The SkyX 10.1.10 upgrade

[PeterM]

Software Bisque have just released the latest upgrade to this great software and along with a host of bug fixes there are some really good new features that you can read about at -
http://www.bisque.com/help/TheSkyXSAEAndPro/theskyx_pro_help.htm#appendix_h_the skyx_changelog.htm
PeterM.

[Dennis]

Thanks Peter – I’m downloading this now. I hope they have an auto update for when embedded URL’s change; I recently had to manually change the Minor Planets URL in the Preferences panel as the default (target) URL at the MPC had been changed!

Cheers

Dennis

[PeterM]

Hi Dennis,
Forgot to mention is a 202 meg download (no longer an issue for most).
I am curious have you ran the upgrade, any issues? I have, The SkyX is responding painfully slowly when connected to the LX200, CCD Soft & Orchestrate. The previous version (10.1.9) was like lightning compared to this and I have placed a question on the SB site.
PeterM.

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

I’ve only updated my desktop PC version so far, not my Notebook installation which drives my mount. I’ll definitely give this a try next time out and let you know how it performs, although I only use CCDSoft at the same time, not Orchestrate.

Incidentally, I almost placed an order for the external USB hard disk drive for the gazillion USNO stars but when I cam to check out…the shipping costs were US $100!!!! So I baled out.

Cheers

Dennis

[PeterM]

I bought it and yes I paid the shipping.... People are in for a rude shock if they bring one off items from the USA. I just priced a JMI case $735 US for the case and $500 for shipping, (postage is cubed weight).

The SB external drive is a real killer on postage for its size and I questioned this but SB are only passing on the cost to them.

End result is sensational, the bulk of the data is the NOMAD catalogue (about 120gig) with stars to mag 21 as well as the UCAC 3 catalogue (another 10gig). For what we are doing its very useful.

It's a shame SB haven't licenced someone suitably equipped over here to copy it and then distribute it at a greatly reduced shipping fee, maybe there is some food for thought you could approach them and ask?

Would be good to see how your upgrade works when connected to scope and CCD Soft. I am using a Toshiba I5 M430 laptop and the prior release was very quick compared to this. There has to be something wrong as frankly it is not useful to me the way it is.

PeterM.

[Dennis]

For you dedicated supernova searchers, I guess that these tools are mandatory.

I’ve kept my Sky 6 Pro installation with my 6 GB download of USNO stars, down to around mag 19, as I only need the fainter stuff for my occasional dalliances with NEO’s when I get the opportunity to image them.

Hope that SB provides a fix real soon for your problem.

Cheers

Dennis

[PeterM]

SkyX now has another update - this time just the .exe file build 4493 at about 10meg.
This has fixed up my issue and can be downloaded from the Software Bisque site under daily builds - note; read the instructions carefully before installing.
PeterM
http://www.bisque.com/sc/media/p/45603.aspx

[Dennis]

Thanks Peter.

I noticed that when I was in “Terrestrial Sphere” mode, I had lost all my star symbology – the labels were visible but the stellar dots had disappeared.:(:shrug:

When I switched to “Celestial Sphere” mode, everything looked okay; the star symbols were visible along with their labels for all the zoom levels I tried.

Hopefully this update should fix that problem? I’m using Open GL by the way.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Oh well – that didn’t fix the problem! As well as installing the interim update, I also updated my Nvidia driver to the latest version and the stellar symbology in “Terrestrial Sphere” mode is still missing....

Cheers

Dennis

[PeterM]

Dennis just check you have the version released today (after 4493) it fixed non recognition of Open Gl otherwise sounds like a question for the SB support site. What's the easiest way to update Open Gl, is it just updating the Nividia driver, same thing? Mine is 3.2 .something at present? SkyX is heavy on graphics.
PeterM

[rogerg]

Question somewhat related about TheSky.... Can you have TheSky 6 on the same machine as TheSky X ?

I just received a copy of X and am not sure if I want to be using 6 or X, so am hoping for a dual installation.

Thanks,
Roger.

[Dennis]

Hi Peter

I downloaded the update this morning and the file data is shown as 18th Feb when I unzip the package.

In terms of updating my nVidia graphics card, I pointed my Browser at the following http address…

http://www.nvidia.co.uk/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-uk

and then selected Option 2: Automatically find drivers for my NVIDIA products for Graphics Drivers. I had to install a drive checker and it ran then downloaded the latest driver which I then installed.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Hi Roger

On my Pc, yes – I had both the Sky 6 Pro and The Sky X Pro installed at the same time, and they are essentially two separate installations that install and run independently.

I decide to remove The Sky 6 Pro as I kept using it due to familiarity, so I wasn’t learning how to use The Sky X Pro.:rolleyes:

Cheers

Dennis

[PeterM]

Hi Roger, I have both running no problem, but they are very different to each other. When I had an issue I used Sky6 as a fall back. I am now confident enough with SkyX Pro that I will probably sell the Sky6 Pro.

Dennis the latest version is 4495 (the other day it was 4493) this mornings should be the latest.

SkyX Pro has just got better and better with features that are just incredible particularly with this latest release, and the guys at SB are just superb at providing quick and knowlegeable responses.

Between the The SkyX's Bisques, Terry & Roger at Starlight XPress and our own Gary from Wildcard I don't think there would be too many others you could find who go so far out of their way to be helpful and really care for their products.

PeterM

[rogerg]

Ok, thanks. Will probably install it later today if it cools down enough outside.