Newbie with a couple of questions

[Pscm]

New to imaging and have been slowly trying to grasp processing. Making some headway albiet a long ways to go.
Capturing frames through a canon T3I and an EP102 FCD100 refractor. The other night I captured 70 light frames of the whirlpool and 20 each of dark, flag, and bias. Auto dev indicated some issues at the edges and my intent was to try and enlarge the image quite a bit anywaysso I cropped a fairly small area. This resulted a bunch of noise that wipe just made horrible. So I went back and wiped before cropping and it made a world of difference. Is this normal? If I cropped after first stretch and wipe the 2nd stretch just mucked it up again. Trying to understand if cropping to much of a small area is bound to cause this.

Also looking for input on my desire to create a really nice desktop background of some of my work. Seems that i am losing quite a bit off clarity when windows tries to fit the entire window.

Cheers,
Phil

[happy-kat]

I like to auto dev just to look to see how much needs cropping but i cancel the autodev. Then I crop. Depending on volume of original data I will do a bin 50%. Then I manually develop to see what's there. Then wipe. If the crop was not enough then it will show up further on later processing.

[Pscm]

Thanks for the feedback. Seems some have luck with auto dev and some don't. My EQGmount operation is pretty solid after a take apart, clean, relive and mesh setting so I am going to try 100 45 sec. Frames tonight on the dumbbell to see if that helps any. It is actually going now. I will post my stack and get some feedback. My hope is tbe longer exposure at ISO 800 will help the noise issue.

[Pscm]

I have watched the first third of the 2.5 hour video on several occasions. After experimenting and going back to the video I am starting to understand and pick something new up. I have discovered one of big issue I was having with autodev is using the ROI properly. What a world of difference. Attached is a link if someone would like to show me where I am lacking compared to the image attached as I certainly want to learn. This was done through a EP 102 FCD100 triplet and a cannon T3I with a flattener. ISO 800 100 45 second subs and 20 each dark, flat and bias. (I do believe DSS eliminated some of the lights). I am not autoguiding and have not yet made a full determination of how far I can go before problems arise.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8qmjmintc24r2 ... 0.jpg?dl=0

[Rkonrad]

I think the dropbox link shows a picture of a motherboard or something like that...maybe try again?

[Pscm]

Sorry about that. That was a pic of my HEQ5 MCB that was supposedly faulty and ended up being the controller. Here you go.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/eeuwlfkpbchzi ... 8.zip?dl=0

[Rkonrad]

Here is what I came up with. Not bad data at all though maybe not enough to get the distant stars (could well be my processing challenges...)

https://www.flickr.com/gp/rkonrad/1wD65L

For colour calibration I did what I normally do and selected the stars to get a proper white balance and then applied it to the whole image (clear, invert - mask). I still ended up with a lot of green so I backed off quite a bit. Only then did the red show up on the nebula. Beyond that he stars were a challenge for sure. Here is my log:

Type of Data: Linear, was not Bayered, or was Bayered + white balanced
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 70.71%)/(200.00%)/(+1.00 bits)]
Image Size 3678 x 2450 pixels
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [900 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [534 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [3261 pixels (-417)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [2218 pixels (-232)]
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [15 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [2361 pixels (-0)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [1684 pixels (-0)]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [Temporary AutoDev] 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 [Off]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [100 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [1022 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [681 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [1054 pixels (-1307)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [909 pixels (-775)]
--- 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 [64 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 [62 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [9.6 pixels]
--- Contrast
Parameter [Expose Dark Areas] set to [No]
Parameter [Compensate Gamma] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [86 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [38 %]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Structure Size] set to [Medium]
--- 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 [2.3 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [115 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- 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 [64 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 [72 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 70.71%)/(200.00%)/(+1.00 bits)]
Image Size 1669 x 1190 pixels
--- 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]
--- 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 [3.60]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [81 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.45]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.35]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Life
Parameter [Detail Preservation] set to [Max Contrast]
Parameter [Compositing Algorithm] set to [Power of Inverse]
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 [50 %]
Parameter [Strength] set to [93 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [3 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [Off]
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]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Distance Weighted Outlier Rejection]
Parameter [Grain Size] set to [4.5 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 [6]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [13 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [13 %]
Parameter [Grain Size] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [Off]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Magic
Parameter [Mode] set to [Shrink]
Parameter [Mask Grow] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [1 pixels]
--- Magic
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Mask Grow] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [1 pixels]
--- 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 [9.90]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [9.90]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [113 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.04]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.14]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- 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 [Full]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [3.20]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [121 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.01]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.05]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell.tiff].
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell.tif].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source

