which processing software ?

[red dwalf]

hi,

as i had to reinstall all my software on the laptop because it crashed for some reason, i`m asking you guys which imaging software would you recommend to use which is easy and gives excellent results.

i was using photoshop cs3, the ccd is a meade dsi pro mono if you need to know what equipment i`m using,

many thanks

Rob

[Merlin66]

I'm a AstroArt V4 fan....just does the job well!

IRIS does the file format conversions (to 16bit Fits) if needed.

For the fiddly photographic stuff I use a freebie copy of PaintShopPro X this gives layers and blending etc etc etc.

For spectroscopy we DON'T mess around with the raw data like the imaging guys do;)

[jsandse]

Another freebie is GIMP well worth a try

cheers

John

[antimorris]

I use Nebulosity for my stacking (although occasionally will use Maxim DL for that) and use Photoshop CS2 for my processing (although I do have CS5 as well and use it too on occasion)

[Peter Reader]

+ for GIMP as it's free and does a great job too!

[Demonperformer]

Sorry to go slightly (but only slightly) off-topic:

I heard somewhere that GIMP is bringing out a 16-bit version. Has anyone else heard this? Does anyone know when it is happening?

[red dwalf]

is gimp as good as say photoshop cs3 ? that`s what i have a copy of but is alittle old, now as i think it`s cs5

[jgs001]

Gimp is supposed to be going 16 bit in the next major release, although I've not been able to find anything to suggest when that will be. To be honest, until it does go 16 bit, gimp is not going to be ideal for astro images. You really want something that can do 16 bit editing with curves.

Gimp is really very good though, for free, it's exceptional ...