A new version of PixInsight, 1.9.3 Lockhart, has been officially released. This update introduces significant stability improvements, bug fixes, and new features across all supported operating systems.
PixInsight 1.9.3 Lockhart released - New features and improvements
For a detailed overview of new features, platform recommendations, and known issues within the PixInsight 1.9 Lockhart series, users are encouraged to review the official 1.9.0 announcement. Additionally, updates from versions 1.9.1 and 1.9.2 provide information on prior improvements and bug fixes.
Installation
Installation packages for PixInsight 1.9.3 are now available for all licensed users on Linux, macOS, and Windows via the following link: https://pixinsight.com/dist/
This version is not available as a standard application update and must be installed manually:
- Linux: Users must extract the .tar.xz archive and run the installer via the terminal.
- macOS: Previous installations must be removed before running the .pkg installer. All packages are digitally signed and notarized.
- Windows: Running the 1.9.3 installer will automatically replace previous versions. The installation files are signed with an Extended Validation (EV) code signing certificate for security.
No license reactivation is required for users running PixInsight 1.8.6 or newer. Those still using version 1.8.5 or older should refer to the 1.8.6 announcement for details on the new licensing system.
Thread performance optimization
PixInsight 1.9.3 introduces adaptive thread execution optimization, which enhances performance for various image processing and numerical algorithms. This feature dynamically determines the optimal number of parallel execution threads, improving efficiency based on system specifications. The implementation in 1.9.3 focuses on critical algorithms such as:
- FastMedian - Histogram-based median calculation
- FastMAD - Histogram-based median absolute deviation
- NoiseMRS - Noise estimation using multiresolution support
- PSFFit - PSF fitting with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm
- Resample, Rotation, and Convolution - Key image transformation processes
Performance gains vary based on system configuration:
- Significant improvements on machines with 32+ logical processors, particularly on Windows.
- Marginal impact on machines with 8 logical processors or fewer.
- On high-core-count servers (AMD EPYC 9654, 192 logical processors), the feature provides 2x speed improvements.
A new performance command (performance -x) enables users to execute performance analysis and optimization tasks via the command line. A GUI option is also available under Process > Thread Performance Analysis.
Workspace configurations
PixInsight now allows saving, managing, and importing workspace configurations. Users can:
- Create custom workspaces tailored to different image processing tasks
- Save workspace configurations with unique names
- Import/export configurations as CSV files
Additional workspace features will be introduced in future 1.9.x versions.
New File > Close Project command
New commands in the file menu
- File > Close Project - Restores the previous workspace configuration when closing a project.
- File > Open Single Image - Loads only the first image in a multi-image file (e.g., WBPP integration images). This feature is also accessible via Ctrl + Double Click (Cmd on macOS).
Script updates - WBPP 2.8.3 & FBPP 1.1.6
The WeightedBatchPreprocessing and FastBatchPreprocessing scripts have been updated with enhancements and bug fixes, including:
- Embedded processing history in master files
- Standard XISF properties prioritized over FITS metadata
- Autocrop improvements (mask writing as 8-bit integer images)
- Bug fixes related to pipeline execution and metadata handling
System and development updates
- Maximum Thread Priority on Windows - Now set to Normal by default, but can be manually adjusted.
- No HISTORY FITS Keywords - Processing history is now stored in XISF properties for better traceability.
- Qt Version Updated - PixInsight 1.9.3 is built on Qt 6.8.2 LTS, ensuring better performance and stability.
- New Command-Line Options for XML and Module Signature Generation - Developers can now sign multiple XML documents and module files using wildcard-based commands.
- PCL/C++ Development - While rebuilding modules is not mandatory, developers are encouraged to compile against PCL 2.9.3 for optimized performance.
Recommended Platforms & Supported Operating Systems
- Linux - Officially supported on Kubuntu 24.04 LTS and Kubuntu 22.04 LTS. The KDE Plasma desktop environment is highly recommended.
- macOS - Tested on macOS 14 Sonoma and macOS 15 Sequoia. Compatibility with macOS 13 Ventura is possible but not guaranteed.
- Windows - Officially tested on Windows 11. Windows 10 may work but is no longer officially supported.
Known issues Windows
- XISF files trigger long scan times in Windows Security when accessed via Qt 6 applications. Users should exclude .xisf files from scanning in Windows Security settings to prevent delays.
Known issues macOS
- Installation delays on Apple Silicon - The "Registering updated components" step may take longer than expected. This issue is caused by macOS software installation utilities.
- Missing menu icons in Qt 6.8.2 - Some context menu icons are not rendered properly. This is a cosmetic issue that will be addressed in a future Qt update.
Known issues Linux
- KDE Plasma's "Morphing Popups" Effect - Causes slowdowns when dragging elements in PixInsight. Disabling this effect is recommended.
- Nouveau Graphics Driver Not Supported - Users must install the proprietary NVIDIA driver.
- No Wayland Support - PixInsight requires X11/XCB, as Wayland lacks a global coordinate system necessary for its UI.
PixInsight 1.9.3 Lockhart delivers substantial performance enhancements, particularly for multi-threaded image processing, along with key usability improvements. Users are encouraged to explore the new workspace management features, file commands, and updated preprocessing scripts.
For installation, platform recommendations, and troubleshooting, refer to the official documentation and support forums.