Playing with AutoMag in 1.2.5preX

[t00fri]

I noticed that -unlike Linux- my AutoMag scheme is off by default in the Windows 1.2.5preX versions.

Since the AutoMag option has not yet been entered into the GUI menue, you may switch it on|off by means of CTRL+Y. Then zoom in|out by means of SHIFT mouse Left dragging. Alternatively, you may use the ,(<), .(>) keys for fov zooming. The actual limiting star magnitudes are then displayed via Chris' new flash messages as function of the field of view...

If the AutoMag is active, the [,] keys that adjust the limiting magnitude in case of the "fixed mag" scheme, are blocked, of course.

Bye Fridger

[alexis]

If the AutoMag is active, the [,] keys that adjust the limiting magnitude in case of the "fixed mag" scheme, are blocked, of course.

Since I'm fond of discussing AutoMag with you : I think it would be useful to leave the [,] keys enabled but let them adjust the relative magnitude limit instead. That is, the one in the current field of view. I don't know how AutoMag works in detail, but certainly it would be an advantage to be able to control the star density.

/Alexis

[t00fri]

If the AutoMag is active, the [,] keys that adjust the limiting magnitude in case of the "fixed mag" scheme, are blocked, of course.

Since I'm fond of discussing AutoMag with you ;-) : I think it would be useful to leave the [,] keys enabled but let them adjust the relative magnitude limit instead. That is, the one in the current field of view. I don't know how AutoMag works in detail, but certainly it would be an advantage to be able to control the star density.

/Alexis

Indeed, I have also been thinking about the option of using the [,] keys to adjust the reference limiting magnitude at 45deg FOV. At present, I have "hard encoded" it to 10.5 for various reasons.

I did not incorporate this right away, since I was somewhat afraid of making the scheme to contrived;-) and thus perhaps confusing. My personal preference is to supply this reference parameter via a configuration file.

But if there is an extended demand for doing it via [,] keys, it is of course easy to incorpoate.

As to modifying the AutoMag /profile/ with the keys, I would be less happy. The profile involves a delicate tuning between saturation magnitudes, halo sizes, the request of constant star density over a wide range of magnitudes etc. Only expert users could handle this in a useful manner, I am afraid. Again one might consider allowing for changes eventually via a configuration file.

Bye Fridger