Frequently Asked Questions

Astro Panel is an ecosystem of tools for astrophotography and landscape photography. It includes the Astro Panel plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Fusion Lab for stacking and image processing, Astro Background Extractor for removing gradients and light pollution, plus tutorials, courses and educational content.

Astro Panel works inside Adobe Photoshop and speeds up post-processing, masks, adjustments and astro/landscape workflows. Fusion Lab is a standalone application for stacking, blending and editing. Astro Background Extractor is a standalone app specialized in correcting gradients, color casts and light pollution. Products can be purchased separately or included in bundles and subscriptions.

A compatible version of Adobe Photoshop is required to use Astro Panel. Fusion Lab and Astro Background Extractor are standalone applications and do not require Photoshop to launch, although they can be integrated into a Photoshop workflow.

Yes. Products listed as one-time purchases can be purchased separately. The purchase includes the version and terms shown on the relevant product page. Annual and Lifetime subscriptions provide broader access to the catalog according to the benefits described on the website.

Bundle contents may change over time. It generally includes Astro Panel, Fusion Lab, Astro Background Extractor and training materials. Always check the current list on the bundle page before purchasing.

It depends on the type of purchase. Active subscriptions include access to the products and updates covered by the plan. One-time purchases are subject to the period and terms shown on the product page at the time of purchase.

When a beta, demo or trial version is available, it is stated on the product page. If no trial is mentioned, the product is available only through purchase or an eligible subscription plan.

Available languages vary by product and content. Some interfaces and guides are multilingual, while certain courses or videos may be in Italian or English. Always check the description of the individual product or course.

Open the Account section on astropanel.it and use the email address associated with your order. From your dashboard you can view orders, downloads, license keys and connected applications.

Make sure you are using the same email address used for the order and try the password reset. If the purchase was made through a previous website or sales system, you may need to create a new account using the same email address. If the order is still missing, contact support with the purchase email and order number.

Open Account → Lost password, enter the email address used for the purchase, and check your Spam, Promotions and Junk folders. Reset links can expire; request a new one if necessary.

Check Spam and Promotions, wait a few minutes and submit the request only once more. Add astropanel.it to your trusted senders. If the email still does not arrive, contact support and provide the address used to register.

After signing in, go to Account → Downloads. For some subscriptions, you must add the included product to your cart, complete the free checkout at €0, and then download it from the Downloads section.

Sign in and open Account → License Keys. The key may also be included in your order email. Copy it without leading or trailing spaces and make sure it matches the installed product and version.

Make sure you are signed in with the same email address used at checkout. Orders placed on older platforms may not appear automatically in the new account. Contact support with the order number, purchase email, product and approximate purchase date.

For security reasons, changing the email linked to orders and licenses may require manual verification. Contact support from the email currently associated with the account and provide the new address you want to use.

If the download is still available under the terms of your purchase, you can download it again from Account → Downloads. If the link has expired or the product is missing, contact support with your order details.

Install and launch the product, enter the key exactly as shown in Account → License Keys, and complete the online verification. An internet connection is required during activation.

Check your connection, temporarily disable VPNs, proxies or network filters, verify the computer date and time, and paste the key again without spaces. Also make sure the key belongs to the same software version. If the error continues, send support a screenshot, the product version and your operating system.

This may happen after major system updates, reinstallations, hardware changes or restores. Enter the original key again and check your connection. If all activations have been used or the previous device is no longer available, contact support for verification.

The number depends on the product and plan. One-time purchase pages normally state the device allowance; Annual and Lifetime plans may include additional keys or activations. Licenses are personal and may not be shared or resold.

When the product is available for both systems, you can use compatible versions within the device limit of your license. Always download the correct installer for each operating system.

Install the product on the new computer and try to activate it with the original key. If the activation limit has been reached, contact support with the product name, a partially hidden key and the old device to be deactivated.

No. Personal licenses are for the purchaser and their devices within the stated limits. Teams, schools, studios or multiple users must request a multi-license solution.

Not necessarily. Each major version may use a specific license. Check which product is associated with the key in your account, and do not use Astro Panel 2025/2026 keys for Astro Panel 2027 unless an upgrade entitlement or explicit instruction applies.

Go to Account → Applications, when available for the product. You can view connected applications there. Contact support for deactivations that cannot be completed directly.

Compatibility varies by product and version. Download the Windows or macOS installer shown on the product page and review the minimum requirements before purchasing. On Mac, also check whether your processor is Intel or Apple Silicon.

Open Apple menu → About This Mac. If it shows Intel, use the Intel version when available. If it shows Apple M1, M2, M3, M4 or later, your Mac uses Apple Silicon and you should use the dedicated installer.

