You NEED this NOW! Testing GraXpert's INSANE AI noise reduction on broadband and narrowband!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My Patreon: www.patreon.com/cuivlazygeek Download www.graxpert.com/ Graxpert video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHXUp3ykaruhn8k PixInsight Plugin Repository A: www.ideviceapps.de/PixInsight/Utilities/ Alternative PI repo: pixinsight.deepskyforge.com/update/graxpert/ Alternative PI repo (GraXpert as a process, but it didn't work for me): pixinsight.deepskyforge.com/update/graxpert-process/ Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/49XTx01 Agena affiliate: bit.ly/3Om0hNG High Point Scientific affiliate: bit.ly/3lReu8R All-Star Telescope affiliate: bit.ly/3SCgVbV Astroshop.eu Affiliate: tinyurl.com/2vafkax8

[@CDigata]

the process interface worked best for me.. but still used gradient correction in PI, but its great we now have options

[@andreya108]

Cuiv, I've managed to launch GraXpert process (under linux). The problem is hardcoded lowercase executable name in plugin. It searches 'graxpert' in PATH not 'GraXpert', so I've just created symlink 'graxpert' pointing to actual GraXpert executable (in one of directories from PATH). It looks not obvious why they've not added executable selection settings (like in script).

[@michaellewis4732]

Cuiv, you are an amazing asset to the Amateur Astrophotography community! Thanks for providing this info and comparison.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

My pleasure Michael, always happy to help :-)

[@Кирилл-р6я2ж]

If they add a deconvolution AI model to compete with BXT, that will be simply legendary)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yessss!

[@possisvideos]

Yes please❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@40Sec]

I'd love to see that. As good as their software is, the prices RC Astro charges is not remotely reasonable. Maybe some additional competition will force them to lower what they're asking.

[@mouseylikesnuts6437]

If it could also put my gear outside for me when it's cold that would be even better 😁

[@deep_space_dave]

Competition is always good!

[@hymanmj]

I've been using GraXpert for a while now, but I feel this latest version is at another level. I'm not against purchasing software that does the job at all, but if it's free...... Great video Cuiv! Thank you. :)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes it's really impressive and nothing to lose since it's free!

[@todddunnavant5984]

Note that BXT and GraXpert support GPUs using different approaches. BXT can be configured to run on Windows under CUDA. From the GraXpert 3.0 docs, we have the following: For gpu acceleration during denoising, please note: on Windows, we rely on DirectML which requires a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card. On Linux, we rely on CUDA 12 and libcudnn8. On macOS, we rely on CoreML.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fascinating, thanks for the info!

[@HighBoss]

Oh that's good to know. Means we can use it with AMD gpu's in windows.

[@bbroastro]

Yes yes yes!! More software competition is what the astro community needs - not more endless refractors and built in computers into cameras! :D

[@tubedude54]

Or into eyepieces... might as well just call up a picture on the net instead of looking at an object thru your scope if that's what you want to see... I prefer seeing it with my eye thru whatever scope I'm using an seeing it live... then looking at the same object thru a different scope and seeing the differences ..if any.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's great to see this for sure :)

[@bmur56]

I've purchased Noise Xterminator months ago and happy to see that, in most cases, it's still on top. This free noise reduction tool is close on its heels though !

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Very close indeed!

[@bbroastro]

Essentially though, those that purchased Noise Xterminator (and the RC Astro plugins in general) were founders and supporters for the progression of these things! Competition only happens from those that start the initial path and we, by purchasing RC astro tools, have helped that path along 🙌

[@kittywampus]

I Just installed and tried this about an hour ago. I haven't moved up to paid software yet, so I really like this program with siril.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Excellent!

[@lenn15]

I just bought a PI License! This comes just in time ! Merci !

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Congratulations! Enjoy the learning curve and the results you'll get in the end!

[@ChristianPsencik]

Awesome video man. This is really an incredible leap by these guys! Geniuses indeed! 🎉

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I agree! And it's free!

