Star Trailing Software Update

MWHCVT

MWHCVT

In Memoriam
Suspended / Banned
Messages
28,464
Name
Matthew
Edit My Images
Yes
In the last couple of weeks both the main providers of software dedicated to stacking photos for the purpose of star trails have issued updates to their software, the headline change to both Startrails.exe and StarStaX.exe is the introduction of the "comet effect" this is something that for a long time has been an effect reserved to those doing the stacking for themselves in the likes of photoshop, but now it comes to the masses :)

I though I'd do a side by side comparison, using the same basic frames to create an image please excuse the image quality I've only taken this from my Facebook page for now...


image by mwhcvt, on Flickr

On the left you've an image processed in Startrails and on the right on done in StarStaX
 
Why not create a tutorial to do it manually in Photoshop or elements? Most people already have that.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Why not create a tutorial to do it manually in Photoshop or elements? Most people already have that.
Click to expand...

If you wish to right one please go ahead and write on and put it in the tutorials section, but if people want to do stacked star trails then there is no reason for them not to have one of these applications, there is no cost associated with them you can and I suggest it was a good idea donate towards future development and support costs

I do not have the knowledge to write such a tutorial having only manually done it once myself
 
MWHCVT said:
If you wish to right one please go ahead and write on and put it in the tutorials section,
Click to expand...


Fair enough. I just assumed it would be right up your street, running workshops in this etc.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Fair enough. I just assumed it would be right up your street, running workshops in this etc.
Click to expand...

Once I've done more manual stitching I will write one but it wouldn't be morally/ethically right for me to sell myself as an expert in something that I am not
 
I wasn't having a go... just thought it would be something you'd be doing. No probs. I was asking because I'd be interested... not something I've done myself. I only ever use registax with my astro images.
 
Pookeyhead said:
I wasn't having a go... just thought it would be something you'd be doing. No probs. I was asking because I'd be interested... not something I've done myself. I only ever use registax with my astro images.
Click to expand...

I don't think your having a go just wanted to make it clear as to why I wouldn't at this stage want to write a guide of manually stacking as I'd not be able to answer members questions with total confidence ;)
 
No probs.... just used to people thinking I'm having a go LOL
 
MWHCVT said:
I don't think your having a go just wanted to make it clear as to why I wouldn't at this stage want to write a guide of manually stacking as I'd not be able to answer members questions with total confidence ;)
Click to expand...

Hi, As you are using the software maybe you can help me please?
I have the software ver 0.41 and when I click on the icon to launch it from the download folder it works fine but if I make a copy of the launch icon onto my desktop when I click it I get "The program can't start because mingwm10.dll is missing. Try reinstalling the software".
I have tried three times with same result so I downloaded the latest version 0.6
installed it again three times with the same result.
Will not boot from the desktop icon again folder icon works!!!
The dll is there in the download I can see it in the folder.
I no this is a bit of the road from the OP but any help please?
Thanks
Russ

Win 7 64 bit
 
Last edited:
russellsnr said:
Hi, As you are using the software maybe you can help me please?
I have the software ver 0.41 and when I click on the icon to launch it from the download folder it works fine but if I make a copy of the launch icon onto my desktop when I click it I get "The program can't start because mingwm10.dll is missing. Try reinstalling the software".
I have tried three times with same result so I downloaded the latest version 0.6
installed it again three times with the same result.
Will not boot from the desktop icon again folder icon works!!!
The dll is there in the download I can see it in the folder.
I no this is a bit of the road from the OP but any help please?
Thanks
Russ

Win 7 64 bit
Click to expand...

Reading the StarStaX website and I'm not sure if this may make a difference to you rather than creating a shortcut it suggests just copying the exe file onto the desktop rather than a shortcut

Extract the .zip archive and double-click on "StarStaX.exe" in the folder StarStaX-0.60. There is no installer. You can manually copy the StarStaX folder to any folder you like and create a link to StarStaX.exe, e.g. on the desktop or in the program menu. To uninstall just remove the StarStaX folder from your harddisk.
Click to expand...
 
Pookeyhead said:
Why not create a tutorial to do it manually in Photoshop or elements? Most people already have that.
Click to expand...

StarStaX can complete a 60-frame stack in the time it takes to open PS. It's free, multi-platform & has a very small processor/ memory footprint.

PS is great for masking artefacts like plane trails from individual frames but as an alternative to File > Open > DSC_0002.jpg > Ctrl A > Ctrl C [ switch files ] > Ctrl V > Layer blending mode: Lighten. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. StarStaX wins hands down.

Startrails.exe is PC only so I haven't used it for a while but even its early, slow versions are preferable to manual stacking in PS.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top