Thanks for the tip. I've done some Dry run blind plate solving from past images that I have taken with ASTAP . It seems to work very well. I must say it is fast . I've done blind plate solving with APS and it works great . I'm hoping this new program will increase solve time. Hope to get out tonight and give it a go. Your a good teacher. Clear skies
This is great information. I can not get AstroTortilla to even install on Win 10 without error messages. It hasn't been updated in years. ASTAP is great and I hear it is much better at plate solving with DSLR's than other solvers. And a good free stacking program, too!
Hi Kurt - I want to thank you for taking the time to share your experience with APT with the rest of us. Your experience as a teacher is clearly evident in your tutorials. I'm new to APT and your tutorials have been a great aid. Any chance you could do one on the APT Cooling Aid/Warming Aid processes? Thanks again for your help.
Thanks for another simplified, no nonsense tut. I’m going to scan through your videos for an APT tut. If you don’t have one please consider doing it. I’m struggling to get the hang of APT so I haven’t committed to buying it just testing the free version for now.
Thanks Shaun. I have several on the usage of APT. Also, I think you might be able to extend the trial version if you request it with the Developers. - Good Luck
A caveat with ASTAP: 1) The image should be at least 1000 pixels high. 2) Secondly, ASTAP requires at least 3 groups of 4 stars , so 12 but in practise 30 or more stars works better.
Is the beta version of APT V 3.85.9 the latest version and is it as stable as the Version 3.85.3 which is the version you used ASTAP for blind plate solving ? Thanks
Do u use NINA with ASTAP? I have ASTAP installed in the right directory, yet when I try to plate solve in NINA, it says "No star database found at C|Program Files|astap; Download the h18 and install." But I did that already. Astap.exe is in that directory, along with a bunch of numbered files. Any idea what it could be?
Yes I do use ASTAP with NINA. It sounds like there is a setting somewhere that needs to be set or maybe you need to set the directory where it gets the file - it sounds like you did this though. Unfortunately I don't know where. I would post this on the NINA FB page or the Forum. Good luck with this issue.
@@deeber35 You are right, Sorry. NINA uses a Discord feed (nighttime-imaging.eu/docs/master/site/#getting-help-or-helping-out) for questions. All you do is sign up and then post the question/issue.
Hi Kurt, just going back over your video on plate solving, on looking at the Parameters Dialogue box would changing the default location to our own location, help the scope to know where it is?
Yes. I would change the location to your own location and would suspect it would be better although I am not sure. I think it depends on whether you aligned it already.
I assume astap works for the meridian flip in ATP... I pretty much got everything working in ATP but had niggles with the other plate solving apps... For me, number one goal here is to have a plate solved flip
I have not tested that but assume it would since that is run by session craft in APT. I did automatic meridian flips with PS2 without any problems. - Good luck.
Hi Kurt, very nice video as always. But while solving for medusa nebula the solving showed failed on your screen, yet the verbal alert told image solved... How is that?
Yes, I noticed that it said it failed at first too but then it did solve it and then did the goto ++. The only thing I can think of is that it is solving it when it recording that it is not solved. Interesting though and will keep an eye on this.
Yeah, I think you have to do bunch of stuff. I would try to download the beta version. www.ideiki.com/astro/Download.aspx The beta version is on the bottom right where it says "Preview / Beta versions". - Good Luck
@@AstroQuest1 Done. Very easy and getting easier. I find it unusual that you have gone from trying SGP back to APT. SGP is too damn "busy". I do like NINA and have set up Astrotortilla for all my various configurations. A whole bunch of other things as well. That is what happens when it is always cloudy. Have solved my platesolving issue with the Mallincamsky cameras as well (in APT). Thank you for your help.
