Release notes

Release Notes — 4D AstroDepth Mapper v1.3

• Improved workflow and output handling:
  The processing workflow is now clearer and more predictable. The tool shows the main processing steps while it runs, including image validation, WCS reading, Gaia preparation, catalog building, annotation and 4D map generation.
  
  
• Timestamped output folders:
  Each run now creates its own timestamped output folder. This keeps results from different runs separated and prevents accidental overwriting of previous output.
  
  
• Cleaner output structure:
  The final output folder now contains only the user-facing result files: the exported JPG background, the annotated JPG, the visible-object CSV and the interactive 4D AstroDepth HTML map. Internal cache and temporary work files are stored outside the final export folder.
  
  
• Simplified output options:
  The interface has been simplified. The source JPG is now created automatically when needed, and the output options focus on the two main products: the 4D AstroDepth Map and the annotated image.
  
  
• Improved 4D map side panel:
  The interactive 4D map has an improved right-side information panel with clearer Home, Methods and scale-mode sections. The panel layout is more stable across screen sizes and operating systems.
  
  
• Improved scale-mode explanation:
  The Linear / Log scale explanation is now integrated more clearly into the map’s Home panel. This helps explain why nearby objects may appear compressed on a linear cosmic distance scale and when the logarithmic view is useful.
  
  
• Better Linux and Windows consistency:
  The Linux and Windows packages have been aligned and tested with the same functional workflow. Both platforms now use the same v1.3 behavior for timestamped output, visible-object selection and 4D map generation.
  
  

Important note about synchronized folders:
For reliable processing, use a local folder for the input image and output folder during a run. Synchronized or cloud-backed folders such as pCloud may cause stale or incomplete intermediate results while files are still being updated. After processing has completed, the final results can safely be copied to a cloud or archive location.

• Improved interactive 3D visualization:
  The 4D AstroDepth Map has been refined with a clearer layout, better navigation and a more polished visual presentation. The result is easier to explore and better suited for showing the distance structure inside your own astrophotography image.
  
  
• New Home and Methods side panel:
  The 3D view now includes an integrated side panel with a Home tab and a Methods tab. The Home tab explains how to use the visualization, while the Methods tab shows which distance methods are active in the current scale view.
  
  
• Active Distance Methods overview:
  The Methods tab now includes a clearer overview of the active distance ladder, including Gaia parallax, standard candles, catalog distances, redshift-based distances and cosmological indicators. This helps users understand why different objects are placed at different distances.
  
  
• Improved Cosmic Scale Navigator:
  The scale buttons have been refined to make it easier to travel from nearby foreground stars to deep cosmological distances. The selected scale is now more clearly highlighted, and the 3D view updates more smoothly when switching between scales.
  
  
• Linear and Log scale modes:
  The 3D map now supports switching between Linear and Log scale modes. Linear mode preserves real spacing between objects, while Log mode compresses large distances so nearby and distant structures can be explored more easily in one view.
  
  
• Better explanation of scale behavior:
  The Home panel now explains what the selected scale mode does and why distant objects may appear compressed or separated depending on the chosen mode.
  
  
• Improved 3D Plot performance:
  The generated HTML visualization has been optimized to reduce file size and improve responsiveness. Scale changes are now smoother, with less visual flicker during interaction.
  
  
• Improved background image handling:
  The image texture used in the 3D visualization has been optimized to keep the plot responsive while preserving enough visual context to recognize the original astrophotography field.
  
  
• More consistent Windows and Linux behavior:
  The Windows and Linux packages have been brought closer together in behavior and output. The Linux backend now includes the required SciPy runtime dependencies, preventing SIMBAD catalog lookups from silently failing in the packaged release.
  
  

Technical fixes in 1.2:

• The Plot3D HTML output has been optimized for smaller file size and smoother scale switching.
• The Cosmic Scale Navigator now uses a more efficient update method.
• Linux packaging now includes the required SciPy/SciPy special dependencies for SIMBAD functionality.
• A mandatory Linux deployment validation path has been added to prevent Gaia-only regressions before publication.
• The release process now includes a functional package test before online publication.

• FITS support added:
  In addition to plate-solved XISF files, the tool can now also work with plate-solved FITS/FIT files through PixInsight WCS metadata.
  
  
• Improved version checking preparation:
  The tool now handles PixInsight version compatibility more clearly and gives a better warning when an older unsupported PixInsight version is used.
  
  
• Improved annotations:
  Annotation labels have been improved with cleaner placement, leader lines and better label distribution. Label overlap and labels outside the image have been reduced.
  
  
• Better alignment between annotation and 3D Plot labels:
  The visible object selection and object naming are now better aligned between the annotated JPG and the interactive 3D visualization.
  
  
• Improved application window and layout:
  The frontend window has been cleaned up and made easier to use, with improved sections, fixed width and a clearer layout.
  
  
• More explanatory hover text and tooltips:
  Several options in the application window now include better explanations, making it clearer what each setting does.
  
  
• Improved header and description:
  The introduction at the top of the application window now explains the purpose of the tool and the generated output more clearly.
  
  
• Corrected redshift distance calculation:
  The conversion from measured redshift to distance has been thoroughly reviewed and corrected. The 3D placement now uses proper cosmological distance logic, with improved display of light-travel time and distance context.

Technical fixes in RC1.1

• Windows and Linux packages have been aligned to version 1.0.0.3.
• Linux distribution fixed: SIMBAD now works correctly because missing SciPy dependencies have been added to the packaged backend.
• PixInsight Feature Script menu entry restored.
• The Linux package is now automatically generated from the same canonical source as Windows.
• The release builder now validates platform differences, Feature Script metadata and package contents to help prevent regressions.