[@astrohops7183]

Great video Cuiv. Thanks for sharing this information. Seems to be a real alternative for those on a limited budget.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, for sure! I'm actually not even sure whether I'll use NXT or GXP for denoising now!

[@mdnt_astro]

Just tried it out and love the results. I'm dealing with some awful blotchy backgrounds with my 294MC Pro and while the gradient removal doesn't seem to do much better than ABE, the noise reduction is really awesome.

[@GhostSenshi]

I love this community. The ai bg removal tool has been game changing. Eager to use this plugin

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Fully agree! Those guys are amazing!

[@siegfriednoet]

Great video Quiv, I've been using Graxpert since it was released and it's only getting better every time. Hope they will introduce it also in SIRIL, maybe then a good competition with PI

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Having GraXpert in Siril would be amazing!

[@TheOriginalTommo]

Wait....A Cuiv video that doesn't cost me anything?? 🥳 🎊 🎉

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hey, my videos are free! What you do after watching is something else lol

[@AlexisABermudez]

Viva FLOSS! many thanks for such comparison. Was still in my trial period of Noise Xterminator... just in time!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yesss! Enjoy comparing on your side as well!

[@davidletz9123]

This is great! I really need something to remove the noise from THE CLOUDS in my subs!

[@TheOriginalTommo]

...and the moon!!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Ha! Yeah that would be nice...

[@viksohal]

Cuiv, I think you are the Apex of informative astrophotography sites :-)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@davebillybish]

Thanks for yet again a superb video. I think your software comparison and processing tutorials are up there with the best on the subject.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Many thanks!

[@davebillybish]

Credit where credit is due 😊

[@terrybertrand7159]

Thanks for the heads up. I just installed it. I already have all of the RC-Astro 'X' processes, and also Graxpert background extraction. But I find that more options are better as on some of my images the RC-Astro processes work better and on other images the Graxpert processes work better.

[@lukomatico]

Very interesting mate, that looks promising!! Great video as always 👍👍

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Luke!! Have fun playing with this tool as well!

[@heavyjohnny]

I agree with you Quive, Graxpert is a close runner up. I think graxpert came out above with the sunflower nebula. But, you nailed it by calling out the higher contrast with Xterminator in the other two images. I think it is 6 in one hand and 1/2 dozen in the other. I have both, as an early adopter to blurX and NoiseX. As well as topaz dinoise. It’s all close call in all respects. At this stage in the game though, It looks like BlurX/NoiseX is going to have to step up the game if they still want to charge the $$$…. Thanks for a great review. As always great job, from one gijin to another✌️

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

BlurX I think is still safe, but yeah NoiseX might not be!

[@stephanep1330]

Great video! You're so prompt with these new tools! You did not share any thoughts on the time needed to denoise, is it comparable to NoiseXterminator with CUDA acceleration?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It was actually quite similar on my PC, so I didn't even mention it...

[@ciskje71]

* simply impressive about the number of video, I use today Topaz Denoise with Clear model, but now we have a free solution!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes! I don't really like Topaz Denoise as it tends to add details that truly don't exist and have a certain artificial look to the image (I can usually spot Topaz Denoised images fairly quickly on FB or Astrobin), so I hope you try this one out as well!

[@ciskje71]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Also in Clear mode?

[@ballashoes]

Fantastic results for being free

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Absolutely!

[@desbarry8414]

Im still gonna buy Blur Xterminator but after watching this Cuiv, I will now pass on Noise Xterminator and use Grad X pert for denoise, thanks for this great video.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Enjoy the tools!

[@ninjanekonico]

I've just tested (yesterday) noisexterminator, I think i'll give graxpert a chance !

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

You definitely should!

[@ninjanekonico]

I tried it, it performs really well, I'll stick with graxpert !

[@seanod42]

Hi Cuiv great video as always good to see free software not everyone can afford paid software as we all no this hobby is expensive i am a supporter of young people coming into the hobby so anything free is excellent i do have all the plugins and feel very happy with them and i will get graxpert new noise exterminator it's always good to have a option

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

GraXpert paired with Siril can really be very powerful!

