Recommended Processing Sequence
What is the best order to apply the processing functions in? Here is a recom- mended sequence:
1.Calibrate (Dark Subtract and Flat Field calibrate)
2.Convert Raw to Color
3.Combine
4.Filter
5.Color Balance
6.Stretch
Once you have the combined image, you are free to continue processing the image as desired, or export it to a program like Photoshop. Be sure to Save a copy of the combined image; otherwise you might have to go back to the beginning and stack individual images again!
Note on File Format
When saving images (using Save or Save As in the File menu), you have a choice of file formats. The default produces .fit files, but .tif, .jpg, .png, and
.bmp file formats can also be selected. Having a choice of output file formats is useful, especially if images will be exported to other software programs for additional image processing (like Adobe Photoshop, for instance).
If you save to a file format other than .fit, you will need to check the Auto Stretch box, or otherwise Stretch the image to change the Output Range (in the Stretch command window) to match the Size Format (in the Save As window). Otherwise, the Output Range will likely exceed the Size Format, and the saved image will be ruined (will turn all white).
For example, say the Output Range is set to create image brightness values in
If you plan to do all image processing within MaxIm DL Essentials Edition (or the optional full version of MaxIm DL), saving images in the FITS (.fit) File Format using the IEEE Float Size Format is recommended. This ensures that all saved data will be kept intact. If another Size Format is utilized, there may be some loss of data, especially when saving combined images.
Batch Process
Batch Process can be used to process multiple images simul- taneously using the various com- mands available in MaxIm DL Essentials Edition. It is especially useful when calibrating and con- verting each raw image to color. Select Batch Process from the Process menu (Figure 22).
Procedure for basic batch pro-
cessing: |
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| Figure 22. The Batch Process window | |
1. Select | the image file | you | allows you to select all the images you wish | |||
to process without actually opening each | ||||||
want | to | process | from | your | ||
file and consuming system memory. This | ||||||
computer | using | the Select | ||||
feature is especially helpful when processing | ||||||
Files button. Use | numerous planetary or deep space images. | |||||
to select individual files, and | Choose up to 6 processing commands. | |||||
for the selected files by turning on the Show Path check box. Or you can select images already open in MaxIm DL Essentials Edition by clicking the Select Images button. The window that
2.Select the processing task you want done in the Processing Commands box. Choose up to 6 processing commands which will be executed in sequence.
3.Use the same recommended processing order for batch processing as you would normally do manually. You should 1. Calibrate, 2. Convert Raw To Color, etc.
You can remove selected images and files from the Batch Process list by selecting them with the mouse and clicking the Remove button.
4.Select the location for the saved files using the Path button, or click Write Output to Source Folder to cause the files to be saved back into the folder from which they were loaded. (This option cannot be used when an image has never been saved, for example, one freshly acquired from the camera.) In the event that saving a file will cause it to overwrite an existing file, you can select skip save, overwrite it, or move to subfolder. You can specify the subfolder name in the adjacent field. Use Size Format to select between
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