DslrStar Documentation Overview 1.0 Introduction This overview will provide an introduction to the features and capabilities of the DslrStar Controller package, which includes the controller hardware and Windows control software. 1.1 Purpose DslrStar is a tool for the acquisition of astronomical photographs and associated image reduction frames using DSLR cameras. The DslrStar Controller and software are designed to simplify and make more convenient astrophotography of the night sky using DSLR cameras. The features of DslrStar bring many of the benefits of CCD cameras costing many times more, to the users of DSLR cameras. DslrStar gives you the flexibility to work in a standalone mode without the use of a computer, or to have the enhanced capabilities - such as focus assist, with remote computer control of your DSLR camera. It gives you the ability to automatically take dark exposures to match the exact temperature of your original images - all on a cloudy night while you sleep. With compatible software, the controller can be used to send auto guiding signals to your telescope. 1.2 Features DslrStar Controller: 1. Store up to 32 exposure sequences, including exposure type, duration, delay between exposures and mirror lockup use. 2. Add/Edit or delete sequences from the keypad. 3. Record exposure log of each exposure including type, duration, time, date, temperature, set temperature. Up to 400 records can be stored. 4. AutoDark feature, create AutoDark sequences specifying a temperature, temperature tolerance and exposure time. Place the controller outside in a protected location, no need for a computer. Start the AutoDark sequence, the controller will monitor the temperature and take dark exposures when it is within
you specified tolerance. In the morning your dark exposures are done, ready for automatic retrieval using the exposure log information. 5. Clear the exposure log or reset the controller from the keypad. 6. Opto-isolated BULB output for safe connection to your DSLR camera. 7. IR-Remote LED output for future support of wireless remote cameras. 8. On board temperature sensor or optional accurate thermistor-based temperature sensor input for measuring the exact temperature of each exposure. 9. Four-digit red LED display of menus and status. 10. TTL level auto guider port, for guiding your telescope with compatible software. 11. Built in real time clock with battery backup. And non-volatile storage of sequences and logs. 12. USB computer interface, convenient reliable computer communications, no need for USB-to-serial converters or PCMCIA parallel cards. 13. Standard 12V car battery power requirements, with protective fuse. 14. Sturdy all metal enclosure. DslrStar Controller Window Software: 1. Remote Control of camera settings including: Tv, Av, ISO, mode, quality and white balance. 2. Control of exposure save location, with auto file naming and indexing. 3. Expose single exposures, series of exposures, or full programmable exposure sequences with individual control of camera settings for each set in a sequence. 4. Ability to create, save and load sequences from the hard disk. 5. Focus assist with zoom view, focus diagnostics including 2D and 3D star plot, FWHM and max. Intensity star metrics, and metric trend plots. Automated focus exposure auto repeat and auto adjust to prevent image saturation as focus improves. 6. Full control of the DslrStar Controller settings from the computer. 7. Load/Save/Edit controller sequences from the computer. 8. Load/Save/Edit/Create AutoDark controller sequences including automated creation from scan of previously saved images' temperature information. 9. Auto Synchronize downloaded images with controller exposure log for easy temperature recording. 10. Image viewer window allows viewing images as they are downloaded or from image files with image info viewing and editing. 11. Batch convert dialog for converting multiple image files to any supported format. 12. Window Common Object Model (COM) interface allows third party software to control the DslrStar Controller BULB and temperature functions and Auto guider port.
Release Notes DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Versions This documentation is for the following model, hardware, firmware and Software versions. Model Number: 400 Hardware Version: 1.40 Firmware Version: 1.01 Software Version 1.01.107 1.1 Release Notes Version 1.01.100 -Initial release. Version 1.01.101 -Various bug fixes, improved error handling/reporting. Version 1.01.102 -Improved error handling/reporting in focus dialog. Version 1.01.103 -Fixed a bug where Canon EOS 20Da driver was sometimes not recognized. Version 1.01.104 -Fixed a bug where remote sequence displayed incorrect numbers for loaded controller data. -Fixed a bug where the remote sequence number was incorrect. -Increased the remote sequence count and delay numeric range to 0-999, same as controller capability. Version 1.01.105 -Fixed sequence dialog spin control bug introduces in 1.01.104. Version 1.01.106 -Improved error checking and user feedback in DslrStar setup dialog.
Version 1.01.107 -Added connection diagrams and guider port specifications to help documentation.
DslrStar Documentation Installation 1.0 Introduction This topic describes the process of installing and uninstalling the DslrStar Windows software and controller USB drivers on your computer and activating the DslrStar Windows software The installation is a three-step process. First, make sure the camera manufacturer software and drivers are correctly installed. Second, install the DslrStar windows application. Third, install the DslrStar USB drivers. 1.1 Camera Manufacturer software Before installing the DslrStar software and drivers, you must install the camera software and drivers supplied by the camera manufacturer. Follow the instructions supplied by the camera manufacturer to install their software and camera drivers. We recommend you use the camera manufacturer supplied software to test the correct remote control functioning of the camera before installing the DslrStar software. The DslrStar software will not work without properly functioning camera drivers. 1.2 DslrStar Windows software If you have downloaded the DslrStar software demo from our website, execute the setup.exe program to begin the installation. To install the software from the product CD, insert the CD into your CD drive - the installation should begin automatically. If it does not, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the install CD path and double click the file setup.exe to start the installation. The demo program is the same software as supplied on the CD; therefore you do not need to re-install from the CD after purchasing the product, simply activate the demo. However, you will need to install the USB drivers as described below. To obtain the latest release version of the software, simply download the demo and install it in the same location as the original software. When re-installing for any reason be sure to install to the original location to avoid having to activate the software again.
When the installation dialog appears follow the instructions to install the software. You will be asked to choose an install path, and if you want a desktop and quick start icon installed. 1.3 DslrStar USB drivers To install the USB drivers, turn on the DslrStar controller by plugging in the power cord. Connect the supplied USB cable to the controller USB port and then to a USB port on the computer. For Windows 98 and ME: The Windows Add New Hardware Wizard should start, click Next. When prompted, select Search for the best driver for your device.(recommended). Then click Next.
Check the box next to "Specify a location" and uncheck all others as shown below. Click "Browse" and locate the driver files. The driver files are located in the install path of the DslrStar software in the USB folder (for example C:\Program Files\Cercis Astro\DslrStar\USB ) or on the installation CD in the folder USB (for example D:\USB ). Once the files have been located, click "Next" to proceed with the installation. The wizard may request a driver disk to attempt to find files. Click "OK" on the "Insert Disk" message box.
If Windows displays a dialog indicating it cannot find the file ftdibus.cat, click on Skip File to proceed. Windows may display a message reading "Building driver database" at this point which may take a few minutes to pass. Once Windows has found the required files, click "Next" to install the device. Windows should then display a message indicating that the installation was successful. Click "Finish" to complete the installation. The device is now ready for use.
For Windows XP: The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard should start. When prompted, select No, not this time, when asked to connect to Windows Update; then click Next.
If installing from the demo, select "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)" as shown below; or if installing from the installation CD, select Install the software automatically (Recommended), and then click "Next".
For a demo install, select "Search for the best driver in these locations" and enter the file path in the combo-box (for example "c:\program Files\Cercis Astro\DslrStar\USB ) or browse to it by clicking the browse button. Once the file path has been entered in the box, click Next to proceed.
If Windows XP is configured to warn when unsigned (non-whql certified) drivers are about to be installed, the following screen will be displayed. Click on "Continue Anyway" to continue with the installation. If Windows XP is configured to ignore file signature warnings, no message will appear.
The following screen will be displayed as Windows XP copies the required driver files. Windows should then display a message indicating that the installation was successful. Click "Finish" to complete the installation. The device is now ready for use.
1.4 DslrStar Software Activation The DslrStar Windows software must be activated to be used. You have 30 days from when you install the demo or retail product to activate it. Please refer to the EULA for the terms of use of the software. Briefly, you are entitled to copy and install this software on as many computers as you wish, for your own use, but each installation must be activated. Cercis Astro reserves the right not to issue activation codes if we believe the software is being used in violation of the EULA agreement. For an unactivated installation, the following dialog will be displayed at startup. NOTE the dialog may vary slightly for the demo trial version. You may run the program (activate later), proceed to activate by e-mail or by phone/fax or you may enter the activation code from an activation request.
