Contents - Index

Software

This is where you define the control programs that will be used for controlling your equipment.  In order to set up an evenings run, the only connection required is to the telescope control program, although the telescope need not be powered on or connected, so that target information can be obtained.  Thus with only TheSky6 running (for example) it is possible to set up your entire evening's run without any observatory equipment connected or energized.


  • Camera: Select from Maxim, CCDSoft or None as desired.  
  • Telescope: Select from TheSky6, ASCOM or None as desired
  • Plate Solving: Select from CCDSoft/TheSky, PinPoint or None as desired.  Regardless of what plate solving selection is made, either Maxim or CCDSoft can be used as the camera control program for image acquisition and guiding.  Due to licensing restrictions, the full version of PinPoint is required.  By the manufacturers intent, an exception is thrown if the LE version that accompanies Maxim is used.  When CCDSoft/TheSky6 is used for plate solving, both programs must of course be present.  For most of the features of CCDAutoPilot, one of the plate solving selections must be chosen.
  • Focuser: Select from FocusMax, @Focus2 or None.  Either FocusMax or @Focus2 can be used for automatic focusing at various times in the course of a run.
  • Rotator: Select from Optec Pyxis, RCOS PIR or none.  When the Optec Pyxis is selected, a COM port for controlling the rotator must be specified.  Any other program used to control the rotator must be closed.  Manual control of the rotator is still possible on the Targets page.  When the RCOS PIR is selected, the TCC software is controlled via CCDAutoPilot but the TCC application can remain open and "live".
  • Dome: Select from ASCOM, AutomaDome, Digital Dome Works Control Program (DDWCP) or none.  CCDAutoPilot will use this selection for dome automation at various parts of the run as programmed by the user.  
  • Cloud Sensor: Select the desired cloud sensor.  Boltwood Cloud Sensor version I and version II are supported.  If the cloud sensor doesn't report a sky condition within a specified period of time, then a warning message is shown and the cloud sensor is set back to none.
  • Connect: Once your selections are complete, hitting this button establishes the software connections to the chosen applications so that they can be controlled by CCDAutoPilot.  Once the connections are established, this button changes to Disconnect.  Hitting this button will then disconnect the chosen application.  You can Disconnect, change the selected applications and then Connect again without closing CCDAutoPilot
  • Plan Only: When checked and the Connect button is hit, only the specified telescope program is connected to CCDAutoPilot.  The telescope mount itself is not connected to either the telescope program or CCDAutoPilot.  This mode allows target planning either independently with TheSky or manually with ASCOM, or importing CCDNavigator plans.  You are able to edit and adjust your image acquisition plan without being connected to your observatory.  See the Planning topic for more details.  You are notified of this condition in the status bar as shown:

    To exit the planning mode, Disconnect and then unchcek the Plan Only checkbox