PICTools is a software tool designed for users of the astronomical image processing IRIS in order to better exploit the signal coming from the calibrated and registered frames for further image processing by other software programs, like PixInsight LE or ImageJ.
IRIS works with signed 16bit integers (from -32768 to 32767), while normally other image processing software use unsigned integers (from 0 to 65535). So, when you try to export the image from IRIS to another IP software, you easily lose data. I started therefore to write a tool that would allow me to convert the PIC files from IRIS in a more convenient 16bit unsigned TIFF file. Later on, PICTools was expanded in order to provide some extra features, working in full 32-bit mode.
DitherMaster is an utility that acts as a link between an DSLR image capture software and the famouse autoguide software PHD Guiding. Main purpose of DitherMaster is providing an automatic dithering feature while imaging an astronomical object, with no human intervention.
DitherMaster is currently supported in the following flavours
| Imaging Software | DitherMaster Version | Comments | Download Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canon EOS Utility | DitherMaster for Canon EOS Utility | Rel. 3.1.0 | |
| Astroclick | DitherMaster for Astroclick | Special version | Rel. 1.0 |
| Maxim DL | MaxPHD | New release,seems working | Rel. 3.0.0 |
Note: if you are upgrading from a previous version, uninstall the previous release of DitherMaster before installing the new one.
I have recently moved from DSLR to CCD and I found that I had issues regarding how to calculate the correct exposure depending on sky conditions. I then found a link describing the math behind calculating the correct exposure per frame, therefore I decided to translate it into a small program to keep with me in the field when I start my imaging session. The program currently runs on a DOS window. How does it work?