If you choose to activate by e-mail. the following dialog box will appear. Fill in the information requested using the name of the person who purchased the product, your e- mail address, the name of the e-mail account to use for sending the e-mail activation request, the CD-Key found on the product installation CD cover, the activation cannot be completed without the CD-Key. Click Get Key to generate an activation key to be sent to Cercis Astro, then press Send. If the e-mail should fail to be sent automatically for any reason, please manually copy the information in the Message edit box to your e-mail program and send to the e- mail address activate@cercisastro.com. Your activation code will usually be e-mailed to you within one business day.
If you choose to activate by phone/fax, the following dialog box will appear. Fill in the information requested using the name of the person who purchased the product, your e- mail address, the reply fax number, and the CD-Key found on the product installation CD cover. The activation cannot be completed without the CD-Key. Click Get Key to generate an activation key, which will be sent to Cercis Astro. Call Cercis Astro or fax the information in the Message edit box to the number provided in the dialog or on our web site. We will supply an activation code while you wait or call/fax back the activation code
After receiving your activation code from us choose Enter activation code in the startup dialog. Enter the code in the field provided by the Enter Code dialog and click OK to complete the activation. 1.5 Uninstalling DslrStar Software and USB drivers To uninstall the DslrStar Windows software, navigate to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs. Search the list of programs for DslrStar 1.01.100, select the program and click Remove. Follow the instructions in the uninstaller to remove the software from you computer. The DslrStar USB drivers are removed in the same way. NOTE: if you have any other product or device, which requires FTDI USB device drivers to operate, DO NOT UNINSTALL THE USB DRIVERS. To uninstall the DslrStar USB drivers, navigate to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove Programs. Search the list of programs for FTDI FTD2XX USB Drivers,select the program and click Remove. Follow the instructions in the uninstaller to remove the drivers from you computer.
File Formats DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The DslrStar software supports various file formats from different cameras as well as other standard image file types. The native or preferred image file format for working within DslrStar is the FITS format. Many of the features of the software only work when using FITS file formats. Therefore it is desirable to convert your images to the FITS format as soon as possible after downloading and keeping them in FITS format until ready to publish or print. 1.1 DslrStar Native File Format The native image file format for DslrStar is the FITS format. FITS stands for Flexible Image Transfer System and is the standard file format used with astronomical images and data in scientific research and amateur CCD astrophotography. The normal extension for FITS images is *.fit but also *.fts and *.fits are sometimes used. The FITS image file format supports many image pixel data formats such as grayscale or RGB, 8-bit, 16-bit or floating point data formats. Currently DslrStar Software only supports FITS grayscale 16-bit/pixel and RGB 48-bit/pixel data formats. The FITS file format is ideal because it is extremely flexible, it allows storing additional information along with the image data, for example camera or telescope properties, exposure information like time/temperature and image modification histories can be easily included with the file. 1.2 Supported File Formats In addition to the FITS format DslrStar can download camera JPG and RAW images. Camera RAW images must be converted to another format for display. For example you can save camera RAW files in FITS RAW format, which is a grayscale 16-bit/pixel-image file, this is the preferred format if you will be applying reduction frames to you images. Or, you can convert camera RAW files to FITS RGB format, which is a RGB color 48-bit/pixel image file, FITS RGB converted RAW file are bayer interpolated and optionally white balanced. Currently, DslrStar also supports file conversion to/from JPG, FITS B/W, FITS RGB, TIFF RGB 24-bpp and TIFF RGB 48-bpp.
Supported Cameras DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The DslrStar Controller is designed to simplify the use of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras commonly used in digital astrophotography. We are committed to provide support for all major cameras appropriate for this use. Listed below are the cameras supported by this version of DslrStar. Please visit our web site www.cercisastro.com for the latest information on supported cameras. 1.1 Cameras supported by this version of DslrStar Canon 300D, Digital Rebel, Kiss Canon 10D Canon 350D, Digital Rebel, Kiss Canon 20D Canon 20Da
Customer Feedback DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Feedback We want to hear from you. Cercis Astro is committed to provide the best products possible; we welcome any feedback you may have concerning our products. Let us know what you like or dislike, how we can make things better, what features we should add. Email your comments to feedback@cercisastro.com. Please include the product model number in your message.
DslrStar Documentation Astrophotography Basics 1.0 Introduction Astrophotography of the night sky is a multifaceted hobby offering challenges in many areas. There are optical, mechanical, and software issues as well as artistic challenges. We cannot hope to cover all these diverse areas here. Therefore we will cover only the various image types which you can shoot with your DslrStar controller. The Internet is a very good resource for obtaining detailed information on any aspect of astrophotography. We suggest an Internet search on any topic you wish, this will usually produce hundreds of links to websites. Internet user discussion groups are also very good sources of information where you can have your questions answered by knowledgeable enthusiasts all over the world. There are also many fine books on the subject of astrophotography. 1.1 Photographing the night sky The main challenge in photographing celestial objects is the fact that they are very faint. To overcome this, the exposure times must be increased from fractions of a second for normal photography to many minutes for astrophotography. Unfortunately increasing the exposure time introduces unwanted sources of noise in the image. As well, the optical system used often introduces fixed pattern lighting artifacts such as vignetting, which should be removed. To minimize the various noise and artifacts in the final image, astrophotographers expose several different types of additional images, which are applied to the images of the celestial object in such a way to cancel out the noise and artifacts. Dedicated application programs are available to perform the various Image Reduction steps. The major sources of noise and artifacts are listed below. 1. Image sensor thermal noise, this is dependent on the exposure duration and the temperature of the exposure. 2. Camera read noise, related to the electronics in the camera, which read the image off the sensor. 3. Image bias noise, a fixed signal level noise present in all images taken with the camera regardless of exposure duration. 4. Optical imaging train vignetting and dust in the optical path, uneven image illumination and dust donuts. 5. Poor signal to noise ratio, for faint objects where the object signal is close to the same level as the image background the image becomes very grainy in appearance. 1.2 Image reduction Image reduction is the process of applying reduction frames described below to the image for the purpose reducing noise and image artifacts. The DslrStar controller can be used to obtain the various reduction frames described below.
1.3 Luminance frames These are images of the celestial object being photographed, often referred to as light frames. In order to improve the signal to noise level of the final image many exposures of the object are taken then stacked together (averaged) using software to obtain the final image. The reduction frames described below are typically applied to each image before stacking. 1.4 Dark frames A dark frame is an exposure of the same duration and at the same temperature as the luminance frame taken in the dark. Dark frames are subtracted from the luminance frame to cancel out thermal noise. Often a series of dark frames are averaged to obtain a master dark frame for image reduction. 1.5 Flat frames Flat frames are images, typically much shorter than light frames, of an evenly illuminated screen or the sky at dusk or dawn. Dividing the luminance frame by the flat frame it is possible to practically eliminate image vignetting and dust donuts from the final image. Depending on the flat frame exposure duration it may be necessary to expose dark frames for the flat frames as well. Flat frames may also be averaged to create master flat frames. Flat frames are only valid if the imaging optical train including camera orientation etc. has not changed. If the optical train changes new flat frames are required. 1.6 Bias frames Bias frames are very short exposures in the dark. They are subtracted from light frames to remove any camera image offsets. Bias frames are only needed when using advanced reduction techniques such as using scaled dark frames. If you are using dark frames of the same duration and at the same temperature as your light frames, bias frames are not needed as they are applied automatically by the dark frames.
