a decent manual.
I’ll second this. I’d really like a manual. Something even barebones. What this feature does. Move the slider which way for intended result. In certain cases it might be nice to have someone say “it’s useful in this situation”. Especially when there are multiple selections. Which selection does what?
It can be added to over time. Show me a manual for purchase and I’ll buy it. Please.
We spend enough money on this software, to ask people to then buy a manual to learn how to use it, it beyond unfair and just downright disgusting….and a ridiculous idea all round, it should be part of the deal and should have been written as the software was developed, as he went along, and then just updated as needed, that was the huge mistake, not writing it, while creating the software, now it’s a huge job to play catch up and just will not get done, the software works well, as I understand it, so he needs to stop updating it for a while and concentrate on the manual, instead of constantly tweaking a product that just does not need it…at least for a while….
