Re: New Feature : Deep Sky Image Annotation
Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 4:18 pm
Hi folks,
A significant update to Deep Sky Image Annotation in this week's version of SharpCap - in addition to showing the deep sky objects on the camera image, there is now a results window that gives you a list of the objects (both in view and nearby) and the ability to both customize and use the results.
Starting with the basics, you get a list of the deep sky objects that are in the camera's field of view (note that this means that the center of the object is in the field of view for extended objects). The list shows the ID, Names, type and magnitude of the objects, but you can click on any object in the list to select it and see more details.
Once you select an object, it will highlight in yellow instead of red on the image overlay (and will appear if it was being hidden by neighbouring objects). The details panel shows you
* ID and Names : click on any of the links here to set the 'Target Name' in the toolbar, which will then be used in file names when capturing.
* RA and Dec co-ordinates of the object
* Magnitude, if one is listed in the catalog
* Type
* Radius (in arc minutes - I will make the UI show that for the next update)
* Position - relative to the camera image, including X and Y pixel co-ordinates of the center of the object
* The offset in co-ordinates required to center the target. This should be helpful for non-goto mounts.
Finally, if you have a goto mount connected, there is a 'Center in View' button which will move the mount to put the selected target in the middle of the camera view.
Note that the 'Center in View' button and the 'To Center' co-ordinate offset figures both require a SharpCap Pro license.
Next, there is also a list of the deep sky objects that are 'nearby'...
Nearby means within one field of view of the camera in any direction - imagine a rectangle divided into a three by three grid - the center box of nine is the current view of the camera and objects in that area are 'In View'. Objects in any of the other 8 boxes are 'Nearby'.
In this view, you will see that there are no blue links to click to set the target name (since that only applies to things that are in view of the camera). Also, the 'Position' is reported in a different way - telling you how far out of view and in what direction the object is, relative to the current view.
You can still use the 'To Center' values or the 'Center in View' button to bring the object into view.
There are also now some settings to control the annotation:
The settings allow the font size to be changed and the types of objects being shown (and which catalogs are being used) to be customized. Note that the settings are not remembered yet if you close and re-open SharpCap.
Finally, note that there are some new buttons at the bottom of this area:
* Plate Solve Nearby : This will run a quick plate solve looking within 15 degrees distance of the current position. Available either with a GOTO mount connected or without a GOTO mount after an initial full sky plate solve has determined the current position.
* Plate Solve Whole Sky : This runs a slower plate solving process, looking for the correct position in the whole sky. Not available when a GOTO mount is in use (as the mount co-ordinates should be within 15 degrees in the first place, so this should not be needed). Use this for the first plate solve without a GOTO mount and also if you move a long way from the previous solve location.
* Save Image with Annotations : Saves the image as seen on the screen (including display stretch, etc) with the annotations drawn over the image. Note that the fonts may appear smaller in the saved image, depending on the size of the image and the zoom level set within SharpCap.
Phew! lots to try out - feedback welcome
cheers,
Robin
A significant update to Deep Sky Image Annotation in this week's version of SharpCap - in addition to showing the deep sky objects on the camera image, there is now a results window that gives you a list of the objects (both in view and nearby) and the ability to both customize and use the results.
Starting with the basics, you get a list of the deep sky objects that are in the camera's field of view (note that this means that the center of the object is in the field of view for extended objects). The list shows the ID, Names, type and magnitude of the objects, but you can click on any object in the list to select it and see more details.
Once you select an object, it will highlight in yellow instead of red on the image overlay (and will appear if it was being hidden by neighbouring objects). The details panel shows you
* ID and Names : click on any of the links here to set the 'Target Name' in the toolbar, which will then be used in file names when capturing.
* RA and Dec co-ordinates of the object
* Magnitude, if one is listed in the catalog
* Type
* Radius (in arc minutes - I will make the UI show that for the next update)
* Position - relative to the camera image, including X and Y pixel co-ordinates of the center of the object
* The offset in co-ordinates required to center the target. This should be helpful for non-goto mounts.
Finally, if you have a goto mount connected, there is a 'Center in View' button which will move the mount to put the selected target in the middle of the camera view.
Note that the 'Center in View' button and the 'To Center' co-ordinate offset figures both require a SharpCap Pro license.
Next, there is also a list of the deep sky objects that are 'nearby'...
Nearby means within one field of view of the camera in any direction - imagine a rectangle divided into a three by three grid - the center box of nine is the current view of the camera and objects in that area are 'In View'. Objects in any of the other 8 boxes are 'Nearby'.
In this view, you will see that there are no blue links to click to set the target name (since that only applies to things that are in view of the camera). Also, the 'Position' is reported in a different way - telling you how far out of view and in what direction the object is, relative to the current view.
You can still use the 'To Center' values or the 'Center in View' button to bring the object into view.
There are also now some settings to control the annotation:
The settings allow the font size to be changed and the types of objects being shown (and which catalogs are being used) to be customized. Note that the settings are not remembered yet if you close and re-open SharpCap.
Finally, note that there are some new buttons at the bottom of this area:
* Plate Solve Nearby : This will run a quick plate solve looking within 15 degrees distance of the current position. Available either with a GOTO mount connected or without a GOTO mount after an initial full sky plate solve has determined the current position.
* Plate Solve Whole Sky : This runs a slower plate solving process, looking for the correct position in the whole sky. Not available when a GOTO mount is in use (as the mount co-ordinates should be within 15 degrees in the first place, so this should not be needed). Use this for the first plate solve without a GOTO mount and also if you move a long way from the previous solve location.
* Save Image with Annotations : Saves the image as seen on the screen (including display stretch, etc) with the annotations drawn over the image. Note that the fonts may appear smaller in the saved image, depending on the size of the image and the zoom level set within SharpCap.
Phew! lots to try out - feedback welcome
cheers,
Robin