Astroart 4, images plus 2.80 or IRIS? which software is better

[h0ughy]

OK there must be some smart image processing people here, which one is the better astro processing a software, Astroart 4, images plus 2.80 or IRIS? NB I exclude photoshop - its only to final tarting up and stuff.:pipethinker:

[Radar]

Is this question more for planetary or DSO procesing?:pipethinker:

I have found that different programs process different objects differently, therefore sometimes it can pay to have more than one program.

[h0ughy]

all of the above as the slice dice and shread, there are specifics like registax but the others do what registax does and more.

[Astro Dave]

Hey radar, can all this go over to the camera dept?

[Radar]

Done, this is a good topic for the computer section.

Now I have to remind myself of what those programs can do. I have heaps of astro programs that I download, fiddle with, but don't get time or the energy to explore properly.

Shev, Noel, you guys ever use these programs?

[h0ughy]

looks like no one uses these here?

[AstroTasmania]

Hi,

I use Astro Art, Images Plus, Photoshop CS, Maxim DL, as well as free programs like RegiStaX, Registar and so on.

I cannot say which is the best, each program has its merits. It also depends on what users find "user friendly", it may be a fantastic program but if you find it hard to use, it may not produce the goods for you.

With the exception of Photoshop, the above programs are all dedicated to astro image processing.

I like Images Plus by Mike Unsold because it is easy to use, is constantly being updated, he takes users ideas into consideration, has an optional set of tutorial CD's, controls some cameras as well as image processing and the price is very right.

I am not going to suggest one is better than another it is up to you to download trial versions and see how they suit you. Photoshop I use all the time for everything - including astro - but the learning curve is steep and not everyones choice. Excellent books on using Photoshop for astro as well as a wide range of plugins from a variety of sources, including the excellent set of Astro Actions produced by our imaging guru, Noel Carboni.

Clear skies...

[Noel Carboni]

A few years ago I bought Images Plus for stacking. Virtually everything else I do in Photoshop.

The version of Images Plus I have will not do automatic alignment for stacking. It's possible the latest version does; I don't know. With the version I have, one has to choose one or two stars in each image. Not terrible, but a bit time consuming if you shoot a lot of subs.

For levels stretching, I use FITS Liberator by NASA/ESO, which is a Photoshop plugin. Thus the majority of the stretching occurs when opening the file. I like their latest choice of stretching functions, particular ArcSinh(ArcSinh(x)). One can really bring out dim stuff and still keep the stars from blowing out.

Based on my experience, I'd seek out a program that does a good job of automatically aligning multiple subs. I know Maxim DL (expensive) does this, and I've heard good things about a program called Registar, though I've not used it myself.

I think I need to write a Photoshop plugin that stacks and stretches. ;)

-Noel

[AstroTasmania]

Hi

Version 4 of the free software program, RegiStax, does MAP, (Multiple Alignment Points) - and works very well indeed. http://www.astronomie.be/registax/

Clear skies...

[Radar]

Hi

Version 4 of the free software program, RegiStax, does MAP, (Multiple Alignment Points) - and works very well indeed. http://www.astronomie.be/registax/

Clear skies...

Hi Shev,

Does that version do tiffs and jpegs? The version I have only seems to like bitmaps.

Cheers

Ray

[Noel Carboni]

Have you used Registax to stack deep sky stuff? My experience with it has been with planetary photography only, which it seems to do quite well.

As far as I know Registax has always opened TIFFs and JPEGs. I've used versions 2, 3, and 4, and I remember quite well that 3 and 4 will open JPEGs.

-Noel

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Radar,

Yes, it works with the usual image formats. It is a free program, download it and give it a try, costs nothing but a bit of time and you will gain so much info by doing so, nothing like a 'hands on' go! It is spelt/written as RegiStax capital 'S'. Just to be fair to its author. I use it for stacking my Video clips, Planetary USB images, DSLR images, in fact anything that needs stacking. I also use Images Plusfor stacking & processing.

Clear skies...

[rogerg]

Does that version do tiffs and jpegs? ...

It does Ray.

[rogerg]

Have you used Registax to stack deep sky stuff? My experience with it has been with planetary photography only, which it seems to do quite well.