[@deep_space_dave]

Great video Cuiv! This is a nice free software that can go along with other free softwares like Siril. No longer do you really need to spend a lot of money just to process your images :-) This lowers the entry point for new astrophotographers that don't want to spend too much money when getting started 🙂 Clear Skies!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Exactly! And maybe one day Siril will have all the main features of PixInsight! :)

[@Andrey_Gapulenko]

Thanks for your video!

[@wanderingbrummie]

In my experience I’ve found that the PixInsight DBE process usually does a better job than GraxPert, particularly with tricky/ complicated gradients, although it admittedly demands a lot more user input. Haven’t tried GraxPert noise reduction yet, will give it a go.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Agreed - although there are some gradients from poor flat calibration for instance that I think GraXpert actually handles better...

[@thewarhenk]

Wow, Cuiv! Just spotted the new addition to Toolbox today!

[@ssrattus]

Thanks Cuiv!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Cheers!

[@tvanpeer]

Great video again. Comes in very handy to denoise my first drizzled image 😊 How about processing time, is one tool (significantly) faster than the other to remove noise?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

At least on my computer, they were roughly the same!

[@cjmenagh882]

Thanks. Great video and very helpful.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Thanks Cuiv looks like another great tool for processing I shall try it out right away!!

[@franks2725]

Thanks for another helpful video!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rawhead909]

Regarding the new Gradient Removal tool, I've found that it works much better with my comet images (did a lot of Pons-Brooks imaging), where GXP would almost always subtract some of the comet tail regardless of smoothness settings.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Very interesting! In the end I think if GXP doesn't work I'll probably still go with one layer of ABE followed by starless DBE...

[@chrishill4903]

Just curious if Russell from RC Astro has chimed in on the comparison between GraXpert and NoiseX? I have been using GraXpert for quite a while and have noticed that it depends on the image as to which product works better. Have you thought of doing a compare with the PI Gradient tool and GraXpert or have you already done this and I missed it? Great video as always.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I don't think Russel has chimed in yet - but I'm sure he's following what's happening!

[@leonidtalas696]

Thank you for the video! At what stage in post-processing do you apply denoising?

[@alessandrofioretti2526]

great video

[@clarencemumphrey]

Wow! Amazing.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It is!!

[@Fossbear]

thinking that this is their first version of denoising- they are on an excelent way

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yeah, it's very impressive

[@Joel.DeepSkyForge]

Hi Cuiv, thanks for the video. I'm the author of GraXpert Process for PixInsight. You mentioned that process didn't work for you. In fact, there was a problem with non 32 bits floating point photos. I just released the fix. You can give it a try. Please let me know if you still have an issue and thanks again for all your videos.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much, will try later today!

[@Joel.DeepSkyForge]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek just in case, do not use new denoise AI model 1.1.0 else GraXpert will report an error. This AI model requires GraXpert 3.0.1 which is for the moment in Pre-Release.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's working! Thanks!

[@WhittleAstro]

Thanks!!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

You bet!

[@TheArizonaman1]

I wish I saw this video several days ago before I bought Noise Exterminator!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

NXT is still excellent though, so no regret!

[@grahamprescott9426]

I've had no luck with the background extraction. I seem to get banding everytime I take it back to Siril. Any ideas? I do send it back unstretched?

[@bocman1985]

Thanks Cuiv, great video. Just one question. I have Graxpert and GraxpertDenoise in Scripts Toolbox but Graxpert-all-in-one doesn't shows anywhere. Is any additional download or installation needed?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

GraXpert AIO is a separate script - you need either GraXpert AIO or GraXpert+Graxpert Denoise, you don't need both!

[@bocman1985]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks for reply. Yes it is all I need, but still for a sake of trying it out, would you know the link to the AIO script? Thanks.

[@mikepaling4736]

Hi ... I have an early version of GraXpert on my Win10 Computer .... do I have to completely remove this version before loading the latest version. If the answer is yes .... can you remind me what is the best way to uninsall it?

