I need some help and auto flat and maybe report an issue with sequence templates.
Autoflats: I just would like to use this feature in a way where I can MANUALLY start the autoflat tool to start collecting flats with correct exposure time for each filter without any significant input or corrections from my side.
The first thing I noticed: I can specify certain parameters like panel flats, and target ADUs in the equipment profile. However, when I manually start the autoflat tool, e.g. prior to an imaging session, all parameters which I entered and saved in the equipment profile have not been transferred to the actual auto flat session, even when when a new sequence was generated with that particular equipment profile. So, I always have to enter and the parameters again.
The second point I notices is that the autoflat tool does not alter the focus position when changing filters. While the specific tick mark has been set in the equipment profile and while the position always changes when I manually switch between filters, or when I am running a sequence, the focus positions remains constant troughout the auto flat session. I mean… I could again specify the positions for all filters in the auto flat panel each time I take flats, but this effort is simply too much. Any idea how this can be solved? I also saw that there is a “!” symbol in the focus column where the popup text states that focus positions could not be retrieved automatically for autoflats. How can this be solved?
I noticed this behavior in the 4.4.1.1441 (stable) and 4.5.0.1538 beta, both 32 bit.
Seuquence templates: When I want to store a sequence as a template, it is saved without any suffix. So, i guess, this is why I cannot again load this template. Can this be solved in one of the next versions? Or can I manually add a correct suffix (If yes, what is it?)? This situation was observed for 4.5.0.1538
Just some background information, I am running SGP on a WIN11 pro machine (i5, cameras filtwheel is from QHY, the focussed is ZWO EAF.
Thanks for the bug report. The first item you mentioned is a real issue and I have corrected it (in the next beta release).
For the second issue, it is really a matter of perspective I suppose. What you are asking to do is not something AutoFlats was designed to do. You’re asking for a focuser adjustment on filter change based on the current position and current temperature when AutoFlats has no reference point for the corresponding light frame. It is trying to determine the focuser change between historical frames (when the lights were captured).
That said, your perspective here is not invalid and I added a default functionality to, at a minimum blindly apply focuser changes based on current metrics (in other words, AutoFlats could not derive historical change data so we’re ok just assuming that the current focuser position is accurate enough).
The bottom line? It doesn’t really matter much as long as you’re not wildly out of focus. Modern calibration techniques are very sophisticated and good at application of less than perfect cal data.
In any case, the (new) current behavior will be:
Attempt to match the position at which its corresponding light frame was captured (also applies temp delta based on current position). In other words, find this data and adjust it based on current conditions.
If unable to do so, assume the current position is reasonably accurate and only adjust for current conditions (previously, we just exited and did nothing)
I am coming back regarding the automatic focus position change for different filters in auto flats. I just saw that you have implemented the feature in the new beta. So, thank you very much!
Well, although this is helpful, things still can be optimized. The current auto flats tool automatically changes the focus position, but it set the ABSOLUTE position specified in the focus settings. As I always have a significant deviation from that position due to temperature changes, these positions are not ideal.
So, I am wondering if this behavior can me modified. May, you could implement the option to select (1) the former history based focus mode, or (2) absolute positions, or (3) relative focus position changes - assuming good focus position for the current filter.
Option 3 would be first choice for me when simply manually starting an LRGB flat shooting session where I just would like that exposure times are controlled, so that I do not have to care about anything Would that be possible?
