Image stacking in Photoshop

[strawburry]

Hi,

  I am using Photoshop to stack my Lunar images becaues I can never get Registax to work (I just use it for wavelet sharpening, at least that part works ok ), so I use the automate import to layers with auto align checked. This works great.

  Now, I then use my spreadsheet to calcualte the opacity levels as per usual for stacking layers (more details at http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/image-averaging-noise.htm), and the forumla I use is OPACITY = 100 / layer position . 

  I get the following trend towards 0% opacity curve.

  According to this curve, is there any point in stacking more than 25 to 30 images since you are flat lining towards 0%.

Thanks.

[Bizibilder]

Which version of Registax are you using?  Registax 5 is much easier to use than version 6 and should be able to stack your images.  Registax 6 has some "quirks" that can be troublesome.

[strawburry]

Which version of Registax are you using?  Registax 5 is much easier to use than version 6 and should be able to stack your images.  Registax 6 has some "quirks" that can be troublesome.

None of them work for stacking for me, so I simply, don't use it.  I use it for wavelet sharpening though (as stated in my OP).

[Bizibilder]

Sounds as if you are not setting things up correctly?  Can you say exactly what kit (scope and camera) you are using and we should be able to help you.

[strawburry]

Sounds as if you are not setting things up correctly?  Can you say exactly what kit (scope and camera) you are using and we should be able to help you.

No thanks, I have tried registax for stacking many times, nope, not ever again. Been there, fiddled with every button imaginable. I just moved on and use it for stacking that does work somewhat. 

So, with stacking using the opacity forumula as above, is there any point in going beyond 25..30 images due to the flatlining trend to 0%?

[strawburry]

I don't really want to go off topic about Registax, can somebody help with the graph above and their expiereince using similar forumas for stacking, thanks.

[Bizibilder]

Without knowing your set-up I don't think we can help or advise you on the best way to proceed.

[strawburry]

Without knowing your set-up I don't think we can help or advise you on the best way to proceed.

My setup is Photoshop, the forumla in Excel as shown in the picture.

I didn't create this to talk about Registax, please.

[vtrjames]

Without an understanding of the hardware your using (not software), it'll be difficult to formulate a tailored response.

[strawburry]

Without an understanding of the hardware your using (not software), it'll be difficult to formulate a tailored response.

My hardware is Windows 7 64bit 8 core CPU 16gb ram. Does that help?

Camera 1100D, does that help?

I don't want to talk about Registax and getting it to work  for stacking, I am interested in the method in my OP, discussing Registax does not assist me with my question regarding the opening question regarding the stacking forumla and trend towards 0% opacity and when is there diminishing returns on the number of layers stacked.

[sharkmelley]

Hi Strawburry,

The formula you are using for opacity is correct but the trouble is that PS will only accept integer numbers so you can't achieve good accuracy for the opacity as it shrinks towards zero.

My approach would be to do them in batches of equal numbers and then finally do the same process on the average of each batch.

e.g. for 100 frames do 10 batches of 10 giving 10 averaged frames.  Then average the 10 averaged frames.

But that an awful lot of work!  Good luck.

Mark

[strawburry]

Hi Strawburry,

The formula you are using for opacity is correct but the trouble is that PS will only accept integer numbers so you can't achieve good accuracy for the opacity as it shrinks towards zero.

My approach would be to do them in batches of equal numbers and then finally do the same process on the average of each batch.

e.g. for 100 frames do 10 batches of 10 giving 10 averaged frames.  Then average the 10 averaged frames.

But that an awful lot of work!  Good luck.

Mark

Thank you for the response thats staying on topic.

[sharkmelley]

Thank you for the response thats staying on topic.

But personally I would use AutoStakkert version 2

[strawburry]

But personally I would use AutoStakkert version 2

Yes I have that, i have a few stacking programs here, my curiousity was about the method in the OP that is why I get very annoyed when people push threads off topic.

[steppenwolf]

The whole concept of using PhotoShop for stacking is one of diminishing returns - it is a bit of a kludge at best  - but if you insist on using the wrong tool for the job then you are right, there is little point in stacking more than 20 subframes using this method.

[strawburry]

The whole concept of using PhotoShop for stacking is one of diminishing returns - it is a bit of a kludge at best  - but if you insist on using the wrong tool for the job then you are right, there is little point in stacking more than 20 subframes using this method.

I insist on curiosity on things, just because I am playing with things and asking questions about them, just because somebody else disagrees, fine, my question still stands about the method in the OP, it was not about what is the best tool, it was not about what tool should I use, I was asking about the point of diminiish returns usint the method specified in the OP, I bid you good day; Im leaving.

[vtrjames]

Strawburry, nobody is attacking your method. Infact people are trying to help. With a forum, you can't expect a thread to stay on topic for it's whole life. You've posed a question, there have been questions asked for others to help you. What Steppenwolf is saying above is absolutely right and what people have been trying to do is helpfully point you in the direction of tried and tested methods and even offered to help you with what could be an answer where registax is concerned. 

If however, you do not want to receive such answers then I would question why you're posting on a forum. People are here to discuss methods and quite often best practise. It should be noted that these are not attacks but helpful replies. If you can embrace this then I think you will find that this is a very enjoyable and knowledgeable forums.

James 

[Alien 13]

Strawburry, nobody is attacking your method. Infact people are trying to help. With a forum, you can't expect a thread to stay on topic for it's whole life. You've posed a question, there have been questions asked for others to help you. What Steppenwolf is saying above is absolutely right and what people have been trying to do is helpfully point you in the direction of tried and tested methods and even offered to help you with what could be an answer where registax is concerned. 

If however, you do not want to receive such answers then I would question why you're posting on a forum. People are here to discuss methods and quite often best practise. It should be noted that these are not attacks but helpful replies. If you can embrace this then I think you will find that this is a very enjoyable and knowledgeable forums.

James 

Well said James

Alan