StarTools

Hello Everyone!

I purchased Startools and I am just getting my feet wet...

I took 68 180 second guided subs of M33 the other night... I created a stacked fits file with 13 Darks and 30 Bias files. (No Flats)
I have made many attempts at processing the galaxy, but find myself starting over time and time again.. This is most likely due to the fact I am not sure what the heck I am doing

I would LOVE to see what others here can do with this data! If you would, please include the processing log so I may learn a thing or two.

http://danndanley.com/M33.fts

Thanks!

P.S. I also captured 20 - 180 second guided subs of M71 the same evening... If you are bored perhaps you could have a go at it too

http://danndanley.com/M71.fts

Hi
Keeping in mind that I am also cutting my teeth with this great software, I took a shot at it. Huge file, I' working on a 32but system, had to bin, then cropped to get rid of stacking artifacts. After wiping to get rid of vignetting, I had to get aggressive with the contrast module. I dont know if that was the best way to deal with the image but thats what I did. Heres the Startools log
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 50.00%)/(400.00%)/(+2.00 bits)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [50 %]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [175 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [150 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [2476 pixels (-125)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [1629 pixels (-103)]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Deconvolution
Parameter [Image Type] set to [Deep Space]
Parameter [Mask Behavior] set to [De-ring Mask Gaps, Hide Result]
Parameter [Radius] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [6]
Parameter [Regularization] set to [1.00 (optimal noise and detail)]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness & Color]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Optimize Soft]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [Full]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [21 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [20 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [47 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [1 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [StarTools True Color Constancy]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [219 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.18]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.43]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Undo.
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [No]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [StarTools True Color Constancy]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [292 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.52]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.07]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.49]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [3]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [Off]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [15 %]
File saved [C:\Users\Dave\Desktop\M33.tiff].
File saved [C:\Users\Dave\Desktop\M33.tiff].
and my result this took me about 20 minutes. I'm sure I could improve on it with more experimentation
I'm sure Ivo and some of the other more experience users will chime in.
Che

First I have to say you are making your life waaaaaaaaaaaay harder than it has to be by not using flats. I started APing this last summer and thought flats would be too much hassle. I struggled with resulting images with really severe vignetting like your M33. I then took a set of twilight flats and have used them for all my pre-processing. Processing is now exponentially easier. Experts will say you have to take flats with the exact same imaging train configuration as your lights. That means taking new flats every session. That's ideal but a simple set of flats taken once at your leisure and used repeatedly works great. If you took a good set of flats and recalibrated your M33 lights you would see a huge difference.

Here's my ST workflow. I did a very tight crop so I would have to deal so much with the severe vignetting. If I had spent more time in Wipe maybe I could have done better. There's a nice image in your data. Flats will help dig it out. I'd love another crack at your M33 with flats applied.

--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [50 %]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 50.00%)/(400.00%)/(+2.00 bits)]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [721 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [323 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [2040 pixels (-561)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [1640 pixels (-92)]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [92.78 %]
Parameter [Blue Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Green Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Red Luminance Contrib.] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [5 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [Off]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Drop Off Point] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Corner Aggressiveness] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [80 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [8.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- HDR
Parameter [Small Detail Precision] set to [Max]
Parameter [Channels] set to [Brightness Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Reveal DSO Core]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [20 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [No]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [75 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [15 %]
--- Life
Parameter [Detail Preservation] set to [Linear Brightness Mask]
Parameter [Compositing Algorithm] set to [Multiply, Gamma Correct]
Parameter [Inherit Brightness, Color] set to [Off]
Parameter [Output Glow Only] set to [No]
Parameter [Airy Disk Sampling] set to [128 x 128 pixels]
Parameter [Airy Disk Radius] set to [8 pixels]
Parameter [Glow Threshold] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Detail Preservation Radius] set to [20.0 pixels]
Parameter [Saturation] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Strength] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Color
Parameter [Cap Green] set to [To Yellow]
Parameter [Bias Slider Mode] set to [Sliders Reduce Color Bias]
Parameter [Style] set to [Scientific (Color Constancy)]
Parameter [LRGB Method Emulation] set to [Straight CIELab Luminance Retention]
Parameter [Dark Saturation] set to [2.00]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [200 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.42]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.18]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.65]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [90 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Scale Correlation] set to [3]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [12 %]
Parameter [Redistribution Kernel] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [Off]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]

I would wholeheartedly agree with the above re:flats. Makes a BIG difference and its easy to do And gminder, you pulled a lot more out of it than I did. Do you suppose its because you cropped a lot more than I did and concentrated on the galaxy? I think it may be that and you superior skills At first I couldnt get wipe to take care of the vignetting, but then realized I hadnt cropped out all of the stacking artifacts. After I did, wipe worked well. When I do my stacking I use a the "intersection"mode(in Deepsky Stacker) and that takes care of most of the stacking artifacts.
Che

ddanley
could you list you equipment used for the image, scope, camera, any reducer.
thanks
Che

First I have to say you are making your life waaaaaaaaaaaay harder than it has to be by not using flats. I started APing this last summer and thought flats would be too much hassle. I struggled with resulting images with really severe vignetting like your M33. I then took a set of twilight flats and have used them for all my pre-processing. Processing is now exponentially easier. Experts will say you have to take flats with the exact same imaging train configuration as your lights. That means taking new flats every session. That's ideal but a simple set of flats taken once at your leisure and used repeatedly works great. If you took a good set of flats and recalibrated your M33 lights you would see a huge difference.

Awesome paragraph.. I am sold... It is time to learn flats... I have pushed those off to the side for some time now concentrating mostly of guiding and post processing.

Thank you guys for your efforts! I still don't understand very well what the different options mean, but I can produce better images that I could this morning. There is a "?" by each option, but unfortunately does nothing on my machine... Do these buttons work for you guys? Perhaps I am just missing the documentation of something...

Cheman... My equipment is as follows...

Celestron Nexstar 8 SE
Celestron Advanced VX EQ Mount
Orion 50mm SSAG with Helical Focuser
Celestron 6.3 Focal Reducer
PHD Guiding Software
BYEOS Premium Edition
Canon 60D (Unmodded)
Canon T3i (Unmodded)

Ddanley,

Our setups are identical except I use a baader modded 450D. The "?" buttons provide popup help for each function. If you're using a beta version the help may not be available or may not be up to date. But most buttons should work.

I use Nebulosity for my calibration and stacking. To produce my flat master, I treated my 50-ish flat frames as lights and applied my bias master. I then stacked the resulting calibrated flats into a master. Now when I process a new set of light subs I apply the appropriate dark master and my flat master.

I look at my processing sort of like a trip to the optometrist. "Is A better or B". "Clearer 1 or clearer 2". Its easy to see the results with the before and after button to compare what it was before the use of the module, but not always easy to see within the module as you cant switch back and forth between settings and sometimes the changes are subtle. I think it has been brought up to Ivo before about having a before and after within the modules but dont recall what he said about it. Maybe too memory intensive? At any rate, dont be afraid to move those sliders, thats how I'm learning what they do.
Che

We have VERY similar set ups

Explore scientific 102 APO refractor
Celestron Advanced VX EQ Mount
Orion 50mm SSAG with Helical Focuser
PHD Guiding Software
BYEOS Premium Edition
Canon T3i (Unmodded)

I am by no means anything but a true novice but I take my flats by using a white screen on my iPad with camera set on AV and the rest of the settings being unchanged. Seems to work ok (I think)