MaskedStretch - black ring in stars?

[ctemple]

Just started to use the new MaskedStretch tool and noticed when I zoom into the brighter stars, they have black rings in the center.  Here I have attached the result, along with a "normal" HT stretch.  This image is an HDR composition, but the black holes do not exist after the HDR composition.  I have also attached the settings used with the MS tool.  Any idea how to prevent this from happening?

Thanks in advance!
- C&T

Stars using normal HT


Stars using MaskedStretch


MaskedStretch settings

[georg.viehoever]

Probably the same as http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=6639.msg45029#msg45029

[ctemple]

Thanks Georg.  We looked at that thread already and tried that...didn't work 

The funny thing is, we went back to the MaskedStretch "script" and it doesn't leave the black holes, however that script causes ringing.

The new MaskedStretch tool is much faster and simpler, but we cannot find settings to prevent the black holes.

- C&T

[Juan Conejero]

If you upload the image, we can try to find the cause of this problem.

[ctemple]

Thanks Juan.  The image is here: http://cnttemple.astrophotogallery.org/PI-Img/M42_Ha_HDR.fit

Best,
- C&T

[Juan Conejero]

This image needs much more than 100 iterations. Try with 1000 iterations, which is the maximum allowed for now. In the next version of MS, we'll increase this limit to something like 10,000.

After MS, HDRMultiscaleTransform with 5 layers and lightness mask enabled does wonders. Very nice HDR composition!

[ctemple]

Thanks Juan!  That worked great!
- C&T