Install, add files, run, and find your results
In short: add the repository link to PixInsight, start AutoIntegrate from the Script menu, add your light files and press Run. The final image is called AutoRGB or AutoLRGB and it is saved to the AutoProcessed directory.
This page covers everything you see in Simple mode, which is how the script starts the first time. Prefer video? Watch the introduction video.
https://ruuth.xyz/autointegrate/
On this page: Install · Start the script · Add files · Target type · Run · Results · Improve the result · Simple mode tabs · Next steps
AutoIntegrate is installed and updated through the PixInsight update system.
PixInsight then checks for AutoIntegrate updates every time it starts. AutoIntegrate works with PixInsight version 1.8.9-1 or later.
Releases can be downloaded from GitHub releases. Click Source code (zip) and unzip the file. The GitHub master branch has the latest development changes that are not yet released. A test repository at https://ruuth.xyz/test/autointegrate/ usually includes the latest changes from the master branch.
To run a downloaded script, open AutoIntegrate.js in the PixInsight Script Editor and press F9. AutoIntegrate needs the ImageSolver script from the PixInsight distribution. Copy the contents of PixInsight-install-directory/src/scripts/AdP to an AdP directory next to the AutoIntegrate directory.
Start AutoIntegrate from the Script / AutoIntegrate menu.
The first time, the script starts in simple mode. Simple mode shows only the most important options, so you are not overwhelmed. Switch to expert mode at the top of the dialog when you want to see all options. You can switch back at any time. Options that you changed in expert mode still apply in simple mode.
AutoIntegrate has interactive tutorials that walk you through the dialog. The tutorial highlights the controls you need and explains what each one does. Start them from the Tutorials button in the main dialog. On first launch they are also offered on the welcome screen.
Add files using the buttons at the bottom of the Files tab.
Which files work? All files PixInsight can open: FITS from astro cameras, RAW from DSLRs, calibrated or not. Calibrated files from remote telescopes like Telescope Live, iTelescope, Slooh and Deep Sky West work fine. OSC and RAW files are debayered automatically. If your files are already debayered, select None in the Debayer list.
How are filters recognized? The script reads the FILTER keyword from the file, or the filter letter at the end of the file name (for example ngc6514_R.fit). Files are grouped by filter in the file list so you can check that they were recognized correctly. If they were not, see adding filter files manually Expert mode.
Target at the top of the dialog selects stretching settings that suit your target:
Default uses the current settings, which work reasonably well in many cases.
Press Run. Processing can take from minutes to hours depending on the number of files and your computer.
While the script runs, the preview shows a live flowchart of the processing steps and how long each one takes. Use the Show Flowchart checkbox to switch between the flowchart and the current image. Click New Flowchart before running to see what the script will do with your files and settings.
Messages are printed to the PixInsight Process Console. Use Cancel to stop processing.
When processing is done, the final image is open in PixInsight and saved to disk. Output goes to subdirectories of the directory of your first light file, or the Output directory you set at the top of the dialog.
| Directory | Contents |
|---|---|
| AutoProcessed | Final images, integrated images and the AutoIntegrate.log file. |
| AutoOutput | Intermediate files. You can delete these after processing. |
| AutoMaster | Master calibration files, if calibration was done. |
| AutoCalibrated | Calibrated light files, if calibration was done. |
| Mono camera (LRGB, narrowband) | Color camera (OSC, DSLR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Final image | AutoLRGB or AutoRGB | AutoRGB |
| Stretched | Integration_L_HT, Integration_RGB_HT, Integration_LRGB_HT | Integration_RGB_HT |
| Processed, still linear | Integration_L_processed, Integration_RGB_processed | Integration_RGB_processed |
| Combined | Integration_RGB_combined | |
| Integrated, unprocessed | Integration_L, _R, _G, _B, _H, _S, _O | Integration_RGB |
The integrated images are useful if you want to continue processing manually. The final image is saved in XISF format. Check TIFF or JPG in Settings / Save final image files to also save it in those formats.
Default settings give a good first image. If something does not look right, these are the simple mode options to try first. All of them are on the Settings tab unless noted otherwise.
| If… | Try | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Background is uneven or has a light pollution gradient | Check Gradient correction on combined images. Gradient correction is off by default. GraXpert can be used instead, see the Tools tab. | Gradient correction, options |
| Edges look bad, or channels do not cover the same area | Check Crop to common area. | Crop to common area |
| Image is too bright, too dark or stars are bloated | Choose a target type or another Image stretching method. | Image stretching, options |
| Image is noisy | Use NoiseXTerminator, MLDenoise, GraXpert denoise or DeepSNR if you have them. | Noise reduction, options |
| Colors look wrong | Check Color calibration using SPCC or Use BackgroundNeutralization. | Color calibration, options |
| Image could be sharper | Use BlurXTerminator or GraXpert deconvolution. | RC Astro tools, GraXpert |
| You want a starless image or separate star image | Use StarXTerminator or StarNet2. | Removing stars, options |
| You have narrowband data and want a different palette | Select a palette in Narrowband processing, for example SHO, HOO or Foraxx. Auto picks one based on your filters. | Narrowband palettes, options |
| You only want calibration or integration | Use Calibrate only, Integrate only or Generate masters only. | Run modes |
To fine-tune the final image without running everything again, use the Enhancements tab. See Image enhancements.
| Tab | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Files | Light and calibration files, debayering, file sorting and filtering. |
| Settings | Main processing options, external tools, narrowband palettes and saving the final image. |
| Tools | MLDenoise and GraXpert settings. |
| Enhancements | Improve the final image after processing: stars, colors, sharpening, curves and more. |
| Interface | Preview, flowchart and dialog settings. |
Expert mode adds the Other, Preprocessing, Integration and Postprocessing tabs, with detailed settings for each processing step. The simple mode options page lists every option you can see in simple mode, and all options lists the rest.