Standalone Operation DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction To illustrate the procedures for using the DslrStar controller in standalone mode without a computer, we will go through the process of a typical astrophotography imaging session with DslrStar. The weather forecast is for clear skies the next few nights. So you decide to make a trip to your favorite dark sky location to do some early season imaging of M42 in Orion. It s a long trip so you decide not to take your computer along. 1.1 Setting up the Controller Before you go, turn on the controller and camera and connect them to your computer via the USB cable connections. Start the DslrStar software, select your camera and Connect. Go to the DslrStar setup dialog and press Clear to clear all exposure log records from the controller memory, then press Sync to synchronize the controller clock to the camera clock. 1.2 Setting up Remote Sequences You decide to expose M42 at two exposure lengths, 15 exposures of 60 sec. each to capture the highlights without burning out the core, and 30 exposures of 300 sec. to capture the faint details. You will also be taking dusk sky flat field frames, 15 exposures of 1 sec. each (see the astrophotography primer for descriptions of various image types). The controller needs to be setup with the exposures sequences you will be taking. The easiest way to do this is with the computer. Go to the remote dialog, press Load to get the sequences currently on the controller. Press, Add to insert a new sequence, lets say it is #03 on the list. Double click the Type field and choose Light. Enter 15 in the Count field, 30 in the Delay field, select YES for MLU and enter 60 for the Exposure time. Add the next sequence in the same way, entering Light, 30, 30, YES and 300 for the sequence fields, this is sequence #04. Lastly add the flat sequence by adding a new sequence with fields; Flat, 15, 5, NO, 1, that is 15 flat exposures with a 5 sec. delay between, no mirror lockup and 1 sec. exposure time, it is sequence #05. Now press Save to store your new sequences in the controller memory. Off you go to your dark sky sight for some serious astrophotography. 1.3 Editing Remote Sequences from Keypad Once at your imaging site the weather is much colder than you expected, this is good news since you will be able to take longer exposures without noise buildup. You decide to increase the 300 sec. light exposure to 420 sec. So, turn on the controller, use the menus to go to the Edit selection, scroll to the #04 sequence, select it and navigate to the exposure time field. Change the exposure time to 420 sec., cycle to go to accept the edit. Sequences may be entered or edited from the computer or keypad. Do not forget to setup the mount and scope before dark, connect the controller to the camera Bulb and the temperature
sensor to the controller. Set the camera to save images in RAW format. 1.4 Run Remote Sequences At dusk you begin to take Flat frames. Point the telescope with camera attached to a good spot in the sky. Select Strt from the DslrStar Controller menu. Scroll to the sequence #05 and go The sequence will start, status information such as exposures left, delay and exposure countdowns are displayed while the sequence is in progress. When the sequence is done the ready prompt will appear. You Go-to M42 in Orion, focus the telescope using your favorite method and begin exposing the Light sequences the same way as the flats. At the end of the sequences you do some visual observing then pack up and head for home. 1.5 Image Sync Exposures Back home the next step is to download all the RAW images from you session from the camera to a directory on your computer and do an image sync with the exposure log records on the controller. Run the DslrStar software, go to the image sync dialog, connect to the controller. The bottom list should contain all the image log records information from your imaging session. At the top list, press Browse to navigate to the RAW images you downloaded from the camera and select all of them, they will appear on the list. At the bottom of the dialog choose to save images as RAW Fits, choose a save path, file name M42 and starting index of 1. Press Auto Sync, the software will automatically match the image list to the corresponding log records, moving the records to the image list. Press Apply to have the software generate FITS files from all of your images, including the information from the log records in the fits header of each file, the file name will have a suffix added to indicate the type of image. At this point all your images will have been converted to FITS format with all image information stored in the file. 1.6 Create Auto Dark Sequences The next step is to create dark frames for your images. For the one-second flat frames you decide the exposure is short enough not to need dark frames. The DslrStar controller and software have the ability to automatically create Auto Dark sequences and take the darks for you with very little effort. Go to the auto darks dialog and press from images to go to the from images dialog. Use the Browse button to navigate to the FITS images for M42 created with the previous image sync, select all the 60 and 420 sec. Light image files. Set the temperature tolerance to 2C and check Apply temp. to Image SetPoint then press Find Dark Temperatures. After processing is done you will see a list of auto dark sequences the software has determined should be taken for the images you supplied. Press OK to exit the dialog, create and add the auto dark sequences to the sequences list, enter the number of exposures you wish to take for each sequence in the count fields. Press Save to store the new auto dark sequences in the controller memory. 1.7 Run Auto Dark Sequences On the next night when the outside temperature is expected to go below the temperature of your astrophotography session, place the controller with camera Bulb connected and temperature sensor attached, outside in a safe protected place. Turn the controller on and use the menus to go to the Auto function. Press Enter to start the auto dark command. The controller will display the current outside temperature. The DslrStar controller will now monitor the temperature. When it reaches the temperature of the stored auto darks
sequences, the controller will begin to take dark images. It will continue as long as the temperature is within the tolerance you specified. You are free to do other things while your dark frames are taken for you. The next day, reload the auto dark sequences from the controller using the software. If any of the Completed fields are not equal to the Count fields, not all darks were taken. In that case press Update Counts resave the sequences by pressing Save and repeat the run again on another night. At this point you have a complete set of light images and dark/flat frames in the standard FITS format ready for image reduction and processing using your favorite image processing application.
DslrStar Documentation Computer Controlled Operation 1.0 Introduction Computer controlled operation has the added flexibility to have software assisted focusing, complex image sequencing and real time image downloading and viewing. To illustrate the procedures for using the DslrStar controller in computer controlled operation we will go through the process of a typical astrophotography imaging session using DslrStar and a computer. You are a very lucky person, your home is at a dark sky location and you have built a fancy observatory to permanently house all your astro gear and computer. Its time for some early season imaging of M42 in Orion, so you roll off the observatory roof, flip the power switch and get ready for an imaging session. You decide to expose M42 at two exposure lengths, 15 exposures of 60 sec. each to capture the highlights without burning out the core, and 30 exposures of 300 sec. to capture the faint details. You will also be taking white screen flat field frames, 15 exposures of 1/30 sec. each (see the astrophotography primer for descriptions of various image types). 1.1 Exposing Series of Images First you will take your flat field frames. Turn the camera and controller on, connect to the DslrStar software. Go to the settings dialog change the camera settings as desired, choose RAW image quality, and set the camera Tv to 1/30 sec.. Edit the exposure options and file path/name/index as you wish, choose Capture to PC and uncheck convert images to FITS RGB. The camera, controller and software are now ready to take images, check Show Images in Preview Window to see each exposure as it is downloaded. Go back to the main program dialog, enter 15 in the Series Of edit box, check Use Camera Tv, and select Flat for exposure type. Point the telescope at your flat fields white screen and press Expose. The software will expose you flat frames automatically saving them as FITS RAW files in your selected location and displaying them in the image viewer window. 1.2 Setting up Sequences Press Sequence at the main program dialog to go to the sequences dialog. Press new to create a new sequence file. Fill in the sequence fields in turn, for the first sequence set the type to Light, count to 15, exposure to 60, Tv to BULB, type M42_60 for Save As and L for the Suffix. Press Add to add a second sequence definition. Fill in the sequence fields, set the type to Light, count to 30, exposure to 300, Tv to BULB, type M42_300 for Save As and L for the Suffix. Enter the save path in the options area and set the processing and indexing options. The sequence is now set up you can save the sequence to a file on the computer for later use by pressing Save and selecting a file name and path. 1.3 Focusing the Camera This feature assists in obtaining the best focus with your camera attached to the telescope. The focusing process is as follows:
Find and center a moderately (2-4 magnitude) bright star in the telescope. Press Focus Mode to go to the focus dialog. Initially choose Ballpark focus mode. Set the exposure to 2 seconds, no auto repeat or auto adjust. Choose the star plot type you prefer, 2-D or 3-D and the largest plot width. Press Expose, an image will be taken and displayed. Right click then left click on the center of the star image, this will show the star in the Zoom View and display the plot of the star. The plot will also display the star FWHM and MAX intensity. Your goal in focusing is to maximize the intensity or equivalently minimize the FWHM. Make focus adjustments on the telescope then press Expose again. Repeat this process until you have a very recognizable star image, then switch to Course focus mode and repeat this process again. You will need to reselect the star, and reduce the exposure to keep the star from saturating. Continue until you have a sharp star image. Now switch to Fine focus mode, enable auto adjust and auto repeat, choose a comfortable exposure interval, set the plot width to a smaller value and select either Star Metric Trend or Max Trend for the plot type. Press Expose images will now be exposed automatically at the interval you set. The plot will show a running graph of the focus quality. Continue to adjust the telescope focus between exposures until the best focus is reached. If the telescope was previously focused from another session you will be able to go directly to the Fine focus mode step to make small focus adjustment compensating for temperature or mechanical changes in your setup. 1.4 Run the Sequence Go-to M42 in Orion. From the sequence dialog with your sequence loaded press Start. The sequence dialog will close and the sequence will begin. You can monitor the progress of the sequence from the main program dialog window. The sequence can be aborted using the Abort button. The sequence images will save to the path you selected. 1.5 Create Auto Dark Sequences Next you create dark frames for your images. For the 1/30 sec. flat frames you decide the exposure is short enough not to need dark frames. The DslrStar controller and software have the ability to automatically create Auto Dark sequences and take the darks for you with very little effort. Go to the auto darks dialog and press from images to go to the from images dialog. Use the Browse button to navigate to the FITS images for M42, select all the 60 and 300 sec. Light image files. Set the temperature tolerance to 2C and check Apply temp. to Image SetPoint then press Find Dark Temperatures. After processing is done you will see a list of auto dark sequences the software has determined should be taken for the images you supplied. Press OK to exit the dialog, create and add the auto dark sequences to the sequences list, enter the number of exposures you wish to take for each sequence in the count fields. Press Save to store the new auto dark sequences in the controller memory. 1.6 Run Auto Dark Sequences On the next night when the outside temperature is expected to go below the temperature of your astrophotography session, place the controller with camera Bulb connected and temperature sensor attached, outside in a safe protected place. Turn the controller on and use the menus to go to the Auto function. Press Enter to start the auto dark command. The controller will display the current outside temperature. The DslrStar controller will now monitor the temperature. When it reaches the temperature of the stored auto darks sequences, the controller will begin to take dark images. It will continue as long as the temperature is within the tolerance you specified. You are free to do other things while your dark frames are taken for you. The next day, reload the auto dark sequences from the controller using the software. If any of the Completed fields are not equal to the Count fields, not all darks were taken. In that case press Update Counts resave the sequences
by pressing Save and repeat the run again on another night. At this point you have a complete set of light images and dark/flat frames in the standard FITS format ready for image reduction and processing using your favorite image processing application.
