FocusMax problem

[rogerg (Roger)]

Hi all,

I have for been using FocusMax together with my RoboFocus successfully for something like a year, until recently.

I have changed my image train so have cleared the FocusMax profile to start again, but am having problems building up the focus model. I don't understand why.

When I start the "first light wizard" it comes up with a message saying "No slopes values entered - can not update Focus Start position". I don't understand this.

It then proceeds to attempt building a v-curve but fails, it just stops at some point with no message. Below is a log extract from the entire run.

Any ideas?

21:50:49 No slopes values entered - can not update Focus Start position
21:50:50 Starting Auto V Curve Sequence
21:50:50 No slopes values entered - can not update Focus Start position
21:50:51 ** Beginning Auto Vcurve run **
21:50:55 Start Find Star Exposure
21:51:04 Target star found
21:51:04 Focus exposures will be 0.11 sec
21:51:04 492 , 8.2621 , , 480115
21:51:08 Single Exp. HFD: 5.53 @ 492 X: 364 Y: 206 Flux: 393218
21:51:12 Single Exp. HFD: 5.80 @ 492 X: 365 Y: 206 Flux: 441150
21:51:16 Single Exp. HFD: 5.34 @ 491 X: 365 Y: 206 Flux: 442792
21:51:21 Single Exp. HFD: 4.66 @ 489 X: 362 Y: 206 Flux: 471191
21:51:26 Single Exp. HFD: 5.18 @ 485 X: 362 Y: 206 Flux: 457314
21:51:31 Single Exp. HFD: 4.80 @ 477 X: 361 Y: 207 Flux: 415840
21:51:36 Single Exp. HFD: 3.99 @ 461 X: 363 Y: 207 Flux: 449118
21:51:41 Single Exp. HFD: 3.17 @ 429 X: 361 Y: 208 Flux: 452359
21:51:46 Single Exp. HFD: 4.23 @ 365 X: 364 Y: 209 Flux: 450797
21:51:53 Single Exp. HFD: 11.52 @ 244 X: 364 Y: 211 Flux: 406397
21:51:58 Single Exp. HFD: 13.79 @ 184 X: 367 Y: 212 Flux: 453916
21:52:03 Single Exp. HFD: 17.01 @ 128 X: 367 Y: 213 Flux: 427612
21:52:08 Single Exp. HFD: 20.15 @ 72 X: 368 Y: 214 Flux: 425608
21:52:13 Single Exp. HFD: 21.68 @ 16 X: 369 Y: 215 Flux: 365394

Thanks,
Roger.

[jase (Jason)]

Hi Roger,
I too have recieved a similar error, but it does not stop the focuser in recalibrating the v-curve in FocusMax. I have only used one profile (same imaging train all the time), so can't comment about settings for multiple profiles.

I will try to simulate your fault, though am waiting on the Robofocus controller to be returned from the US for repair (I fried the electronics).

The only thing I can suggest is attempting to reset your old curve. I believe there is a menu option to achieve this. I would suggest emailing either Larry Weber larryweber@idsi.net or Steve Bradysebrady@adelphia.net
They are very helpfull.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Thanks for replying Jase...

Unfortunately in the struggle and confusion to get it working again, I actually erased my old profile along with all its v-curve information. I didn't realise then that I could set up completely independent systems, not just independent v-curves. It would be nice if I could restore back to that point where I had at least something working.. oh well.

Thanks for the suggestion of emailing the authors, just prior I had sent an email to Larry and do have a reply, suggesting one thing. He has suggested changing the HFD to a value lower than the default 40, perhaps 15 or 20. And change the value of WizardVCurveStartHFD to the same 15 or so. I will give it a shot when the skies clear, unfortunately last night, tonight and the next couple of nights look cloudy and rainy.

You are right, they seem helpful, he replied to me very promptly and seems friendly. Hopefully the issue will be sorted out soon.

For future reference if anyone reads this in the future... WizardVCurveStartHFD is specified in C:\Program Files\FocusMax\DefaultSystem.ini

Roger.