PixInsight for Apple silicon Macs lands with updates already

Right on the heels of the newest release, the PixInsight Team has released a new version of PixInsight: 1.9.4 Lockhart build 1693. This release provides stability improvements and bug fixes on all supported operating systems. The update focuses on making the application more reliable across platforms and faster in everyday work, particularly in areas where graphics and scripting performance matter. It also smooths the installation and update experience with clear guidance for Linux, macOS, and Windows users.

What This Release Focuses On

This version targets two practical outcomes. Fewer crashes and visual glitches during intensive image processing and a more responsive interface for documentation, browsing, and developer workflows. Many issues that could interrupt long sessions or require restarts have been addressed, with fixes that remove reproducible faults in key areas of the platform. Users should see more predictable behavior when working with complex projects, large images, and scripts.

PixInsight for Apple silicon Macs + Installation

Installation packages for PixInsight 1.9.4 Lockhart build 1693 are available to all licensed users for Linux, macOS in both ARM64 and x64 architectures, and Windows. As with prior core application updates, this version is not delivered through the in application updater. You must install version 1.9.4 manually.

On Linux, installation packages are xz compressed tar archives with the file extension tar.xz. Extract the entire contents into a new directory under your home directory. Then  run the installer in a terminal with administrator priviledges. In most cases, typing yes and pressing Enter accepts the default settings. If you need a list of options, run the installer with the help option.

On macOS for both ARM64 and x64, if a previous version is installed, remove the Applications slash PixInsight folder before installing. Run the pkg installer and follow the prompts. All macOS installation packages are digitally signed with the latest corporate Apple developer certificate and are notarized by Apple.

On Windows, run the new installer and follow the prompts. The installer removes a previous version automatically, so there is no need to uninstall first. All Windows executables and installation packages are signed with the latest corporate Extended Validation code signing certificate.

If you already have version 1.8.6 or later installed, this version does not require license reactivation. If you are using version 1.8.5 or older, consult the 1.8.6 announcement and the licensing frequently asked questions for guidance on reactivation.

Notable Bug Fixes

A number of stability issues have been resolved. GradientCorrection could cause a segmentation fault on images with dimensions at or below 4096 pixels. That fault was fully reproducible on macOS and occurred occasionally on Windows. Message boxes such as alerts and notifications could appear behind top level windows on macOS and now display correctly. Custom XEPH layers did not work in the AnnotateImage script due to an issue in EphemerisFile visibleObjects in the V8 runtime. Activating a Graphics instance and triggering an exception without closing the graphics task could lead to an internal V8 fault and immediate termination on macOS. The ImageView appendTopControl method in the V8 runtime referenced an undefined property and has been corrected. Manual module installation could fail with invalid V8 handles and has been fixed. Manually changing a view identifier did not notify some controls such as ImageList combo boxes, which affected tools that discover view properties dynamically and the History Explorer. Signing more than one XML document in a single command produced invalid signatures for all but the first file and is now corrected. The documentation of ColorComboBox in Object Explorer now reflects the latest V8 changes. On macOS, module information collection during manual installation could prevent correct installation because dynamic libraries cannot be unloaded. The installer no longer retrieves module metadata during installation on macOS, which resolves this long standing problem.

Graphics And Interface Improvements

Previous releases limited some graphics optimizations on macOS and Windows because of issues in older Qt versions. These limits have been removed. Users should see smoother rendering with fewer transient white windows after processes run, cleaner icon movements, and stable behavior when switching workspaces. The overall effect is a more consistent interface when processing images over extended sessions.

Graphics acceleration in WebView components is now enabled by default on Windows, aligning the behavior with Linux and macOS. This change lifts a prior restriction that reduced stability on some lower end or misconfigured systems. With acceleration enabled, browsing integrated documentation and navigating demanding web content such as the official video channel becomes faster and more dependable. This approach reflects current platform capabilities and improves the experience for both end users and developers who rely on embedded web technologies.

Updates For Developers And Scripters

The V8 JavaScript runtime has received targeted fixes to improve reliability when working with graphics tasks, user interface elements, and module operations. These corrections reduce edge case failures and improve development workflows. The MakefileGenerator script version 1.147 now runs on the V8 runtime, which simplifies PixInsight Class Library development on macOS ARM64. This helps maintain a consistent build and test path across supported platforms.

All licensed users can obtain the new installation packages and follow the platform specific steps outlined above. The aim is straightforward. Install cleanly, run reliably, and process images with confidence. This release focuses on removing dead ends that lead to crashes or stalls, while adopting modern graphics acceleration where it provides clear benefits. Users who rely on scripting and modules should find the environment more predictable and better documented.