Preprocess script error

[mcbbcn]

Hi,

The only thing new about my process is that I'm using the Batch Preprocessing Script from an LRGB image for the first time.  I've been successfully able to create my flats & lights  in the past using the same process I'm using right now.

Here are screenshots of my lights, my flats, and the error I get...I assume that the script is not asking me to create a 300 second flat, right? 

...by the way, I use the MaximDL Skyflat assistant to create the flats...the only think I'm noticing with Harry's video is that between Binning 1 and above the name of the flat, he has one more identifier in the hierarchy like "G-Green 1.00", and then one more that says "11.00s", and then the name of the file.  So, I'm wondering if the MaximDL Skyflat assitance is not adding all the information I need in the Fits header for the script to recognize all the aspects of these flats.  Any thoughts?

Also, as Harry suggested in his video, I did an 'Add all files', and the script recognized those files as flats, and automatically set them in the Flats tab, and split them by filter...

Thanks for your help,  M.

[mcbbcn]

OK, I just learned by reading a lot of posts, that the scripts needs

(IMAGETYP, XBINNING, YBINNING, FILTER, EXPTIME)

So, I guess the MaximDL skyflats plugin does not add this information to the FITS header, and I need to add it manually.  So, I need to look at the values and make sure I get them right...

Cheers,

M.

[mcbbcn]

I just learned a new thing... 

All of this information....

EXPTIME    = 5.919 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'Blue    '           / Filter used when taking image                 
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height   

...actually, it's is in the FITS headers after the sub-flats are created by MaximDL Skyflats assistance Plugin.
...furthermore, the information is still in each of the sub-FLATS there after I do the calibration with Pixinsight...
...BUT, once I do the ImageIntegration with Pixinsight all of this FITS header information dissapears....

Does anybody know why?

M.

[mcbbcn]

Adding this info manually from MaximDL into the fits headers, removes the warnings, but I still don't know why Pixinsight ImageIntegration removes this FITS header informmation....

Blue
EXPTIME    = 5.919 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'Blue    '           / Filter used when taking image                 
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height

Green
EXPTIME    = 3.389 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'Green    '           / Filter used when taking image                 
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height   

Red
EXPTIME    = 6.339 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'Red    '           / Filter used when taking image                 
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height   

Luminance
EXPTIME    = 2.249 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'Luminance    '           / Filter used when taking image             
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height   

H-Alpha
EXPTIME    = 19.72 / Exposure time in seconds
FILTER     = 'H-Alpha    '           / Filter used when taking image             
IMAGETYP   = 'Flat    '           / Type of image
XBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in width                       
YBINNING   = 1. / Binning factor in height 

Cheers,

M.

[pfile]

i think it's normal that II does not copy all the fits header information, since in theory the fits information is no longer correct.

you can copy the fits header from a sub into the integrated master with the FITSHeader process in File > Fits Header.

of course that will overwrite the fits header that's in the integrated master, but hopefully that will work out okay. it would be nice if there was a way to merge fits headers with some kind of conflict resolution scheme.

rob

[mcbbcn]

Thanks Rob!

I did not know about that.  I can give it a shot.

I noticed a post from 2010 where TWADE user reported this issue, and Juan said that he was going to look into it, but probably he has so many things going on that perhaps, it never got done...

Here is the post...

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=1808.0

...& you are correct, although the information is no longer valid, it will make the running of the PreProcess script a lot easier with LRGB images.

Cheers,

Miquel

[mcbbcn]

Hi Rob,

I just tried your process and it seems to work fine.  I've not been able for the flats to show exposure time in the Flats hierarchy tab with any of the methods (your method or my method) but at least, your method is a lot faster.

Thank you,

M.

[pfile]

good - yeah i never use BPP so i have not run into this problem. i thought the script would try to figure out filter names and exposure times from the filename at least, to support DSLRs. not sure if it ignores the filename if it is dealing with FITS files.

rob