Struggling with 2025 Processing vs 2024

Wallace

Screen Captures

For my 2024 processing of Flaming Star Nebula I flipped the minimum number of images resulting in an upside down nebula. While I liked the processing the dust seemed overdone and the nebula candy like. (Photo1 Click for larger and notes).

While I was thinking about how to reprocess I discovered your 2025 updates. to run WBPP fully automated, (Photo2). My first attempt 8 files were rejected. I was disappointed so much of the nebula was lost (see stretched). I tried again and 28 images were rejected with disappointing results as well. (The xisf file can be downloaded in top left of thumbnail screen.) 

I went on to finish the post processing (Photos 3-4 show results of MSGC 1024, 1536). I am convinced it is something about the automated processing of WBPP even though the flipping of the majority of images resulted in an upright nebula and no astrometric solution issues. 

Not sure what to try next.

Would appreciate your input.

Thanks

Wallace 

BlockHead

Concerning your second attempt... there does appear to be a configuration issue (and also you remember about not using AutoCC for this data right?).

You would need to post your WBPP screens to begin with.

-the Blockhead

Wallace

I used the CC icon from your previous lesson.

Wallace

Off to copy screens

Wallace

Uploaded screen shots to same link

BlockHead

Something is very much wrong. I am not certain what is going on. 

The masterfile you made available seems to show that:

1. The incorrect debayer pattern was used. These colors are not correct.

2. The flats were not applied.

You also have a grouping keyword loaded. I do not think it is doing anything..but it is not good practice to keep an unused grouping keyword in play. I have seen many many examples of this tripping people up. (They complain WBPP isn't doing stuff... it is because of this and the fact their files do in fact have that word.)

You need to step through all of the output. (look at the debayered data)

You might want to follow me exactly and use the Calibrate only method and make certain we both agree everything is working. When you use WBPP fully- the only parts that are really being affected are the post-processing choices. E.g. It is using FastIntegration and no normalization. You might also consider using the standard processing instead of the Fast choice in WBPP. However, I want to stress I did run WBPP in the Fast mode on all of the data and everything worked. So...I do fear this is something on your end (not software). 

-the Blockhead

Wallace

I grouped images by orientation and ended up processing the larger group. I forced the correct information not depending on headers although with separate groups it seemed more accurate. My progress is still at the Screenshot link in the 1st post. My first complete WBPP processing in 2024 was only good for a background although it was progress at the time (I didn't include it).

The 1st image is my first processing in late 2024. It lacked detail, blue gradient, stars lacking, and nebula was oversaturated.

Image 2 is my 1st pass with your 2025 Fasttrack videos. It lacked detail in nebula and from my perspective the stars are too dominate to the level of noise overpowering nebula.

Image 3 is my latest processing the biggest change was using GHS. People who have seen it prefer the second one. I see progress. My self critique include still has gradient in left top corner, balancing the bright heart of nebula and details has the nebula washed out and dust is still not clear enough.

I think I have stars in right proportion not overpowering nebula and less like noise. I think the detail in the nebula is much better but not in the dust. I have had several suggestions to take it photoshop and I admit I did and it was a snap to make its smart adjustments. However, my goal was to do everything in PI. 

GAME has me baffled. I can create mask based to RGB values. I haven't been able to mask the nebula red-ish orange areas form the brighter white core areas or the more foggy white which I find distracting.

I would appreciate guidance for next steps. I am going to fiddle today. Wednesday I leave for NYC on the way to NEAF, wish I could stay for astrophotography conference but next year. When I get back I'll do another pass before moving on.

I have started trying to mask. I would like the foggy part of heart to be less dominate like the it is in the background.

I have been looking at the other data in Fundamentals and am trying to determine a plan to use the new tools. I loved the FastStart update do you plan to do videos on 2025 processing for Fundamentals? 

I am also considering a Telescope Live subscription so I have more good data to process. Very few clear skies mostly weather, It is great Bortle 4-5 when it is good.

Off to pack for NEAF.

Wallace

Wallace

PS: I tried to update my original post and title but apparently I don't have permission.