DslrStar Documentation Controller Hardware Description 1.0 Introduction This topic will describe the hardware functions and limitations of the DslrStar Controller and replacing the battery. 1.1 Hardware Limitations The following are various limitations on the number of sequences, exposure log records, etc., which may be entered or stored in the controller. Max. number of sequences=32 Max. number of log records=400 Max. number of AutoDark sequences=32 Input Power: 9-15VDC, 500mA max. center positive. 1.2 Hardware The hardware consists of the controller box, and the cables to the camera bulb input, computer USB bus, and temperature sensor; plus the supplied AC/DC transformer or optional automotive power connector cable. Internally the controller has a real time clock for logging exposure time/date and non-volatile memory for storing the exposure logs. NOTE: It is recommended all cables be disconnected from the controller box when not in use. Figure 1: Controller front panel. On the front panel are found: Four digit LED display for displaying/navigating menus system and showing status information during exposure sequences. Four push buttons for data entry/menu navigation. LED enunciators for BULB status and USB bus traffic.
FIGURE 1. Figure 2: Controller top panel. On the top panel are phone jack receptacles for: Camera BULB cable output, Infrared remote LED output (this feature is currently not supported), temperature sensor input and autoguider telescope control output modular Jack. The autoguider port is compatible with any telescope using TTL open drain inputs autoguider port interface. FIGURE 2. Figure 3: Controller bottom panel. On the bottom panel are power input and computer USB bus connections. The input power to the controller should be between 8-18V at 200mA max. The USB bus is compatible with any USB 1.1 or 2.0 bus controller.
FIGURE 3 1.3 Connection Diagrams The DslrStar controller can be used in standalone mode or using computer remote control. Below are connection diagrams for each mode of operation.
FIGURE 4 standalone mode connections FIGURE 5 computer remote connections 1.4 Exposure Log For each exposure taken with the DslrStar controller without the use of the DslrStar Windows control program, the controller will save the following information to its exposure log database. The stored information can be later used by the Windows software to apply it to downloaded images - greatly simplifying the management of image information and the automation of dark frames. Exposure Log Records stored data:
Image Type: (Light, Dark, Flat or Bias) Exposure: (in seconds) Time: (time exposure was taken) Date: (date of the exposure) Temperature: (temperature when the exposure was taken) Set Temp: (for autodarks, the set temperature) 1.5 Guider port specifications The auto guider output port of the DslrStar complies with the SBIG autoguider port standard. The outputs are TTL open drain, without pull-up resistors. The maximum drive current is 100mA per output. Figure 6 is the guider port pinout. FIGURE 6 Guider port pinout
1.6 Battery replacement The controller has a CR2032 type button-style lithium battery mounted on the circuit board for maintaining the real time clock when no external power is applied. When the battery needs replacement, use the following procedure. First make sure you are not carrying any static charge by touching a grounded metal object. Carefully open the controller box by unscrewing the four screws on the front corners of the box. Lift the top of the box, the circuit board is mounted to it. Remove the old battery from its holder and replace with a fresh battery. Reinstall the top of the box. A fresh battery should last several years.
DslrStar Documentation Controller Menus Description 1.0 Introduction This topic will describe the hardware menu system to perform the functions of the controller 1.1 Menu System The DslrStar controller menus are designed to allow the user to add, edit and remove exposure sequences, start/stop selected sequences, and run AutoDark sequences. Also the menus allow the complete reset of the controller and the clearing of the exposure log. When power is applied the controller briefly displays the hardware version number, then the firmware version number, then it shows the ready prompt "...". Anytime the ready prompt is shown, it indicates the controller will accept keyboard commands via the menu system. At the ready prompt, pressing the "Menu" button will begin the display of the main menu. The main menu consists of the following options. Strt. Add. Edit. del. Auto. tc. CLr. rst. - start an exposure sequence. - add a new sequence. - edit an existing sequence. - delete an existing sequence. - start an AutoDark sequence. - display the current temperature. - clear the exposure log. - reset the controller. Use the "up" and "down" arrow buttons to navigate to the desired main menu options. At the desired option, pressing the "Menu" button will begin the selected option. The items displayed differ for each main menu option as described below. The following shows the data entry fields displayed when each menu option is selected. For each field, use the "up" and "down" buttons to edit the value then press the "Menu" button to accept the entry and go to the next. It is not possible to go back to a previous field. If an error is made, use the Edit. or del. menu options to make corrections. Pressing the "Cancel" key at any time during the process will cancel the operation. Strt. menu data entry,.01 - select the sequence to run. go... - start the sequence. During execution of a sequence, the controller will display the exposure time remaining (example: 274.t); the exposure delay remaining (example: 016.d); the mirror lockup delay remaining, (example: 003.L); and between timed operations, the number of exposures left will be briefly displayed (example: n.007).
Add. menu option data entry, t.000 - this field is for entering the exposure time in seconds. n.000 - the number of exposures. d.000 - delay in seconds between exposures. typ.l - the type of exposure, can be L: light, d: dark, F: flat, or b: bias. Loc.n - use mirror lockup, can be n: no, or Y: yes. go... - accept entries, store the sequence. Edit. menu option data entry,.05 - select the sequence to edit. t.300 - this field is for entering the exposure time in seconds. n.010 - the number of exposures. d.030 - delay in seconds between exposures. typ.l - the type of exposure, can be L: light, d: dark, F: flat, or b: bias. Loc.Y - use mirror lockup, can be n: no, or Y: yes. go... - accept entries update the sequence. NOTE: the mirror lockup delay in seconds may be set using the DslrStar Windows program. del. menu option data entry,.03 - select the sequence to delete. go... - delete the sequence. Auto. menu option data entry, go... - start AutoDark sequence. During execution of a AutoDark sequence, the controller will display the current temperature in degrees Celsius. Clr. menu option data entry, go... - clear the exposure log. rst. menu option data entry, go... - reset the controller. NOTE: All menu operations may also be performed using the DslrStar Windows program. 1.2 Error Messages The following are the DslrStar Controller possible error messages and their meaning. E.110 - no temperature sensor found
Main Program Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The Main Program dialog provides access to all image, exposure control, and advanced features of DslrStar - such as focus assist, image sequences, controller remote sequences, auto darks and image synchronization. The camera and DslrStar settings may be changed and images viewed from files or as they are exposed. 1.1 Select Camera and Connect The first step is to select and connect your camera and the DslrStar controller. Turn on your camera and controller and attach to the computer using the appropriate USB cables. Use the drop down list to select the camera you are using. Visit our web site at www.cercisastro.com for a current list of supported cameras. You can download the latest version of this software for support of the latest cameras.
