16 replies to this topic

[Shadowoo2]

This tutorial/review will be a 2 part series. We will discuss in this series the capturing process from start to finish and then part 2 will delve into the processing of your acquired subs.

Click here to view the article

[Delta608]

Any demo, or youtube...??

[aatdalton]

This honestly looks incredibly clunky and outdated compared to freely available programs like NINA...

[Gary.McK]

Hi, I think you are dismissing a program without actually looking at it. Setting it up takes a trivial amount of time, it is virtually bulletproof (especially compared to free alternatives). I have tried almost all the programs out there - Astroart, Pixinsight, Astropixelprocessor, Voyager, NINA, APT,SGP. etc etc and actually own all of the commercial ones. Astroart is my favourite (along with Voyager.) Processing is fast - stacking takes about a 50th of the time PI and APP take. Ever sat there for an hour while PI stacks images? Astroart will to the same stack in a minute........makes trying different stacking options feasible. Astroart is the program of choice for many high level imagers, and is highly respected in Europe, just doesn't get much publicity in the US. Actually try it, you may find it changes your mind...

Gary (user of Astroart 5, 6 and 7)

[DuncanM]

I have used the demo version of Astroart 7 on several occasions to illustrate/demonstrate basic principles of astrophotography and amateur astronomy. I had to use AA7 because the software on the owner's computer was too complex for them to use properly and yet couldn't do with a couple of mouse clicks what AA7 can do.

 

AA7 can plan, target centre via plate solving, autoguide, automate autofocus and imaging, process (stack) and process images, all in one compact yet powerful package. Due to it's scripting engine, it is almost infinitely adaptable for imaging automation.

 

It has two 32bit executables for image acquisition (one optimized for legacy gear and one for modern gear) and a 64bit executable for image processing, that is easily the fastest and most efficient processing engine available.

[TonyCaf]

I'll second that. I consider myself a noob and was able to connect all three of my devices (camera, guide camera and mount) fairly easily. Now I have to drag it all out under the skies and try it out but now it at least seems possible to do guiding! How fortuitous !

[Rudi Bjoern]

Nice review Jason. I am looking forward to Part 2.
I have been using AA since version 5, never tried any of the alternatives and since I am extremely pleased with AA, I do not see any reason to try the alternatives. I use AA for all, acquiring, pre- and post processing. AA controls my EQ6, ASI1600MM Pro, ZWO Focuser and works together with PHD2 (PHD2 do the guiding, AA the dithering)
If You never tried AA, try downloading the fully functional (well almost) free demo, it’s extremely fast and simple to use.

[brujo]

I am using Astro Art for a couple of years now and must admit, that is really a fantastic tool.

Every time I try something else, I always return back to Astro Art.

[f430]

I've been using Astroart for image processing only, for about 3 years now and really like it.

But, what I would really like to see are some meaningful tutorials on all the different functions, and how to use them together. The current tutorials are pretty useless, so the only way to learn the program is by trial and error. 

 

I'm doing my best to stick with Astroart, but PI is getting hard to resist with all the in depth tutorials on various functions.

 

For now, I'll eagerly await your Part 2. 

[DuncanM]

I've been using Astroart for image processing only, for about 3 years now and really like it.

But, what I would really like to see are some meaningful tutorials on all the different functions, and how to use them together. The current tutorials are pretty useless, so the only way to learn the program is by trial and error. 

 

I'm doing my best to stick with Astroart, but PI is getting hard to resist with all the in depth tutorials on various functions.

 

For now, I'll eagerly await your Part 2. 

Here's a quick tutorial on using the multiscale highpass filter and masking:

 

https://www.astroart...b318a7215#p1926

[CCD-Freak]

I have been using Astro Art since V2 and it does everything I need at this point.  I use it to control all my equipment and the Plate Solving is fast and doesn't require an internet connection so it is great for expeditions to remote locations.  I also use it for all my image processing as well.  Service pack 3 was released yesterday with some new features so it just keeps getting better.

 

Looking forward to part 2.  Maybe I will learn something new.

[seanspratt]

Being a mediocre programmer I hardly use any of the GUIs as the AA scripting basic language is easy and powerful for control and, in my case, photometric reduction.  Fabio is also very helpful for support, via email, and amiable for suggested changes to a AA functionality (in my case added script commands bypassing GUI inputs).  Though, to be balanced, I would like to see more documentation and script examples as its power may well be underutilized. (except Astro John!  Hopefully Part 2 (3?) will shed more light on scripting.

[Delta608]

Part...2  yet..!

[DuncanM]

The latest service packs have added multistar autoguiding and autofocusing. Autoguiding calibration is also considerably improved.

[TDan55]

It has been nearly 1 year, when can we expect part 2?

[BCaldwell]

Eagerly awaiting part 2. Anytime soon???

[DuncanM]

I wonder if the pandemic has been a factor? I know that I haven't been able to do much since the border closed.