Volume 4: The Complete CCDStack Tutorial


This fourth volume is part of the continuing series of tutorials, called Making Every Pixel Count, by Adam Block.

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This continuing series of tutorials explores the fundamentals of CCD image processing. In-depth topics on the elements of image calibration, reduction, and manipulation lead to completely worked examples- from beginning to end! Modular sections stand alone so that the data processing demonstrate a WORKFLOW that is easy to follow and understand.

CCDStack is a clever and concise tool box for CCD imagers. It offers an array of powerful utilities including data normalization, rejection, deconvolution, resampling, interpolation methods, and conditional range adjustments that put you in control of the numbers and the results.

By the end of this instructional experience, you will not only be able to use CCDStack proficiently- but also witness how creativity in your processing blossoms with the flexiblity that CCDStack offers. More than a "how to" video, this DVD (daringly) goes to great lengths to illustrate many of the "behind the scenes" concepts that will help the user make the best choices and know why they are choosing them!.

Introduction From the Video!

While this is not displayed at the highest quality (or true size)- it does show the kind of information found in the videos. Please permit your browser to update your Macromedia Flash 8.0 plug-in if you do not already have it installed. Enjoy! Due to the size of the file, please wait for a good portion of the video (around 3Mb) to load.

Created by Camtasia Studio 3

DVD Contents (Sections):

Volume 4

  1. Introduction- 3 minutes
  2. The Philosophy of CCDStack- 17 minutes
    • CCDStack is a philosophically consistent theme-based program. This section explains the framework behind the software and its use.
  3. Bit Space and Data Formats- 36 minutes
    • Understand the language of the data. Bit depth and format types are discussed so that users see the literal "value(s)" their data hold.
  4. A Tour of CCDStack- 65 minutes
    • No one is left behind in Adam Block’s tutorials. A complete tour that shows the relationships between tools and ultilities..
  5. Gaussian Blurs, Unsharp Masks, and DDP- 29 minutes
    • See how these algorithms work and the ways in which they are used throughout the software.
  6. Image Registration- 39 minutes
    • A fundamental topic for image processing. See how CCDStack handles getting things lined up!
  7. Image Normalization- 20 minutes
    • Ever thought you couldnft be bothered with this "mysterious" process? Learn how this step is a precursor to data rejection. This process is used many times in the workflow.
  8. Data Rejection Techniques- 56 minutes
    • The most complete attempt of explaining this topic in any tutorial. Data rejection is CCDStack’s hand’s down most powerful attribute.
  9. Hot Pixel Removal- 14 minutes
    • The second of three data rejection topics. Learn the ways CCDStack identifies abberant pixels and imputes neighboring data to fix them. Get rid of those pesky pixels!
  10. Deblooming Techniques- 24 minutes
    • This final data rejection topic is a godsend for those imagers that use cameras that bloom. See CCDStack’s clever "missing value" substitution for blooms that works like magic!
  11. Deconvolution in CCDStack- 27 minutes
    • Sharpen up those images with two different algorithms- Maximum Entropy and Positive Constaint.
  12. Resample/Register Reprise- 16 minutes
    • This is a follow-up section to #6. A registration example shows the difference between nearest neighbor and bi-cubic B-spline interpolation methods.
  13. G2V Color Ratio Computation- 24 minutes
    • Get the color of your images balanced! See how to measure it in CCDStack.
  14. Flattening the Background- 8 minutes
    • Get rid of those gradients in just a few clicks of your mouse.
  15. Image Calibration- 36 minutes
    • A crucial section on the first steps of image processing. Leads to the final workthrough.
  16. Processing Example Part 1- 51 minutes
    • No hand-waving here! A complete workflow demonstrated on the provided data of M96.
  17. Processing Example Part 2- 47 minutes
  18. Processing Example Part 3- 30 minutes
  19. Credits

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Over 9 hours of information!

CCDStack is a software product distributed by CCDWare.
Music written and performed by Jason Block (yep, my brother) with Bret Heacock on solo Guitar in "Ray of Sun."
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

All data for worked examples are included on the DVD.

This is a data DVD meant for display on a computer using a web browser (Macromedia Flash files). It will not play on a TV. Macintosh users are now supported! Photoshop CS or later is reccomended. (a few things are illustrated in Photoshop, but it is not a requirement)

Personal Videos

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In addition I hope to tailor these video productions to current needs of the astronomical imaging community. Please do not hesitate to let me know topics you would like included in future DVDs.