Connecting and Setting Options


Filter wheels are selected and connected on the Sequence Window in the equipment group box.


Options can be set when the filter wheel is in a disconnected state by clicking the  icon.  These options will vary by manufacturer.  For ASCOM filter wheels this will bring up the ASCOM properties dialog for the selected filter wheel.  This properties dialog is generally where the COM port is specified as well as other device dependent information.


To connect the filter wheel click on the connection icon .  Once connected the icon will change , click this icon to disconnect.


Hardware Specific Information



Filter Wheel Control Panel


Description: The Control Panel provides control of the Filter Wheel.  Many of these controls are also duplicated in the Filter Wheel Module.  These values can also be preset by using a profile or by opening a sequence.



The active (set) filter is displayed with bold text (and has a corresponding image of that filter for rapid identification)


  • Set filter position: Allows the filter position to be changed.  However these filters must first be setup using the "Define Filter List" (if the filter list is empty or missing some filters).
  • Filter change delay: Amount of additional time to wait after the filter wheel has indicated that it has completed changing the filter.  
  • Define Filter List: This will bring up the "Filter Setup" dialog where the filters and offsets can be specified.
  • Set "No filter" Flats Data: Allows you to setup flats exposure and flat box settings when not using a filter wheel.




Filter Setup Dialog



  • Use?: Sets the filter position to on or off. Unchecked filters will not be available for use.
  • Filter Name: Allows a meaningful name to be set for the filter, for example "Red" rather than "2".
  • AF Exposure: The amount of exposure time that should be used for auto focus when the filter is set.  
  • Focus with filter:  This option allows you to select a filter to use when the auto focus routine is performed while using this filter.  In the example above, all of the broadband filters will focus using themselves, but the broadband filters will use the clear (LUM) filter in order to save time.  There are two methods by which the focus filter can be overridden.  This method, if set, has priority.  If you leave this option set to "default", auto focus, when using this filter will either do nothing (if no override filter is selected for the sequence) or will use the sequence's default override filter (assuming one is set).
  • Focus pt: Used to specify a starting point as well as to specify the offsets for adjusting focus on filter change when using an absolute focuser when Auto adjust focus per filter is enabled.  Because of the way in which "focus on filter" works it is recommended that you set the focus position of your filters near the same ambient temperature.
  • Flats: Brings up the Flats dialog which stores values for creating flats sequences for each filter.  These values are used as part of the Create Flats Sequence tool.
  • Import: If your filter wheel supports it, Sequence Generator Pro can import filter data (this will overwrite any existing data).  This function will use the currently selected filter wheel (from the sequencing window).  Note:  If you are defining filters for a profile, the import will use the filter you have selected in the profile manager (not the sequencer).


Flats Dialog



  • Exposure (s): sets the amount of time needed for a flat at the specified binning
  • Flat Box Brightness: Sets the brightness to use for the flat box.  When using an automatic flat box this value will be set when taking the flats.  When using a Manual Flat Box you will be prompted with a dialog to set your flat box to this value.
  • Number of flats in a "flats event": Sets the number of flats to be used when creating a flats event with the specified filter.


For Canon cameras this dialog will allow for entering exposure length and flat box brightness per ISO setting:



Note:  You can automatically calculate and populate the exposure length data (per profile) here by using the flats calibration wizard.


Hardware Specific Information

  • SBIG Filter Wheel - like the SBIG Camera there is a special dialog which is used to connect the SBIG Filter Wheel.  This is accessed by selecting the "SBIG Filter Wheel" and clicking the settings button.


       


    • Filter wheel type: specifies the filter wheel being connected to, generally using Auto Detect is adequate
    • Using RS-232 model: selected if the filter wheel is connected through a COM port rather than through the camera.