Am I missing anything major from my workflow?

[ballyhoo]

Hello,
I am hoping I might get a critique on whether I have included the major components I need in a PI work-flow. Is there something I really need to add as a process?

MY STEPS ARE:


• ABE (DBE if needed)
  DC
  BN (does this step add anything? I have not found it really does but I sometimes still do it)
  CC (this is the most dramatic step for me outside of ABE or LRGB)
  Hist transformation
  HDMR MST (I usually set at 8 and to lightness. Is deringing necessary?
  LRGB Combo ( If I only had one tool this probably would be it.) I often slide the
  Range mask -- I am not sure I have ever noticed any difference w a range mask but I still use it.
  Curve transformation. (If my flats are properly calibrated I usually find no benefit to a curve in either direction)


Deconvolution and local histogram processes I sometimes include but I have never found the results of these two of any added value.

Anything else I should really take a look at? for example, is there any process that might help this image?

This image is my recent crowning achievement as I have been in imaging for about 8 months and this is my best in that time.  I would like more tools in the box if possible.

THANK YOU!

https://www.astrobin.com/414699/?nc=user



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[STEVE333]

Hi Nicholas - That is a very pretty image of the North America Nebula. For only 8 months you are doing well.

1) I noticed a fixed pattern noise that looked kind of like burlap sack across most of the image. Not sure what caused it. Possibly something in the calibration of the images.

2) BackgroundNeutralization (BN) is important to balance the background colors of your image to make true background "grayish". This is a necessary step for almost all images. This is done using a small Preview in your image where there is nothing but background (no target nebulosity).

3) ColorCalibration (CC) is very important, and, normally references the Preview used in BN.

4) HDRMultiscaleTransform is not always necessary, but, can be helpful to bring out details. The best Number of layers setting will vary from image to image, but, a setting of 5 or 6 would be more normal. Whether to choose To lightness and/or Lightness mask will also depend on the image (experiment).

5) CurvesTransformation is a stretching tool and is really not related to Flats. It can be used to "sharpen" an image when an S-curve is used (pull the curve down a little at about 1/4 of the horizontal scale and pul the curve up a little at about 3/4 of the horizontal scale) for the RGB/K setting. When the S setting is selected, raising the curve will increase the color saturation in your image which can greatly enhance an image.

6) Deconvolution can be tricky but useful. The link below is to a good tutorial on how to use Deconvolution.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97OyeSR76Fs

7) I use LHE on almost every image I process. I usually apply a Luminance Mask to the image and then use LHE with a Kernel radius of about 26. I adjust the Amount to get the desired amount of detail sharpening. I then apply LHE again but this time with a Kernel radius of about 110. This helps to brighten larger area details in the image. Again I adjust the Amount to get the desired amount of enhancement.

You are definitely on a good path in your processing. I looked at you nice image on Astrobin.

There are a series of wonderful video tutorials at Harry's Astroshed. Each one is only about 5-10 minutes as I remember, and, only one topic is discussed, so, they are easy to follow, and free! I found them extremely useful when learning PI. Below is a link to the tutorials at Harry's website.

https://www.harrysastroshed.com/pixinsight/pixinsight%20video%20html/Pixinsighthome.html

Hope this helps.

Steve

[ballyhoo]

Thank you for the feedback. You mention the burlap sack appearance. What really concerns me is something I have read on the internet about the sensor of the ASI 294 being defective. I am not sure that is the correct term,  but some have reported that if one extracts/ takes a picture of the sensor, and extracts the R channel, you can see if there is an issue with the sensor. Post # 12 here "take the red channel."  Do you know how to do that?

Thank you

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/661685-word-of-warning-asi294mc-pro-and-opt-triad-and-nb/?hl=+triad +filter

[STEVE333]

Thank you for the feedback. You mention the burlap sack appearance. What really concerns me is something I have read on the internet about the sensor of the ASI 294 being defective. I am not sure that is the correct term,  but some have reported that if one extracts/ takes a picture of the sensor, and extracts the R channel, you can see if there is an issue with the sensor. Post # 12 here "take the red channel."  Do you know how to do that?

Thank you

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/661685-word-of-warning-asi294mc-pro-and-opt-triad-and-nb/?hl=+triad +filter

Not sure what camera you are using. Is it a OSC (like a DSLR) or are you capturing data through R/G/B filters?

If you are using a OSC then open the ChannelExtraction process. Drag the New Instance (triangle) icon from the process onto the color image. It will produce three grayscale images; one each for the R, G, and B images.

Steve