Totally confused

[dsnay]

Hi all,

I realize I'm probably not the first person to feel this way, but I have no idea how to get started with PI for image processing. Just so you know where I'm coming from, I've been using various tools to calibrate and combine my monochrome data followed by an import into photoshop to create a color image using the RGB merge function.

Assuming I continue to perform dark/flat frame calibration and stacking using my current tools (one step at a time), can someone point me at a description of how to generate the color image that I can then process using the PI tool set?

I've been searching for an overall processing tutorial and all I find are descriptions of how to perform various functions that are only useful once you have a color image to work from.

I understand PI is an object oriented model, but it would be really helpful if there were some documentation provided that described the model in simple terms so that beginners don't have such a large learning curve.


Thanks,
Dave

[Silvercup]

Hi Dave:

You can do RGB merging function with Process->ColorSpaces->ChannelCombination

Just put the R, G and B images in each place and be sure they are aligned.

Previously, you can align images with Process->ImageRegistration->DynamicAlignment or StarAligment.

Best, Silvercup

[Juan Conejero]

Hi Dave,

Welcome aboard.

If you haven't done so already, I strongly recommend you watch Harry Page's video tutorials:

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

These videos will help you to "eat your greens", as Harry would say

You're indeed lucky as I have just finished a new batch of tool reference documents, among which are the ChannelCombination and ChannelExtraction tools:

http://pixinsight.com/doc/tools/ChannelCombination/ChannelCombination.html
http://pixinsight.com/doc/tools/ChannelExtraction/ChannelExtraction.html

I had planned publishing these documents (with a few more) tomorrow but they are here to help you. You can use the ChannelCombination tool to combine individual RGB frames into a RGB color image, which you can further process in PixInsight. Let me know if this works.

Regarding development I began programming in assembler so I know well what you're talking about.

[dsnay]

Hi Dave:

You can do RGB merging function with Process->ColorSpaces->ChannelCombination

Just put the R, G and B images in each place and be sure they are aligned.

Previously, you can align images with Process->ImageRegistration->DynamicAlignment or StarAligment.

Best, Silvercup

It doesn't work unless I tell it to "apply global". If I choose "Apply" or "New Instance" then I get an error that tells me it requires RGB color images to perform the function. Seems odd to me.

What I'm looking for is some sort of document that tells me how one is expected to use the program. For instance, what is the difference between the New Instance, Apply and Apply Global buttons that show up on the bottom left of the ChannelCombination window and others? It seems like that's a pretty important set of data.

It would also be nice to see a soup to nuts description of data processing where one starts with uncalibrated light frames and works all the way through the finished product. I know there isn't one method for all the different types of images out there, but a nice clean demo would go a long way to making the transition to PI much simpler.

Dave

Dave

[dsnay]

Hi Dave,

Welcome aboard.

If you haven't done so already, I strongly recommend you watch Harry Page's video tutorials:

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

These videos will help you to "eat your greens", as Harry would say

You're indeed lucky as I have just finished a new batch of tool reference documents, among which are the ChannelCombination and ChannelExtraction tools:

http://pixinsight.com/doc/tools/ChannelCombination/ChannelCombination.html
http://pixinsight.com/doc/tools/ChannelExtraction/ChannelExtraction.html

I had planned publishing these documents (with a few more) tomorrow but they are here to help you. You can use the ChannelCombination tool to combine individual RGB frames into a RGB color image, which you can further process in PixInsight. Let me know if this works.

Regarding development I began programming in assembler so I know well what you're talking about.

Well, it looks like Harry has what I'm looking for. I just watched the first one and it's a good start.
I'll also take a look at the others you've referenced here to see if I'm ready for them....

Thanks!
Dave

[Carlos Milovic]

Hey Dave

Another way could be to read the old PixInsight LE documentation (see the downloads section). It is highly outdated, compared to the current release, but the way everything works remains.

[dsnay]

Hey Dave

Another way could be to read the old PixInsight LE documentation (see the downloads section). It is highly outdated, compared to the current release, but the way everything works remains.

If I don't have any success with the videos, I'll have a look. I might have a look anyway.

Thanks,
Dave

[David Raphael]

and don't forget to take a look at LRGBCombination as well...I use this one when I am doing L+RGB combos...