Press the Connect button to connect to the camera and controller. If the camera is found the button will change to Disconnect. You can now press the Settings button to view or change the camera and controller settings. If you wish to work only with the DslrStar controller, do not press Connect ; go to the controller function you want and press the connect button within that function which will connect to the controller only. 1.2 Settings View and change various camera and DslrStar controller settings. Go to camera and dslrstar settings for help on the features of the Settings dialog. 1.3 Exposure Control Use the Minutes and Seconds edit box to set the exposure time, or check Use Camera Tv to expose using the camera Tv setting. When using the camera Tv, you cannot take BULB exposures. For multiple exposures, enter the number of exposures in the Series of edit box. All exposures will use the camera and download parameters currently selected in the settings dialog. Select a type of exposure, see the Astrophotography Primer section of this help document for an explanation of the types of exposures and how they or used. Exposures types can be: Light - the actual image of the object being photographed; Dark - an exposure the same length as your light images taken with no light hitting the sensor; Flat - an exposure of an evenly illuminated white object or the sky at dusk or dawn; Bias - a very short dark exposure. After setting up the exposure parameters in the settings dialog, setting the exposure time, number of exposures and exposure type, press Expose to begin taking your image(s). The progress of the exposures can be monitored using the main dialog progress bar and the status text display. You may abort a series of exposures by pressing Abort. There may be a delay before the abort is finished since the software will only abort at appropriate times in the process. 1.4 Focus Mode The focus dialog gives you powerful tools to simplify the sometimes-frustrating task of focusing a camera connected to a telescope. The focus mode section of this help system provides instructions on using the focus mode dialog. 1.5 Sequence Sequences automate the process of exposing series of images with parameters you select. See the sequence dialog help for details. 1.6 Remote Remote sequences are image sequences stored on the DslrStar controller. They allow you to expose sequences of images without the need to have a computer at the telescope. All the exposure information is stored in the controller when later synchronized with the downloaded images. The remote sequence dialog help describes the use of remote sequences.
1.7 Auto Darks Using the auto darks feature, you can program sequences of dark images at different temperatures stored in the controller. Then set the camera and controller outside (in a protected location), start the auto dark command and the controller will monitor the temperature; when it reaches your set temperature(s) dark images will be taken. Afterward you can image sync the dark images to create your reduction frames automatically. See the auto darks dialog help for details. 1.8 Image Sync For every exposure taken with the DslrStar controller in stand alone mode (not attached to a computer), the controller records the time, temperature and type of exposure. After you have downloaded the images to your computer, the software can use the saved information to automatically match the downloaded images to the controller information and create a FITS format image file with all the exposure information applied. See the image sync dialog help. 1.9 Viewer The image viewer utility is started by pressing Viewer ; the viewer allows you to see images as they are taken and downloaded from the camera or images stored on your computer. It also provides a batch convert capability to convert images to/from various supported image file formats. The image viewer help completely describes the features of the viewer dialog. 1.10 Help Access this help system by pressing the Help button or F1. Also, context help is available for most dialog boxes by pressing Shift-F1 or the? on the dialog title bar and selecting the dialog element for which you want help on.
Focus Mode Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction This feature assists in obtaining the best focus with your camera attached to the telescope. The focusing process is as follows: The software takes either individual images or continuous images at a user-defined rate. For each exposure, the dialog displays the full image resized to fit the dialog; a full size view of a selected area of the image; and focus diagnostic information on a selected star. Diagnostic info includes the star full width at half maximum (FWHM) in pixels, the maximum intensity of the star (0-255 scale), a 2- dimensional plot of the star, or a 3-dimensional plot, or a running plot of either the max intensity or FWHM. After each image the user adjusts the telescope focus, the goal in focusing is to minimize the FWHM or maximize the max intensity.
1.1 Focusing run After selecting your options, press Expose to begin taking either single or continuous focus exposures. After each exposure, adjust the telescope focus as needed. Focus image shooting and downloading progress is displayed with the progress bar and status text display. During continuous exposures mode, you can abort focusing by pressing, Stop. 1.2 Focus Options The focus options allow you to set up your focusing parameters to optimize focusing progress. Focus Mode The focus mode selects the size and resolution of the downloaded images. There are three options: Ballpark, Course and Fine. Fine mode gives the best resolution and therefore focus accuracy, but
takes longer for each image to download and process. Ballpark mode downloads only thumbnail images and is very fast. The typical strategy is to initially use Ballpark mode to get a recognizable star image, and then switch to Course then Fine modes as the star focus improves. Select the focus mode by choosing it from the dropdown list. Exposure Time The exposure time is a camera Tv setting to use for exposing focus images. Select the Tv value from the dropdown list. NOTE: do not use BULB. Exposure Auto Adjust As the star focus improves, the maximum intensity value typically increases by many orders of magnitude; this results in overexposed star images. Check Auto Adjust to have the software automatically reduce the exposure time to keep the star image from saturating the camera sensor. The star metric plots will be automatically scaled to the current exposure time. Exposure Auto Repeat Check this box to have the software automatically expose images at intervals you select. Exposure Interval When Auto Repeat is checked exposures will be taken at the interval specified. Select an interval from the dropdown list. Diagnostics, Star Size Metric The metric used to measure the star size; currently the only option is FWHM. Diagnostics, Plot Width Select from the dropdown list the number of pixels used for plotting 2-D or 3-D star plots. This affects the resolution of the plots. Diagnostics, Plot Type Select what you wish to plot from the dropdown list. The options are 2-D star plot, 3-D star plot, star size metric, or star intensity running plot. 1.3 Current Image Each focus image taken is displayed here. You can right click the image to select the area to be shown in the full size zoom window. Left click a star on the image to select it for focus diagnostics calculations. 1.4 Zoom Image A full size zoom view of a selected area of the focus image. Select the area to display by right clicking the focus image. 1.5 Focus Diagnostics Displays 2-D or 3-D star plots, star size metric or star intensity running plots. Select the star to use by left clicking it on the focus image.
Sequence Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction Sequences allow you to create, save and later load custom series of exposures using different camera and exposure settings for each sequence and multiple series in each sequence. This greatly simplifies the image acquisition process. 1.1 Starting a Sequence Make sure the camera and controller are connected. Load a sequence from a file or create a new sequence. Enter the sequence execution options, and then press Start. The sequence information is first validated then the sequence is started. The sequence dialog will close; the progress of the sequence is displayed on the main program dialog status text and progress bar. To abort a running sequence press Abort. 1.2 Creating a New Sequence To create a new sequence press New. This will clear the sequence data grid ready for you to enter your sequence settings. Each row in the data grid represents a separate sequence definition. A sequence definition consists of the following fields. Type Image type i.e. Light, Dark, Flat or Bias. Count Number of exposures.
