Imaging / Processing software advice

Anyone care to comment on what to use for CCD imaging and processing software? The pros and cons of various programs out there?
I am currently using the following equipment:
10" LX-200 clasic with super wedge controlled by TheSky 6 software
Losmandy mounted ED80ST Vixen guide scope
Orion SSAG autoguider with PHD control
Meade DSI II with filters for the imager, (until I get good enough to move up)

I am using Meade's Envisage for the moment since it came with the imager.

Thinking about Maxim DL or CCDSoft as it probably work well with The Sky 6.
I just downloaded the 30 day trial of Maxim DL to evaluate but it doesn't look like CCDSoft has that evaluation option.
I may be interested in buying a copy of CCDSoft that someone received with their SBIG camera and is not using. If you have such a thing, send me an private email at [email protected]

Thanks in advance, this forum has been a great help so far.

Gordon

Hi Gordon,
I'll start. When I just started out I had two pieces of software, AstroArt 3 and AIP4WIN. AA was an amazingly use-friendly application and lets you do an awful lot with filters, etc. I also loved it for image acquisition, calibration and stacking. Mind you I never upgraded to AA4 which I can only imagine is even better.
My AIP4Win is also the older version. I never came to adopt this software, but it's really worth if for the book it comes with: The Handbook of Astronomical Image Processing. It explains the reasons behind the various filters and calibration routines that all the programs use and I found it invaluable.
But eventually I discovered PixInsight, an application that's downloadable (not inexpensive, but does have a free trial). It not only can do everything and more, but the developers are very active in constantly adding on and also offer plenty of advice on their own forums. It's a very different interface and does have a learning curve, but all the programs do. I just love its extreme flexibility that lets you really experiment with your images.
This is just my humble opinion. Good luck...it's all very addictive!
Larry

It probably depends what you want to do, ultimately.

Do you want to move towards fully automatic control, interfaced with the sky?

Do you want to have scheduled/scripted mosaics?

If you just want something basic, but better than Envisiage, don't forget about Nebulosity by the PHD Guiding folks. Used with PHD, you can dither images and everything.

Gordon Irwin said:

Anyone care to comment on what to use for CCD imaging and processing software? The pros and cons of various programs out there?
I am currently using the following equipment:
10" LX-200 clasic with super wedge controlled by TheSky 6 software
Losmandy mounted ED80ST Vixen guide scope
Orion SSAG autoguider with PHD control
Meade DSI II with filters for the imager, (until I get good enough to move up)

I am using Meade's Envisage for the moment since it came with the imager.

Thinking about Maxim DL or CCDSoft as it probably work well with The Sky 6.
I just downloaded the 30 day trial of Maxim DL to evaluate but it doesn't look like CCDSoft has that evaluation option.
I may be interested in buying a copy of CCDSoft that someone received with their SBIG camera and is not using. If you have such a thing, send me an private email at [email protected]

Thanks in advance, this forum has been a great help so far.

Gordon

Maxim DL and CCDsoft do some processing, and do a good job of it. I believe Maxim DL has a driver for the Meade camera, but I don't think CCDsoft does. I would not spend the money these programs command unless they will control your camera...that is their main purpose, not image processing.

Be that as it may, you'll also want a straight image processing program...like Adobe Photoshop. Yes, it's expensive. There are alternatives that are just as good, though, like Adobe Photoshop Essentials and Paintshop Pro.

What do I use? In addition to an older version of Photoshop, I use:

CCDsoft (When runnin' my SBIG cam).
Envisage to run the DSI for imaging.
Nebulosity for my DSLR (also will control the DSIs, and has quite a few image processing tools...look at this one...it is great and cheap).
Deepsky Stacker (stacks subframes and does other processing tasks...freeware).

I use CCDSoft (have an SBIG camera) for capturing data. It works great with TheSky. (A nd it does NOT see Meade cameras.) I don't use it for processing though. I use quite a mix for that...

CCDStack - I have started using this for data reduction and registration. As far as I know it is the only program that adds re-scaling to its image shifting and rotating capabilities. I have found that the LX200 needs re-focusing when the temperature changes, and that leads to a measurable change in focal length, and thus image scale. In the Four Corners area, we regularly have 40 degree (F) temperature swings, so that happens all the time. And I REALLY like the management window that allows you to blink through the stack. This one does have a free trial.

Sigma Beta - I use this for stacking. I have gotten used to what the options are, and it is simple - that is all it does.

AstroArt - For mixing channels, especially if I want to balance the colors "correctly". I also like AstroArt for getting something quick and easy. I know it has lots of stuff I don't take advantage of.

Photoshop - which has the most capabilities, but by far the most to learn before you can be successful.

Charlie