MLUnsold Digital Imaging

Using Align TSR to Align Stacked DSLR and CCD Components

The Images Set Operations | Align TSR tool can be used to align stacked images from a DSLR, one shot color CCD, or monochrome CCD before the components are combined into a color image using the Color | Mix LRGB and Hue tool.

* The alignment steps used in this example are the same for images from a DSLR, one shot color CCD, and monochrome CCD.

1) Each component image is first calibrated, aligned and stacked as shown by the DSLR, one shot color CCD, and monochrome CCD auto image set processing examples.

2) The stacked components are aligned using the Align TSR tool as shown below.

3) Stacked and aligned components are combined into a color image. For combination examples see mixing H-alpha and color from a DSLR or one shot color CCD, Basic LRGB, narrow band Hubble palette, and narrow band 4 color palette.

The goal of this example is to align stacked L, H-alpha, R, G, and B color components from a CCD. A Takahashi FSQ 106 Fluorite Apo on Paramount ME with SBIG ST-11000M was used to collect 6 x 300s RGB, 9 x 300s L, and 7 x 600s H-alpha components. The 5 component image sets were calibrated, aligned, and stacked as separate image sets. Thank you Jeff Woods for providing the L, Ha, R, G, and B component data.

Step 1 - Select stacked L, Ha, R, G, and B Components With Image Set Operations | Align TSR

Red component and Align TSR tool after selecting the 5 components to align.

Step 2 - Select Alignment Stars

Select the On Each option and Translate + Scale + Rotate with 2 points on Align TSR. Check the Common COR (center of rotation) Point or Star box then left-click on the same well defined isolated small star that appears in each of the five component images. The selected star is shown in the red square.

Check the Common Angle Defining Point or Star box then left-click on the same well defined isolated small star that appears in each of the five component images. The selected star is shown in the blue square.

Step 3 - Select Best Image as Reference Image and Align

Use the >> scroll button on Align TSR to inspect and find the best image with the most well defined stars. The best image is usually the luminance or H-alpha image. With the best image displayed check the Reference Image box on Align TSR. All of the components will now be aligned to match the best reference image. Press Align to align the the component images to the reference image.

Step 4 - Optional Blink Aligned Image Set

As an optional check press the Blink button on Align TSR to blink through the aligned components./font>

Step 5 - Build Color Image from Aligned Components

Use the Color | Mix LRGB and Hue tool to build a color image from the aligned components.

Step 7 - Stretch Color Combination as a Check

Stretch | HDR DDP is applied to the color combination to check color.

Full Resolution Color Combination Check

Check alignment and color combination using DDP or other stretch function.

Red component and Align TSR tool after selecting the 5 components to align.

Check the Common Angle Defining Point or Star box then left-click on the same well defined isolated small star that appears in each of the five component images. The selected star is shown in the blue square.

As an optional check press the Blink button on Align TSR to blink through the aligned components./font>

Use the Color | Mix LRGB and Hue tool to build a color image from the aligned components.

Stretch | HDR DDP is applied to the color combination to check color.

Check alignment and color combination using DDP or other stretch function.