Startools Version 1.8 now released

[Startrek]

Just saw the release of the latest Startools version 1.8 on the Startools Forum after many months of development.
From the brief video , the main upgrades and improvements include -
Compose module for Visual Spectrum and Narrowband data
Deconvolution
HDR
Wavelet Sharpening
Colour
Noise Reduction

Looks very exciting and will definitely upgrade soon

Here’s a link to the brief video launch

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7G5DAv3GITM

[AdamJL]

Thanks, Martin!

I have mostly switched over to PI now, but I'll definitely be giving this version of StarTools a go. For me it's "nearly there". All I want it to do better is colour and it'd be frankly, unbeatable.

(and it'd be nice to allow StarXTerminator to work natively inside the program... not a fan of the program's masks)

[Startrek]

Yeah started with trial versions of PI and Photoshop years ago , to many damn curves and graphs , too many damn mini windows to open and close , too many micro buttons and controls to use , a real mouth full . Then started using Startools V1.4 and I was immediately hooked , simple , powerful , intuitive, processing on the fly , simple window , simple controls where you can go back and forth with the click of a button plus restore back to the start or half way through your workflow
I reckon Startools has the best noise mitigation features
Love it !!
Yes I agree the colour module could improve a tad but Ivo has spent time on this and I think it’s so much better than years ago

I’m not changing, happy Chappy

Cheers
Martin

[AdamJL]

Indeed. StarTools' simple interface is mostly a massive bonus in a hobby with a lot of complexity, but sometimes it's also it's own enemy. That's the reason I bought a license over a year ago now!

The noise removal is very very good, agreed. Although I'm loving the EZ Processing Suite plugin in PixInsight right now as it's really very similar to ST with a simple interface and it's quite powerful. You should see a before and after for noise reduction... here's one example of one of my Orion shots.
That said, it's mostly done on linear data (it can do it on non-linear though) which is where ST shines.

I'm still going to download the latest version of ST and have a play though, it's got a bright future ahead of it.

[Anth10]

Sounds like I’m well overdue then Martin- I’m still running version 1.4…
Must get the upgrade happening. I’ve noticed that the majority of new modules are geared toward narrow band processing. My imaging gear is still old school with modded DSLR and only recently using Ha filter.
Either way I’d be keen to see if the new versions can improve things….

(My struggle is gradient removal particularly from imaging in bottle 8 skies…)

Thanks for the heads up.:thumbsup:
Anthony

[Startrek]

Hi Anthony,
I started with 1.4 back in 2017 , then 1.5 in 2018 , 1.6 in 2019 and 1.7 in early 2021
Even 1.7 is a quantum leap from 1.4 , yes it has allowed OSC narrowband processing but all modules have improved for Broadband data too
Wipe , Contrast , wavelet sharpening , Super Structure and De Noise are tremendous
Cheers
Martin

[AdamJL]

1.7 was a massive upgrade.