@@toddnoseworthy1447 Hi Todd, Your the second person to ask this, I''ll make video on this soon. The easiest way is to export a couple of already made targets and then use that as a model. It is a Text format. You also can go onto the APT Forum and download additional catalogs that people have made. - Cheers Kurt
Yeah, in my version I go to setting in PointCraft and then the first Plate solve option is for ASTAP. I just enter the directory where ASTAP is on my hard drive. C:\Program Files\ASTAP
Astrometric solvers are a miracle! I am very grateful to be able to expedite my workflow with them!
I can't believe I did not use them for so long.
Fab video. That was really useful. I can't believe how quick ASTAP is.
Thanks! I was stunned when I first used it. - Cheers
This will make life way easier. Just getting back into the hobby and never realized how many tools APT has. Subscribed. Thanks.
Thanks Mike! These programs make things a lot easier and fun.
Thanks for the tip. I've done some Dry run blind plate solving from past images that I have taken with ASTAP . It seems to work very well. I must say it is fast . I've done blind plate solving with APS and it works great . I'm hoping this new program will increase solve time. Hope to get out tonight and give it a go. Your a good teacher. Clear skies
Thanks Frank!
I love ASTAP. Blindingly fast especially with the ~17M database stars downloaded.
Wow, 17 M in the database.
This is great information. I can not get AstroTortilla to even install on Win 10 without error messages. It hasn't been updated in years. ASTAP is great and I hear it is much better at plate solving with DSLR's than other solvers. And a good free stacking program, too!
Thanks Ron. I have been very happy with ASTAP over the past 4 -years that I have used it. - Good Luck
Love your Medusa shot near the end....
Thanks Dan!
I used this program yesterday... very Impressing, super fast
Thanks for the video man 👌🌹
Thanks for the comment. It is noticeably faster than the other ones. - Cheers
Excellent Kurt!, that is fast will have to try it,thank you for sharing your video,lovely image.🖖
Thanks Tam.
Hi Kurt - I want to thank you for taking the time to share your experience with APT with the rest of us. Your experience as a teacher is clearly evident in your tutorials. I'm new to APT and your tutorials have been a great aid. Any chance you could do one on the APT Cooling Aid/Warming Aid processes? Thanks again for your help.
Thanks Steve, that's a good idea.
You are on top of things Kurt!
Thanks for the video, that looks like some powerful software (P.S. love the Star Trek wear)
Thanks, been a TNG fan for a long time.
Thanks for another simplified, no nonsense tut. I’m going to scan through your videos for an APT tut. If you don’t have one please consider doing it. I’m struggling to get the hang of APT so I haven’t committed to buying it just testing the free version for now.
Thanks Shaun. I have several on the usage of APT. Also, I think you might be able to extend the trial version if you request it with the Developers. - Good Luck
AstroQuest1 Thanks, I saw that and viewed a few already
thank you for the heads up on ASTAP! Great video
Thanks Walter. Cheers.
A caveat with ASTAP: 1) The image should be at least 1000 pixels high. 2) Secondly, ASTAP requires at least 3 groups of 4 stars , so 12 but in practise 30 or more stars works better.
Thanks for the additional information Dan.
Excellent Information thank you! APT Rules!
Thanks input. Cheers
I have ASTAP as my Solve as well as Blind Solve. Why not? It is better than other programs...
Cool
damn, thats fast.
Lightning!
Is the beta version of APT V 3.85.9 the latest version and is it as stable as the Version 3.85.3 which is the version you used ASTAP for blind plate solving ? Thanks
Yep on both counts.
I've just installed it on SGP, it's a doddle, just two .exe files to install, then select ASTAP in the equipment manager.
Awesome. Good Luck
Great video mate
Thanks Rayn.
Do u use NINA with ASTAP? I have ASTAP installed in the right directory, yet when I try to plate solve in NINA, it says "No star database found at C|Program Files|astap; Download the h18 and install." But I did that already. Astap.exe is in that directory, along with a bunch of numbered files. Any idea what it could be?
Yes I do use ASTAP with NINA. It sounds like there is a setting somewhere that needs to be set or maybe you need to set the directory where it gets the file - it sounds like you did this though. Unfortunately I don't know where. I would post this on the NINA FB page or the Forum. Good luck with this issue.
