Just want to know what your thoughts are on this program. I have download a trail ver and I have only used it for flats, because it works so well. It seems to be quite full on program to use. I'm seriously thinking of getting a commercial license. With the unfortunate sky conditions I have, CS5 is not cutting it for me.
Tried it just recently (I like the gradient removal capability). Alas, to me, the user interface is just diabolical!! Definitely not intuitive. Makes my feeble brain hurt!!
I think I'll stick with CCDStack 2 and PS CS5 + plugins.
If you can get past the unusual user interface, limited formal documentation (but some great tutorials) and steep learning curve, PI contains many great tools for astronomical image processing.
I have tried CCDStack and Maxim for processing as well and much prefer PI (although I still use CCDStack for visually checking subs and doing quick & dirty integrations while in the field.)
Thanks all for your thoughts. David ill check out Harry's page, I think ill need the help I can get haha. I'm going to continue the 45 days and really get to know the program interface, and boy there's just so many setting.
When I have a look at some of the great captures on the forum, most of the time it been with the help of this software. Now just need some of those beautiful nights
I do like PI. Definitely "different" to use. I'm certainly only scratching the surface of what it can do. There are lots of tutorials and processing workflows out there, just takes a while to work your way through them and get your head around it all. I think one of it's biggest problems is the alternative terminology vs other programs.
There are a few tools in PI alone that make it worth the money, even if you don't do all your processing in there. Takes a while to come to grips, but capable to truely impressive results. Not the fastest way to get a final image, but very hard to beat the output if done well.
You need to drop any preconceived ideas about interfaces. Think of it as a toolbox of linear and non-linear implements. Select the correct tool for the job.
i don't understand why everyone keeps complaining about the interface... maybe it's because i'm a linux man
anyway, i've only had the trial for a week or so, but i'm in love with this software. Night and day compared with the results from my previous workflow, as shown. (And it runs natively under Linux!)
Yep great program, coughed up the money for it. The STF tool is godly for a quick "view" of the image.
The program is well programmed and makes use of all 8 cores and a large chunk of my 16gb of RAM. First program that has legitimately been able to max all cores!
The user interface is different, yet very powerful. The ability to drag tools to other tools (STF to Histogram for instance) or quickly save the config to a work area is very handy.
I tried using Photoshop and got average results. Switched to PI and got amazing results considering the data.
Yes that is one of the reasons I had a serious look at AA v5. It is supposed to be pretty good, it will also control DSLR's and CCD's and will guide too. Apparently also works ok on ageing PC's.
Definitely not intuitive. Makes my feeble brain hurt!!