Hope that has some helpful information

Richard

[Rkonrad]

Here's *yet* another version - and better I think:) It is a little more complicated as in the end, I removed the stars and worked on the layer separately. Also with the autodev, to control the size of the stars at the beginning, I outlined with mouse just around the largest star, then pushed the rio setting to max. You have to play around with these things....

https://www.flickr.com/gp/rkonrad/a3727J

Sorry, this log isn't for the faint of heart and pretty long...all the best.

Type of Data: Linear and was Bayered, but not whitebalanced
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 70.71%)/(200.00%)/(+1.00 bits)]
Image Size 3678 x 2450 pixels
--- Auto Develop
Parameter [Ignore Fine Detail <] set to [Off]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [15 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [0 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [3678 pixels (-0)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [2450 pixels (-0)]
--- Crop
Parameter [X1] set to [1188 pixels]
Parameter [Y1] set to [645 pixels]
Parameter [X2] set to [3349 pixels (-329)]
Parameter [Y2] set to [2138 pixels (-312)]
--- Wipe
Parameter [Mode] set to [Correct Color & Brightness]
Parameter [Temporary AutoDev] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Precision] set to [256 x 256 pixels]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Filter] set to [2 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 [Off]
Parameter [Outside RoI Influence] set to [22 %]
Parameter [RoI X1] set to [1460 pixels]
Parameter [RoI Y1] set to [865 pixels]
Parameter [RoI X2] set to [1562 pixels (-599)]
Parameter [RoI Y2] set to [973 pixels (-520)]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Structure Size] set to [Large]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [2.4 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [198 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- 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 [64 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 [35 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [7.7 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 [0.11]
Parameter [Detail Size Range] set to [21 pixels]
Parameter [Strength] set to [1.2]
--- 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 [2 pixels]
Parameter [Aggressiveness] set to [85 %]
Parameter [Dark Anomaly Headroom] set to [45 %]
--- 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 [3.50]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [123 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.29]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.24]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Wavelet De-Noise
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Distance Weighted Outlier Rejection]
Parameter [Grain Size] set to [4.5 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 [6]
Parameter [Color Detail Loss] set to [14 %]
Parameter [Brightness Detail Loss] set to [14 %]
Parameter [Grain Size] set to [4.5 pixels]
Parameter [Read Noise Compensation] set to [Off]
Parameter [Smoothness] set to [75 %]
--- Filter
Parameter [Filter Mode] set to [Nudge (Screen)]
Parameter [Sampling Method] set to [3x3 Average]
Parameter [Filter Width] set to [5]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- Filter
Parameter [Filter Mode] set to [Reject]
Parameter [Sampling Method] set to [3x3 Average]
Parameter [Filter Width] set to [5]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell.tiff].
--- Bin
Parameter [Scale] set to [(scale/noise reduction 83.65%)/(142.91%)/(+0.52 bits)]
Image Size 1807 x 1248 pixels
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Medium]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Subtract]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s.tiff].
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Subtract]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File loaded in layer module [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s.tiff].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Add]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s.tiff].
--- Magic
Parameter [Mode] set to [Tighten]
Parameter [Mask Grow] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [1 pixels]
--- Magic
Parameter [Mode] set to [Shrink]
Parameter [Mask Grow] set to [1 pixels]
Parameter [Iterations] set to [1 pixels]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Structure Size] set to [Small]
--- 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 [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [0.84]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [Off]
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]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s.tiff].
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [2 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [4 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [4 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
File loaded in layer module [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_03.tif].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Add]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_04.tif].
---
Type of Data: Linear and was Bayered, but not whitebalanced
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_04.tif].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
File loaded in layer module [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
--- Heal
Parameter [Quality] set to [Low]
Parameter [New Darker Than Old] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Grow Mask] set to [3 pixels]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Samples] set to [0]
Parameter [New Must Be Darker Than] set to [Off]
Parameter [Neighbourhood Area] set to [200 pixels]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
File loaded in layer module [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_04.tif].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Add]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
Undo
File loaded [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_04.tif].
---
Type of Data: Non-linear sRGB source
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [0.77]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [Off]
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]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/s_04.tif].
File loaded in layer module [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/ns.tiff].
--- Layer
Parameter [Layer Mode] set to [Add]
Parameter [Cap Mode] set to [Clip]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Filter Type] set to [Gaussian (Fg)]
Parameter [Blend Amount] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Kernel Radius] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset X] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Offset Y] set to [0.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [2 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [Off]
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]
--- 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 [Full]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [3 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
--- 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 [Full]
Parameter [Bright Saturation] set to [Full]
Parameter [Saturation Amount] set to [101 %]
Parameter [Blue Bias Reduce] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Green Bias Reduce] set to [1.14]
Parameter [Red Bias Reduce] set to [1.25]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
---
Parameter [UNKNOWN] set to [Small]
--- Fractal Flux
Parameter [Brightness Mask Mode] set to [Off]
Parameter [Algorithm] set to [Modulate Unsharp Mask]
Parameter [Negative Flux] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Positive Flux] set to [500 %]
Parameter [Detail Filter] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Radius] set to [1.5 pixels]
Parameter [Filter Amount] set to [104 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [1.0 pixels]
Parameter [Brightness Mask Power] set to [1.00]
--- Develop
Parameter [White Calibration] set to [Use Stars]
Parameter [Gamma] set to [1.00]
Parameter [Skyglow] set to [3 %]
Parameter [Digital Development] set to [Off]
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]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell.tiff].
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Structure Size] set to [Large]
--- Wavelet Sharpen
Parameter [Intelligent Enhance] set to [Yes]
Parameter [Scale 1] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 2] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 3] set to [0 %]
Parameter [Scale 4] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Scale 5] set to [100 %]
Parameter [Mask Fuzz] set to [2.7 pixels]
Parameter [Amount] set to [67 %]
Parameter [Small Detail Bias] set to [75 %]
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell.tiff].
File saved [/home/rkonrad/Downloads/misti/dumbell2.tif].

