Beta Actions available for testing

I have a few actions up for beta testing. I will do this occasionally as I am developing some for Annie's Astro Actions or just for my own personal use in processing (which is how these came about). I am considering adding them to the action set, but for now they are up for free for anyone willing to test them out and send me their thoughts/problems/suggestions.

In this first beta set are three actions: Hubble Palette Creation, Deconvolve, & Boost Star Color.
To read a short description of them and to download, please go to the new "Beta Action" page, coated here: http://www.eprisephoto.com/beta-actions . . . please remember to send me your notes if you download them!

Thanks!

Annie's Astro Actions have a new home!

I finally have our proper website up and running (although there are a few pages that are still being populated). Annie's Astro Actions will now be sold from there and my blog will go back to more blog-like content related to astronomy and scope modifications. I will still have an order place on the right, but no more descriptions etc, I will just have a link to the new site.

The new location of Annie's Astro Actions is: http://www.eprisephoto.com/astro-actions

Enterprise Photography and Astronomy is our new site (located at http://www.eprisephoto.com) and has not only the actions, but other photography for sale. Feel free to browse around and send us any comments you have!

Annie's Astro Actions Version 2.0 Released!

I have just completed some updates and addition of several new actions to Annie's Astro Actions. Version 2.0 has officially been released and sent out to all those who ordered Version 1.0. New actions include:

• Create Watermark: Creates a watermark across your image to protect your images against copyright infringement
• Reduce Vignetting Method #1: One of two methods I am providing that will help reduce vignetting in your image (needed if you dont take flats) ... try both methods to determine which will work best for your image
• Reduce Vignetting Method #2: Second method for reducing vignetting. This one requires less user interaction
• Gradient Remove Method #1: One of two methods I am providing that will help to remove gradients in your image and balance your background color ... try both methods to determine which will work best for your image
• Gradient Remove Method #2: Second method for reducing vignetting. This one requires less user interaction
• Reduce Star Bloating: Reduces star bloating that can occur when stretching your image

I will get some before/after shots of the new actions up soon. There are a few other updates and things changed in the action set (all changes described in the "Instruction" file that comes with the download. 

The entire list of Actions set is (with the new ones in blue):

Updates . . .

nothing but clouds and rain here still, and thanks to the NE "snowmageddon" my new ATIK camera hasnt been shipped to me since they are snowed out of their building . . . sigh . . .

The good news is that I have finally had the chance to play with the action set some more. There are a few minor updates as well as two new actions to add to the next release (hopefully I will have more than that soon).

I am also working on a proper website for not only the actions, but my other photography, etc. . . more on that later.

If you have any ideas you want to throw my way for actions for the update let me know! I am always open to suggestions.

Release Date!!!!

Annie's Astro Actions v1.0 have been released as of 19 January 2010. 

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All orders taken between now and the published release date of 30 January 2010 will still receive the pre-order rate so hurry and order before regular prices go in effect!

To see the latest version of the Actions as well as to order, please visit our official webpage

Finalizing Action List

The 25 free pre-orders went fairly quickly, which is exciting and I hope that everyone who gets them will find them a valuable set for processing and will spread the word about them.

Likewise, I would appreciate any feedback about the actions or if you encounter any problems so I can get them fixed for everyone.

I am running a few more tests, and then it looks like the set will be released early!!! (The special Pre-Order price will continue to be valid until after the published release date of 30 January)

The final list of actions in Annie's Astro Actions is:

• Channel Process: Used to do most of the initial processing for each channel file you have (or a combined RGB image)
• Create LRGB: Takes 4 channel files to create a complete LRGB image
• Create RGB: Takes 3 channel files to create a complete RGB image (can be used for Ha, SII, and OIII as well)
• Enhance Galaxy Dust Lanes: Used to bring out and sharpen the dust lanes of a galaxy
• Make DSO Stand Out: Highlights and Sharpens your DSO - for color images [first update will allow for greyscale images as well ... if you have a greyscale and want to use this, just convert to RGB first]
• Brighten Color & Sharpen: Increases the saturation of colors in the image while also sharpening the image slightly
• Smooth Out Image: Gives the overall appearance a "softer" look
• Remove Stars (Large Image): Removes the Stars from your image (for large chip cameras & DSLRs)
• Remove Stars (Small Image):  Removes the Stars from your image (for small chip cameras)
• Create Mosaic (6 panel): Takes 6 panels and does the initial processing for a mosaic
• Create Mosaic (4 panel): Takes 4 panels and does the initial processing for a mosaic
• Star Layer Separate (Large Image): Separates the Stars from your DSO and places them in separate layers, ideal for large chip cameras as well as DSLR images
• Star Layer Separate (Small Image): Separates the Stars from your DSO and places them in separate layers, ideal for small chip cameras 

Before and afters for many of the actions are in the next blog post down.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Before and After of Annie's Astro Actions

Here are some of the actions in action (no pun intended). I will soon have Before and Afters for all of the ones I am putting on the set:

Channel Processing:

Star Layer Separate:

Remove Stars:

(Note: Large stars might leave behind faint remnants, they are easily removed after the action with the "healing tool" in the tool panel

Increase Color/Saturation:

(Note: the effect of this action is subtle so as to not overdo it in a single action, feel free to run this action multiple times to get the effect you desire)

Create a Mosaic (6 panel):

The final result of the mosaic is in a thread below after some fine alignment of the panels (since I shot in alt-az and therefore had rotation throughout the night) and final levels adjustment then changing the opacity of the panels back to 100%.

More to come!!!

Annie's Astro Actions - almost ready for release!

I am still developing more actions, but my Astroimaging Actions are almost ready for release!!!

The first 25 people who pre-order will get the entire action set for FREE!!! After that, any preorders will only be $8 (this is reduced from previously posted rate of $10).

So far in the action set are the following actions:
Channel Process
Creating LRGB image from 4 channel files
Create RGB image from 3 channel files
Create a 6 panel mosaic
Create a 4 panel mosaic
Enhance Galaxy dust trails
Separate Star Field & DSO into separate layers (Large image)
Separate Star Field & DSO into separate layers (Small image)


[edit] Newly added: 
Brighten Color & Sharpen
Make DSO Stand Out
Smooth Out Image
Remove Stars (Large Image)
Remove Stars (Small Image)


I am adding to the "Newly added" list as I add more. I want to make sure that all actions in the set are useful and will work for a variety of images (which is why there are some that are broken down for large and small images)! Spread the word and preorder before they are released to save a few $!

New Astronomy Processing Tools for Photoshop CS2

I am in the process of creating some astronomy tools for Photoshop CS2. If you are interested in testing them with me, please let me know ...

I only have CS2 on my computers but believe they are compatible with a few other versions of Photoshop as well, so if you have different versions of Photoshop and want to let me know how they work with them let me know as well ...

For those willing to help test and provide me with your thoughts/information on how it works for you I will provide you will free updates of the actions. These actions will be free while in testing phase but I might eventually charge for them (not much, but still) so get in on the ground floor if you want!!

I currently have five actions:
Processing individual channel files
Creating LRGB image from 4 channel files
Create RGB image from 3 channel files
Create a 6 panel mosaic
Create a 4 panel mosaic

Please let me know what other processes in astro-imaging you would like to see actions for, ie things that would make your processing life easier!!

Anyone willing to donate (even $1 or more if you want!) to my development of these actions, please click the following button.

Thanks!