SharpCap 2.9 User Manual SharpCap User Manual Copyright ©2017 Robin Glover and David Richards This version describes SharpCap 2.9. SharpCap is an image capture application designed primarily for astrophotography and video astronomy. Support can be obtained via the SharpCap forum at http://forums.sharpcap.co.uk . Page 1 of 157 SharpCap 2.9 User Manual Table of Contents 1 Foreword ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2 Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Supported Devices .................................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1 Altair Cameras ............................................................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Basler Cameras .............................................................................................................. 10 2.1.3 Celestron/Imaging Source Cameras .............................................................................. 10 2.1.4 iNova Cameras .............................................................................................................. 10 2.1.5 QHY Cameras ................................................................................................................ 10 2.1.6 ZWO Cameras................................................................................................................ 10 2.1.7 ASCOM Cameras ........................................................................................................... 10 2.1.8 DirectShow Cameras ..................................................................................................... 11 2.1.9 Choosing Between ASCOM and DirectShow ................................................................. 11 2.2 Software ................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3 Hardware .............................................................................................................................. 12 2.3.1 Minimum Hardware Specification ................................................................................ 12 2.3.2 Recommended Hardware Specification ....................................................................... 12 3 Quick Start ..................................................................................................................................... 13 4 Slow Start ...................................................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Installing the Camera Driver ................................................................................................. 15 4.2 Installing SharpCap................................................................................................................ 15 4.3 Testing SharpCap .................................................................................................................. 16 4.4 Removing SharpCap .............................................................................................................. 18 5 Introduction to the SharpCap User Interface ............................................................................... 19 5.1 Title Bar ................................................................................................................................. 20 5.2 Menu Bar............................................................................................................................... 20 5.3 Tool Bar ................................................................................................................................. 20 5.4 Capture Display Area............................................................................................................. 21 5.5 Camera Control Panel ........................................................................................................... 21 5.6 Work Area ............................................................................................................................. 22 5.7 Status Bar .............................................................................................................................. 22 6 The Menu Bar ................................................................................................................................ 24 6.1 File ......................................................................................................................................... 24 Page 2 of 157 SharpCap 2.9 User Manual 6.1.1 SharpCap Settings ......................................................................................................... 24 6.1.2 Exit ................................................................................................................................. 24 6.2 Cameras ................................................................................................................................ 24 6.2.1 Rescan for Cameras ....................................................................................................... 25 6.2.2 Available Cameras ......................................................................................................... 25 6.3 Options .................................................................................................................................. 25 6.3.1 Full Screen ..................................................................................................................... 25 6.3.2 Reset Control Order ...................................................................................................... 25 6.3.3 Other Options ............................................................................................................... 26 6.4 Capture .................................................................................................................................. 26 6.5 Tools ...................................................................................................................................... 27 6.5.1 Live Stack ....................................................................................................................... 27 6.5.2 Polar Align ..................................................................................................................... 27 6.6 Scripting ................................................................................................................................ 27 6.7 Help ....................................................................................................................................... 27 6.7.1 View Help ...................................................................................................................... 27 6.7.2 Check for Updates ......................................................................................................... 27 6.7.3 Report a Bug .................................................................................................................. 28 6.7.4 Show Log ....................................................................................................................... 28 6.7.5 About ............................................................................................................................. 30 7 The Tool Bar .................................................................................................................................. 31 7.1 Start Capture ......................................................................................................................... 31 7.2 Quick Capture ....................................................................................................................... 31 7.3 Stop Capture ......................................................................................................................... 31 7.4 Pause ..................................................................................................................................... 31 7.5 Snapshot ............................................................................................................................... 31 7.6 Live Stack ............................................................................................................................... 32 7.7 Object Name ......................................................................................................................... 32 7.8 Preview FX (effects) .............................................................................................................. 32 7.8.1 None .............................................................................................................................. 33 7.8.2 Highlight Over Exposed ................................................................................................. 33 7.8.3 Image Boost .................................................................................................................. 33 7.8.4 Image Boost More ......................................................................................................... 34 7.8.5 Frame Stack (3) ............................................................................................................. 34 7.8.6 Frame Stack (5) ............................................................................................................