Proposed addition of two independent focuser control functions!

[Toshihito Watanabe]

Hi Robin

Recently I've been using the FocusDream kit for guide focusing, but in the Configuring SharpCap - Hardware Tab, only the main scope focuser (MoonLite focuser) can be configured in accordance with ASCOM. Is it possible to add a function to this tab to allow me to set the guide focuser as well?

SC設定.png (152.83 KiB) Viewed 1398 times

For example, the following screenshot (MaxIm DL6 - Observatory Control Window - Focus tab) has independent items like Focuser1 and Focuser2.

Of course, you will need to use a different driver for each focuser, and you will need to use two different brands of focusers.

image496.png (37.83 KiB) Viewed 1401 times

Watanabe

[admin]

Hi,

I think it only makes sense to control a focuser in SharpCap if you are also using a camera that is affected by that focuser, so having two focusers in one version of SharpCap doesn't seem right. If you have a guide scope and a main scope and you want to focus both in SharpCap, then the best thing to do is to run SharpCap twice (once for each camera). You can set up alternative, independent, configurations for SharpCap using the '/instance' command line parameter, meaning you don't need to keep switching settings - you can have two shortcuts on the desktop for the two different configurations - see https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.0/#Comman ... 0Arguments

cheers,

Robin

[Toshihito Watanabe]

Hi

I added the '/instance 2' parameter from the command line and ran SharpCap, but what are the steps after that?

"C:\Program Files (x86)\SharpCap 4.0\SharpCap.exe" /instance 2

InstanceCommand.png (6.46 KiB) Viewed 1356 times

Could it be the following steps?

1) goto the folder where SharpCap is installed - ie c:\program files (x86)\SharpCap 4.0
a) using the *right* mouse button drag SharpCap.exe from that folder to the desktop
b) It will say 'move to desktop', but when you let go of the mouse it will prompt what to do with the file - choose 'Create Shortcut Here'
2) On the new shortcut, right click, then choose 'properties'
3) Click in the 'Target' box of the properties, go to the very right hand end of the text already there and add
' /instance 2'

Using this new shortcut, a second alternative set of settings will be displayed.

SharpCap.exe-Shortcuts.png (19.8 KiB) Viewed 1345 times

Thanks,
Watanabe

[admin]

Hi,

yes, that should be fine for creating the shortcut.

Note that when you run a new 'instance' for the first time, it will copy all the settings from your default settings. After that they are completely separate in terms of settings, but capture profiles are shared between them.

cheers,

Robin

[Toshihito Watanabe]

Hi

The following content sentence baffles me!

> Note that when you run a new 'instance' for the first time, it will copy all the settings from your default settings. After that they are completely separate in terms of settings, but capture profiles are shared between them.

You mean the first time you run the guide focus setting on the second instance of the new shortcut (/instance 2).
Also, "copy all settings from the default settings" doesn't really ring a bell right now, what exactly is that?




Thanks,
Watanabe

[admin]

Hi,

SharpCap has a whole range of settings that you can adjust - what hardware you use, what your favourite file formats are, how files are named, etc.

The first time you run SharpCap with a '/instance X' on the command line, all of your current settings will be copied into the settings of the new instance, so to begin with the two versions of SharpCap will seem the same. After that, any changes you make to either version will not affect the other version.

cheers,

Robin

[Toshihito Watanabe]

Hi

So both focusers can be used from the telescope control area of the camera control panel?
(Refocus or fine tune both at the same time without switching one over the other)

Or is that not what I'm trying to do?

Two Focuser Operations.png (19.73 KiB) Viewed 1289 times

Thanks,
Watanabe

[admin]

Hi,

no, that is impossible, but you can run two SharpCap programs, one talking to each focuser.

cheers,

Robin

[Toshihito Watanabe]

Hi

So, first you start SharpCap for the main focuser (left image), then you start SharpCap for the guide focuser (right image), and then one of the SharpCaps communicates with each focuser?.

Two SharpCap activations.png (66.37 KiB) Viewed 1271 times

Thanks,
Watanabe

[admin]

Hi,

yes, that's the best you can do.

cheers,

Robin