Changelog

Beta versions

Version 4.x

4.0.0b28

  • this is a major release ! please try out in a separate work folder for test! for 2024 Hardware, please use the 3.2.5 or later firmware! MW4 will normally support only the latest 3 python versions.

  • add: support for python 3.12 and 3.14, remove 3.7 - 3.11

  • add: native support for Macs with Apple silicon

  • add: windows automatic generation of Desktop link file for MW4 including dpi / scale parameters

  • add: macOS automatic generation of .app bundle for MW4 including dpi / scale parameters

  • add: linux automatic generation of .desktop file for MW4 including dpi / scale parameters

  • add: show free disk space of work dir in the status bar

  • add: comets / asteroids uploads now without 10micron installer

  • add: support uploading mechanism for databases for macos and linux

  • add: support for comet and asteroid data in extended downloads

  • add: age parameter for MPC SAT databases before auto download

  • add: split Satellite window into satellite world map and satellite horizon view

  • add: support for extended json files for satellite data (new format)

  • add: support for boltwood file reading

  • add: support for compressed / uncompressed xisf files for image display (simple versions)

  • add: support for compressed fits files for image display (gzip, bzip2)

  • add: support for NINA alpaca devices, please install Alpaca plugin for NINA and enable in settings.

  • add: new way of defining build point along celestial paths

  • add: all settings are now available in separate windows -> easier to find and better overview

  • add: GUI settings support transparency of windows if needed in all color modes

  • add: new transparent mode for windows -> alpha value could be set 0..1

  • add: volume setting for sound effects in settings, enable / disable sound effects in settings

  • add: support for new 2024 HW - disabling WOL if not supported

  • add: support for new 2024 HW - enabling auto power on setting if supported

  • add: support for status of GPS module with PPS capability (no PPS functionality)

  • improve: faster calculation of satellite track using internal calculations

  • improve: faster handling of satellite sorting and filtering

  • improve: reworked filter set with clear behavior auf selections

  • improve: faster and more reliable uploading mechanism for databases

  • improve: celestrak interface url’s and retrieval strategy

  • improve: optimized poll settings

  • improve: refraction update only when needed

  • improve: reduced cpu memory size of app

  • improve: faster startup time

  • improve: faster database loading

  • improve: better visibility of editable fields

  • improve: better status information

  • improve: optimizing material look & feel for simulator

  • improve: don’t delete message list when color change

  • improve: rewrite of the online documentation

  • improve: no 10micron installer needed anymore for object data

  • improve: schedule and threads in waiting times (slow machines)

  • improve: change from complicated json dump to YAML format for config file

  • improve: more detailed earth map in satellite view

  • improve: optimized GUI (imaging settings together ect.)

  • improve: environment devices (now 4 generic ones), online and boltwood are generic

  • change: moving PyQt5 to major PySide6

  • change: moving libraries to latest versions

  • change: plate solving features more reliable

  • change: database handling for MPC files

  • change: move INDI support to indipyclient library

  • change: move ASCOM / ALPACA support to official Alpyca library

  • change: move installer to separate repo (InstallerMW4) - for v4 not needed anymore, but still available for v3.x

  • remove: old windows automation as it is not needed anymore

  • remove: embedded documentation and replace with online link

  • remove: automation of 10micron installer, replaced with web interface

  • remove: updater for MW4 (use uv installer instead)

  • remove: automatic profile conversion from x.x to 4.x (too complex)

  • remove: blending profiles as it did not work so far.

  • remove: native support for NINA (replaced by ALPACA Pluging on NINA)

  • fix: typos