Star Alignment

Used to Align register and then save the result , sometimes called image registration Usually used after you have calibrated your images so they are ready for image integration , AKA Stacking

tends to be Used at the linear stage but can be used at any time

After you have registered your images ,this would be the tool of choice to integrate your stack ( therefore sometimes known as stacking) into a single image, contains powerful rejection routines and noise estimation process's

Used at the linear stage

When you load a linear image into pixinsight it is shown in its true form which is in most cases very underexposed and very dark

To reveal the its contents we can apply a temporary screen stretch to the image and this is the tool to use to enable you to see results of image processes at the linear stage

used on linear images

Its important to have a neural background i.e. equal weights of RGB, this tool will balance it for you

Can have dramatic effects if your image has colour imbalance , very common with dslr images or when combing RGB channels

tends to be Used at the linear stage but can be used at any time

Well it crops your image

Use any time you like

If you need gradients and uneven illumination removed from you image this is the tool for you

Killer app as they say

Recommended to be used at the linear stage , but can be used on stretched images

The basic idea behind this procedure is that when a sufficiently large number of stars (Or a nearby galaxy ) are sampled, the resulting mean color should be a plausible white reference for overall color correction.

Recommended to be used at the linear stage , but can be used on stretched images

Histogram Transformation

Displays the histogram of your image giving detail on individual colours , and pixels

used to stretch images without the use of curves

Use at any time

It can be hard to control images with a large dynamic range so as long as your images are not saturated HDR wavelets can be used to reclaim that lost detail and display them correctly

Will only work on stretched images with a high dynamic range

This is the main noise reduction tool in Pixinsight and with the help of "in tool masks" can be used when and where you like on your image

Best results are achieved on stretched images

This can make non linear alterations to many channels, tends to get used for fine alterations in pixinsight as large alterations are done with the histogram process

Use at any time

A clever and simple tool used mainly to remove green casts from images

Can be used at any time but is usually used at the end of processing

Can combine 3 channels to form new image i.e. RGB

Recommended to be used at the linear stage