Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- en:documentation:toolbox [2014/10/11 12:24] – [Tool box] pch
+++ en:documentation:toolbox [2017/01/24 18:41] (current) – [Planisphere] pch
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Tool box ======
+{{:en:documentation:toolbox1.png?400|}}
 The Tool box contain functions for specific task you can select depending on your needs. You can also add a new function by using the script editor.
@@ Line 19: / Line 21: @@
 Right click on a row to open a menu that allow to open a script at another location or to remove a script assignment.
+You can use the [[toolbox_editor|tool box and script editor]] to create your own script or to make a modification to one of the tool.\\
+====== Standard tools ======
 ===== Observer tools =====
 {{ :en:documentation:script1.jpg?150|}}
-Press F1 to access this tool.
 This panel contain convenient functions when you use the program connected to a goto telescope.
@@ Line 42: / Line 45: @@
 ===== Solar System =====
 {{ :en:documentation:script2.jpg?150|}}
-Press F2 to access this tool.
 This panel group the information about the Solar System objects.
@@ Line 61: / Line 62: @@
 ===== Location / Time =====
 {{ :en:documentation:script3.jpg?150|}}
-Press F3 to access this tool.
 This panel contain the tools to quickly change the date and the observer location.
@@ Line 78: / Line 77: @@
 The Information box give the detailed information about the selected object without the need to open a separate window.
+----
+===== PHD Guiding =====
+{{ :en:documentation:phdscript.jpg?300|}}
+This panel contain the tools to interface with [[http://openphdguiding.org/|PHD2 Guiding]].
+The interface let you easily use the ""lock shift" function to keep your telescope pointed on a moving object while guiding on a star.
+You can also activate the "dithering" function to apply a random offset to your guide position.
+----
+=== Connection to PHD ===
+{{ :en:documentation:phd6.png?200|}}
+Start PHD2 and check that Tools / Enable server is checked.
+In Skychart you can change the host on which PHD is running and the connexion port. If Skychart and PHD run on the same computer you can just keep the default values.
+Click the "Connect" button. The status must change to "Connected" and indicate the current state of PHD.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd7.png?200|}}
+Initialize PHD as usual and start guiding. The state must change to "Guiding".
+----
+=== Use the Lock shift function ===
+{{ :en:documentation:phd8.png?400|}}
+This function allow you to keep your telescope pointed on a moving object while guiding on a star.
+Click on a moving object in the map, for example an asteroid or comet. The object displacement in arcsec/hour is show.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd9.png?200|}}
+To send this displacement rate to PHD click the "Set rate" button. The current PHD lock shift status is displayed to confirm the change.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd10.png?200|}}
+To start the shifted guiding on the moving object click the "Off" button. The button text change to "On" and the PHD status change to "True".
+----
+=== Use the Dithering function ===
+{{ :en:documentation:phd2.png?200|}}
+The dithering function let you apply a random offset to the guiding position to avoid to cumulate the sensor defects at the same position on every exposure.
+The function is disabled by default because this is normally done by the capture software between the exposure. The use of this function from Skychart is only interesting if you take your pictures with a standalone camera or with a software that not support dithering.
+To activate the function, open the script configuration with the "Script" button.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd11.png?200|}}
+Select the row "Event_0:0:Initialisation" and click the "Edit script" button.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd12.png?200|}}
+At the top of the script comment out the line that hide the dithering box. Just add <nowiki>//</nowiki> at the beginning of the line.
+----
+{{ :en:documentation:phd13.png?200|}}
+Save the modified script and click the Apply button. Save the Skychart configuration for a permanent change.
+To apply an offset set the required parameters value and click the Dither button.
+**Be sure you click this button only between exposure when the camera shutter is closed!**
+----
+=== Add other functions interface ===
+You can use the provided scripts as an example to interface with other function provided by PHD2.
+The [[https://github.com/OpenPHDGuiding/phd2/wiki/EventMonitoring|PHD wiki]] give all the necessary informations about this functions.
+----
+===== Planisphere =====
+{{ :en:documentation:script4.jpg?150|}}
+This panel help you print a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planisphere|planisphere]] with a rotating transparent overlay.
+Before you start you can set the chart options you want, the observatory location (within latitude limit), the color (black on white is suggested), the objects, the labels ("orient to the pole" for better readability in any orientation).
+=== Make the background chart ===
+When ready press the "Set chart" button.
+{{:en:documentation:planisphere_chart.png?200|}}
+=== Make the rotating disk ===
+Without changing anything press the "Set overlay" button.
+{{:en:documentation:planisphere_overlay.png?200|}}
+=== Printing ===
+Use the "Print to bitmap" function to save a large image file for both part. In Printer Setup, select "Bitmap file", set width and height to a comfortable value depending on the size you want to print (something between 2000x2000 to 5000x5000 is a good starting point).
+When asked give a file name for each part.
+If required you can use an image editor to make some adjustment or additions.
+You can now print the background chart on paper or cardboard, and the rotating overlay on printable  transparency film.
+Finally cut the transparency, and perforate both at the marked pole location to mount with a small screw.
 ----