Image Processing Window

This window allows you to display images in GIF, BMP, JPEG, PIC, FITS or RAW (native format of digital cameras) either by loading them directly, or by linking them to objects (see section devoted to user images). PIC, FITS and RAW images can have some basic processing actions performed such as adjusting the thresholds. Using this tool, you can also display and process images from the ESO server or STScI Digitized Sky Survey (see the section devoted to images from the Digitized Sky Survey).

The RAW formats supported correspond to those with CR2, CRW, NEF, PEF, MRW, RAF, ORF et X3F file extensions. C2A includes a slightly modified version of David Coffin’s DCRAW program (http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/dcraw/) to convert these formats to a format which C2A can read. C2A can also read the PPM and PGM formats used by DCRAW.

You can use the mouse wheel to zoom in and out. The image can be moved vertically with the mouse wheel by holding down the SHIFT key. In the same way, you can move it horizontally with the mouse wheel while pressing Ctrl. The mouse wheel is activated or deactivated by checking the “Use the mouse wheel to zoom and move in the map” in the Misc tab of the Options dialogue box.

Note that if you display images in GIF, JPEG or BMP format, the interface in this window is very much simplified because it is not possible to work on the dynamics of the image (as opposed to PIC, FITS or RAW formats).

Usage with the Acquisition Interface

In addition to the usuall features found in an image processing tool (threshold adjustment, color management, ...), C2A is able to acquire images through the software Maxim DL and display them directly in the image processing window. This software needs to be installed on your system if you intend to acquire images directly from C2A. In addition, C2A gives access in the same window to the King method (polar alignement of a mount) and to the camera temperature management process. To get information about one of the components of the graphical interface in this window, left click on it in the image below.

Usage with the Astrometric Resolution Interface

C2A also allows you to perform an astrometry resolution on an image using the PinPoint astrometric resolution engine. This software needs to be installed on your system if you intend to perform an astrometric resolution from C2A. To get information about one of the components of the graphical interface in this window, left click on it in the image below.

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