Using Robofocus and FocusMax

I just purchased Robofocus, but am not sure how one interfaces it with FMx
3.2.1 (latest). Maybe I've missed the start up (intro) doc to FMx. It looks
like I need ASCOM, but which download? I see a 16M and a smaller download
there. Can someone point the way?

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--
"No, Groucho is not my real name. I am only
breaking it in for a friend." -- Groucho Marx

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

On Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:56:05 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I just purchased Robofocus, but am not sure how one interfaces it with FMx
3.2.1 (latest). Maybe I've missed the start up (intro) doc to FMx. It looks
like I need ASCOM, but which download? I see a 16M and a smaller download
there. Can someone point the way?

Yes, you need to install ASCOM since it includes the RoboFocus driver.
The larger download installs source code for most of the drivers- useful
if you are inclined to modify them. Otherwise, the smaller download is
all you need.

When you start FM you'll need to identify the focuser you are using, and
also whether you are using Maxim or CCDSoft to interface with your
camera. Those settings are on one of the configuration tabs, and will be
remembered between sessions.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Chris L Peterson wrote:

On Tue, 28 Mar 2006 05:56:05 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:


I just purchased Robofocus, but am not sure how one interfaces it with FMx
3.2.1 (latest). Maybe I've missed the start up (intro) doc to FMx. It looks
like I need ASCOM, but which download? I see a 16M and a smaller download
there. Can someone point the way?


Yes, you need to install ASCOM since it includes the RoboFocus driver.
The larger download installs source code for most of the drivers- useful
if you are inclined to modify them. Otherwise, the smaller download is
all you need.

When you start FM you'll need to identify the focuser you are using, and
also whether you are using Maxim or CCDSoft to interface with your
camera. Those settings are on one of the configuration tabs, and will be
remembered between sessions.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
I installed ASCOM. That got FMx and CCDSoft started w/o any fuss, save that
I had to update CCDSoft. We've had 30 days of bad weather, but Thursday
should be clear. Maybe even warm. That'll give me a chance to see how
CCDSoft plays with FMx and perhaps vice versa. Right now I don't see the
connection unless after 'training' FMx it makes some parameters known to
CCDSoft.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--
"No, Groucho is not my real name. I am only
breaking it in for a friend." -- Groucho Marx

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:22:21 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I installed ASCOM. That got FMx and CCDSoft started w/o any fuss, save that
I had to update CCDSoft. We've had 30 days of bad weather, but Thursday
should be clear. Maybe even warm. That'll give me a chance to see how
CCDSoft plays with FMx and perhaps vice versa. Right now I don't see the
connection unless after 'training' FMx it makes some parameters known to
CCDSoft.

FM does all the work, there are no parameters passed to CCDSoft. FM just
uses CCDSoft as the engine for communicating with the camera. It will
command that images be made, analyze them, and adjust the focus. This is
totally independent of the focus function in CCDSoft.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Chris L Peterson wrote:

On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 05:22:21 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:


I installed ASCOM. That got FMx and CCDSoft started w/o any fuss, save that
I had to update CCDSoft. We've had 30 days of bad weather, but Thursday
should be clear. Maybe even warm. That'll give me a chance to see how
CCDSoft plays with FMx and perhaps vice versa. Right now I don't see the
connection unless after 'training' FMx it makes some parameters known to
CCDSoft.


FM does all the work, there are no parameters passed to CCDSoft. FM just
uses CCDSoft as the engine for communicating with the camera. It will
command that images be made, analyze them, and adjust the focus. This is
totally independent of the focus function in CCDSoft.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
Good. Thanks. I used FMx 3 years ago with another scope and it was a very
complicated install. From what I see so far, it looks llke they've improved
the user interface.



Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet
--
"No, Groucho is not my real name. I am only
breaking it in for a friend." -- Groucho Marx

Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews