Astro photography tool - Page 20

Merlin66 (Ken) · #**381** 04-09-2014, 03:38 PM

I'm investigating the use of APT as a means of doing "remote" spectroscopy...
I also use AstroPlanner to generate observing lists....
I've downloaded APT to see if it can help.
Just a comment:
It may be easier/ better to separate the DSLR/ CCD options etc. and re-write the users manual - one version (or complete section) only on DSLR control and a separate (or complete section) only on CCD control.
I accept people may use either or both, but when concentrating say on CCD control there's a lot of DSLR "noise" to dig through...
Just my 2c

Merlin66 (Ken) · #**382** 04-09-2014, 04:32 PM

I see from the APT group messages there was an issue with APT "talking" to the latest PHDV2.3...
Has this now been resolved?

Yoddha · #**383** 04-09-2014, 04:36 PM

Hi Ken,

Thank you for your interest and suggestions I'm putting them into my To-Do list

About the PHD 2.3, as I know there is no problem with the communication between APT and PHD. The issues is with the Guide button on the Gear tab. It is expected when you click on it the PHD to get to foreground. I'll fix this for the next release.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #**384** 04-09-2014, 04:44 PM

Ivo,
Thanks for the prompt reply....
I'll do some work with APT and various CCD cameras (ATiK16ic, ATiK314L, for imaging and QHY5IIL(mono), Lodestar for guiding) over the weekend.
Are the any sample scripts available for taking multiple subs of each object on an observing list (say generated by AstroPlanner), guiding during the subs (PHD2) then GOTO moving to the next object - repeat until end of list???

Yoddha · #**385** 04-09-2014, 05:16 PM

At this stage it is not possible to make such automation

The problem is in the part where APT has to stop guiding and then to start it again on other target...

Amaranthus (Barry) · #**386** 04-09-2014, 05:44 PM

Yoddha, is there any chance of getting APT working with AstroTortilla plate solving, for auto-centring of targets?

Yoddha · #**387** 04-09-2014, 06:03 PM

Hi Barry,

The integration with AT is already implemented

As well as dithering with MetaGuide

Amaranthus (Barry) · #**388** 04-09-2014, 08:21 PM

Fantastic Ivo, I'll have to read the manual in detail it seems. Looks like this is going to be my next camera capture tool

Yoddha · #**389** 04-09-2014, 08:43 PM

Many thanks Barry!

If I can be in help, just drop a line here or in the APT's forum

Yoddha · #**390** 21-09-2014, 04:00 PM

Hello,

I’m very happy to announce that the first version of APT with built-in Auto-Focus feature is now available

The tests show very-good results, but I’ll be tankful if you share feedback at www.aptforum.com, here or by email. This will be in help to make it better.

Here is the complete log:

2014/09/19 - v.2.60 New features and bug fixes
- Added: Auto Focusing Aid for ASCOM focusers (see the User's Guide)
- Added: Dither on # images option (Guide dialog box)
- Added: PHD connection port definition (Guide dialog box)
- Added: New images folder after midnight option (Settings->Advanced)
- Added: Bind Magnifier to Focus Aid option to allow focusing star magnification
- Added: Support QSI wheel profiles (Gear->Wheel Settings)
- Added: In CCD mode automatic use of the shortest exposure in Bias plans
- Added: In CCD histogram left double click moves the point to the border
- Added: Cooling Aid can make small warming
- Added: The different APT instances now store separate set of configurations
- Added: DARV allows to use x2 East speed
- Added: Support for MGen firmware 2.11+
- Added: Filter name is visible in the Status panel
- Added: Click on Gear->Guide will find the PHD2 window

- Fixed: In CCD histogram Fine/Coarse movements
- Fixed: CCD preview was making unwanted vertical flip
- Fixed: Various fixes here and there

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

lazjen (Chris) · #**391** 22-09-2014, 07:54 AM

I just updated my license again and look forward to trying out the auto focus routine sometime. I've been using APT recently (I think I was on 2.50) with the SBig camera and it's been working quite well.

Yoddha · #**392** 22-09-2014, 03:43 PM

Hi Chis,

Thank you for your support! If I can be in help, just let me know

Yoddha · #**393** 06-12-2014, 02:16 AM

Hello,

Few days before the Full Moon APT 2.70 is here, so there is enough time to update your imaging computer, to look around and prepare for the next round of dark skies time (if the weather decide to provide clear sky somewhere in this world). As you can see, fixed are some things, but more important added are some long awaited features. The main one is the upgrade of our trusty dithering option to a complete Dithering System that allows synchronizing multiple cameras and in the same time to use the benefits of the dithering

As usual the log:

2014/12/04 - v.2.70 New features and bug fixes
- Added: Dithering in multi-camera setup (See Section XXVII)
- Added: Dark Flats plans type
- Added: ASCOM Rotators support
- Added: Small cross to mark CMOS center in 5x and 10x Zoom
- Added: Shift+Double Click to center zoom window
- Added: Settings Backup/Restore
- Added: Enable/Disable telescope tracking (full version only)
- Added: Advanced telescope GoTo - Alt/Az (full version only)
- Added: Advanced telescope GoTo - Alt/Az offset for AstroTotrilla polar alignment (full version only)
- Added: Advanced telescope GoTo - RA/Dec offset (full version only)
- Added: Better multi cameras connection control. Now CCD can be primary, EOS secondary
- Added: Minimize button in window mode
- Added: All buttons that have Shift+Click action are marked with "+"
- Added: Workaround of ASCOM driver problem causing LiveView to hang with QHY22 and maybe other QHY models

- Fixed: Filter's focus offset not used in plan
- Fixed: SBIG Frame/Focusing plans not showing image
- Fixed: Bug in CCD bias plans
- Fixed: Bug in Meridian Flip Clock
- Fixed: Bug for EOS 5D Mk1 and maybe other models with B dial mode
- Fixed: Fix in the MGen 2.12 support
- Fixed: Other UI bugs
- Fixed: Various fixes here and there

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

Yoddha · #**394** 08-12-2014, 08:17 PM

A small bug was found and fixed. The site was updated with version 2.71.

The bug was that multi line plans were not executed in CCD mode. The EOS part of APT is not affected, so us you don’t use CCD you can skip the fix.

If you use CCD please download the update in order to use the full functionality related to the Plans.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Yoddha · #**395** 23-12-2014, 01:03 AM

Happy holidays! Let the new year bring us many positive moments and clear nights

Yoddha · #**396** 14-02-2015, 07:17 PM

APT just turned five!

Happy Birthday APT

Thank you for your support and help during all these years!

Amaranthus (Barry) · #**397** 14-02-2015, 07:43 PM

Congrats Ivo, it's a fantastic collection of tools. Love APT.

lazjen (Chris) · #**398** 14-02-2015, 11:13 PM

Got to agree - good application and versatile.

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #**399** 15-02-2015, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoddha

APT just turned five!

Happy Birthday APT

Thank you for your support and help during all these years!

Gratz Ivo, well done on the software advancements. Hope to see some more revolutionary adaptations in the future.

Yoddha · #**400** 15-02-2015, 04:15 AM

Thank you my friends! Really you support made possible APT to become what it is. Version 1.0 was quite basic, but now it is powered with features that were just in my dreams

The next big thing that I hope to happens is the support of Sony Alpha line. With Sony are in the middle of negotiations how it can become real.

Other one is deeper plate-solving integration...

Meanwhile there is quite long To-Do list with planned and requested features

With other words I can easily see the next five years