Compatibility depends on the available build. If separate installers are shown on the download page, choose the one matching your processor. If only an Apple Silicon build is available, it cannot run natively on an Intel Mac. Always check the current requirements on the product page.

Download the file only from your Astro Panel account. Then open System Settings → Privacy & Security and choose “Open Anyway”, or right-click the app and select Open. Do not permanently disable macOS security protections.

You have usually downloaded an installer for a different architecture or an incompatible macOS version. Check the processor, system version and installer name, then download the correct package from your account.

Make sure the file came from your account on astropanel.it. In Windows Defender SmartScreen, select “More info” and then “Run anyway” only when the publisher and file match the official download. A company antivirus may require administrator approval.

For minor updates, installing the new build may be sufficient. For major versions or when errors occur, close Photoshop and all Astro Panel applications, remove the previous version according to the manual, and then perform a clean installation.

Restart Photoshop after installation and check the Plugins or Extensions menu, depending on the version. Make sure Astro Panel was installed for the correct Photoshop version and that files were not moved manually. If necessary, reinstall it while Photoshop is closed.

Use an Adobe Photoshop version included in the requirements for the Astro Panel edition you purchased. Very old or newly released versions may require a plugin update. Keep Photoshop updated, but verify compatibility before installing a new major release.

Photoshop Beta may introduce changes that are not yet supported. For stable use, the official Photoshop version listed in the requirements is recommended. Operation on the Beta version does not guarantee full compatibility.

Astro Panel 2027 is the new generation of the Photoshop plugin, featuring an updated interface, new modules, dedicated astrophotography and landscape tools, and integration with stacking and post-processing workflows.

Upgrade eligibility depends on the purchased product, purchase date and subscription type. Active subscriptions include the updates covered by the plan. Owners of previous versions should check their account or official communications for upgrade offers.

In many cases, yes, provided the versions use separate folders and identifiers. To avoid conflicts, follow the new installation instructions and keep a backup of important files and settings.

Astro Panel 2027 can integrate with or launch the stacking workflow provided by the ecosystem. Advanced stacking operations are performed by the dedicated engine or application described in the documentation, such as Fusion Lab or its connection component.

Send a screenshot or short video, the exact Astro Panel version, Photoshop version, operating system, processor type and a description of the steps. Also state whether the issue occurs with every file or only with a specific image.

Fusion Lab is a standalone environment for astrophotography and landscape photography that combines stacking, blending and editing. It supports workflows such as Milky Way and deep-sky stacking, star trails, long exposures, focus stacking, HDR/N-HDR and panoramas, according to the modules available in the installed version.

Check the status shown on the product page and in the build name. Beta versions may receive frequent updates and include features that are still being optimized. Always keep the original files and update to the latest available build.

Fusion Lab supports the formats listed in the manual and product page, including RAW and DNG workflows when provided. For stacking, use files from the same sequence with consistent dimensions and characteristics.

Light frames are the images of the subject. Dark frames record thermal noise and hot pixels using the same exposure time, ISO and a similar temperature. Bias frames record read noise using the shortest possible exposure. Flat frames correct vignetting and dust using the same optical setup and focus. Load each group into the correct section.

Make sure the files are in accessible folders, sufficient disk space is available, and names or paths do not contain unusual characters. First test with a small number of Light frames and no calibration files. Update Fusion Lab, restart the computer and send the log to support if the issue continues.

In versions that require it, install Fusion Bridge according to the manual and do not move its files afterward. Newer builds may manage the connection automatically. Make sure you are using compatible versions of Astro Panel, Fusion Lab and Bridge.

Check the preview with a stretching application or apply an initial adjustment: a linear file may look very dark. Also verify the color profile, debayer settings, white balance and correct assignment of Dark, Bias and Flat frames.

Use sharp Light frames with enough visible stars, avoid blurred images or dense clouds, and remove clearly defective frames. When available, lower the detection threshold or test fewer files to identify the problematic image.

For nightscapes with a tracked sky and fixed foreground, it is often better to process the sky and ground separately, then align and blend them in Photoshop. Fusion Lab may provide dedicated blending modules, but the correct method depends on the sequence and movement involved.

The location varies by system and version. Use the “Open Logs”, “Show Log” or equivalent command in the app when available, or consult the manual. Send the complete log file to support, not only a photo of the screen.

Work from an SSD with available free space, close demanding applications and test smaller files to verify the workflow. Previews may use reduced resolution, while the final export preserves the intended quality. Always update to the latest build, as performance is progressively optimized.

Astro Background Extractor is a standalone application designed to reduce gradients, color casts and light pollution in astronomical and night images.

