StarTools

Hi,
I'm just started using Startools and I'd like some thoughts on this image: http://www.astrobin.com/full/88107/0/
I'm concerned it's too pink and saturated, it was looking ok but dull before using the colour module.
Here's the log:
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StarTools 1.3.5.279
Thu Apr 03 10:16:52 2014
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File loaded [E:\Astrophotos\2014-04-02\work\etacar.TIF].
---
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [55 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [47 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [5153 pixels (-49)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [3418 pixels (-47)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [15 %]
--- 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 %]
Undo.
--- 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 %]
Undo.
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [Yes]
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 %]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [2.0 pixels]
Parameter [Outside ROI Influence] set to [19 %]
--- Deconvolution
Parameter [Image Type] set to [Deep Space]
Parameter [Mask Behavior] set to [De-ring Mask Gaps, Hide Result]
Parameter [Radius] set to [2.1 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 Only]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Equalize]
Parameter [Dark/Bright Response] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [20 pixels]
Parameter [Noise Suppression] set to [Off]
--- 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 [No]
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 [144 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.12]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.20]
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 [15 %]
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 %]
File saved [E:\Astrophotos\2014-04-02\etacar.tiff].
Any ideas?

asterix2020 wrote:Hi,
I'm just started using Startools and I'd like some thoughts on this image: http://www.astrobin.com/full/88107/0/
I'm concerned it's too pink and saturated, it was looking ok but dull before using the colour module.

Hi,

I think this is an absolutely stunning result. Checking it on three different screens, I believe the colors are very much spot-on (perhaps a slight tendency to green in the corners) and in line with actual human perception.

What to look for is a good continuum of star temperatures; in a wide field like these, all temperatures should be represented equally.
Your image shows a good even distribution of the full range from red, to orange, to yellow to white to blue.
The pink is caused by a combination of Ha, S2 and N2 (red) and Hb (cyan-ish) and is consistent with actual visible chemical composition of the complex.

StarTools' Color module offers a great many different color settings and compositioon methods at the click of a button, so if there is a particular look you'd like to emulate, chances are that you're covered.
Have a read here on what sets the Color module apart from previous programs.
If it's simply the color saturation you'd like to tweak,the 'Saturation Amount' and 'Dark Saturation' settings are the go-to parameters.

IMHO, this is a result to be proud of; it shows good detail with scientifically correct/meaningful coloring.

Thanks Ivo. It's just a bit different to other shots I've seen, but I did previously read the article about colour and StarTools. Everytime I look at it I my first reaction is to like it, and then I'm not sure. I'm not after any specific look though.
Thanks for a great piece of software.

Thanks!
One other thing, I would perhaps not process at native DSLR resolution with 75% of your red and blue channel data made up by the debayering algorithm, as the interpolation doesn't do the noise grain any favors (this is obviously not color related).

So should I "bin" the image first? What do you recommend?

asterix2020 wrote:So should I "bin" the image first? What do you recommend?

Spot on!
Binning to '50%' should make sure that the interpolation is undone and that noise grain is confined to a single pixel again.

See here for more info if you're interested.

Thanks. I'll try it.

Ok, I redid it with 50% and then tried to follow my log. The colour is a little different for some reason. It looks a bit pixelated to me, the stars don't seem as smooth? What do you think? (I really need a field flattener as well).
http://www.astrobin.com/full/88309/0/

asterix2020 wrote:Ok, I redid it with 50% and then tried to follow my log. The colour is a little different for some reason. It looks a bit pixelated to me, the stars don't seem as smooth? What do you think? (I really need a field flattener as well).
http://www.astrobin.com/full/88309/0/

Definitely gets rid of the noise without losing detail and I reckon we could probably ease off on the noise reduction a little to leave a bit more grain/detail (try something less for the Smoothness parameter). Decon would have made a bigger difference too, as it would have much better signal to work with, actually adding to detail as well.

You could also decide to tame the star field a little (using the magic module, or by an alternative technique using the Isolate preset in the Life module).

You may be able to correct the field curvature a little using the Lens module. I had some good (better) results with Parameter [Center X] set to [959 pixels] and Parameter [Curvature Linked] set to [116.23 %]. See what works for you!

I preferred the color of the previous version though (adds a bit more blue). But it seems more detail is visible now.

Thanks. About to head away for a week so will play when I return.