More stacking Maxim questions

[graham.hobart]

Hello (again) -having sorted out my last issue (thanks!) I now have this issue.
I am stacking LRGB +Ha and when I use the stack command it stacks the RGB as a composite and Lum data as a separate file.
I have all the filters checked and cannot work out why it leaves the Lum out.
When I try and use the colour stack command it comes up with the lum data and separate files for my rgb's but not the RGB stacked file.
I have the manual and have read this through and still can't work it out.
Thanks for any tips
Graham.

[jase]

Hi Graham,
I've not used the stack function for an LRGB combine for sometime so probably of not much help. Normally I would only use the stack function to combine each of the L,R,G,B sub framed into a master frame. Following this I would use the Colour Combine feature to combine either an RGB or LRGB. I found Colour Combine provides greater flexibility than the Stack combine features. You can read more about it here - http://www.cyanogen.com/help/maximdl/HID_COLO_COMBINETRIC.htm

A word of caution, if the data is already aligned in the stacking process (which it normally would be), then there is no need to align it again with Colour Combine. Avoid realigning data as you risk losing resolution due to additional bicubic resampling the alignment process introduces.

Just as a side note, a straight LRGB combine may sound a good idea but you will probably want to tweak the luminance before it is combined with the RGB data, such as run deconvolution, minor DDP stretch or similar to get the data looking as sharp and detailed as possible. The RGB on the other hand can be of lesser resolution. Here the primary task at hand is to ensure minimal colour noise, gradients and casts. For these reasons, luminance data is typically added to the RGB at a later stage.

[Tandum]

Graham, what version maxim do you have? Newest is 5.24 and the combine options have changed with that version.

[graham.hobart]

I have Maxim DL 5 it's approximately 2 years old- I don't have my astro computer here so can't check version.
I wonder whether it would be worth getting a newer version?
I use it a lot- for two camera control/ scope control/ planetarium and also guiding.
Having said that -I have Pixinsight on my Mac which I have yet to get my head around- have bought the intro dvd to watch at some point.

[jase]

If the current version works for you why change? Version 5 brought major improvements but the differences between say 5.10 to 5.24 have been minor. A few new features and bug fixes but as a whole the core processing tool set remains unchanged.

[graham.hobart]

I sorted it out, it was a simple oversight. On the stacking right hand click menus when you scroll down to "set list" or set group I think, Luma was ticked as mono. I just changed the groups to LRGB and hey presto!

I upgraded to the new version anyway as was only $60 for the new one. And I love the Maxpoint auto calibration runs, works lovely with the PMX and QSI and TSX.
:thumbsup: