Star Spikes

Add photogenic diffraction spikes to the brightest stars — the cross-pattern look of a big reflector, tunable with a live preview.

What it does

Adds artistic diffraction spikes — the four-point cross a reflector's spider vanes create — to the brightest stars. It's a purely aesthetic finishing touch that gives a refractor image that classic "big scope" look.

How to use it

Click Star Spikes in the toolbar (on a stretched image).
Adjust Length, Intensity, Number of stars and Rotation — the preview updates live.
Apply when you like it.

Subtle usually wins. A little length and intensity reads as elegant; a lot reads as artificial.

The only setting advice that matters here

Tips

It only spikes the brightest handful of stars, so the field stays clean.

Bright stars with diffraction spikes applied — Spikes on the brightest stars. Click to enlarge.

Download for macOSfree · beta