Instruction manual of program ASTRO-QUICKCAM

 Synopsis

1. Warnings, Conditions of use. Exemption of responsibilities *

2. General presentation *

2.1. The state of the functions at the time of publication * 3. Functions for astronomy * 3.1. The image capture *

3.2. The pretreatment on line *

3.3. The measurement of turbulence *

3.4. Guidance *

3.5. The capture of sequential images: *

 4. Program instructions  * 4.1. The principle of the control screen *

4.2. 4 basic states *

4.3. The parameter setting of the options *

4.4. The parameter setting of the timing *

 5. Detailed use and better parameter settings * 5.1. Black and FLAT taken the flight *

5.2. Black and FLAT by defect *

5.3. The need for follow-up *

5.4. Planetary images *

5.5. The image capture of the deep sky *

5.6. The post image processing *

 6. Appendices * 6.1. How to have several cameras? *

6.2. Which Mode for Parallel connection " ECP, EPP... " *

6.3. A3 *

 Warnings, Conditions of utilisation. Exemption of responsibilities

This version of test is provided as is and without any guarantee.

" Although I think of having taken all the reasonable precautions not to disturb your system, of the abnormal operations can always arrive. It only rests on you to take all the precautions of use if your computer contains significant data: back up, search for virus, checking of the files installed and possible desinstallation. To in no case, my responsibility could not be engaged by a damage with your data which could only result from an imprudent behavior of your share. "

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General presentation

Program ASTROQUICKCAM was developed to facilitate the use of the digital cameras in the field of amateur astronomy .

These cameras are cheap, easy to modify and implement, and make it possible to obtain satisfactory results.

The following figure presents program ASTROQC.EXE to starting.

It is presented here in a  Windows 95 environment but also functions in the Windows 98 environment and under WINDOWS 3.1.

Software is 16bits (Visual BASIC 3.0) with a propriatory memory manager.

This handbook will present:

The state of the functions at the time of publication Functions for astronomy
    1. The image capture

      2.  

       
       
       

      The first use of the program is to capture images and to record them on magnetic medium.

      The program makes it possible to record a pretreated image.

      The recording is made in the folder of its choice (see " options ").

      The name of the file consists of a name from 1 to 5 characters supplemented by a number automatically incremented by the program.

      The images are recorded with standard format BMP.
       

    2. The pretreatment on line
The user can ask that all the images be the object of one or more raitements taken among the following:
    1. The measurement of turbulence

      2.  

       

      The program estimates turbulence and displays in the form of a figure from 0 to 100, as in the form of a bar indicator light of red color.

      The method used rests on the analysis of a small square of 16x16 pixels in the center of the image. A standard deviation is calculated with the preceding image and provides the estimate of turbulence: The difference in luminosity is calculated pixel by pixel (possibly in three-colour process), raised squared to take account of the positive and negative variations and to take account of the great values, added and brought back to the square root.

      The measurement of turbulence is made with each capture of an image in guidance mode or photograph.

      Turbulence can intervene like threshold to invalidate the recording of image.
       

    2. Guidance
The program can be used for the guidance of a telescope.

A special window (sight with reticle) provides an increased image of the center of the image.

The operator can correct the position of an automatic telescope (standard Meade LX200):

    1. The capture of sequential images
  • The program allows the capture of sequential images: The operator indicates an interval of time between catches of sight (in seconds) and the system records and stores an image (possibly pretreated) at the end of each interval.


    • This capture of sequential images can be conditional: turbulence must be lower than a maximum.

    Guidance can be active during the capture of sequential images.

    The capture of sequential images could be made with video film AVI. format *  The pretreatment is not applied.

    This function is useful for:

    The program engaged in an imagery: the use of the screen printing disturbs and stops ASTRQC.EXE

    Program instructions

      1. The principle of the control screen
    The user can interact with the program via menus, but also via button which constitutes a true control screen. Certain zones used in development are still present (DEBUG).

    The significant buttons are:

      1. 4 basic states

        2.  

