SharpCap Forums

When trying to stack the TIFF files generated by SharpCap, the stacking software Sequator gives an error message saying "Invalid TIFF directory; tags are not sorted in ascending order (in module "TIFFReadDirectoryCheckOrder"). I uploaded one of the light frames to Google Drive for your reference. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cJfeOl ... sp=sharing
The camera I used is a Sony a6000, if that's relevant.

What can be done to fix the tag order (easily, as I am not a computer person)?

Also, is there a way to save darks and flats in TIFF in SharpCap? If not, how do I average them and convert that file from FITS to TIFF? Sequator apparently can't handle FITS files. Currently I have the light frames in TIFF and the calibration files in FITS and there doesn't appear to be a stacker that can handle both (I've tried DSS and ASATP).

Thanks!

Hi,

from what I can find with a quick online search, the thing about tags not being sorted is just a warning created by a piece of software called ImageMagick, which maybe is being used in the background by Sequator. It should not stop the file from being read.

However, SharpCap can be set up to create compressed TIFF files, and not all software copes well with those compressed files, so perhaps that is the thing that is killing the use of the files, but you see the first warning message rather than the final error message.

There is an option in SharpCap to turn off compression, which may help for future captures (if you currently have it turned on - check the saving settings).

For the files you already have, the best bet is to convert them. I tried several programs and they were all happy reading the file you shared - probably the best bet for bulk conversion is PIPP (Planetary Imaging Pre Processor). Although the title says 'Planetary', it will handle conversion of pretty much all images and can do the job on a batch rather than one at a time. I think the best bet is to use it to convert your TIFF file to FITS to match the calibration frames, then you should be good to go.

cheers,

Robin