1. Extract Lightness image from original using 'ChannelExtraction'. 2. Create a preview which includes various star sizes GUIDELINES - If noise or other non-stellar structures are included, raise the 'Noise threshold'. - If large stars are not included, raise the 'Scale' amount. - Under 'Mask preprocessing', raise the 'Midtones' slider to exclude dim stars. - If needed, raise the 'Shadows' slider to further restrict selection to bright stars. - Lowering 'Truncation' will also provide a stronger result. - Deselect galactic cores using the Clonestamp process (Ch 17) or by adjusting the 'Midtones' slider further. - Structure Growth > Lower 'Large-scale' to make large stars smaller, increase for the opposite effect. > Lower 'Small-scale' to make small stars smaller, increase for the opposite effect. range_mask - star_mask starless_mask **************************************************************** *** USED TO PROTECT LOW SIGNAL AND BACKGROUND AREAS FROM LHE *** **************************************************************** 1. A 'Lower limit' setting of 0.3 is usually right to protect galaxies. 2. To remove large stars try changing te 'Fuzziness' & 'Smoothness' settings. ********************************************* *** DIFFICULT CASES E.G. DIFFUSE NEBULAE *** ********************************************* N.B. It's probably easier to combine a RangeSelction & Star Mask using PixelMath. 1. Lower the 'Upper limit' to dial out stars. 2. Adjust all four sliders to isolate strong signal areas while eliminating the majority of stars. ********************************************** *** USED TO REMOVE STARS FROM THE RANGEMASK*** ********************************************** 1. Adjust 'Radius' if required. 2. Press 'Ctrl' and click an area of background. 3. Click on a star to paste the background area over the star. 4. Once you have removed all stars, click the 'Execute' button (Green Arrow) ********************************************************** *** TRY NOT TO OVERDO IT, YOU CAN ALWAYS DO MORE LATER *** ********************************************************** 1. KEEP MASK IN PLACE Use two passes to enhance small scale then large scale contrast. Kernel Radius - Small scale: Use values of 25-75. [50 Seems good] - Large scale: Use values of 100-150. [125 seems good] Contrast Limit - Normally a setting of 1.5 is best - Can be varied between 1.5 - 2.5 if required. Amount - Try somewhere between: - 0.25 (25% of the original will be kept) - 0.75 (75% of the original will be kept) PETE NOTE: I generally just adjust the %age value to find the best fit. *************************************************** *** USED TO SHARPEN DETAIL IN HIGH SIGNAL AREAS *** *************************************************** 1. KEEP PREVIOUS MASK IN PLACE *************************************************** ************** FOR GENERAL USE ******************** *************************************************** 1. Create a mask with RangeMask first. Detail Layer Bias - Typically adjust this between 0.012 - 0.075 Deringing - Start with a value of 0.1, raise if necessary. Dynamic Range Extension - Low Setting of 0.25 is normally good. - High Setting of between 0.25 - 0.50 is normally good. 0.25,0.5,0.25,0.5,1,0.5,0.25,0.5,0.25 0.5,1,0.5 0.5,1,0.5 0.8003,0.2729,0.1198,0.0578,0.0287,0.0143,0.0072,0.0036,0.0019,0.001 Linear Interpolation (3) ******************************************************** *** USED TO SHARPEN FINE DETAIL IN HIGH SIGNAL AREAS *** ******************************************************** USE THE SAME MASK AS FOR THE PREVIOUS MLT STEP Standard Deviation - A value of 1.0 - 2.0 is normally good for fine sharpening. - A value of 25 - 50 is normaly good for increasing contrast. Amount - A value of 0.18 - 0.75 is normally good for a natural looking result. Target - Use CIE L* Deringing - A value of 0.01 - 0.05 is normally good. Dynamic Range Extension - Low Setting of 0.25 is normally good. - High setting of 0.25 - 0.50 is normally good.