Astro Tools is a Photoshop plugin for astrophotography that brings your astrophotography workflow into a clear user interface: presets, sliders, live preview, mask-based adjustments, and popular tools such as the Starglow effect and much more—for consistent results in less time.

Astro Tools – the Photoshop plugin for astrophotography

With Astro Tools—the Photoshop plugin for astrophotography —you can bring the most important steps in editing your astrophotos into a clean, fast Photoshop panel. Instead of searching for actions or clicking through layer setups, you control your look directly via buttons, sliders, and presets —including live preview on a selection so you can quickly test effects without having to calculate the entire image each time.

Why Astro Tools?

• Fast workflow: Frequently used astro tools in one central location

• Presets + Fine Tuning: Start with Low/Medium/High presets and adjust precisely

• Live preview on selection: Perfect for large files and clean comparisons

• Mask workflows: Selectively edit (e.g., sky/regions) without rebuilding each time

• Consistent look: Repeatable results and clear, structured output

Who is Astro Tools designed for?

For anyone who wants to get the most out of Photoshop —from first deep sky edits to advanced workflows. Especially helpful if you want to save time but still need a clean layer structure and controllable results.

Included tools

Version 1.0.0 comes with the following astro tools:

• Star mask – quickly select stars and use them as a mask

• Star Glow – controlled glow for bright stars

• Star Reduction – Reduce stars (2 methods) for calmer star fields

• Starless Workflow – Create a starless layer, optionally with a star layer

• Milky Way Details – more structure/details across multiple detail levels

• Contrast + Color Boost – quick contrast boost plus optional color boost

• Arcsinh Stretch – color-preserving stretch with contrast/boost control

• Orton Effect – soft glow/finish for a "magical" look

• Simple adjustments – exposure, contrast, saturation, shadows, highlights...

• Noise reduction – Selective noise reduction with masks

• Settings – Language, Slider Memory, Debug Logs & Reset Options

Existing tools are provided with ongoing updates to eliminate bugs or problems and to add new features.  

Updates & Plan for the Future

This plugin will be continuously improved, checked for errors, and updated with new features. Every time you start Photoshop, it will check for a new version to download so that you always have the latest version.

IMPORTANT: Major updates, such as a switch to version 2.0.0, may require a small additional fee in the future. More information will be provided to users as needed!

Compatibility & further information

• Adobe Photoshop (UXP Plugin) - Latest version of Photoshop is recommended

• Non-destructive workflow

• The plugin language is German and English (default)

• Results vary depending on the source material, processing, and tool settings.

• Two activations per license are possible, so you can work on your workstation at home or on the go with your laptop!