@@AstroQuest1 Does NINA have its own forum on FB? Couldn't find it. Thanks.
@@deeber35 You are right, Sorry. NINA uses a Discord feed (nighttime-imaging.eu/docs/master/site/#getting-help-or-helping-out) for questions. All you do is sign up and then post the question/issue.
So you don’t have to take an image to solve it just solves it. Or did I miss you take an image before solving
You have to take an image or upload an image to solve it. I think I said something to that affect.
Hi Kurt, just going back over your video on plate solving, on looking at the Parameters Dialogue box would changing the default location to our own location, help the scope to know where it is?
Yes. I would change the location to your own location and would suspect it would be better although I am not sure. I think it depends on whether you aligned it already.
I assume astap works for the meridian flip in ATP... I pretty much got everything working in ATP but had niggles with the other plate solving apps... For me, number one goal here is to have a plate solved flip
I have not tested that but assume it would since that is run by session craft in APT. I did automatic meridian flips with PS2 without any problems. - Good luck.
That's is fast mate
Hi Kurt, very nice video as always. But while solving for medusa nebula the solving showed failed on your screen, yet the verbal alert told image solved... How is that?
Yes, I noticed that it said it failed at first too but then it did solve it and then did the goto ++. The only thing I can think of is that it is solving it when it recording that it is not solved. Interesting though and will keep an eye on this.
Kurt I can't find anything on the APT web site about version 3.85 beta. My version is 3.82 and there is no provision for ASTAP
Yeah, I think you have to do bunch of stuff. I would try to download the beta version. www.ideiki.com/astro/Download.aspx The beta version is on the bottom right where it says "Preview / Beta versions". - Good Luck
@@AstroQuest1 Done. Very easy and getting easier. I find it unusual that you have gone from trying SGP back to APT. SGP is too damn "busy". I do like NINA and have set up Astrotortilla for all my various configurations. A whole bunch of other things as well. That is what happens when it is always cloudy. Have solved my platesolving issue with the Mallincamsky cameras as well (in APT). Thank you for your help.
@@dankahraman354 Thanks Dan. - Good Luck.
Apt is now at 3.87 , history here astrophotography.app/usersguide/what_is_new_.htm
wow medusa looks very good! Music at the end was good too...what is the name of it?
Yeah , I found it on the RUclips music - The Gunfight by Everet Almond.
I see the C:\Program Files\ASTAP on your screen..nothing like that on my version.
Hey Dan, that was installed by the installation program.
Thanks for the review. Think I'll give it a try. Question: Is there a way to add to the library of DSOs in APT? I find some objects just aren't there.
Yes. Under Gear you can add them to the Custom Library or you can import them if you already have a catalog made.
AstroQuest1 how do you make a catalog?
@@toddnoseworthy1447 Hi Todd, Your the second person to ask this, I''ll make video on this soon. The easiest way is to export a couple of already made targets and then use that as a model. It is a Text format. You also can go onto the APT Forum and download additional catalogs that people have made. - Cheers Kurt
Did you have to uninstalled your main APT first to uninstalled this beta ?
Nope, It just replaces what is there.
@@AstroQuest1 you found any problems with it ?
@@ryanhogg6556 Not at all.
@@AstroQuest1 maybe I should try it out
@@ryanhogg6556 Yes Good Luck
I have ASTAP installed. How do you direct APT to go to ASTAP?
Yeah, in my version I go to setting in PointCraft and then the first Plate solve option is for ASTAP. I just enter the directory where ASTAP is on my hard drive. C:\Program Files\ASTAP
Is Maria the voice behind the program?
She might be!
Do you have to install ASTAP with APT 3.85 beta?
Currently I am using the 3.83 which seems to work well.
I was thinking...”why change? My platesolve2 works just fine”...but gosh, that’s cool.
Yeah, PS2 works well it is just this is much faster.