[@KingLoopie1]

On my phone they look so close as to be indistinguishable... I saw a few differences but they looked like maybe you just slid the sliders just a little bit too far and could be made even more identical with a little more experimentation... Cool product!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, very close results!!

[@_TK-421_]

i dont use Pixinsight (way to complicated for me) what would the workflow be like if you used Siril?

[@ferenc-x7p]

Can't wait for a cloud removal. Also throw in a Moon removal please! 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

And localized atmosphere dismissal!

[@ferenc-x7p]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I think I'm gonna build a rocket and shoot my telescope into orbit. I will use Starlink to stay wifi-connected to it 😁

[@projectnightshift6488]

It's giving me an error when I try to update it after adding the repository link. It says unknown code signing identity " Joel Javier"

[@projectnightshift6488]

I figured it out through a quick Google search with it's AI response. If you get the same error message, go into program files > pixinsight > src > scripts > toolbox > then delete the XSGN file for GRAXPERT.js and GRAXPERTDENOISE.js. then it will work

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Try renaming Graxpert.xsgn and GraXpertDenoise.xsgn to something like Graxpert.xsgn.old in C:\Program Files\PixInsight\src\scripts\Toolbox and try again!

[@projectnightshift6488]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I found something on Google that said just to delete the .XSGN files for each of them, so that's what I did and it worked.

[@skynick77]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek had the same problem, this trick worked for me as well ! tnx

[@dalel2112]

Hey Cuiv, I use Affinity for processing. Does Graxpert plug in to it? Like your videos.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nope...

[@dereksmith4517]

Grate vid.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you!

[@sjpp71]

Ok, forgive my ignorance, but my understanding is that Graxpert gradient removal tool. Is this equivalent to what BXT does? Maybe (most likely, lol) I'm missing something. Please explain. Thanks!

[@robj144]

BXT is a convolution so they are completely different things.

[@timmoody7600]

I had to go into the Advanced panel to select the Denoising AI Model before it offered to download it.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Interesting, thanks for letting us know!

[@jmoreno6094]

Graxpert has to be used ONLY before stretching ?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Ideally yes, since the AI was trained on linear images - but denoising can still be attempted on stretched images

[@ricardoabh3242]

Free AI tools are impressive … Is there an AI astro processor that can take, the prestack + dark + white frame?

[@cratervanawesome]

The new version also properly detects support for and uses my GPU (2080ti) under linux! Huzzah!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh wow that's impressive! Also impressive that you're using NVidia under Linux, standard recommendation is AMD haha

[@cratervanawesome]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I've used both. The AMD i was using was a bit older. Upgraded my gaming rig (mostly used for sim racing) to a 4080, so the 2080ti got dropped into the linux (Arch) box I built mostly for PixInsight, Is a Ryzen 5950x CPU and 64GB of RAM so it screams through integrations and such. Support across each was fairly similar. Nvidia you get more goodies for acceleration with CUDA compared to AMD cards. I don't game on it so maybe its a bit differing from that perspective.

[@davidemaino7868]

What about a comparison with DeNoise in the Ez Suite?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Probably not - it's not the same league tbh

[@giampieroiannone9202]

I bought NoiseX (and BlurX), shall I delete them immediately?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Keep BlurX for sure!!! That thing is still unparalleled. And keep NoiseX to compare :)

[@mevansmrichard]

I received a different error initially about selecting AI from the Advanced Panel on the right hand side of the application. Might want to include that =)

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the tip! For me it was all automated from the main screen...

[@saundby]

I haven't got to the denoise part of Graxpert yet, it keeps crashing on me when I change background sigma levels. I'll keep trying.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Oh no - I hope you can report that to the dev

[@P00P2OO]

I wish that Graxpert would develop the deconvolution AI similar to BlurXterminator, so that it could be 3 in 1 strongest AI app for astrophotography lol.

