Astro photography tool

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Ivo

Thanks for the feedback - waiting expectantly for the CCD imagers feature!!

In the meantime I can test out APT with the EOS 60Da

Cheers
Bill

Originally Posted by Yoddha

There is a new beta - 1.95 that adds support for the models 5D MkIII and 1D-X. The new version of the Canon's communication library states that it adds support for 60Da, but I don't see any changes here and also have confirmation that the current official version works fine with that model...

There are few fixes in the Darkness clock and Calculator.

The CCD functionality is not fully finished yet, so it is not included. If there are no changes in the plans the beta 1.96 will be published in Friday for initial tests with real CCDs.

[Yoddha]

Thanks Bill! Please let me know if you see any issues with 60Da I tested myself with 60D (borrowed from a local photo shop) and think that it is fine... But who knows - 60Da is different model after all

APT is closing to CCDs more and more

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Originally Posted by Yoddha

Thanks Bill! Please let me know if you see any issues with 60Da I tested myself with 60D (borrowed from a local photo shop) and think that it is fine... But who knows - 60Da is different model after all

APT is closing to CCDs more and more

Hello Ivo

Was wondering what's happening to APT for CCDs? Any more news yet?

Cheers
Bill

[Yoddha]

Hi Bill,

It was a bussy summer here... A lot of work in the office , vacation, astro-party, two more imaging sessions I'll have few more days off in the beggining of September...

Here are my best images from the summer (there are two more not uploaded yet, and two more to process) http://www.ideiki.com/astro/Author.a...ate=2012/08/15

All this left much less time to work on APT, but the development never stopped completely . There are few problems to resolve with the CCDs. When they are cleanded the new version will be complete

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Hello Ivo

Hope that you're still working and improving APT - haven't heard anymore progress re: CCD imaging functionality from APT since your last reply!

Anyway summer's over in your part of the world (it's Spring over here!) and look forward to hearing that you are indeed continuing with the improvements

Cheers
Bill

Originally Posted by Yoddha

Hi Bill,

It was a bussy summer here... A lot of work in the office , vacation, astro-party, two more imaging sessions I'll have few more days off in the beggining of September...

Here are my best images from the summer (there are two more not uploaded yet, and two more to process) http://www.ideiki.com/astro/Author.a...ate=2012/08/15

All this left much less time to work on APT, but the development never stopped completely . There are few problems to resolve with the CCDs. When they are cleanded the new version will be complete

[Yoddha]

Hi Bill,

I'm working on the UI for Histogram stretching in CCD mode. I can't think-up relayable algorithm for auto-stretching that works for all CCDs

Also there are small improvements in the DSLR part too

Hope to have a new beta version in a week or two

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Thanks Ivo

Looking forward to it!

Cheers
Bill

Originally Posted by Yoddha

Hi Bill,

I'm working on the UI for Histogram stretching in CCD mode. I can't think-up relayable algorithm for auto-stretching that works for all CCDs

Also there are small improvements in the DSLR part too

Hope to have a new beta version in a week or two

[jwoody (Jeremy)]

Gday Ivo
I have just stepped up to a CCD from my Eos 40D so I am also looking forward to your next version.
Keep up the good work with this great program
Cheers
Jeremy

[Yoddha]

Many thanks Jeremy!

[Yoddha]

APT 2.00 is coming very very soon! But I need your help by making final tests with real CCDs. The details can be found here: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/A...e/message/2363

Two more announcements:
- When APT 2.00 is released all active licenses will be extended with 6 months to compensate the long development time of this significant upgrade of APT

- As usual there will no pricing changes or surprises... But now you have a chance to get a bonus by getting your license before the launch.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

[Yoddha]

Are there Starlight Xpress, Moravian, Orion StarShooter/Parsec, Celestron Nightscape, QSI, FLI owners that want to give a try of ASCOM CCD support in APT?

[Yoddha]

There is a new beta - 1.99 (the last one I hope )

The 2.00 launch is scheduled for November 15th Don't forget that all active licenses will be extended with 6 months.

Details at : Yahoo! Groups

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Thanks Ivo, great work

[Yoddha]

Hello,
I'm very happy to announce that APT 2.00 is finally available! As you know the main focus of this version is the ASCOM CCD cameras, but there are interesting features in the DSLR part too Many thanks to all that supported this project by one or other way!

Note that there are to editions of the new version 2.00 and 2.00" (second). The second one is for the EOS cameras with Digic II. The first one is for all other Digic generations.

Here is the list of the main changes:
2012/11/15 - v.2.00 The biggest update so far
-Added: Support for ASCOM compatible CCD cameras
-Added: CCD mode of the plan editor
-Added: CCD mode of the Histogram
-Added: Darkness Clock
-Added: Deep Sky Darkness Calculator
-Added: Support for Meade focusers
-Added: "Don't dither" option per plan
-Added: New Script parameters
-Added: Usage of the latest Canon library 2.11
-Added: Support for 650D, 1Dx, 5D MkIII, 60Da
-Added: Configurable auto connection to telescope
-Added: Configurable auto connection to focuser
-Added: Configurable auto connection to filter wheel
-Added: Tabs in the settings dialog
-Added: Support for Biula Audio Trigger
-Moved: ASCOM filter wheel control is available in the demo version
-Fixed: EOS 1100D mirror locking
-Fixed: Problem with RAW only images and exposures under 1s
-Fixed: Incorrect remaining time calculation is specific situation
-Fixed: Loosing connection to PHD when PHD is restarted
-Fixed: Many small enhancements and fixes.
-Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)

[LewisM]

Brilliant, as usual! I was more than happy to donate when I first got it some time back. It is THE only DSLR program I use, and the only one I endorse. It does EVERYTHING I want it to do, and then some.

I still cannot get PHD to talk to it, but doesn't matter - I just run them totally independant of each other.

[Yoddha]

Many thanks Lewis!

To make APT to talk to PHD you have to make few steps.
- In PHD menu Tools select "Enable Server"
- In APT on Telescope tab Shift+Click on Guide button
- Enable dithering...

On next plan execution APT will send dithering commands to PHD. It is possible to experiment what parameters work best for you, but the default gives good result in most cases

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

I am currently using that configuration right at this moment.

Great that 2.00 is working. There is so much more that I should be able to do. One day I will find the time to investigate further.

Great job Ivo

Capture is NGC253, it is quite small on a 80mm 480mm FL scope but so a looker

[Yoddha]

Hi Malcolm,

Big thanks! I'm very happy to see APT in action Maybe you will share some images for the Gallery?

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by Yoddha

Many thanks Lewis!

To make APT to talk to PHD you have to make few steps.
- In PHD menu Tools select "Enable Server"
- In APT on Telescope tab Shift+Click on Guide button
- Enable dithering...

On next plan execution APT will send dithering commands to PHD. It is possible to experiment what parameters work best for you, but the default gives good result in most cases

THANK YOU Ivo. Works PERFECTLY!

[Yoddha]

You are welcome! Most glad hear that it works!