Yes. It is a standalone application. You can process and export the image, then continue working in Photoshop, Lightroom or another compatible editor.

Prefer a high-quality file that is not heavily compressed and has minimal destructive adjustments. Avoid highly compressed JPEG files when TIFF, DNG or other formats supported by the installed version are available.

Reduce the correction intensity and make sure sampling points or areas truly represent the sky background. Do not sample Milky Way structures, nebulae, galaxies, airglow or illuminated areas that should be preserved.

Try a less aggressive correction, increase smoothness and check color balance before and after the operation. Complex gradients may require several light passes rather than one strong correction.

The Lifetime plan provides lifetime access to current and future products included under the plan terms, together with the benefits listed on the official page, such as additional personal keys and priority support. The current product-page list always takes precedence over previous communications.

Sign in with the subscription account, add the included products to the cart, proceed to checkout and complete the free order with a total of €0. Files will then appear in Account → Downloads and keys in Account → License Keys.

You must be signed in with the account that owns the active subscription. Add the product to the cart and check the total at checkout. If it does not change to €0, do not complete payment: verify the subscription status and contact support.

No. A Lifetime purchase is a one-time payment and does not require periodic renewals. External services or products not included in the plan may have separate terms, clearly shown before payment.

If checkout identifies it as a recurring subscription, the plan may renew under the terms shown at purchase. You can check its status in the subscription section of your account or contact support before the renewal date.

Yes. You can request cancellation of future renewal according to the plan terms. Cancellation does not convert the plan into Lifetime and does not retroactively remove a period already paid for.

Future products are included when they expressly fall within the ecosystem and the Lifetime plan terms published on the website. Courses, workshops, individual services or third-party products may be excluded or may only receive dedicated discounts.

Open the Learn or Academy section and sign in with the account associated with the purchase. Some tutorials are available on the product page or in the manual, while complete courses may require free enrollment through the product included in the bundle.

Sign in with the same email address used for the order, open the included course page and check whether free enrollment must be completed. If access is not recognized, send support the order number, bundle name and course title.

When stated in the lesson description, RAW files or practice materials are included. Links are normally available inside the lesson, in the resources section or in the course download area.

Unless otherwise stated, videos are intended for viewing on the platform and not for download or redistribution. Downloadable attached materials are marked separately.

The language is shown on each course page. Some content is in Italian, some in English, and some may include subtitles or translated materials.

Available methods are shown at checkout and may include cards, PayPal or other enabled services. Availability may depend on the country and product.

Before paying, check that the code is entered correctly, still valid and applicable to the product in your cart. Verify the final total: if the discount is missing, do not complete payment and contact support. Expired codes or codes for different products cannot be applied.

Do not use or activate the second order and contact support immediately with both order numbers. The request will be reviewed based on the status of downloads, licenses and the sales terms applicable to digital content.

Requests are assessed under the Terms and Conditions, applicable law and the digital nature of the product. Provide the order number, product, date and reason for the request. Avoid further activation or downloading while the request is under review.

Confirmation is sent to the email address used at checkout and can be viewed in Account → Orders. Check Spam and Promotions as well. For specific tax requirements, contact support with complete details before or immediately after purchase.

Wait for confirmation from the payment provider and do not immediately repeat the purchase. Check Account → Orders and your confirmation email. If the order does not update after a reasonable time, send support the payment receipt without sharing full card details.

Use the Contact form on astropanel.it. Always provide the purchase email, order number, product, version, operating system and a precise description of the issue. For technical errors, attach screenshots, a short video and logs when available.

Send: exact product and version; Windows or macOS and its version; Intel or Apple Silicon processor; Photoshop version when involved; complete error text; steps to reproduce it; screenshot or video; and order number. Never send passwords or complete payment details.

Check your connection and test without a VPN, proxy, restrictive firewall or filtered DNS. Verify automatic date and time, restart the router and application, and try another network. If the website works but the app does not, send logs and an error screenshot to support.

Make sure the document meets the function requirements: RGB color mode, supported bit depth, selected layer and an unlocked image. Test on a simple copy of the file, restart Photoshop and check the plugin version.

Update the product and system, restart the computer, free disk space and test without other plugins or demanding applications. Repeat the operation with a smaller file. Send logs, the crash report and exact steps to support.

Yes, when they are needed to reproduce the issue. Use a file-transfer service and share only the relevant images. Always keep the originals and specify whether the file may be used solely for technical diagnosis.

Response times depend on request volume and case complexity. Subscriptions that include priority support are handled according to the plan benefits. Avoid sending repeated messages about the same issue, as this can fragment the conversation.

Check Account → Downloads, the official product pages and email communications. Download updates only from astropanel.it and keep a copy of the previous stable installer before replacing it.