Merging two RGB's one being HA

[grahamxx]

Hi Guys
My first post question so sorry if this is already answered. I couldn't see the exact question listed.

Over two separate nights I have taken shots with my DSLR. First night I took shots with a CLS filter and the second night I used an HA filter. I ran both sets through Deep Sky Stacker and ended up with 2 tif files which I am trying to put together in Pixinsight. I have watched Harry's demo Tutorial but it doesn't quite match what I am trying to do. Here is the difficulty.

I have used Pixel Math with process icons from Harry's web site. I have used Channel combination and LRGB Combination all to no avail. I get messages saying cant do this with Gray files. Or if I try RGB it says wrong file type. I have tried it with Linea files and with Dynamic files. I would be most grateful if somebody could give me a workflow that I should stick to. I spent many hours on this and I don't want to have to go back to PS if I can help it.

I am so pleased so far with Pixinsight and I am coming up to the end of the trial period. I can't believe how well it deals with gradients

Many Thanks
Graham

[georg.viehoever]

You may need to convert "gray" (1 channel) files into color (3 channels). I dont have PI with me, but it is probably in Processes/Color*.
Georg

[oldwexi]

Hi Graham!
You should get RGB TIFs if you calibrate and stack your  DSLR images in DSS.
You should not get a gray TIF...!
Also the Ha Image will be an RGB Image.

I would either use PixelMath or the Script HaRGBCombination.
Would never use ChannelCombination or LRGB for mixing Ha (RGB) into plain RGB.

Have a look at my PixelMath Video IIa:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/57910417/Video08_PixelMath_IIa_english.wmv
it shows at the end (12:00 Min.) some of many Versions how you could mix Ha and RGB.
The processes of the Video are downloadable from:
http://www.werbeagentur.org/oldwexi/Daten/PixelMath_IIa_Processes.zip

Gerald

[grahamxx]

Hi Gerald

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Initially I did have the two RGB's you would expect. However I have tried all types of extracting the files as the RGB ones would  not seem to merge correctly. I perfectly accept I have done something wrong so I will have a look at the video's you suggest. Will let you know how I get on.

Thank you   
Graham

[grahamxx]

Georg
Thank you for your suggestion. Will have a look at that

Graham

[grahamxx]

Hi Gerald

I had a look at the video. Massive help there. Hope I can understand it all after a few watches.

Appreciate your support and help
Graham