Quick Documentation Question

[DaveLeeNC]

I am brand new to AP and PI (currently on a demo license). Am I correct in assuming that PI does not have a traditional pdf online 'manual' or an indexed 'HELP' file? I'm working from the various tutorials, but just wanted to be sure that I had not missed something.

Thanks.

dave

[jerryyyyy]

I am brand new to AP and PI (currently on a demo license). Am I correct in assuming that PI does not have a traditional pdf online 'manual' or an indexed 'HELP' file? I'm working from the various tutorials, but just wanted to be sure that I had not missed something.

Thanks.

dave

Hi, thought I would respond as I am about a 1-2 month newbee with PI.  Using this software now has become my only way to process images and has improved my game 100-200%... but it is not easy. 

There is a lot of printed documentation but not one single set of instructions.  I have two binders full of printed instructions, but what I find the most helpful thing has been the two basic tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere (referenced here)  to get an overview of workflow and then Harry's video tutorials.  It is very hard to get anywhere from the existing documentation since each module is so complex the mean length of each set of docuemntation is about 6 pages... and you need 8 modules at least to get anywhere...  Several people here have been very helpful answering basic questions, especially pfile. 

Below is my current workflow... it is definately a workflow in progress, but it lists some of the basic steps.  Note well the outline does not translate to this forum, but there are major segments to the processing (numbers) and then subsets.  I would focus on the numerical main steps first and understand what the goal is, then you can fill in the details. 

1.   Stack original .FITs images using Menu Script/Batch Processing/BatchPreprocessing
2.   Open 4 files in PixInsight
3.   LRGBCombination RGB files to make RGB file (NO CHROMINANCE NOISE REDUCTION)
a.   DynamicCrop if necessary to reduce vignetting and gradients RGB&L
b.   Dynamic Background Extraction RGB & L to remove gradients
c.   BackgroundNeutralization (Menu Script/Utilities/PreviewAgregator)
d.   ColorCalibration (WHITE 6.6?)
4.   Histogram Transform (HT) both the RGB and L to stretch both in the same manner
a.   (See PixInsight 1&2 Tutorials)
b.   Stretch from ScreenTransferFunction (STF) [default settings]
5.   LRGBCombination RGB & L to make LRGB file decreasing Lightness and Saturation to taste [0.45 0.42 M101]
a.   DynamicCrop as needed
b.   Dynamic Alignment if cropped
c.   Drag new RGB triangle over L
6.   Extract the L from the RGBL file using Menu Image/Extract
a.   HT the L to darken the shadows (to make a mask of the L)
b.   Use AtrousWaveletTransform to get out the noise in the soon to be Mask
7.   Apply the Mask to the LRBG image:  then do
a.   HDRMultiscaleTrasform... enhance detail in image… [default settings]
b.   CurvesTransformation the color (s shape)
c.   ColorSaturation
d.   Invert the Mask (cover the object) then
i.   HT to darken the background.
ii.   AtrousWaveletTransform
e.   Consider ACDNR SCNR

[DaveLeeNC]

Jerry, thanks for the reply.

I have one additional (for now) question. Until the last few days I was focused on trying to decide which image processing software I would start with. In my research I ran into many references to 'Harry's Tutorials'. However, I never (that I recall) ran into a link to those. Could someone please supply that - thanks.

dave

[Geoff]

Useful links here http://www.deepskycolors.com/PixInsight/ and here (Harry) http://www.harrysastroshed.com/pixinsighthome.html

Geoff

[DaveLeeNC]

Got it - thanks. dave

[jerryyyyy]

I think in the l;ong run you will save $ by getting this software...  I have quite a collection of useless stuff. 

Please take the outline with a grain of salt as i am just an infant in this process. 

[papaf]

I'll add my two eurocents here.
This software, to me, is the only complete solution I found at a reasonable price. I can input my raws into it an get a complete result out. No other software in the same price range can do it. I always had the necessity to use some external retouching programs or other stuff, and I find getting an image as complex as the astronomics images can be from a program to the next to be difficult. So remaining in the same application through all the processing steps is a big big plus in my book.