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.