· Combine an unlimited number of digital images into a high quality image
· Optimized for astronomical imaging
· Single pass batch processing
· Multiple stacks per job
· Multiple active viewers (Raw, Aligned, Stack, etc.)
· Process CCD, DSLR, AVI images
· Versatile and controllable; simple Quick Job interface or full control Forms
· Save Jobs; reusable directives and parameters
· Control from internal or external software (Developer SDK available soon)
As the name implies, Stacker Unlimited is able to handle any number of images. Stacker Unlimited prepares images one at a time (per thread); images are not retained in memory nor are they sent to temporary disk files. A limited number of internal data structures are used to accumulate the combined image. This results in the ability to quickly process large numbers of images using a limited amount of memory.
Some features and processes:
· View RAW images via DDP, Gamma, Color correction; save JPEG
· Pre-process: dark subtract, flat field
· Bayer (one Shot Color) interpolate, extract, drizzle, or preserve matrix;
· Color (including Bayer): convert to color or extract monochrome (e.g. H-alpha red)
· Align; several alignment and resample methods and options
· Select frames based FWHM or encircled flux
· Combine using data rejection to remove anomalies (e.g. hot pixels, airplane trails)
Nearly all processes are optional and each process has many options controlled by directives contained in a Job script created via Quick Job or Forms (or external software).
Stacker Unlimited consists of three interacting parts:
· Image processing is done by the Job Processor using directives contained in a Job script.
· Control Editor creates and edits Job scripts by specifying directives. Jobs can be saved, edited and reused. Jobs are standard XML and so it is possible to create or edit Jobs using other editors or processes. A Software Developer’s Kit (SDK) will be made available to facilitate Job creation by users and third parties.
· Viewers show images. A viewer can show the combined image as it is being processed. Viewers can monitor processing steps, such as showing raw and registered images as they are processed. Any supported image file can be viewed.
Getting Started:
Review System and Image File requirements below.
Install the latest version at StackerUnlimited.com (follow instructions on the web site to install).
For DSLR raw files, install free Adobe DNG converter.
See Getting Help.
Tutorial describes basic concepts and walks thru steps to create typical jobs.
· Windows PC with .NET 2.x or later installed
· Recommended for large Bayer (DSLR) images: 64 bit XP, Vista, or Windows 7 with 4 GB RAM.
· Computers with 32 bit OS or limited RAM may be unable to use certain processing options for large color images. Options are available that produce the same results, for example see Expand Color Job.
· All input, calibration and reference images must be the same size.
· Registration (alignment) requires that all images have the same image-scale. OLS and Star Shift do not scale (magnify) the images. Star Match can accommodate small scale (magnification) changes, as might occur from differing SCT focus points or very small FL changes induced by filters.
Supported File Types:
· Monochrome
FITS (16 or 32 bit)
SBIG
TIFF 16 bit grayscale uncompressed
· Bayer (DSLR, One Shot Color)
FITS (16 or 32 bit)
SBIG
DSLR RAW (e.g. Canon, Nikon, Olympus): requires installation of Adobe DNG converter
DNG Adobe Digital Negative uncompressed.
· Color (RGB)
Color FITS (16 or 32 bit)
Color TIFF 16 bit uncompressed
TIFF 8 bit
JPEG
BMP
· AVI (video) uncompressed grayscale. Future versions may support color and other formats. There are a variety of video editors and players that can convert other formats to uncompressed AVI (e.g. Apple QuickTime extended version).