Using MetaGuide with SharpCap 4
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:47 am
My lightweight, widefield setup has an iOptron SmartEqPro+ mount, and never could get PHD2 to work well - after much experimentation, the numbers seemed fine, but the stars were consistently elongated. Then tried MetaGuide, which has worked very well for me at upto at least 5 min subs, the maximum I've tried. (see another report at https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/7887 ... p=11356341).
MetaGuide is not as popular as PHD2, so integration with capture apps is limited. I believe it has some integration with SGP, and NINA 1.11. Its still on the to-do list for SC, so using it in SharpCap needs a specific file kindly provided by Frank (developer of MG), plus the SC4 sequencer.
This assumes that MetaGuide is already installed and in use.
1. Download MGSend.exe from the link in the post https://www.smallstarspot.com/viewtopic.php?p=240#p240. According to Frank, it can be placed anywhere; in this case, its at F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\
2. In SC4, make sure that PHD2 or Lacerta are not selected in Sharpcap global settings.
3. Use the following sequence in the sequencer. for a simple capture This is for subs of 120sec, with a dither every 4 subs, and total integration of 64 min. Edit the parameters to suit.
SEQUENCE
PROMPT FOR TARGET
SET OUTPUT FORMAT TO "FITS files (*.fits)"
STILL MODE
LOOP 8 TIMES
SET EXPOSURE TO 120
SET GAIN TO 102
SET OFFSET TO 15
DISPLAY STRETCH RESET
DISPLAY STRETCH AUTO
CAPTURE 4 FRAMES REQUIREGUIDING False
CAPTURE STOP
SHOW NOTIFICATION "Dithering : Capture stopped" COLOUR Amber DURATION 30
RUN F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\MGSend.exe WITH PARAMS dither WAIT True
COUNTDOWN FOR 25 SHOWING "Please wait... Settling after Dither"
END LOOP
END SEQUENCE
If to be used in Livestacking, ensure that the guiding setting is off in the Livestacking options.
Then the sequence is, for the same capture parameters as above
SEQUENCE
PROMPT FOR TARGET
SET OUTPUT FORMAT TO "FITS files (*.fits)"
SET EXPOSURE TO 120
SET GAIN TO 102
SET OFFSET TO 15
LIVE MODE
LIVE STACKING START
LIVE STACKING PAUSE
LOOP 8 TIMES
LIVE STACKING RESUME
DELAY 480
LIVE STACKING PAUSE
LIVE STACKING STRETCH RESET
LIVE STACKING AUTOSTRETCH
SHOW NOTIFICATION "Capture paused: Dithering" COLOUR Amber DURATION 30
RUN F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\MGSend.exe WITH PARAMS dither WAIT True
COUNTDOWN FOR 25 SHOWING "Please Wait...Settling after Dither"
END LOOP
LIVE STACKING STOP
LIVE STACKING SAVE FITSRawStack32Bit
END SEQUENCE
4. Some notes:
a. The dither command as used in MG above has a built in delay of 5 sec after dither. When dithering with SC, my mount takes about 20 sec to settle, so have used a 25 sec delay.
b. In Livestacking, not sure if there is any sequencer command for "livestack <x> frames>", so have used a time limit. The time = sub exposure x subs between dither, which in this case is 120x4 = 480sec. Not ideal, but works, at least for me.
5. Start / calibrate / whatever MG as usual, and once guiding, start the sequencer.
MetaGuide is not as popular as PHD2, so integration with capture apps is limited. I believe it has some integration with SGP, and NINA 1.11. Its still on the to-do list for SC, so using it in SharpCap needs a specific file kindly provided by Frank (developer of MG), plus the SC4 sequencer.
This assumes that MetaGuide is already installed and in use.
1. Download MGSend.exe from the link in the post https://www.smallstarspot.com/viewtopic.php?p=240#p240. According to Frank, it can be placed anywhere; in this case, its at F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\
2. In SC4, make sure that PHD2 or Lacerta are not selected in Sharpcap global settings.
3. Use the following sequence in the sequencer. for a simple capture This is for subs of 120sec, with a dither every 4 subs, and total integration of 64 min. Edit the parameters to suit.
SEQUENCE
PROMPT FOR TARGET
SET OUTPUT FORMAT TO "FITS files (*.fits)"
STILL MODE
LOOP 8 TIMES
SET EXPOSURE TO 120
SET GAIN TO 102
SET OFFSET TO 15
DISPLAY STRETCH RESET
DISPLAY STRETCH AUTO
CAPTURE 4 FRAMES REQUIREGUIDING False
CAPTURE STOP
SHOW NOTIFICATION "Dithering : Capture stopped" COLOUR Amber DURATION 30
RUN F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\MGSend.exe WITH PARAMS dither WAIT True
COUNTDOWN FOR 25 SHOWING "Please wait... Settling after Dither"
END LOOP
END SEQUENCE
If to be used in Livestacking, ensure that the guiding setting is off in the Livestacking options.
Then the sequence is, for the same capture parameters as above
SEQUENCE
PROMPT FOR TARGET
SET OUTPUT FORMAT TO "FITS files (*.fits)"
SET EXPOSURE TO 120
SET GAIN TO 102
SET OFFSET TO 15
LIVE MODE
LIVE STACKING START
LIVE STACKING PAUSE
LOOP 8 TIMES
LIVE STACKING RESUME
DELAY 480
LIVE STACKING PAUSE
LIVE STACKING STRETCH RESET
LIVE STACKING AUTOSTRETCH
SHOW NOTIFICATION "Capture paused: Dithering" COLOUR Amber DURATION 30
RUN F:\Utilities\MG_Scripts\MGSend.exe WITH PARAMS dither WAIT True
COUNTDOWN FOR 25 SHOWING "Please Wait...Settling after Dither"
END LOOP
LIVE STACKING STOP
LIVE STACKING SAVE FITSRawStack32Bit
END SEQUENCE
4. Some notes:
a. The dither command as used in MG above has a built in delay of 5 sec after dither. When dithering with SC, my mount takes about 20 sec to settle, so have used a 25 sec delay.
b. In Livestacking, not sure if there is any sequencer command for "livestack <x> frames>", so have used a time limit. The time = sub exposure x subs between dither, which in this case is 120x4 = 480sec. Not ideal, but works, at least for me.
5. Start / calibrate / whatever MG as usual, and once guiding, start the sequencer.