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Old 26-09-2017, 08:26 AM
OneEye (Evan)
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Software for pre and post processing

Hi
I am a beginner to astrophotography and am looking for suitable software for pre and post processing . As I've spent most of my funds on equipment, I cannot afford Maxim DL , Pixel Insight, of Photoshop. Will be shooting with a ZWOi224MC. Will consider upgrading the software when I have more experience and more money.

Have been looking at Astroart and Startools. Which of these would be best to use in my situation? Any guidance welcome.
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Old 26-09-2017, 08:46 AM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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For the past ten years + I've been a happy user of AstroArt.
It can control all my cameras, do the pre-processing and as much post processing as you need.
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Old 26-09-2017, 03:06 PM
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NorthernLight (Max)
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Hi Evan,

I'm using Backyard EOS to capture together with PhD2 (free) for guiding; then Deep Sky Stacker (free) for stacking and Startools for postprocessing. Before Backyard EOS I used the free Canon control software. But BYE is better.
Startools has a really easy to learn workflow and is comparatively cheap as opposed to PixInsight or Maxim.

Clear Skies,
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Old 26-09-2017, 03:48 PM
glend (Glen)
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You can actually get the full featured latest release of Photoshop CC 2017 via subscription, about $13 per month i think it is now. This will let you get started with Photoshop for a low entry price, and you can cancel at any time. You also get Lightroom, and Camera RAW in the package for the same price.
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Old 26-09-2017, 03:54 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Hmmm
Photoshop doesn't handle batch pre-processing - flats, darks etc etc.
Download the free trial of AA6 and see what you think.
http://www.msb-astroart.com/
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Old 26-09-2017, 04:22 PM
OneEye (Evan)
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Thank you all for your suggestions and advice.
Regards to all
Oneeye
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Old 26-09-2017, 04:56 PM
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multiweb (Marc)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneEye View Post
Hi
I am a beginner to astrophotography and am looking for suitable software for pre and post processing . As I've spent most of my funds on equipment, I cannot afford Maxim DL , Pixel Insight, of Photoshop. Will be shooting with a ZWOi224MC. Will consider upgrading the software when I have more experience and more money.

Have been looking at Astroart and Startools. Which of these would be best to use in my situation? Any guidance welcome.
You'll need a guiding software. PHD is good and free. Also download the ASCOM platform also free.

You'll need to capture subs so Nebulosity would be the cheapest, well under $100 and it works well with PHD.

I've used both programs for over 10y now. Still using the same. It's very basic and it works out of the box if you don't need automation or more advanced features.

You'll need a stacking program to calibrate, register and stack your subs. DSS (Deep sky stacker) is free. CCD Stack ia around $400. MAXIM is dearer because it does a lot more, including image capture, guiding etc.. CCD Stack is only a stacking software like DSS but better.

PixInsight is around the $400 mark as well and will do all of the above and some more. It's a processing program. If you are proficient with PI you might get away with not using Photoshop.
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Old 26-09-2017, 05:36 PM
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Glen,
Bang per buck AA6 does more than some other packages.....
Besides the pre-processing it also has guiding and plate solving.
It stacks very well and can do all the necessary processing.
Just my 2c based on >10 years of great service.
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Old 26-09-2017, 06:37 PM
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I originally went down the photoshop route and ended up spending a lot of money on addons for astrophotography. With the benefit of hindsight I should have gone straight to Pixinsight as it ends up lower cost and is far more capable. There are people who can't make the transition from PS to PI but don't let that be the deciding factor when you are starting out and have a choice. For image capture Sequence Generator Pro is worth considering.
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Old 26-09-2017, 09:36 PM
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To start out, go free. You can always add fancier processing tools as you budget allows. You'll want get some experience collecting photons anyway before you need worry about processing the wazoo out of what you have. I use Deep Sky Stacker (DSS) for stacking and calibrating. It's amazingly capable and it's free. I've recently purchased StarTools for processing the stacked image. It an amazing piece of software and quite affordable at only $65. I also use Photoshop for post-processing, and Photoshop CS2 is a free download! You don't even need StarTools to get started!
Chee A,
Cam
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Old 26-09-2017, 09:58 PM
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ChrisV (Chris)
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You could also consider sharpcap. 10 pounds per year - focus aids, polar alignment, capturing. Plate solving and more to come. And has native zwo camera support.
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Old 27-09-2017, 01:39 AM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Cam,
As far as I know Photoshop CS2 is no longer available as a free download.
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:46 PM
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LightningNZ (Cam)
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Not through the Adobe site, https://www.techspot.com/downloads/3...oshop-cs2.html

Quote:
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Cam,
As far as I know Photoshop CS2 is no longer available as a free download.
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Old 01-10-2017, 12:52 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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https://helpx.adobe.com/au/search.ht...20Installation

What you have linked is a hack site.......
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