stacking DSLR lights, darks and flats

[Mick G]

I am brand new to PI.  I'm going through Harry's videos and waiting for the CD from IP4AP to arrive.  What I need is a video or step by step directions for combining my lights, darks and flats in to one image to process in PI.  I have used Deep sky Stacker in the past but I have been told that PI does a better job, especially with darks.  Any suggestions?  Thanks.

Mick

[pfile]

did you watch this:

http://www.harrysastroshed.com/Calibration.html

?

[Mick G]

Thanks, I was still going through the Newbees videos.  I'll do that one next.

[chris_todd]

If you ordered Warren's videos for PI, he has a lot of coverage of the BatchPreProcessing tool, which is what you'll use.  Between Warren's and Harry's videos, you should get 90% of the way there.  Just make sure you get your debayer settings correct for your DSLR (probably RGGB) and look into your DSLR_RAW settings as well.

And don't forget BIAS frames (you only mentioned lights, darks, and flats).

[sctall]

I too am new to PI, and have a few questions. First let me make it clear I am no expert on the registration and calibration process.
That being said.
I see there are 2 main process to do these with. The Image Intergration, then with the Image Calibration, you can make masters of the sub types.
Then then use the BPP script to do all of the other stuff. ( not that familiar with what all that is under the covers ), but it does it.

I have been using the BPP script with CFA checked, for my RAW DSLR 650D subs. I can add all my subs into each category, and hit RUN and I am off.
When it is done, I have my masters and my stacked lights, along with all the calibration and registered  subs. If that is what I select.

I have also done the individual creation of masters using the Image Integration, and Image Calibration for the flats. It is more time intensive and hands on, than the BPP script.

But I would like to know from the experience PI minded, what is the difference between to 2 process?
If the BPP does everything pretty much automatically, that would be my preference.

But if there is some reasons one would use one or the other, I would like to know.
Like I said I am new to not just PI, but this whole processing thing. It is overwhelming.  Interesting, fun, but overwhelming none the less.

I do know that I can take my individual masters from the Image Int process, and use them in the BPP script, but I can also make my masters from the BPP script.

The BPP is somewhat new, but there is still focus on the Image Int. process, so I think I am missing something.

I welcome all ideas, opinion, and advice. This has been an invaluable forum for a resource.

Oh by the way I tried to install the latest updates, last night , and I had issues with the core script installing again.
I tried all the normal workarounds, https to http, and have the Microsoft patch on, but I get a different message this time.
But I will save that for another post. I will look into it further first.  All the other updates were successful. 

Scott.

[astropixel]

There are two basic ways of processing DSLR colour images in PI. The BP script, which does it all by loading all your unprocessed/untouched bias, darks, flats and lights. The default settings are intended to provide a reasonable result. You do not need to create master frames manually to use BP - because BP creates them for you and they can be used again, by ticking the use master tick boxes.

The second and old way of processing, is to use the same tools as the BP script, in the same order, manually. But the BP script is the way to go until you are more familiar with manual processing concepts and can put them to use.

The BP default values can be adjusted as you see fit for a particular image. A common adjustment is the amount of pixel rejection to use.

[Tom OD]

Hi All,
I'm trying to process a Canon 7D star trail image of the perseids. Granted its really a star trail pic as there weren't that many meteors in the hour I wa sshooting.
Do I just need to claibrate the images as i want to stack the 15x3min frames without the s/w rotating the images. It was a static tripod I was using.
Also how do you what the CFA setting is for the Camera. I saw mentioned below RGGB? Do different DSLR companies have different Bayer matrices?
Thanks Tom.

[chris_todd]

I could be wrong, but I think all Canon DSLRs use RGGB for their Bayer matrices.

As for stacking star trails in PI, have you tried using ImageIntegration?  I'm not sure whether II requires registered images or not, but if it doesn't, just use II and have it add each image together.  I wonder if you could also use PixelMath?

There are also dedicated programs for stacking star trails images.  Just use your favorite search engine with "star trail software".

[astropixel]

RGGB is the standard matrix used by canon. If you integrate your images without registration they won't line up. I cant help you with registration of star trails in Pixinsight. Have you tried registration?

[Tom OD]

RGGB is the standard matrix used by canon. If you integrate your images without registration they won't line up. I cant help you with registration of star trails in Pixinsight. Have you tried registration?

Thanks for the replies.  have tried the Batch Preprocessing script, with just a Master dark, and the lights. I get an error saying "Cannot intergrate less than 3 frames", but I have 15 images in the lights section.
I can calibrate them, so I'll try and do each step separately. Registration next then integration. Problem screen shots attached.
Tom

[pfile]

probably you need to tick "use master dark" otherwise the script is expecting to integrate dark subs and since there's only one dark, it throws that warning.

rob

[Tom OD]

Thanks Rob,
I had ticked Master bias instead. I did the full Script run and got the _C and _D for the debayered files. Only 3 _C_D_R showed up though. I have yet to try and intergrate them, ie stack them to see the result, I had to head off to work. I'll try agian in the morning.
Tom