Automating CCD soft with filter focus changes

[cventer]

I recently discovered the filters on my new camera are not par focal.

They vary from -1 to +3 robofocus steps. Does not sound much but at f5 it makes a massive difference in focusing.

Being frustrated that ccdsoft was not able to automate focus change between filter changes I looked into ccdsoft scripting and wrote a script that will do this for you.

I know there are complex and expensive apps like ACP and CCD commander that do this and much more but if you want a simple script to image one object and adjust focus between filters then you are welcome to use this script which is attached as a zip file to this post.

All I ask is that if you use it comment here. And if you improve it , repost it here for others to use and update the version history

I also highly recommend you download and install the free Autodither plug in which will dither your images between each exposure.

To use it you input into the script using notepad or editor of your choice, the target name, the number of exposures, the camera temp set point, the exposure sequence, the delay between exposures and the binning mode.

You also tell it the delta in focus for each of your filters.

'The script will then automate CCDSoft for you. Autosave your images, Adjust focus between filters and shut down when done.

The script assumes you already have CCDSoft running, have a guide star acquired and are focused at the Filter you used to determine your filter offsets. E.g. if you started on Lum filter then determined your offsets for other filters from Lum, then you should always start this script with Lum filter focused.

To start it just unzip the file ImageSequence.vbs in a folder of your choosing and double click it. Windows Scripting host will start the file.

The only sign its running is the log file will start getting entries in it and CCDSoft will start taking images after the specified delay time.

'I highly reccomend Notepad++ a free download for editing this script.