To the AstroArt users

[darrellx]

Hi All

I have been looking into moving onto some specialised image processing software. I currently use CCDStack and Photoshop, with a bit of Paintshop Pro.

My choices have been narrowed to AstroArt or PixInsight. I think AstroArt would serve my needs better.

But I am having some difficulty in finding tutorials for AA6. There are tons of them for PI and quite a few for AA5. (Well, maybe not tons, but a damn lot more than AA.)

My question - is there some resource of tutorials for AA6 somewhere? If not, is there much of a difference between AA5 and 6, such that it is still worth watching the AA5 vids? I have downloaded the trial version and gone through the Help Topics.

Thanks
Darrell

[LewisM]

I tried AA6. I didn't like it to be honest.

PI - takes some time to get used to it, but once you have a grasp, it's BLOODY GOOD. EXCEPTIONAL in fact.

[StuTodd]

Have you had a look at the excellent PRISM software package?
Try the 80 day trial for free and there are superb youtube tutorials too https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxYNkZis_hF6FvOHT2m-3vA/videos (the lack of which, put me off AstroArt).

https://www.hyperion-astronomy.com/

[theodog]

I have used AA5 through to AA6. It is my main imaging software for guiding, image acquisition and processing.
No AA6 is not so different to AA5 for tutorial purposes.

I have PixInsight but still have to refer to the tutorials every time I process an image, the process is so un-intuitive. But it's good.

For a quick, simple process of images I'd go with AA6.

[Merlin66]

+1 for AstroArt, I’ve been using it for over ten years.
The basic tutorials and the extensive help manual will get you there.
There’s an active users forum and the Developer Fabio is very responsive and will help with any issue.
Recommended.

[darrellx]

Hi All

I appreciate that PI is so well regarded for a reason. However, some time ago I did look at a demo version and I think it is something I do not have the time to devote to learning. Also, I think some of the other features in AA are something I can use.

I hadn’t heard of Prism before now. A quick search shows it has been around for a while and seems to do everything that AA does – planetarium, scope control, guiding, camera control. Maybe it would be interesting to compare.

But the AA interface, from what I have seen so far, has a familiarity that I am comfortable with.

Thanks for the suggestions

Darrell

[StuTodd]

Well, I'd certainly give Prism a whirl on the 80-day trial. Beats the god-awful MaximDl for user friendliness hands down.

If AA6 is your preferred thing, Merlin66 has been a keen advocate for the software for years, no mean recommendation!

(Have no experience with PI as I don't take pretty pictures) :)