Exposure For BULB exposures, the exposure time in seconds; for Tv exposures, leave blank. Delay Time delay in seconds between exposures. Tv Camera Tv setting for exposure; for BULB, set the exposure time in the Exposure field. Av Camera Av value, if no camera lens is attached leave blank. ISO Camera ISO speed setting. Quality Camera exposure quality setting. WB Camera white balance setting. Save As The base file name to save image files. Suffix The file name suffix to append to the base file name. Enter the field values by double clicking each field in turn. Fields with defined values are set using the dropdown list displayed; all others simply type in the appropriate value or use the spinner control. Press Add to add additional sequence definitions. Up to 32 definitions may be added. Sequence definitions may be deleted; select the sequence by clicking the sequence row number (first column) then press Delete. 1.3 Saving and Loading Sequences Save a sequence by pressing Save and entering a name and save path. Load a previously saved sequence by pressing, Load and selecting the sequence file name. When first entering the sequence dialog, the last sequence loaded will be reloaded. 1.4 Sequence Options Options allow you to define where images will be saved and how the sequences will be processed. Image Save Path File path to which images will be saved. Sequence Start Index Auto incremented file name index appended to each image file name to create a unique file name. If an image file already exists with the same file name, a new name will be created with a version index in parentheses. For example if M42_2L.FIT exists, the image will be saved as M42_2L (2).FIT. Process by group Checking this box will cause all images in a sequence definition to be exposed before beginning the next sequence. If not checked, one image from each sequence is taken in turn. Index by group Checking this box will assign file indexes sequentially to all images in a sequence definition. If not checked, indexing is assigned to images from each sequence in turn. Auto Fill Fields Checking this box allows you to type in a sequence definition field only if it is different than the field above it. Then, when you start the sequence, all fields left blank will be automatically filled in by carrying down the value from the field above it. This saves a lot of typing. 1.5 Sequence Duration
This text displays the estimated total duration in hours, minutes and seconds to complete the entire sequence.
Remote Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction Use the remote dialog to view, edit, add or delete image exposure sequences from the DslrStar controller internal memory. Remote sequences allow you to expose sequences of images automatically without having a computer at the telescope; we call this standalone operation. 1.1 Connecting to Controller If the software is not connected to the controller, press Connect to do so. If successful, the button will change to Disconnect. If the camera and controller are both connected when the dialog is opened, you will not be able to disconnect the controller. Press Load to retrieve remote sequences currently stored in the controller memory. 1.2 Remote Sequences A remote sequence definition consists of the following fields. These fields correspond to the data entry fields when entering sequences using the controller keypad. Type (typ) Image type, i.e. Light, Dark, Flat and Bias. Count (n) Number of exposures.
Delay (d) Time delay in seconds between exposures. MLU (Loc) Yes/No - is mirror lockup delay enabled. The mirror lockup delay setting in the controller setup dialog will be used. Exposure (t) Image exposure time in seconds. Enter the field values by double clicking each field in turn. Fields with defined values are set using the dropdown list displayed; all others simply type in the appropriate value or use the spinner control. Press Add to add additional sequence definitions; up to 32 definitions may be added. Sequence definitions may be deleted, select the sequence by clicking the sequence row number (first column), then press Delete. To delete all sequences, press Clear All. 1.3 Saving and Loading Sequences Save a sequence by pressing Save ; this will store the sequence in the controller non-volatile memory. Load all sequences stored in the controller by pressing, Load.
Auto Darks Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction Use the auto darks dialog to view, edit, add or delete dark exposure sequences from the DslrStar controller internal memory. Auto Dark sequences allow you to expose dark sequences of images automatically waiting for the temperature to reach your set points throughout the night. 1.1 Connecting to Controller If the software is not connected to the controller, press Connect to do so. If successful, the button will change to Disconnect. If the camera and controller are both connected when the dialog is opened, you will not be able to disconnect the controller. Press Load to retrieve auto dark sequences currently stored in the controller memory. 1.2 Auto Dark Sequences Auto dark sequence definitions consist of the following fields: Temperature The dark temperature set point. Tolerance Set point temperature allowed tolerance. Exposure Exposure time in seconds.
Count Number of exposures at the set point temperature. Completed Number of exposures completed at the set point temperature. The controller fills in this field as it takes dark exposures. Enter the field values by double clicking each field in turn. Fields with defined values are set using the dropdown list displayed; all others simply type in the appropriate value or use the spinner control. Press Add to add additional sequence definitions; up to 32 definitions may be added. Sequence definitions may be deleted, select the sequence by clicking the sequence row number (first column), then press Delete. To delete all sequences, press Clear All. 1.3 Update Counts After running the Auto dark controller command, if the Completed field is not equal to the Count field it indicates not all dark exposures were done. This can happen if the temperature did not reach your set point or it passed your set point before all images could be completed. In this case, press Update Counts to subtract the completed value from the count value, resetting completed to zero, then run the Auto dark command again on another night to finish the run. 1.4 From Images If you have a set of light images previously saved using the Image Sync feature, the software can automatically scan the image files and determine from the image temperatures the best series of auto dark sequences to create for reducing the selected images. The sequences are then created and added to the auto dark sequences list ready to save to the controller. We call this, auto dark sequences from images. To start the process, press From Images. 1.4.1 Selected Images Selected images are the images to be used to create auto dark sequences. These images should contain a valid CCD-
TEMP fits key value. To choose the images, press Browse ; navigate to the image file locations and select your images. Highlight a file and press Delete to remove it from the list; press Clear to remove all files. 1.4.2 Find Dark Temperatures In the Temperature Tolerance edit box, enter how close to the set-temperature an image temperature must be to be considered at the set-temperature. The smaller this number, the more dark sequences will be needed. The larger the number, the less accurate your darks will be. A good choice is probably 2.0C. Checking Apply Temp to Image Setpoint will save the calculated dark temperature set points in the image file SET- TEMP fits key value. Press Find Dark Temperatures to have the software create the auto dark sequences. 1.4.3 Temperatures/Exposure Times After processing is complete, the Temperature/Exposure Times edit box will show all the auto dark sequences to be created. Press OK to exit the dialog; create and add to the auto dark sequences list the new sequences ready for saving to the controller. 1.5 Saving and Loading Sequences Save a sequence by pressing Save ; this will store the sequence in the controller non-volatile memory. Load all sequences currently stored in the controller by pressing, Load.
Image Sync Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The image sync dialog is used to generate FITS image files from RAW or JPG camera images, with image temperature assigned to each file from the DslrStar controller exposure log information. Image sync allows you to take images without the use of a computer, then automatically generate files with image information included.
1.1 Connecting to Controller If the software is not connected to the controller, press Connect to do so. If successful, the button will change to Disconnect and the exposure log list will be filled in with the log records currently stored in the DslrStar controller. If the camera and controller are both connected when the dialog is opened, you will not be able to disconnect the controller. 1.2 Image List and Info The image list is a sorted list of camera RAW or JPG images to perform image sync on. Press Browse to navigate to and select the images you wish to sync. Images may be removed from the list by clicking on the image file name and pressing Delete. Pressing Clear will remove all images from the list. To start over press Reset, this will clear all log records assigned to image files. The image info edit box shows the file path, date and time created for the currently selected image file. 1.3 Exposure Log When a remote sequence is executed on the controller, it automatically stores information on each image exposed in its log records. The information stored includes: image type, exposure time, date and time of exposure, and the temperature when exposed. The exposure log list contains the log records information currently stored in the controller. 1.4 Synchronizing Images To automatically sync images, first select a Max time difference value using the spinner control at the bottom of the dialog. This is the allowed tolerance between the time on the image file time stamp and the exposure log record time which will be used for assigning a record log to an image. Press Auto Sync to start the sync process. The DslrStar software will scan log records and assign them to the appropriate image files. It is also possible to manually assign log records by dragging and dropping the log record over the desired image file name. Next, select the FITS file creation options: You can save RAW images as RGB FITS or RAW FITS. For RGB FITS, you can optionally apply camera white balance. Select a save path using the Browse button, fill in the base file name and the starting file index. Press Apply and the software will generate the synchronized FITS files for you. It is recommended that controller log records be cleared using the keypad or Settings dialog after an image sync is completed.
Image Viewer Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The image viewer dialog is used to display images as they are downloaded from the camera or to view images stored in the computer. The viewer menus also contain: a batch convert utility for conversion of images to/from various supported formats; an image info utility to view JPG Exif or FITS header information; and brightness/contrast enhancement which can be applied to images to improve visualization. Press Viewer on the main program dialog to access the viewer dialog. Use the Settings dialog to select Show Images in Preview Window to have the viewer automatically started when a camera image is downloaded.
