Astroart 6

[Forum_2015]

Hello everybody, a new major version of Astroart is available today.
These are the most important new features:

Annotations
Add labels, figures and logos, without modifying the image.

Demosaic
New demosaic ("debayer") with real time preview.

Masks
Masks are used to analyze or filter a part of the image.

Denoise filter
New filter to reduce noise without blurring the image.

Trichromy
New white balance and color fringes correction.

Multicore
Image processing filters now use all cores of your CPU.

Minor planets
The star atlas has many new features dedicated to minor planets.

Other
More than 30 minor new features

As usual, the new features are only about image processing and analysis. Camera control is still released as a plugin, so for several months Astroart 6 will have the same features of Astroart 5 in this field.

Annotations are figures and labels placed over the image:

They are saved as comments in the FITS Header, so the pixels below them are never lost. Annotations are kept in a separated layer, so they don't influence any filtering, analysis or visualization function of Astroart.

Masks are used to analyze a part of the image (command Statistics) or to apply a filter only on that part.

Masks can be created using a Formula (for example: all pixels above a constant) or using the mouse, just like in graphic programs. Once a mask is created, you may smooth its boundaries ("feather mask"), invert it, transform or copy it to other images.

Denoise filter.

This powerful filter reduces the noise without blurring the details. Test it with your images.

New demosaic (debayer) for RGB cameras:

The new debayer has several demosaic algorithms and options, with realtime preview.

The star atlas has many new features for minor planets:

Fabio.

for example, a "Time" panel to animate them. All the 500000+ MPC asteroids and comets are calculated in realtime on a quadcore CPU.

The upgrade is free for all users which purchased or upgraded to Astroart 5 since October 1, 2014. Please write by email to receive it.

The minor new features are:

* Side by side comparison on images with different size.
* Visualization of color images is 2X faster.
* Hue control for color images (command Saturation).
* New command: Edit / Paste into image, with several options.
* New filter: Color / Reduce color fringes.
* White balance with several algorithms.
* Formulas with "IF" operator.
* Formulas for R,G,B color planes.
* Gauss and Unsharp Mask with Sigma up to 400.
* Shrink images (Resize command) with supersampling.
* Opens GIF files.
* Opens HDR and EXR files.
* Opens compressed TIFF and interlaced PNG.
* Opening of images is up to 25% faster.
* Reads date from more DSLR images.
* Option to save the North-East marker.
* Option for drawing rings around stars.
* Star atlas: realistic stars.
* Star atlas: buttons for more/less objects.
* Star atlas: search star by name.
* Star atlas: improved printing.
* World map for observatory longitude and latitude.
* The Select Window is sortable by image size and image date.
* Grid (reticle) with user defined sectors.
* Grid color.
* Histogram with Save as text.
* Preprocessing: option for multithreading (assembly line).
* Preprocessing: option for displaying the master dark and flat.
* Apply macro: file format to convert images.
* Apply macro: user defined output folder.
* Border Window with selectable image size.
* Option for big icons.
* Improved support of Windows 125% and 150% font scaling.
* Improved support of Unicode filenames and folders.

A compact demo version (without plate solve, to save bandwidth) is available yet at the Astroart web site (plate solve is not changed in AA6). The full demo version will be available next month.

Clear skies,
Fabio.

[Forum_2015]

Thanks Fabio,

Already using the new version and like the new De-noise Filter.
Annotations & Masks are a welcome addition.
Keep up the great work.

All the Best,
Bill

[Forum_2015]

Hi Fabio.
I have sent a couple of emails requesting the download link for v6. I included my purchase details but i havent had a reply in several days. Very keen to try it as i love aa5. Could you please check and advise if my emails did not arrive?
Cheers Gary

[Forum_2015]

Hi Gary,
check the antispam, the link was sent to you on October 24, 11:24 UT

[Forum_2015]

Hi fabio.
Just checked and the link was not there. Could you perhaps PM me the link here to avoid it being deleted?
Cheers
Gary

[Forum_2015]

The changes in performance and the new noise filter are quite remarkable. Excellent job! What address do we email for the link to the new build?

[Forum_2015]

Hello,
DrMistry: any email will work: http://www.msb-astroart.com/support.htm
David: I usually use the upper-right pattern. Obviously the image must be downloaded in binning 1x1 (1392x1040) otherwise the bayer pattern is lost and no syntesis is possible.

[Forum_2015]

Thanks Fabio. That option gives me too much blue. I have Color synthesis set to: Bilinear 1x1, Saturation:20, Hot pixels:10%. In the White balance box I have Algorithm set to: Average, RGB: 1.000/1.000/1.000. Bias:None. I am using 1x1 binned images.
The lower right pattern image seems to give the closest true colour, but I do then have to use the colour balance to adjust to a neutral black background. Should it be a question of trial and error? In AA5 I never seemed to have any trouble generating colour images, I think I must be doing something wrong!
David

[Forum_2015]

Fabio,
it will be great to have more details and a short tutorial for the new mask functions. Thanks.
Emilio

[Forum_2015]

@David
in my images the correct pattern is the upper right, by the way "1/1/1/None" actually means no white balance. If in AA5 you enabled the option "White balance" then you should set at least "RGB" as bias. If it still does not solve send me an image by email.
@Emilio
thanks for the suggestion.

[Forum_2015]

Hello Fabio,
I purchased AA5 in November last year. How may I obtain version 6?

Thank you
Anthony

[Forum_2015]

I have not done the function of Auto alignment in color synthesis AA6. And also AA6 camera control pannel can not display guide camera for Moravian G0-0300 guide camera.