My experience hsa been that RegiStax is not suitable for high megapixel deep sky work. I'm sure it might be OK with small files like from a long exp modified ToUCam, but definitely does not suit DSLR work. It chews enormous memory with those large files and is not practical to use. Also it doesn't correct as nicely as other software for field rotation and other minor distortions and mis-alignments across the entire field. It's more suited to what I'd call "point source alignment".

RegiStar is by far the best program I have used for registering and stacking deep sky photo's.

[Dragon Man]

Hmmmm . . . found this thread through the link in the other thread :tongue:
http://www.myastrospace.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2100

Roger, I use Registax 3 to stack all my DSLR DSO images these days.

I find that it gives a much smoother stack and eliminates noise better than DSS or ImagesPlus (which I have both).

I don't like DSS, but ImagesPlus does do good job. But Registax Version 3 (not version 4) does a better job. For some reason Registax 4 does not treat DSLR images as good.

Unfortunately Registax will not accept RAWS, so I stack the full res Jpegs and have no problems with any detail loss, as long as I stack the full res Jpeg images, not reduced Jpegs. I have been stacking exclusively with Registax 3 for about 1 year now and I find that my images are turning out better.

After stacking I still do the usual PhotoShop processing.

I agree that Registar is the best stacking program available and I do have it. But I still prefer Registax 3 for ease of use. If I had field rotation in my images I wouldn't hesitate to use Registar, but I rarely get rotation.

[Radar]

I find that it gives a much smoother stack and eliminates noise better than DSS or ImagesPlus (which I have both).


Ken if you get time (or the urge) would love to see a couple of quick stacking comparisons done in each of the programs. Be very interesting to see how much noise comes from each program.

Ray

[Dragon Man]

Yep Ray, I'll go searching and see if I can pull some images out.

Hopefully they will be of the same object, similiar temperature, exposure time etc.

If not, I'll grab some originals and stack them both ways. :thumbsupmate:

[wraithe]

Just to ask a question here...
Is GIMP the only application that can do photo stacking, for Linux...
I dont use or have windows, so wondering if there is something easier to use than GIMP...
It dont matter, I will just annoy everyone asking dumb GIMP questions:biggrin:

But if anyone knows of an application, please let me know...

[Radar]

Yep Ray, I'll go searching and see if I can pull some images out.

Hopefully they will be of the same object, similiar temperature, exposure time etc.

If not, I'll grab some originals and stack them both ways. :thumbsupmate:

Cheers Ken, that would be great. :smile:


Just to ask a question here...
Is GIMP the only application that can do photo stacking, for Linux...
I dont use or have windows, so wondering if there is something easier to use than GIMP...
It dont matter, I will just annoy everyone asking dumb GIMP questions:biggrin:

But if anyone knows of an application, please let me know...

Hi Kath this page has a chart of all linux photo processing programs. It outlines their features. Look for the AVG feature at the top of the chart, AVG means average, which means stacking.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Stacking_Software

BTW I'm a window's XP user. I'm not all that literate with operating systems, but I stayed away from Vista because I know some programs may not work on it.

I'm actually surprised photoshop hasn't come out with a stacking option yet.

Ray

[centroid]

I've only just 'caught up' with this 'thread, so apologies for the delayed response.

I have used Astroart, firstly V3, now V4, for some years, both for scope/camera control. and processing.

V4 was a noticeable improvement over V3, although I thought V3 was good, and I think AA4 now stands 'shoulder to shoulder' with the best of the image processing software.

I have AIP4Win 2.0, and really don't like it (albeit the book that came with it, is superb).

I have tried Maxim DL CCD V4.5, and did not find that it offerred any more than AA4, while being double the price. Its certainly not as 'user friendly' as AA4, and doesn't handle the debayering of my SXVF-H9C colour images as well as does AA4.

I have not had any experience of Image Plus, so I can't comment. However, I do find that astro software, emanating from North America is somewhat overpriced, but that's just my personal opinion.

CCDware's CCDstack, looks an interesting development, especially the 'live' ddp function.

I've have very recently downloaded a 30 day trial of this package, but have yet to 'play' with it at length.

Dave