[@IceyJones]

when the AI backgroundextraction fails in graxpert, i just switch back to normal method and place samples. then it works fine again

[@featherchasing2490]

So far I have tried it with two separate images and the score is Topaz Denoise 2 vs 0 for graphpert don't get me wrong for free it's great but Topaz Denoise is still holding a lead. And a newer version is in the works

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I'd be very interested in some before/after with Topaz Denoise - back when I was using it, I was having so much trouble making sure Topaz wasn't adding some pretty details that don't exist. The end result looked awesome, but a large part of that was the added details...

[@tommy8644]

hey cuiv, do you know why it doesnt ask me to download AI model after clicking lie you did? :((

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

No idea :-( you should probably report that to the dev...

[@mikehardy8247]

How do you download the AI models?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

For me it was automatic, but you might need to go to the advanced panel on the right hand side!

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Neat.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes!

[@banday78]

It is giving error when denoising

[@johnsmith-rd9rr]

Uhm...shouldn't you use NoiseXterminator AFTER a stretch?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Not really - NXT is optimized to work at any point in the process

[@IAMDRREMULAKK]

I wish GraXpert worked with Windows 8.1. I definitely don't want to buy a whole new computer just for GraXpert.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Your PC doesn't support windows 10/11? It's good to note that Windows 8.1 has reached end of support by Microsoft so ideally you should only use it offline!

[@ManOfKent1066]

just downloaded for Mac but will not load due to security concerns!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Seems there are workarounds: www.astrobin.com/forum/c/equipment-forums/steffen-hirtle-graxpert/graxpert-for-macos-x-not-working/

[@timmoody7600]

I see GraXpert and GraXpertDenoise under Toolbox, but no GraXpert-All-in-One under Utilities

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I should have been clearer - it's either those two processes or the AIO process, you don't need both

[@craynerd]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I am the same. I think he is saying we can`t see the "All-In-One" under utilities as you have shown and I`ve updated the repositories. Which repository is it that specifically provides the All in One tool? Thank you so much for all your videos!

[@tomhoskins4913]

Noise-Pert

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

DenoiseXpert? :)

[@astrophotocologne]

hehe

[@jimmurphy6095]

Looking at the Pacman makes me want to hit the SCNR green button so hard. 😄 Nice job Cuiv. Excellent side by side tests. I would drop the Graxpert NR to around 7.75 and see how they compare for contrast and details.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yep, sounds like it would be a good compromise :-) Also I actually love the colors of SII OIII, that poor teal :-(

[@cliveroberts415]

I hope they integrate it with Siril

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yesssss! That needs to happen!

[@robj144]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek The RBF algrorithm in Siril is the GraXpert algorithm. When the GraXpert API was released a couple months ago, I thought Siril would put the whole thing in with the AI algorithm. But, I talked to Cyril (the main developer) on Cloudy Nights about that and he said they weren't going to do it then. Maybe this will change their mind though.

[@JeffHorne]

Both have their strengths…maybe I’ll start running both oh them at half of the strength that I’d normally use if I were just using one. Just get an average of the two 😂

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Hahaha or you can use both of them at normal strength on an image and its clone, and then merge them via Pix insight

[@jesuschrist2284]

Graxpert is free?

[@FrancoGrimoldi]

Very

[@jesuschrist2284]

@@FrancoGrimoldi im a noob and assumed it was a paid plugin for pixinsight :(

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes!

[@JVRost]

In my opinion they are still children compared to Topaz de Nois

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I really don't like Topaz Denoise.... I find it very hard to make it denoise without inventing additional details to the image and the results look very artificial - I can usually spot a Topaz Denoised image straight away on Facebook or Astrobin... So to me, Topaz Denoise is the child :)

[@JVRost]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek This is cool,)!! Everyone has their own children)

[@chrisoriordan6975]

The AI is just going too far - the link between the astrophotographer and the final image is nearly broken

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I disagree - denoising (and deconvolution) and painful and tedious processes that can murder your image, and I don't feel any closer to the images because I spent hours denoising and yet the image is now a mottled mess... Or manually creating star masks, ugh... I think those AI tools are incredible and when well built (like the RC Astro tools or Graxpert) they are just part of the flow.

[@robj144]

Highly disagree. Who's taking the hours of subs in the first place? Who's stretching the image?