New in Version 1.3

Compared to earlier versions, version 1.3 has some important differences that can improve the quality of the image that is produced and can make it quicker and easier to generate the mask. In Version 1.3 the input files to Starry Landscape Stacker can include light frames, dark frames and a mask. Starry Landscape Stacker automatically recognizes the various file types and processes them appropriately.

Light frames your regular image exposures. Dark frames are images captured at about the same time as the light frames, but with the lens cap on. Starry Landscape Stacker uses information from dark frames to reduce fixed-pattern noise in the light frames. See capturing images for more information on capturing dark frames.

Starry Landscape Stacker now excepts an optional mask image in the set of input files. The mask can be created with a photo editor (e.g., Photoshop, Affinity Photo) instead of working with Starry Landscape Stacker. The mask should be non-zero for sky and 0 for ground. Supplying the mask is optional and is most useful when there mask needed for the sky can be more easily created with a tool other than Starry Landscape Stacker.

The workflow buttons “Re-Find Stars” and “Re-Find Sky” have been renamed “Adjust Stars” and “Adjust Sky” respectively and their behavior has changed. “Adjust Stars” now allows the set of red dots to be edited. If you want to start over from scratch, use the file->open (command-O) command and reload the files. “Adjust Sky” allows the current sky mask to be edited. To delete the current sky mask and create a new mask select "Adjust Stars" and then "Find Sky".