Create Dark Master

A “dark frame” is an exposure of nothing (shutter closed) that matches the raw images in length and temperature (as much as possible). Dark frames are use to remove the effects of “dark current”, which is an uneven build-up of non-photonic electrons. A dark frame contains noise that can be diminished by creating a “master” via stacking many dark frames.

Click(New Job) to open the Select Task form:

Press the Create Calibration Master button.

If you have not yet created a profile then you will be prompted to do so (see Create Profile).

Press Create Master Dark button. Follow the instructions here (use Help “Back” button to return here) to arrive at this form:

Stacker Unlimited will suggest a file name and folder. To change either, click on the file name and specify a different mane and/or folder.

Press Run Now. It may take a few seconds for the process to start:

Note that the top toolbar has new controls and a viewer for the stack is automatically opened. Current process information and progress is reported on the bottom status-strip See Job Processor for details on the controls and information displayed.

Upon completion the Reset button will become active and the status will report all of all frames processed:

The Master Dark file has been automatically saved (unless you unchecked the autosave box).