GraXpert adds AI noise reduction

The free gradient removal tool GraXpert has added AI-based noise reduction. Like with the background correction option, the tool is very simple to use. There is essentially one parameter to dial in and that is the strength. There is an option called ‘batch size’, but that only influences the number of tiles the system will be working on simultaneously. This may influence speed, but not image quality.

For PixInsight users, also new is the availability to run GraXpert as a process rather than a script. The team that is developing the process is a different one than the GraXpert developers themselves. So if you want to install it, you need to add a separate repository. The benefits of the process is that both functions are in one UI. Also you will have a preview option for the denoise function. The preview function does not work for background extraction.

Compared to NoiseXTerminator, at first glance the results seem rather comparable. GraXpert appears to take a bit more time and does not have an equivalent of the ‘details’ slider. But GraXpert remains free for everyone to use, a major bonus of course.

To install GraXpert as a stand-alone application, follow the links on their homepage.

To install it in PixInsight, add the following repositories in the Resources/Updates section:
Individual scripts: https://www.ideviceapps.de/PixInsight/Utilities/
Process including both functions: https://pixinsight.deepskyforge.com/update/graxpert-process/

Note that when you install the individual scripts, you will get a whole toolbox with many valuable tools, so it is worthwhile installing that anyway, even if you plan to use GraXpert only through the process function.

To get a demo on how the updated tool works, there are YouTube instruction videos in English and German.