1.1 Image Viewer Menus The following are the available menu items File:Open - Browse image files to open for display. File:Batch Convert - Start the batch convert utility. File:Exit Close the image viewer window View:Image Info - View image information, JPG Exif or FITS header Enhance:Brightness/Contrast - Adjust displayed image brightness and contrast 1.2 Batch Convert The batch convert dialog is used to convert files to/from various supported image file formats. Press Browse under the Files to convert list to browse for files to convert. To remove a file from the list, select the file name and press Remove ; press Clear to remove all files from the list. Use the Convert to dropdown list to select the image file type to which to convert. If converting RAW images, you may optionally apply the camera white balance to the image.
Select a save path, file name, and starting index, or choose Use same file name to save the converted files with the same file name as the original (file extension will be changed). If during conversion a file name already exists, the software will create a new file name with a version index appended to the name. For example if M42.fit exists, the file will be saved to M42(1).fit. Press Apply to begin the conversion process. This may take some time - depending on the image sizes and computing power. 1.3 View Image Information Use the view image info dialog to display image information. Information is available for JPG and FITS images only. For JPG images, the JPG Exif information is displayed if available. For FITS images, the image header info is displayed and may be edited. To edit a FITS key, double click on the key row. The information for that key will appear in the edit boxes on the bottom of the list; simply edit the information as desired then press Apply. To add a key, press Add enter the key info, and press Apply. To delete a key, select it and press Delete then press Apply. NOTE: some FITS keys are required and may not be edited or deleted. 1.4 Enhance Brightness/Contrast You can change the brightness and/or the contrast of any displayed image.
This feature is mainly intended to improve visualization of images as they are downloaded from the camera. The Brightness/Contrast changes will not be applied to the saved image files. Typically, single images downloaded from the camera are very faint and low contrast. By downloading an image, adjusting Brightness/Contrast and selecting Apply to all camera images, the adjustments will be applied to all future downloaded images - making visualization much more convenient.
Settings Dialog DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The Settings dialog is the place where you can view and change camera, exposure control, download options and DslrStar controller settings. The currently connected camera model is displayed in the Selected Camera edit box. Press cancel at any time to exit the dialog without applying any changes. 1.1 Camera settings The available camera settings and their values are dependent on the connected camera. The camera exposure Tv, aperture Av, ISO speed, exposure mode, image quality and white balance is displayed and can be changed. Note that not all settings can be changed on some camera models. If a setting cannot be changed it will be grayed out. Also some of the settings available in the drop down list - for example, the aperture Av, may not be valid for the particular camera or lens. Consult the camera and/or lens manual for supported settings. To change a setting simply select a new value from the drop down list. When finished press Apply to apply the new settings or OK to apply the new settings and close the dialog. 1.2 Exposure control and download settings
It is possible to insert a time delay between exposures. You may wish to add a delay - allowing the camera to cool between shots, or allowing the autoguider to settle. To set a delay use the Delay drop down list to set a time in seconds. If you do not like any value in the list, type in your own delay time. You have the option to capture images to the computer, to the camera or to both. If you do not capture to the computer you must capture to the camera. To select where to capture images check the Capture to PC and/or Capture to Camera check boxes. If you wish to capture to your computer - select the path where images will be stored, use the Browse button to navigate to your desired path. Enter a file name to save image files and a file name-starting index. The index will be incremented after each exposure to create a unique file name. For example - if the file name is M42 and the index is 1, the first image will be M42_1.FIT, then M42_2.FIT. If an image file already exists with the same file name, a new name will be created with a version index in parentheses for example if M42_2.FIT exists, the image will be saved as M42_2(2).FIT. Select the following options by checking its check box. Download options: Convert PC Image to FITS RGB Normally downloaded images are saved either as a JPG file using the image quality selected in the camera settings, or as a FITS RAW file if camera RAW quality setting is selected. Checking this box will save images as FITS RGB files. These are 16 bit RGB color images. If you will be applying reduction frames to your images, it is recommended to save images in FITS RAW format. Apply White Balance For FITS RGB files, check this box to apply the camera white balance setting to the images as they are decoded, otherwise no white balance will be applied. Show Images in Preview Window Automatically open and display each downloaded image in the image viewer window. Enable Mirror Lockup Specify the use of mirror lockup. If you have enabled your camera mirror lockup function, check this box and select a delay in seconds from the drop down list. Save RAW image File Check this box to save a copy of the original camera RAW format image file to the image save path, only applies to camera RAW quality setting. After making your settings changes press Apply or OK to apply the changes. 1.3 DslrStar Settings The DslrStar Setup dialog allows you to view and change various controller settings. To access the controller, press Connect. If the controller is found, the button will change to Disconnect.
1.3.1 Controller info The controller info box displays information about the controller. Typical info is the model number, hardware version, firmware version and serial number or ID number. You may need to supply this information for customer service troubleshooting purposes. 1.3.2 Controller Settings Mirror Lockup Delay This is the mirror lockup delay in seconds used by the controller when exposing sequences in standalone mode (not connected to a computer). Enter the value desired up to 255 seconds. Controller Clock Displays the setting for the real time clock inside the DslrStar Controller. You may change the clock setting using the standard windows date/time picker edit boxes. 1.3.3 Controller Tasks Press the task button to perform the task. Reset Resetting the controller will return it to its factory default settings. NOTE: All remote, auto dark sequences and exposure logs will be lost. Use this task if the controller memory becomes corrupted or otherwise unstable. Clear Clears the controller exposure log records. Sync Synchronizes the camera and controller clocks; the camera must be connected to access this task.
COM Interface DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Introduction The DslrStar COM (Windows Common Object Model) interface is designed to allow third party software developers to easily incorporate support for the DslrStar Controller hardware in their products. It provides a COM interface which can be used from programming languages such as Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual Basic Script or even applications such as Microsoft Excel or internet browsers to control and receive information from the DslrStar controller. This help topic assumes the user is familiar with COM programming in Microsoft Windows. 1.1 COM Objects Currently the DslrStar software exposes only one COM object interface. The object name is DslrStar.Controller. The object interface is not thread safe; therefore clients should ensure all calls to the interface are from the same thread. 1.2 COM Properties/Methods The following properties and methods are exposed by the DslrStar.Controller object. NOTE: properties and methods are not throttled, client applications should avoid continuous polling of the interface as this will make controller operations unreliable. Controller.Link Property (read-write, Boolean) Syntax Value State of the connection to the DslrStar Controller. Controller.Link [= Boolean] [Boolean =] Controller.Link Value (Boolean), State of the connection to the DslrStar Controller. Remarks Set to True to connect the DslrStar Controller; False to end the connection. Read this property to get the current status of the connection.. An exception will be raised if the connection fails.
