Affinity Photo adds stacking for astrophotography

[Paul Sutherland]

I wasn't sure whether to add this here or in the Computers/software section, but I see that the latest version of Affinity Photo (Windows and Mac) has added a feature, stacking for astrophotography. There are also several video tutorials on the subject. I bought the app a while back, and it seems to have all the bells and whistles of Photoshop. Best of all, Affinity are still offering it at half price at the moment (£23.99) as with their other apps in the suite.
https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index. ... ndows-190/

[jeff.stevens]

Sounds interesting. Cheers Paul.

I’ve not much experience of stacking. I found Registax just too complicated, or perhaps I should say I didn’t really have the time to invest in it to acquire the skill to use it properly.

I downloaded a copy of Sequator, which looks slightly more user friendly, but again I need to find some time to invest in learning it.

Best wishes, Jeff.

[Brian]

Jeff: I used Registax from v0.1 to v6.0. In it's day (2003?) it was a revolution in planetary video/image processing. You cannot imagine how much time and effort went into getting a final planetary image before Registax was made freely available. In my opinion v5 was the best, most user-friendly. Unfortunately Registax is now "abandonware" but it still the best for wavelet sharpening. Autostakkert is better for the stacking part of planetary video processing.

Paul: Thanks for the heads-up. I still use PaintshopPro v8 for general image processing but will certainly look at Affinity Photo now

Regards,

[cgdtaylor]

I have now processed a number of remote telescope images in their entirety with Affinity Photo including stacking. To date, it has made the workflow very easy to follow. However, it is worth watching the YouTube Clips by Affinity to see this package's astro capabilities. I understand that this software is half price to the end of this month (June) In sum, I commend this software for general photography as well as for astrophotography.

You can see my efforts in the recent images at my BAA Album:
https://britastro.org/observations/user.php?user=47

[ernie]

Hi Paul..
Almost unbelievable that Cataracts have become a 10minute Operation to fix 100%
and yet Arthritis of fingers still has only modicum improvements..
Hence Phone Apps are out for me.. but I notice that many do things that seem beyond
Desktops.. I have no objection to buying a W10 program which enables me to
'Sort of Stack'?? from within the video stream.. I'll explain..
Running at around 4fps and not being automated into UKMON etc..
I did try Re-assembling with Registax etc each frame image.. after extracting from video..
Hour or so later produce something like this..

2018 JOINED 640 99.jpg (222.09 KiB) Viewed 4493 times

One of our biggest allies in fighting Light Pollution are those ordinary members of
the Public who have reported events.. Hence a little reward for them in the way of a keepsake
is what I have tried to do over the years..
Hopeful that someone can point me in right direction.
P.S. That reminds me the Sky view of my Zenith [above] is laterally inverted..

[Brian]

Hi ernie,

you could look into Sharpcap for live stacking. Its not the only possibility but gets a good press - and there is also Deepskystacker Live.
Disclaimer - I have not used either myself but Google finds a lot of info

SharpCap – Lunar, Planetary, Solar and Deep Sky Imaging ...https://www.sharpcap.co.uk

Live Stacking - SharpCap User Manual .. https://docs.sharpcap.co.uk › 13_LiveStacking


DeepSkyStacker - Free http://deepskystacker.free.fr

regards,

[ernie]

thanks Brian..lovely selection there.. will do some DIPS IN whilst keeping an eye out for
fireballs..
clear skies