350 replies to this topic

[Yoddha]

Hope that this is the right place for this post, because it is a kind of advertisement.

I’m glad to bring to your attention a software tool that can be useful for somebody. It is named “Astro Photography Tool” - APT in short and for now is related only to Canon EOS models. This tool was started only for private use, but I was convinced to give it a public form. This took more than half year of my free time to make it user-friendly and really hope that it will cover at least part of yours expectations for a good software tool and of course that will be useful for you. If there is interest I’ll put more efforts in this undertaking.

So here it is www.astroplace.net

Let me know your thoughts about it! Thank You!!!

[dan77]

hey, looks like a nice product. Will it work with the 350D ?
Dan

[Yoddha]

Thanks Dan!

I can't test it on 350D, but got one 400D for test from a friend. On 400D with PC shutter cable there were no problems.

Ivo

[Yoddha]

Excuse me for the inconvenience, but I just found that if somebody wants to use this tool she/he has to install "Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86)" "Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86)" for x32 from this link http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en
and for x64 for this one http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

[Yoddha]

Please note that there is an update in BOTH addresses above.

Sorry

[Yoddha]

There is a new APT version on the site. Resolved is the installation issue observed on some machines and some small bugs.

[Yoddha]

There is a new version on the site. Here is the changes log:

-Added: Image destination selection
-Added: Multi-camera support
-Added: wide screens support
-Added: ALT+Tab, ALT+Esc, Ctrl+Esc support
-Updated: User's Guide (the new things are in green)
-Fixed: Image preview bugs
-Fixed: Repainting bug after LV session
-Fixed: Other small bugs

It is not 100% perfect, but definitely is better than the previous version

[Yoddha]

The next version is available for download . The changes are:

2010/2/5 - v.1.0.4 New features and bug fixes
-Added: Name prefix for PC stored images.
-Added: Live View recording in sequence of JPGs (no camera hacks are needed)
-Added: Camera Self timer in USB only mode. Need to be tested on other cameras.
-Updated: User's Guide (the new things in green)
-Fixed: Now supports 350D and hope that all problems
with the cameras before 30D are cleared too.
-Fixed: Other small bugs

[Yoddha]

I apologies very much for the inconvenience but had to update the site. An annoying bug slipped while I had been preparing the setup.

[Yoddha]

The new 1.0.5 version is on the site.

2010/2/19 - v.1.0.5 New features and bug fixes
-Added: FOV calculator
-Added: Alignment aid (cross hair)
-Added: Object size preview and framing aid
-Added: Special support for Digic IV cameras (True "Mirror Locking" only with USB cable)
-Added: right mouse click minimize the application
-Updated: User's Guide (the new things are in green)
-Fixed: In some cases only half exposures in a plan are taken
-Fixed: Other small bugs

Also there is a promotion The first 50 registrations will get updates for 2 years instead of one.

[Yoddha]

There is brand new version on the site - v1.0.6. The changes are:

2010/3/12 - v.1.0.6 New features and bug fixes
-Added: Shoestring Astronomy DSUSB/DSUSB2 support
-Added: Floating status window when APT is minimized
-Added: Better compatibility with MS Windows 7 (Aero still not tested)
-Added: Support for EOS 550D
-Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)
-Fixed: Preventing some EOS models to go in sleep mode
-Fixed: Bug after deleting the last row in Plan editor
-Fixed: Spelling errors in the UI
-Fixed: Error in plan execution with Preview=OFF. Some models didn't execute all exposures.
-Fixed: Other small bugs

[Yoddha]

Some news from the kitchen The new version is coming soon and will be released around the middle of this month. There are some fixes of annoying bugs in the user interface. I just bought one 350D so will make again tests with this model (it is with Digic II processor) and if I found something it will be fixed.

As a gesture of gratitude to everyone that supported APT, there will be some features available only in the full version. For now the list is not long, but will grow.

-Grey, green and blue skins
-Sound notification when plan is completed
-Selection of the folder where the images to be saved

[Yoddha]

The site was just updated with the new 1.0.7 version of APT. Here is the changes log

2010/4/23 - v.1.0.7 New features and bug fixes

-Added: Grey skin (Full version only)
-Added: Green skin (Full version only)
-Added: Blue skin (Full version only)
-Added: Sound notification (Full version only)
-Added: Images folder selection (Full version only)
-Added: TAB key support in Plan editor and object size controls
-Added: Pierro-Astro serial cable support
-Added: Hap Griffin serial cable support
-Added: More support options
-Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)
-Fixed: Bug when EOS 550D is used
-Fixed: Bug in plan execution with Preview=OFF when Digic II camera is used.
-Fixed: Various interface bugs under Windows XP and Windows 7 (interface is reworked)
-Fixed: Other small bugs

Don't forget to backup your APT.xml file if you want to keep your already defined plans.

[Yoddha]

A new version is coming soon. Check at www.astroplace.net what the new things will be.

The USD is strong against EUR now, get your license and use the special features.

[Yoddha]

The new version is fact As usual there is changes log.

2010/5/27 - v.1.0.8 New features and bug fixes
-Added: Delayed plan start (in FULL version only)
-Added: Messier catalog browser for object size selection (in FULL version only)
-Added: Automatic image name prefix and suffix - now ISO, Exposure, Date and Time can be part of the image name (in FULL version only)
-Added: Image quality selection help focusing without Live View.
-Added: Better integration of Plan Editor
-Added: Support for ISO 2000 and 2500
-Added: "N of M images" info in the floating status window.
-Updated: User's Guide document (the new things are in green)
-Fixed: Bug when EOS 50D is used.
-Fixed: Bug on COM cable with exposures <1s and anti-vibration=0.
-Fixed: Longer text for the Image Prefix.
-Fixed: Image Prefix is used when Shoot button is clicked.
-Fixed: Other small bugs.

[GizmoDave]

Hi Ivo,
I attempted to purchase a copy of your program tonight and received an error message from paypal

[Yoddha]

Hi Dave,

I just tried, and looks to be fine, but can't be sure that is working because don't have second account. Can you check it?

[GizmoDave]

Thanks Ivo,
It worked fine this morning

[Yoddha]

Thank you Dave! Just sent your key

[GizmoDave]

Thank you Ivo
download complete will hopefully have clear sky to try it out soon.

[Yoddha]

Clear Skies!

[GizmoDave]

Very nice work Ivo
Ten min reading instructions for both APT and a new 450D and I was taking test shots with no extra hardware required. The Anti Vibration pause will eliminate one of my biggest issues and the live view mode is a huge help.

[Yoddha]

Thanks Dave! I'm happy that you are pleased with APT

[Yoddha]

There is a new page named "Suggest" on the site, where everybody can make suggestions, propose new objects for the catalog, give feedback or thoughts related to APT. This is one more way for contact

[sealevel]

Hi,
I just bought your APT program. I'm running windows 7 starter. Where are my images being stored in my computer? What is the path? I tried going to your tools and typing in a new images path (C:\Users\Davio\Desktop) but the image isn't on my desk top after I run an exposure test. Where are they being stored?

Is there anyway to adjust the size of the program, make it a little smaller on my screen? I'm using this on a 10" mini computer screen.

Davio R.