What CieloStitch is for
CieloStitch helps you combine overlapping images into one larger scene. It is especially useful for solar and lunar mosaics, but it can also work well for terrestrial or nightscape captures when the panels are consistent.
Who it is for
This workflow is a good fit if you prefer a desktop interface, have a group of overlapping images, and want to build a single stitched result without scripting the process yourself.
What you need before you begin
- Overlapping panels: Neighboring images need enough shared detail to match reliably.
- Consistent captures: Similar focus, scale, orientation, and exposure make stitching easier.
- Enough memory: Larger mosaics are easier to handle on systems with more RAM and fast storage.
- A small first test: Start with a manageable panel set before trying a very large mosaic.
Your first mosaic in a few steps
- Open CieloStitch and load the image panels that belong to one mosaic.
- Pick an engine: Auto for the safest default, Simple for a lightweight quick stitch, or Cielo for the full custom pipeline.
- Check that the panels look consistent and cover the same subject area.
- Choose the profile and basic settings that match your subject and capture style.
- Run the stitch and inspect the result for missing areas, visible seams, or bad alignment.
- Make small adjustments if needed, then export when the result looks coherent.
A practical first baseline
- Start with Auto engine if you are unsure. It tries the Simple engine first and can fall back to the full Cielo pipeline.
- Use Resolve before you start making manual tweaks.
- Use cylindrical projection only for wide horizontal sweeps such as landscapes or Milky Way arches.
- Try Homography or APAP only if simpler alignment models are too rigid for the scene.
What to check before stitching
- Coverage: Do your panels cover the full scene you want to stitch?
- Overlap: Does each panel share enough detail with the next one?
- Consistency: Are the panels similar enough in orientation and capture conditions?
- Source quality: If the input data is weak, no setting can fully rescue it.
Where to go next
If you need platform or hardware guidance, open Installation & Requirements. If you want to understand why some data stitches well and some does not, open How It Works. If you want a quick tour of newer features, open Release Highlights. If something goes wrong, head to Troubleshooting.