Controller.Model Property (read, String) The product model number. Syntax Value [String =] Controller.Model Remarks Value (String), The product model number string. Retrieve the model number of the DslrStar Controller. Controller.Hardware Property (read, String) The hardware version of the controller. Syntax Value [String =] Controller.Hardware Remarks Value (String), The hardware version string of the controller. Retrieve the Hardware version of the DslrStar Controller. Controller.Firmware Property (read, String) The firmware version of the controller. Syntax Value [String =] Controller.Firmware
Remarks Value (String), The firmware version string of the controller. Retrieve the firmware version of the DslrStar Controller. Controller.Status Property (read, Integer) Syntax Value Remarks The current controller status word. [Integer =] Controller.Status Value (Integer), The current controller status word. Bit mapped flags indicating the current status of controller operations, the bit definitions are as follows. An exception will be raised if any errors occur. n=reserved or internal use these bits not defined externally, may be any value. MSB->00000000 00000000 nnnnnnnn XXxnnnnn Autodarks in progress x=0 no x=1 yes 00000000 00000000 nnnnnnnn XxXnnnnn Guiding in progress x=0 no x=1 yes 00000000 00000000 nnnnnnnn xxxnnnnn Bulb strobe in progress x=0 no x=1 yes Controller.Bulb Property (write, Boolean) Start or end Bulb exposure. Syntax Value Controller.Bulb [= Boolean] Value (Boolean), Start or end Bulb exposure. Remarks Set to True to start camera shutter Bulb exposure; False to end the Bulb exposure. An exception will be raised
if any errors occur. Controller.Temperature Property (read, Float) The current temperature. Syntax Value [Float =] Controller.Temperature Value (Float), The current temperature. Remarks Read this property to get the current controller temperature in degrees Celcius. An exception will be raised if any errors occur. Controller.Guider(long x, long y) Method Send guide pulse(s) to the DslrStar controller guider port. Syntax Parameters Controller.Guider(x,y) long x, long y, RA, guide pulse duration in milliseconds, sign indicates direction. DEC guide pulse duration in milliseconds, sign indicates direction. Returns Remarks nothing Sends guide pulses to the controller guider port. The parameters are pulse durations in milliseconds, they are internally truncated to the nearest hundredth of a second. The maximum pulse duration is 65 seconds. The sign of the parameter indicates the direction of the guide pulse, for example Controller.Guider(-1000,0) is a Right Ascension pulse one second long in the reverse direction to stellar motion. An exception will be raised if any errors occur. 1.3 Programming Example The following is a sample VBS program. It connects to the controller, reads the temperature, does a 10 second BULB exposure, sends a guide pulse, waits for the guiding to complete then disconnects. Dim dslr
Set dslr=createobject("dslrstar.controller") dslr.link=true Temp=dslr.Temperature MsgBox Temp dslr.bulb=true Wscript.Sleep 10000 dslr.bulb=false dslr.guider -1000, 200 guiding=1 while guiding<>0 Wscript.Sleep 100 guiding=dslr.status And 64 if guiding>0 then MsgBox "Still Guiding" end if wend dslr.link=false ' connect to DslrStar controller ' get current temperature ' display it ' start bulb exposure 10 seconds long ' end exposure ' send guider pulses ' wait for guiding to complete ' throttle status requests ' get guiding flag ' disconnect controller
Hints and Tips DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Hints and Tips This space will be used to provide helpful information to let you get the most performance and ease of use from the DslrStar Controller product. Please visit our website www.cercisastro.com for an up-to-date version of this document as we add new hints and tips from time to time.
DslrStar Documentation Frequently Asked Questions 1.0 FAQ database This space will be used to provide answers to frequently asked questions concerning the functioning and use of the DslrStar Controller product. Please visit our website www.cercisastro.com for an up-to-date version of this document as we add new questions and answers from time to time. Q: What does Cercis stand for? How is it pronounced? A: Cercis, pronounced SER-sis is the genus name for Cercis Canadensis or Eastern Redbud, a small ornamental tree native to the eastern USA and Canada. It is known for its bright purple flowers on the stems and trunk, appearing in early spring before its heart shaped leaves.
Technical Support DslrStar Documentation 1.0 Technical Support The primary customer support for DslrStar Controller products is via email at support@cercisastro.com. In your support request email please include, the product model number, the hardware version, firmware version, software version, and a detailed description of the problem and how to reproduce it. In most cases, messages will be acknowledged within 24-48 hours. Each acknowledgment will include an answer or an estimate of when an answer will be forthcoming. Be sure to visit our home page on the World Wide Web at www.cercisastro.com. Our website may answer your questions with its updated list of frequently asked questions, technical notes and tips and helpful hints for using our products. You may contact us by email, phone or fax. Email support@cercisastro.com at any time. Customer Service is available at 609-737-5120 9:00a.m. 5:00p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Fax 609-737-5122.
DslrStar Documentation License, Copyrights, Limited Warranty 1.0 End User Licence Agreement (EULA) IMPORTANT READ CAREFULLY: This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between you (either an individual or a single entity) and Cercis, Inc., for software product (s) identified on the CD Key label of the software CD case shipped with DslrStar Controller. By installing, copying, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, you agree to be bound by the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, Cercis is unwilling to license the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to you. In such event, you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and you should promptly contact Cercis for instructions on return of the product(s) for a refund. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other ntellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold. 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following rights: Storage Installation and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this EULA, you may only install, use, access, run, or otherwise interact with ("RUN") one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on computer(s) registered with Cercis. Although Cercis allows a user to install, access, display, run or use concurrently on different computers owned or used by the licensee (i.e. laptop and/or desktop computers), Cercis reserves the right to refuse registration of many multiple computers for use with the software. It may not be installed, accessed, displayed, run, shared or used concurrently on/for/from different computers over a network, including workstations, terminals or other digital electronic devices 2. Back-up Copy. Licensee may make multiple back-up copies of the computer software portion of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. The back-up copies may be used solely for archival purposes. 3. DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS. Application Sharing. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT cannot be installed on a server and accessed by multiple users on a network or similar. 4. Language Version English only available. 5. Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation. 6. Separation of Components. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as a single product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer. 7. Rental. You may not rent, lease, or lend the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
8. Software Product Transfer. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a sale or transfer of the HARDWARE (DslrStar controller and any accessories), provided you retain no copies, you transfer all of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including all component parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if applicable, the Certificate(s) of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is an upgrade, any transfer must include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. 9. Termination. Without prejudice to any other rights, Cercis may terminate your rights under this EULA if you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, you must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and all of its component parts. 10. Trademarks. This EULA does not grant you any rights in connection with any trademarks or service marks of Cercis or its partners. 11. UPGRADES. If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is labeled as an upgrade, you must be properly licensed to use a product identified by Cercis, as being eligible for the upgrade in order to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT ("Eligible Product"). For the purpose of upgrade products only, "HARDWARE" shall mean the DslrStar with which you received the Eligible Product. A SOFTWARE PRODUCT labeled as an upgrade replaces and/or supplements the Eligible Product which came with the HARDWARE. You may use the resulting upgraded product only in accordance with the terms of this EULA and only with the HARDWARE. Lifetime upgrades of this software product are granted, which may be downloaded from our website: www.cercisastro.com.. Upgrades will be available from time to time for new camera support, bug fixes, or feature enhancements. 12. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. You agree that you will not export or re-export the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, any part thereof, or any process or service that is the direct product of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (the foregoing collectively referred to as the "Restricted Components"), to any country, person, or entity subject to U.S. export restrictions. You specifically agree not to export or re-export any of the Restricted Components (i) to any country to which the U.S. has embargoed or restricted the export of goods or services, or to any national of any such country, wherever located, who intends to transmit or transport the Restricted Components back to such country; (ii) to any person or entity whom you know or have reason to know will utilize the Restricted Components in the design, development, or production of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons; or (iii) to any person or entity who has been prohibited from participating in U.S. export transactions by any federal agency of the U.S. government. You warrant and represent that neither the US Commerce Department, Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) nor any other U.S. federal agency has suspended, revoked, or denied your export privileges. 1.1 Copyright Copyright of all materials associated with the DslrStar Controller product are property of Cercis, Inc. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT (including but not limited to any images, photographs, animations, video, audio, music, text, and "applets" incorporated into the SOFTWARE PRODUCT), the accompanying printed materials, and any copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, are owned by Cercis or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content that is not contained in the SOFTWARE PRODUCT but may be accessed through use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is the product of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants you no rights to use such content. Use of any online services that may be accessed through the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may be governed by the respective terms of use relating to such services. If this SOFTWARE PRODUCT contains documentation that is provided only in electronic form, you may print one copy of such electronic documentation. You may not copy the printed materials accompanying the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. All rights not specifically granted under this EULA are reserved by Cercis and its suppliers 1.2 Limited Warranty
Cercis makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchase, that the product be free from defects in materials and workmanship: One year limited warranty (unless otherwise specified) Warranty does not apply to defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alternations made outside our facilities or to a lack of maintenance. Cercis limits all implied warranties to the period specified above from the date the product was purchased. Except as stated herein, any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness are excluded. Cercis shall in no event be liable for death, injuries to persons or property or for incidental, contingent, special or consequential damage arising from the use of its products. To take advantage of this warranty, the product must be approved for return for examination, postage prepaid, to Cercis. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection discloses a defect, Cercis will either repair or replace the product with a product of equal or higher performance. If it is determined that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of Cercis warranty, then the purchaser must bear the cost of repair and return shipping.