M31 Final version

[steviemac500]

So i think i solved the issue with my stars by increasing/decreasing the sigma values in the BPP in Pixinsight. Much happier with this version. Total around 16hrs of 300s. Roughly half and half L and RGB with 50 bias (now at the correct temperature), flats on each channel and darks. Hope you like it - comments and criticism welcomed as always.

Steve

http://astrob.in/273617/0/

[ollypenrice]

Nice gentle processing. For me the black point could come in a couple of points. (I rarely say this because I don't like an overly darks sky.)

Olly

[steviemac500]

Thanks Olly. In always so careful about clipping it's hard to know what's too much? I'm really pleased I got the star issue pretty much sorted though. 

[Xplode]

Like Olly said you should change the black point a little to get a darker background.

There's definitely a lot of details you can get out here with a little more processing 

[steppenwolf]

Lovely image but I agree with the others over the black point but you are right to be cautious - try moving the black point 30 points in 3 increments of 10.

[wimvb]

Nice you got the star issue sorted. It turned out very well

As for black point. Since you used BPP in PI, I assume you did the rest of your processing in PI as well. So for the black point: in the HistogramTransform tool move the black slider to just before you start clipping any pixels. If you use the preview tool (circle at bottom left of almost any tool), you generally get a good impression when to stop

But as an alternative you could try doing a curve stretch, using an S-shaped curve. Select the L-icon in curvetransformation.

When you've come this far, you can start experimenting with increasing contrast and fine adjustments of dark, middle and bright areas; the real fun of processing.

Cheers,