CS4 not compatible with FITS Liberator

[winensky]

I have just installed PS CS4 and then discovered that I could not reinstall FITS Liberator.Several file would not install. It had been working fine in Vista with CS2 and 3. Help! any ideas out there? (Aside from going back to CS3).

[winensky]

Have just found an answer to my own question. ESA/NASA FITS liberator group acknowledge that FL 2.2 won't work with CS4. They are working on 2.3 which it is hoped will support 32 bit CS4. Work has also started on FL 3.0

[RickJ]

I see the other major method FITS Plug also is listed as only working with CS3. I know some are using CS4. I wonder how they do it. I'm stuck back in the CS mode.

Rick

[winensky]

I think its because you are wise enough to stick with what you know works and your amazing work reflects this Rick.

[RickJ]

Actually they use software to process the FITS such as PixInsight or CCDStack or Maxim D/L that can save the FITS as 16 bit TIFF files and then move that to CS. I have CCDStack and use it for some problem stacking situations but haven't learned it for building the LRGB image. I still do that in CS. Most of the real experts do that in other software before moving to CS. I haven't moved up the processing ladder that far as yet.

Rick

[winensky]

I have just about gained enough confidence to start combining my HaLRGB with Maxim so yes, I will hopefully be able to dispense with FL. Although I still find those pre-packed stretches handy at times, maybe this is the sign to move on. With my scope out of commission this might be agood time to practice.

[RickJ]

What happened to your scope? I missed that.

On Ha I usually add it at 100% to the Lum image and about 80% to red and 20% to blue using "lighten" mode. That way it doesn't screw up star colors. I don't have Maxim so not sure how you do it there. When I tried using a "normal" mix to combine them stars never came out right.

I never used the FL stretches for the Lum image. They never did what I wanted. Curves as well as shadow and light options under PS worked far better for me.

Rick

[winensky]

I understand about the canned stretches. I only use them as a starting point after resetting the dark point. Curves truely allow you to find so much more detail.

The 497 controler on my LXD 75 turned up its toes after several months of intermittent failure, (and the associated frustration). Despite this, after 1.5 years with this scope I can comfortably say that it has been a great introductory astrophotography instrument. The OTA I would love to keep as it is really sharp and, after proper collimation, delivers excellent images + heaps of light for the price. The focuser, as we have discussed in the past, is rubbish and at f/4, a motor needs to be adapted to it to allow for focusing within a very limited plane. The mount? At present, after worm gear adjustments and locking down the azimuth, (I actually nudge the tripod for azimuth correction during polar alignment as the altitude wobbles too much when the scope's weight transfers during slewing when not locked down tight), Periodic error is between 0.5 to 1 arc minute though there is one other modification I have yet to attempt to bring the mechanical variation down to a minimum. I will then feel confident about setting up the scopes PEC. All of this has been invaluable learning and this is partly why I say that this has been a great, if at times frustrating introductory astrophotography scope for the price.

I am going to cash in some hard earned long service leave and buy a DSI III mono, an Orion short tube 80, an Orion focuser motor to adapt to the existing focuser, a heater and of course a new controller. This will set me up for guiding, provide a step up in imager within my budget and allow me to minimize the mount and focuser faults as much as possible.

In a world with endless money... well, a Tak BRC 250 or TOA with your Paramount would be very nice... Thanks for your interest and continued encouragement though I have seriously drifted off topic. Mind you, The LXD 75 is still on the market and this may help someone. Cheers Rick.