Profiles

Profiles are special jobs that contain information about image sources, such as cameras. A profile contains critical directives that describe the image source. Profiles simplify the process of creating new Jobs by eliminating the necessity of filling in directives that are constant for a given source.

When creating a new Job, Stacker Unlimited looks for existing profiles and if only one is found then it is automatically loaded. If more than one profile is present then the user must chose from a list. If no profiles are found then the user is directed to create a new profile. Profiles can be created, edited or removed via the Quick Job Utility Manage Profiles.

Any number of profiles may be used. Multiple profiles accommodate several cameras or other sources (such as partially processed images from other software). Additionally, profiles may encompass more than source-specific directives to facilitate common processing options.

Note that it is possible to maintain and use Jobs in a way similar to profiles. For example, a Job can be continually reused by using the Forms editor to replace the Image Files directives.

File Issues

Profiles use the “.sup” file name extension. (Jobs use the “.suj” extension.)

All profiles should be stored in a single directory. Stacker Unlimited retains the name of that directory in the system registry (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\StackerUnlimited\Profiles). By default, profiles are saved to the profile directory in the Save Dialog and a warning is issued when the user attempts to save elsewhere. The profile directory can be set or changed by specifying the desired directory when saving a new or edited profile. Note that changing the directory strands any existing profiles in the old directory, which will no longer be recognized by Stacker Unlimited (use File Explorer to move profiles).

Any Job can be saved as a profile by selecting the Profile file type in the Save dialog. Most of the directives in the first Stack are saved as the profile (the most conspicuously absent directives are Image Files, as they are too job specific). See Edit Profile below.

Manage Profiles

A Quick Job Utility can be used to manage profiles. Additionally, profiles can be renamed or deleted via Windows File Explorer. Profiles can also be created or edited via Forms editor by selecting the Profile file type in the Open and Save Dialogs.

If there are no pre-existing profiles the following message will appear:

Press OK to build the profile.

If there is at least one pre-existing profile then the following screen will appear (profiles are listed in the top rows):

To Edit existing Profile

· Select any profile for editing by clicking the button. That profile is then loaded into the Forms editor. Upon finishing edits, save the profile using the Profile file type in the Save Dialog.

Remove Profile

· Press this button to delete profiles using a standard File Dialog.

New Profile

· Press this button to create a new profile. The user is asked to supply a file example from the source (e.g. camera raw file), otherwise the user must supply all requested information.

To manually create a profile, press the No button:

· Type in a Profile Name (e.g. camera name) and description. Press OK:

See Input Image Type

It is easier to let Stacker Unlimited obtain information from the image file:

· Select a typical image file. If you use more than one camera or source or the camera has different modalities then you will be able to create as many profiles as necessary later. After selection, the following form will appear:

· The above fields may be edited. The profile name is taken from header or metadata information on camera or instrument. Use Profile Description to document whatever you want (it is only used for informational purposes). Press OK to go to the next screen. The next screen depends on camera type.

If the camera is Bayer (One Shot Color) then this screen is presented:

· See Bayer Matrix for more information on how to enter this field. This is usually ascertained from the image file but some files (esp FITS) do not contain this critical information. If you do not know the Bayer Matrix for your camera then View the raw file using Stacker Unlimited, using the Viewer’s Bayer tab to figure it out. Note that you may also have to adjust the Viewer’s color ratios for the interpolated image to “look right”.

If the camera is Bayer or Color then this screen will appear:

· See Color Ratios for more information. If you know the approximate color filter ratios, enter them here. This is optional because color ratios can always be adjusted or readjusted later (e.g. in the Viewer). Bias offset defines the “black point” for the image, which can profoundly affect color rendering. For example, if a raw Bayer camera image has a bias/pedestal of 2,000 ADU then that number should be entered here unless the images are dark subtracted (dark subtraction removes the bias/pedestal). Also, many astro processing programs add a 100 ADU pedestal to the saved image, so enter 100 in this field for processing such images.

When all required information has been obtained the final screen will appear:

Edit Profile allows you to change or add information. A profile can be edited at a later time and that will not be covered in this tutorial. Press the Save Profile button:

Note that the suggested Profile name is the same as shown in the Build Profile form (above). Also note that Profile files have the “.sup” file extension. All profiles should be stored in a single folder. Stacker Unlimited remembers the chosen directory. It is recommended to create a special Profile directory (press “New Folder” in the dialog).

Any number of profiles may be created to accommodate different cameras or camera modes or other sources (e.g. other software). Profiles can also be used to codify custom settings that go beyond camera.