Contents - Index

User Interface

CCDAutoPilot's user interface has been completely redone to reflect modern human factors considerations in making the user's experience friendly and intuitive even when dealing with a complex topic like image acquisition.  With a modern point-and-click user interface and its internal decision processes, CCDAutoPilot eliminates most if not all of the tedious commands, file manipulations, actions, scripts and directives common to other less facile programs.  Key information is maintained in two files: the System Profile and the Target List.  The System Profile contains all the information pertinent to the observatory setup and usage, as defined by the various pages in the main window.  The Target List contains the key information for the target(s) entered, including location coordinates (RA, Dec, Position Angle), start time and exposure and folder location.  



When starting CCDAutoPilot, the user sees the main window.  This is used to set up the night's activities.  Once the run is launched, this window minimizes and a smaller status window is presented to allow monitoring the activities with the degree of detail the user requires.  Of course both windows are completely resizable as the user desires and each window's size and position are remembered for subsequent startups.

         

The two items shown above represent the left side of the user interface.  The buttons are arranged in a logical sequence to take the user from initial setup through the various steps acquire the desired data and manage the observatory.  The last button, Run Session, provides a review of the setup, the planned session and then launches the run.  

Above the button panel are handy links to online resources as well as to the section of the help system that corresponds to the page displayed by the specific button.  Sky Conditions and Weather are customizable by entering your preferred links for your local conditions and these settings are also maintained.  For example, for Sky Conditions, I use a local Clear Sky Clock link and for Weather, I use a local weather link.



The menu system provides access to broadly used functions that need to be accessible at any time.  Menu functions are as follows:

File
  • Exit: Exits the program.  The user can also use the standard Alt-F, X key sequence as well to exit the program.

    System Profile
  • Load: Loads a system profile.  System profiles end with .app (AutoPilotProfile).  The starting directory is that of the last saved system profile.
  • Save: Saves the current system profile to its current location.
  • Save As: Offers the opportunity to save the system profile with a different name.  The starting directory is that of the last saved system profile.


    Target Lists
    For the standard version, the target list is limited to one item.  For the professional version, it is essentially unlimited.
  • Load: Loads a target list.  Target lists end with .apt (AutoPilotTarget).  The starting directory is that of the last saved target list.
  • Save: Saves the current target list to its current location.
  • Save As: Offers the opportunity to save the target list with a different name.  The starting directory is that of the last saved target list.
  • Import: This selection offers a number of imports to assist the user that may have other target lists, plans and schedules in different formats or from other programs.  Target lists can be imported from CCDNavigator or in Comma Spaced Variable (CSV) format and from such programs as Starry Night, ACP Planner and ACP.  Thus a user can bring his desired targets into CCDAutoPilot Professional and still take advantage of the flexibility and features offered in CCDAutoPilot.
  • Export: Exports the target information shown on the target page to a text file.  Unfortunately, the light frame details will not be able to be exported.

    Help
  • Help Topics: Accesses the CCDAutoPilot Help System.
  • Troubleshooting: Accesses Troubleshooting information, Trace and Reset tools.  See Troubleshooting for details.
  • Get Updates from Web: When checked, CCDAutoPilot will check each time CCDAutoPilot is started to see if there are any updates availabe.  If there are, they will be automatically downloaded and installed.  This feature may be disabled by clearing the check mark next to the menu item.  If it is checked, it will be updated on the next day CCDAutoPilot is loaded.  See Updates topic.
  • Update Now: Forces an immediate update check.  See Updates topic.
  • Upgrade to Professional Edition: Provides a link to purchase the Professional Edition upgrade
  • About: Brings up the version number and user licensing information



    The status bar runs along the bottom of the main window and provides key information and status.  There are four boxes.

    1. The first box shows whether CCDAutoPilot is connected and to what applications it is connected in order to control them.
    2. The second box indicates the Target List in use.
    3. The third box indicates the System Profile in use.
    4. The fourth box shows status based on any activity on the given page.

    User Aids and Information

    A context sensitive help system is available either from the menu, the links at the left or by selecting the entry on any page and hitting the F1 key.

    All buttons and many functions have tool tips associated with them.  Hover the mouse cursor over a button for a reminder of what it does.  

    Text entry boxes that may have long entries from either a path or a link will display the full data when the mouse hovers over the box.