SharpCap Forums

Why does SharpCap save my raw files as TIF files instead of FITS when saving from live stack? Manual says "Save as 16 Bit Stack will rescale the stacked data linearly between the 0 and the maximum pixel value into the range 0 to 65535 and save this as a 16-bit FITS file. And, the TIF files won't open in my other stacking apps or photoshop.

Hi,

check out the 'Saving' tab in the settings (now a separate tab - used to be on the 'General' tab in older versions of SharpCap) - set the preferred still file format to FITS not TIFF. Also, check that you have turned off TIFF compression - some applications cannot open compressed TIFF.

This is the documenation from before there was a separate 'Saving' tab - https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/4.0/#Configuring%20SharpCap

cheers,

Robin

Robin,

Thanks! That worked.

I am new to this type of AP, and struggle a lot with this new-fangled ZWO533 color camera. Results are not anywhere near what I expected. I also have a lot of problems with SharpCap getting what I think should be good results.

I have done the sensor analysis, and use smart histogram and the brain. However, what looks good on the screen does not want to match what I get. I'm sure things will eventually work out, I hope.

My main mount is an iOptron CEM40EC. Tracking is very good. I do not use a guide camera, as the tracking as so good with the EC.

I have been involved with astronomy for over 40 years. I go way back to the days of Hypered film and giant off-axis guiders, then DSLRs for many years now. In fact, I have to have a dedicated room in my home just for all the scopes and mounts, etc. Wife thinks I am obsessed. LOL!

I have spent many many hours viewing videos about getting things to work with SharpCap, but I have to say most of the videos are not that concise, and leave lots of info out - as far as I can tell.

Again, thank you for your rapid response!

All the best,
Frank

Hi Frank,

good to hear that you are making progress

Instructional videos can be a bit of a mixed bag - I don't make them myself (too time consuming, not really my skill set), so you have to rely on user made ones. Some are excellent, others tend to focus on odd things or have inaccuracies in them. Personally I prefer old-fashioned written documentation - easier to search within it or to skim read until you get to the bit you want. The SharpCap user manual covers *most* of the details you should need, but not everything (it's already 200 pages long). Deeper info can often be found here on the forums in previous posts - the default forum search uses Google but restricts the search to the various SharpCap web sites (forums, documentation, main web site).

cheers,

Robin