What's New in Version 6

This is a partial listing of new features in MaxIm DL Version 6. For complete details please see the command reference.

Also see the Release Notes for other changes and updates.

• Quick Color

• • See Raw RGB Bayer-encoded images in color instead of monochrome

  • Uses nearest-neighbour decode for speed

  • Does not degrade dark subtraction, etc., since image is not actually modified

  • User must still perform Convert Color prior to image processing and for optimum quality

• Narrowband image blending tool

• • Stack arbitrary number of images planes

  • Choose wavelength match for each filter band

  • Can insert same filter multiple times for multiple wavelength blending

• Major upgrade to Photometry command

• • Group-based analysis similar to Stack tool

  • Multispectral analysis

  • Unlimited input files

  • Reject images based on quality

  • Astrometric or auto star match star identification

• Support for PinPoint V6

• • Astrometry.net integration for all-sky solving

  • UCAC4 support

  • Hot pixel detection and removal for more robust solving

  • Improved point-spread function fitter

  • Deprecated support for obsolete catalogs GSC (non-corrected) and USNO SA 2.0

  • Now "modeless", allowing the PinPoint dialog box to remain open when switching images, using other commands, etc.

• ASCOM Switch control

• • Control hardware switches such as power, lights, reboot equipment, etc.

• Observatory webcam integration

• • Live view of inside of observatory via webcam

  • Switch control panel (handy for operating lights etc.)

• Built-in Davis weather station support

• • Display current weather status

  • Add weather information to image FITS headers

• Built-in Boltwood Cloud Sensor support

• • Display current weather status

  • Add weather information to image FITS headers

• Automated equipment shutdown capability

• • Triggers include:

  • • Sunrise

    • Civil, nautical, or astronomical twilight

    • Target low

    • Loss of autoguiding (clouds etc.)

    • Cloud sensor warning

  • Perform shutdown sequence

  • • Shutdown cameras

    • Park telescope

    • Park and close dome

• Multi-star autoguiding

• • Average measurements of multiple stars to reduce effect of seeing

• Support for SBIG Differential Guider accessory

• • Flexure-free autoguiding with separate guide scope

• Single or dual axis dither operation

• • Avoid triggering mount stiction cycles

• Automatic script execution on Expose command

• • Option to save image prior to modifications or after modifications

  • Handy for running "quick look" filters on faint images, etc.

• Automatic pointing refinement using PinPoint

• • Takes pointing exposure to verify telescope position

  • Resynchronizes automatically

  • Centers target precisely

• Automated pier flipping

• • Detect telescope approaching limit

  • Pause imaging sequence

  • Flip telescope over pier

  • Automatic pointing refinement

  • Relocate guide star

  • Continue image sequence

• Bookmark locations on the sky

• • Right Ascension and Declination

  • Rotator angle

  • Save current telescope position

  • Load current solved position

  • Goto bookmark

  • Load and save bookmarks

• User can hide unused Observatory Window tabs

• • Only see tabs for equipment that you are actually using

• Simulated Telescope Park

• • Slew telescope to park position

  • Turn off sidereal tracking

• ASCOM device threading

• • All telescope, dome, focuser, and rotator interfaces are now fully threaded

  • Keeps the user interface more responsive

  • Prevents user interface lockup if device driver locks up

• Enhanced camera interfaces

• • Camera downloads are now threaded

  • Eliminates user interface delays during download

• More image processing filter options

• • Save fit profiles in Flatten Background

  • Gaussian Blur option added Unsharp Mask and Digital Development

• Redesigned Calibration Wizard for quick and easy calibration frame setup

• PDF Manual support - downloads from internet if required

• Many other minor enhancements and "under-the-hood" improvements