Help for two instances

Sequence Generator
1

I’m searching the forum for posts that discuss the possibility of dual-sequence setups, but honestly, they’re quite old. I’m trying to configure a dual setup, but I have several questions. I understand there have been some software updates regarding this topic since the last posts, but I still have some doubts.
I’ve kept the current profile I used with the first computer and created another profile with a secondary profile.
There’s only camera, focuser, filter wheel, and scope cover. I’ve tried configuring it as a QHY profile: camera (2), filter wheel (2), focuser (2), and that’s easier. But now I have some questions.
If I create a sequence with its configuration tool, how do I save it for both profiles? If I close both programs, are the capture data saved in both, or only in one? I understand I would create individual folders to save the captures.

Do I still save my first profile as the primary one, or can I set the primary profiles corresponding to each setup in each instance?
These are questions I have before taking the equipment to the observatory. I want to test everything at home. If someone with experience using two instances could guide me, it might be easier or harder than I think. An update to the program to make these dual instances better for the user would be great.

Thank yo so much.

2

I’ll do my best to answer these but please keep in mind that SGPro doesn’t formally support this workflow (we might reconsider if dual rigs become popular and there is demand) and I am not 100% sure of the questions you are asking (feel free to clarify below)

Each instance of SGPro will have its very own imaging train (camera, CFW, focuser) and one of the instances of SGPro will be considered as “master” or “primary” because it the only one that attempts to control the mount / observatory.

Notes: I am unsure what “configuration tool” and “profile” mean in the context of this question.

I am not sure what you mean here. If you close one of the instances of SGPro, the image train it was controlling will no longer produce data. SGPro saves image data as the sequence progresses and not on close.

Whichever profile controls the telescope should be primary. Create a secondary profile for he other instance that only controls an image train and nothing else. Then, in each instance of SGPro create a new sequence for each using their respective profiles.

The key to success here imo, is to set up and execute a sequence on the primary just like there was no secondary imaging train at all. Then, for the secondary instance, you can literally create a sequence that kind of “dumb”. The only thing it should do is auto focus occasionally (careful here… don’t attempt to stop and start the guider from the secondary during AF). In effect the secondary sequence is just grabbing data where it happens to be pointed and focusing and that’s it.

This setup should be fairly robust, but it is important to note that there is no coordination between the imaging trains and the primary will move and recenter, etc all on its own. This will destroy some of the frames on the secondary as it will be capturing the entire time the mount is moving so you’ll need to resolve that some of the frames will be garbage

3

Hi Ken.

Thanks for your replies.

On the first point:
Those of us who have been in this hobby for years find ourselves wanting more and more. Since the idea is “the harder, the better” (hahaha), when you want to do a dual setup, you find that you need some software advantage, and that it’s best to rely on your tried-and-true program. Perhaps I’m not asking for anything too sophisticated, but some user-level help wouldn’t hurt, and maybe with this help, people might be more willing to try a dual setup.

Second point: I’ve been trying to test the profiles for days, but sometimes when I open a second instance and configure several things, they’re saved in the main profile, and I have to change everything again.

Third point: By configuration tool, I mean the “Framing Wizard.” If I select an object from there, I can save it in the first or “master” instance, but how do I transfer the same data to the second sequence?

The idea is to duplicate images. Same camera, same filter wheel, same telescope.

Another problem I have is that in the first instance, I select the main camera (QHY294), but in my second instance, I can select the second camera, but when I save, it saves the first camera. I’m using the profiles QHYCCD camera “2” and Filterwheel “2”…. in the second instance, but SGP isn’t saving the second camera.

And for now, I’m facing these doubts before getting the whole system up and running.

I don’t know if it’s difficult to do; I’m not asking for an SGP that can synchronize both systems, but perhaps some way for the instances to work more independently. Regarding your comment about losing data, I know, I’m aware of that; it’s something I anticipated.

Thank you Ken, always for your dedication and help.

4

A point of clarification… when you say “Profile” are you literally referring to an equipment profile or are you referring to a sequence? In either case, you must use completely separate profiles and sequences for each instance. You cannot share sequences and profiles between instances.

Ah ok. The best way to go about this I think might be to use MFW in the primary instance, create the sequence and then, in the secondary instance import that SGF file into a brand new, not shared sequence. The import will come with centering instruction for each of the targets as set in the primary and you’ll want to take care to “undo” those settings in the secondary so it does not attempt to take any type of centering action (as it is not permitted to interface with the mount).

Currently, it is not possible for SGPro to “share” the workload on a single sequence and you’ll need to manually split by hand before starting.

5

Okay, everything’s much clearer now, Ken. I’ll put everything into practice and run some tests before taking all the equipment to the observatory. I’ll import the sequence as a new one. I suppose I’ll have to get used to a new workflow with SGP.
I’ll keep you posted.