Improved Tools and Scripts

[Juan Conejero]

Hi all,

In the latest updates we have released improved versions of existing standard and development tools and scripts:


Debayer

The initial version of the Debayer module was written by Sander Pool. This update has been contributed by Zbynek Vrastil:

* Implementation of the Variable Number of Gradients (VNG) interpolation algorithm. With this addition the Debayer process provides now three debayering methods: superpixel, bilinear interpolation and VNG interpolation.

* Support for monochrome CFA and RGB Bayer images.

In addition, the Debayer module has been released as an open source product under the PCL License version 1.0. The complete source code of this module is available upon request and will be included in the next version of the PCL framework for all supported platforms.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following forum thread:

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3509.0


GradientDomain module

Version 0.5 beta of the GradientDomain open-source module has been released by Georg Viehoever through the update-devel repository. GradientDomain includes two new tools: GradientsHDRCompression and GradientsMergeMosaic.

* Removed head label in GUI, and set tooltip on ProcessInstance itself for both GradientsMergeMosaicInterface and GradientsHdrInterface. This is for conformance with other PI tools.

* GradientsHdrCompression: Reduced range of LogMin/LogMax parameter after Vicent's remark that the parameters are extremely sensitive. Also, the minimum logMin value is now coerced to zero instead of just being a small number. The defaults are all set to "neutral" now.

* GradientsHdrCompression: Improved bubble help and other help texts.

* GradientsHdrCompression: Added module to HDR category (was IntensityTransformations).

* GradientsMergeMosaic: Fixed issue identified by Rogelio Bernal.

Known issues:

* GradientsHdrCompression: Realtime preview sometimes does not follow settings correctly. Also has problems with STF.

* GradientsMergeMosaic with large Feather Radius values shows artefacts at the border of the merged images, if the image has a staircase structure there. This unfortunately cannot be easily avoided, and is discussed in the documentation.

For detailed information on the features and functionality of this module, please refer to the following forum threads (newest at top):

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3295.0
http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3289.0
http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3283.0
http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3211.0
http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3173.0

In the same threads you'll get access to the source code of this module.


RangeSelection

* New 'Link range limits' option on the RangeSelection interface. By enabling this option the lower and upper selection boundaries remain linked. Any changes applied to the lower limit slider will have the same effect on the upper limit slider, and vice-versa, preserving the current interval between both limits. By default this option is disabled, so you can move both sliders freely.


CosmeticCorrection script

Nikolay Volkov has released version 1.6.1 of his CosmeticCorrection script. CosmeticCorrection is a batch file process to fix hot and cold pixels in a set of images, based on a defect map image (usually a master dark frame). This update fixes a few bugs and introduces some improvements:

* Bug fixed: Wrong pixels count in RGB images.
* Bug fixed: CFA RGB zero pedestal.
* Improvements: Increased dialog functionality and performance in RGB mode.

For up-to-date information on the development of the CosmeticCorrection script, please refer to the corresponding forum thread:

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=1828.0


BatchDebayer script

Version 1.2.5 of the BatchDebayer has been released. BatchDebayer is a conversion utility for OSC CCD and DSLR imagers. This script collects a batch of files and applies the Debayer process to each with the specified Bayer pattern and debayering method. This update adapts the script to the new Debayer module version 1.3.1 by Sander Pool and Zbynek Vrastil. The new version allows working directly with monochrome CFA and RGB Bayer images and implements the VNG interpolation algorithm, which provides better results than bilinear interpolation.

For more information, please refer to the following forum thread:

http://pixinsight.com/forum/index.php?topic=3509.0

[Enzo De Bernardini]

Thanks! 

Nice idea in RangeSelection, I like it.