Astro photography tool

[Yoddha]

Hello,

The first update for the year is here Bellow you can see the new things, but allow me to highlight few of them. The vertical plan execution is very useful for HRD imaging of eclipses or optimizing the data gathering with filter wheels. The images naming and grouping is reworked, so take a look in the Settings. Added is Sky Quality tracking feature that you may want to explore

2015/02/26 - v.2.80 New features and bug fixes
- Added: Unihedron Sky Quality Meter devices integration
- Added: Vertical plan execution
- Added: CCD Flats Aid
- Added: Reworked images naming (combination of 13 options)
- Added: Reworked images storing folders (combination of 8 options)
- Added: Manual entry of Sky Quality estimation
- Added: The newest Canon library (2.15)
- Added: Support for EOS 7D Mk II
- Added: Added support for the latest TemperHum model
- Added: Graph Panel re-opening on APT start
- Added: Guide star distance Graph
- Added: Sky Quality Graph
- Added: Sky Quality NELM (V) to/from MPSAS (B) convertor
- Added: Double click switches between "Preview On" and "Preview On 1:1"
- Added: Added %Lat%, %Long%, %SQM% parameters
- Added: SBIG & QSI now ignore "ASCOM wheel auto connect" option
- Added: Possibility to select the SBIG camera USB port
- Added: Background FITS saving
- Added: Sky Quality value saving in FITS header
- Added: Added EOS 750D/760D and EOS 5Ds/5Ds R in the object calculator

- Fixed: Bug in Meridian Flip Clock
- Fixed: Bug in Cross moving in CCD mode
- Fixed: Object Name was not kept during sessions
- Fixed: QHY LiveView is crashing with AstroTortilla
- Fixed: Bug on EOS Camera Disconnect
- Fixed: Bug in storing southern hemisphere site coordinates in FITS
- Fixed: Fixed "Shift+Drag" scrolling in resized mode
- Fixed: Other UI bugs
- Fixed: Various fixes here and there

- Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)

[SimmoW (SIMON)]

Thank you for such a wonderful product Ivo, and even greater thanks for working with Sony, can't wait to try your product with my A7s!

[Yoddha]

Thank you for your kind words Simon!

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Hi Ivo, I've got a 450D which I am currently using with BYE but I have just found this and downloaded the demo, very nice piece of work.

Now I'm quite happy with BYE, I don't do complicated imaging sessions and it is easy to use and works well for my setup but I have a 24mega pixel SONY SLT A77v sitting around I'd love to use more effectively. It already has proven more than capable but the lack of focussing aids and PC control makes it a bit of a mission to use.

So I'm keeping an eye on this software for now, I'll try it with the 450D anyway to get familiar with it but as Simon says I can't wait to try it with my SONY gear ( fingers crossed !! )

[Yoddha]

Thank you Brent!

[Yoddha]

There was a small bug in the AstroTortilla integration when is used Canon EOS. If you use AstroTortilla and EOS camera please download 2.81. The CCD part is not affected.

Apologies for the inconvenience!

[speach (Simon)]

Have just started using eqmod, and was surprised what was available in APT lots, lots of goodies. With APT and Pixinsight I can get rid of all the other programmes. Thanks yoddha

[Yoddha]

Many thanks Simon! What makes me happy is to know that APT is in help

[Yoddha]

Hello,

A small update was released. It addresses mainly some bugs and especially one very strange that caused crashing when Focus Aid is used on some computers. I would suggest to update your APT to 2.82 in order to be sure that you ready for the next imaging session

2015/03/20 - v.2.82 Bug fixes

- Added: Support for focus offsets with relative focusers

- Fixed: On some PCs Focus Aid crashes
- Fixed: Crash when empty Vertical plan is saved
- Fixed: Brackets in DSLR file names when EXIF is not used
- Fixed: EXIF temperature reading for 1200D

[Yoddha]

Hello,

I have the great pleasure to announce that version 2.90 of APT is available There are exciting new features powered by plate-solving technology. My favorite is the possibility to frame an object with simple mouse click. No more wasted time in playing with the mount to place the object where you want it

Here is a short clip that was made by Jokai Andras during the beta tests. It shows this feature in action!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUyvgZb8H2A&feature=youtu.b e

As usual there is a list of the changes:

2015/05/21 - v.2.90 New features and bug fixes
- Added: Integration of PlateSolve2 (2.28 or later) made by PlaneWave Instruments
- Added: PointCraft for image plate solving (in Gear Tab)
- Added: Aim mode in PointCraft to allow object framing by clicking in solved image
- Added: GoTo++ mode in PointCraft to allow GoTo with plate solving confirmation
- Added: Possibility to store PointCraft result in Object Browser (full version only)
- Added: Smart RA/Dec controls to allow input in any format
- Added: 27 keyboard shortcuts (point "?" button to see the list in tooltip balloon)
- Added: FITS Header viewer (in Img Tab)
- Added: Higher CCD Compatibility setting
- Added: Log file can't become bigger than 5MB
- Added: Minor improvements here and there

- Moved: ASCOM telescope control is available in the demo version
- Moved: DARV is available in the demo version
- Moved: Meridian Flip Clock is available in the demo version
- Moved: APT dithering without guiding program is available in the demo version
- Moved: Advanced telescope GoTo - Alt/Az available in the demo version
- Moved: Advanced telescope GoTo - Alt/Az offset for AstroTotrilla polar alignment available in the demo version
- Moved: Advanced telescope GoTo - RA/Dec offset available in the demo version

- Fixed: On some PCs Focus Aid crashes
- Fixed: Deep Sky Darkness (DSD) calculator can't be closed in some situations
- Fixed: DARV crash when aid is closed without use
- Fixed: Warning messages in Log panel when SBIG camera is used
- Fixed: AutoFocusing is not stopping when max attempts count is reached
- Fixed: Various fixes here and there

- Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)

Please take a look on the User’s Guide for instructions about downloading and installing the PlateSolve2 application. The process is quite easy

[g__day (Matthew)]

Hi Ivo,

Just read your e-mail and say the impressive new feature list - well done! Keen to try out the latest version when the skies stop pouring down in Sydney!

Best regards,

Matthew

[Yoddha]

Many thanks Matthew!

Here we have quite green spring delivered by quite good amount of rain

[Yoddha]

Hello,

There is a small update available with fixes and few additions. Make sure that you have this version on your imaging computer in order to get the best from APT

2015/07/31 - v.2.91 Small update
- Added: Auto button in PointCraft that makes Shoot->Get Scope Pos->Solve->Sync
- Added: ROI can be selected with left mouse click
- Added: ROI size 1/16 from the sensor size
- Added: New PointCraft setting - Use EOS Crop factor (disabled by default)
- Changed: CCD Shoot button will not make Dithering to prevent problems in PointCraft
- Fixed: Bug in Custom objects when line is imported from AsimoPlan
- Fixed: GoTo++ Stop doesn't allow to stop exposure
- Fixed: GoTo++ Stop keeps asking to Sync
- Fixed: GoTo++ disables the plan start button
- Fixed: PointCraft can give false error on slow PC
- Fixed: "Stop" buttons icon in Gear tab
- Fixed: Bug when objects scale is enabled and PointCraft is started
- Fixed: Rare Magnifier crashing
- Fixed: MetaGuide dithering problem

[Yoddha]

Hello,

The coming APT v3.0 made me look back and see the long way walked since its start in year 2009. The released 44 updates pushed this project to levels that had been just in my dreams and which are opening path for many interesting additions in future. A lot of time, efforts and support had been invested so I hope that in this context it will not be unfair to make the first price update in the APT history (http://www.ideiki.com/astro/History.aspx).

APT v3.0 is expected in late September or early October and the price of the full version will be 18.70 EUR. The renewal fee remains unchanged – 6 EUR and gives additional year of updates. For everybody that supported APT till v3.0 release there will not be any changes!

[jwoody (Jeremy)]

Hello Ivo
I think a small price rise to only 18.70 EUR is perfectly acceptable for such a comprehensive and well supported program.
Best of luck and looking forward to APT v3.0.
Cheers
Jeremy

[Yoddha]

Thank you Jeremy!

[lazjen (Chris)]

I agree with Jeremy, no problems with the price.

If we already have v2.x now, do we pay 6 EUR to upgrade to v3.0 or 18.70 EUR?

[Yoddha]

Thanks Chris,

If your key is still active when 3.0 is released then there is no need to pay anything. If it is expired then renewal is 6 EUR

The change is only for the new APT supporters.

[Yoddha]

There is an official beta version Please help to find if there are bugs or share your opinion for the new features that are coming in APT 3.0

All details are here - http://aptforum.com/phpbb/viewtopic....1&p=3381#p3381

[g__day (Matthew)]

Hey Ivo,

Download as 13.6MB okay - but when I click on it to install - its asks run program then everything just hangs - tried 3 times from two seperate downloads on a Windows 7 64 bit PC.

Matt