[Pscm]

Thanks for your help. I think I will mimick to help me learn. On this particular image would there be any value in getting some different exposure frames?

[Rkonrad]

I think your data is good but longer subs/exposures are always better as there will be less noise and more signal in each frame. 3-5 min are good. Also, I recall you mentioning 800iso as a higher exposure - actually in astrophotography and with the stacking into linear form, iso makes no difference as far as exposure. Whether you shoot at 100 or 6400, you will be gathering the same amount of photons. A lower iso gives you higher dynamic range ie stars will be less likely to be blown out but it's a trade-off of higher read noise from the camera. The higher iso will give you the opposite. I have been told by some that there is really not much read noise to be worried about though. I think you are using a Canon T3I like me. 800 to 1600 for this camera is considered an optimal setting. If there is a lot of light pollution, a higher iso may blow out the subs. When I'm in the city I usually use 400, sometimes 200 but I never get good images from my backyard anyway:)

In my toying with StarTools, I find that getting the best stretch under auto-dev (Ivo really recommends using this rather than dev) at the beginning really saves me a lot of time in processing through the rest of the steps. Take note of the dimensions of my stretches on the log and then just play around.

ps My second picture is much better I think....but it's all a matter of personal preference in the end. Removing stars and working with separate layers is for me, usually the best option especially when there are a lot of stars in the image.

Cheers

Richard