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         


         
         

        The changes of states are obtained while pressing on the " Focus " button. (the wording of this button changes to reflect the current state.

      2. The parameter setting of the options
    A window is dedicated to the options. One can choose there:
     
      1. The setting of the timing parameter
    A window is dedicated to the " Timing ". One can choose there: Detailed use and better parameter settings
      1. Access to the parameter setting of the camera

    The menu " source " gives access the adjustments of the camera. In general:

      1. Frequency of exposure
    The second part of this menu makes it possible to fix the frequency of exposure. Astro-quickcam synchronizes its speed with that of the camera as much as making can (for the experts, I would have wanted to make call-back, but I am satisfied to emulate it.

    The choice of a high frequency is justified only for the ease of adjustment.

    What affects the speed of exposure?

      1. Black and FLAT taken on the fly
    The operator can choose to take his black and Flat images on the fly during the session.

    These images are not accessible, and will be lost at the end of the session.

    Here how to proceed for the blacks:

    The method is almost the same one for FLAT. To use the FLAT image for the pretreatment, it is advisable to check the box " UtilPLU ".

    Note that to in no case the black is not withdrawn images taking part in FLAT, that it was acquired or not.
     
     

      1. Black and FLAT by default
    To avoid the disadvantage of Black and of FLAT taken on the fly, it be possible to use some image in file, taken by the camera.

    The file names are fixed (DEFPLU.BMP, DEFBLACK.BMP). The directory is fixed by the screen option.

    These files can made up starting from image that has been taken by the camera in another session and partially reprocessed. One will associate a directory particular to each size and/or definition of image.

    Here how to proceed:


     
     
      1. The need for follow-up

        2.  

         
         
         
         

        The use of advanced functions, and in particular the composit must be carried out under conditions of follow-up as perfect as possible.

        An erection looked after, a synchronous drive... are conditions necessary to make certain images.
         
         

      2. Planetary image capture

        3.  

         
         
         

        Planets do not require a long exposure.

        The follow-up must however be of quality, to avoid too frequent retimings of the image.
         
         

      3. The image capture of the deep sky

        4.  

         

        The " not cooled " quickcam does not lend itself to the capture of deep sky images.

        Projects are in hand to try to cool the camera.
         
         

      4. The post image processing
    Two techniques of postprocessing are possible:
    1. Appendices
      1. How to have several cameras?

        2.  

         

        Installing both QuickCam and Color QuickCam with Windows 95

        (Advanced Users Only)

        NOTE: You only need to read this section if you have a Grayscale QuickCam and a Color QuickCam AND want to switch between both will cameras on the fly.

        This installer will disable previous versions of the QuickCam driver that may have been installed.  It is possible to install both Color QuickCam and Grayscale QuickCam and switch between the two in the Multi-media Control Panel.

        Run the QuickCam installer twice, selecting the Grayscale QuickCam first and Color QuickCam/Color QuickCam2 the second time.

        Open the Windows\System.ini file and make sure the following lines are in your [ Drivers ] section:

        MSVIDEO=qccolor.drv

        MSVIDEO1=quickcam.drv

        (Note, if you have other video input devices you can set them to MSVIDEO2, MSVIDEO3, etc.)

        Reboot the computer.

        You should now have both cameras entered in the Multimedia Control Panel, Advanced tab under Video Capture Devices. To switch between cameras, select the driver for the current active camera and click properties. Click the " do not use this video capture device. " and click " OK. Select the camera you would like to use and click properties. Click the "Use this video capture device." and click "OK.
         
         

      2. Quel Mode pour la liaison Parallèle "ECP, EPP,..."
        3. The camera doesn't take advantage of anything fancier than SPP/bidir, 
but it works fine with EPP, which is better for other (e.g., printers) devices.
ECP is not reliable with all drivers. Recommended, regardless of OS, driver, or model of camera: EPP.
         
      3. Principe du flux des images dans le programme

        4.  

         
         
         
         
         


         
         

      4. Principe de l'architecture logicielle
    Les modules de "vidéo for Windows" ont été utilisés. Cf. le SDK.