Narrowband Normalization using Pixnsight Pixelmath

**Update** The version used in this video was Version3. Version4 is now available for download as I had to make a modification to the HOO process.
Narrowband Normalization is a pixelmath process I came up with to help you equalize your narrowband data with a simple drag and drop operation for both SHO and HOO images. I feel the best results do come from non-linear data as I illustrated in this video but feel free to test this on your end. For the HOO math, I am using a method that Luke Newbould came up with that he uses for his OSC image processing to help make your OIII signal pop thus making your image look like a “Hubble Pallet” style image. Thanks Luke, for testing this math and giving it your approval! Below are the download links to all the pixelmaths I used in this video. I also want to put another special thanks out there to James Lamb for coming up with the Modified SCNR math and allowing me to put out my version of it out there for you all to use. I welcome your comments so please don’t hold back. Thanks!!!
Lukomatic KZbin Channel: / lukomatico
Luke’s OSC processing video:
• How To Get Hubble Styl...
James Lamb KZbin Channel: / aero19612
James Lamb Modified SCNR video:
• Reducing Green in Hubb...
My maths used in this video.....
Narrowband Normalization PixelMath:
drive.google.c...
Stretching PixelMath:
drive.google.c...
Star Reduction PixelMath:
drive.google.c...
RGB Stars to Narrowband Transfer PixelMath:
drive.google.c...
Modified SCNR PixelMath link:
drive.google.c...
Color Masks PixelMath:
drive.google.c...

[@Astro_Chroma]

Best the tutorial i have watched to date! Between you and Lukomatico, I can't thank y'all enough!

[@lukomatico]

So proud of you for creating this bro, it's absolutely going to change the game I think!! I can't express it enough but this is just amazing work, the astro community owes you a debt man. Thank you for the shout-outs by the way - so happy to have helped! :-D

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thank you very much Luke for those kind words. Your HOO processing technique within this math should help a lot of people with their OSC processing. I now regret selling my 6200mc camera now that we have an automated way to pull out so much detail through the normalization process. Im now considering getting a 2400mc and run it on my tak150b 🤑 Dang this hobby, lol

[@peterschmitz4308]

@@anotherastrochannel2173 Bill, you're a hero with these tools that you have provided!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

@@peterschmitz4308 Thanks!!!

[@AfricanAstro]

I literally stared at my screen for what felt like an eternity! Could not believed how this transformed my OSC imaging. Thank you kindly,

[@janelubenskyi1177]

You will transform how we post process in technique and rapidity….thank you Bill.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thats the goal 😎 Thanks Jane!!

[@markmayer9290]

I'm about a year into using PI and finding your PI code examples is like winning the lottery. Big thank you.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Mark!!!

[@GrahamH-z5t]

Tried the HOO Normalisation this evening on old data and the result was outstanding, much more detail teased out and fabulous colours. Thank you so much for the work you do for the Astro community.

[@stevewillis6690]

Thank you Bill, I'd just like to echo everyone else's comments t in thanking you for producing, and making available, these tools. However as a newcomer to pixinsight I'd also like to thank you for the explanation of how/what the scripts are accomplishing.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Steve!!!

[@kenhansard3734]

Thankyou bill and Luke for this. So very very grateful. Please keep sharing!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Ken!!

[@olly7248]

Hi Bill… I just got my first ever ‘Top Pick’ on Astrobin using this process… it’s a stunning piece of PixelMath… thanks to Yourself especially and Luco for making that possible… well happy Astrophotographer here 😀

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Dude, that's freaking awesome, congrats bro!!!

[@marklewis9265]

buy this man beer....no seriously, buy him beer! really appreciated this video and the information, including the time you've taken to help explain the maths and outcomes - cheers!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Beer sounds good right about now, lol. Thanks!!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@Clint-pe8hi]

Thanks Bill! Now I get to back over all my targets for the past 2 yrs and give them some new color. Appreciate your time!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Let me know how it goes :-)

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@SimjetAU]

Mate you are a friggin genius...you are transforming this hobby

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Mark!!

[@skbsurf86]

I just used all of your pixel math functions, and I felt I had to comment about how fantastic they are. Easy to use, clear, and most important of all they yield excellent results. Best processing I have ever done. Thank you so much!

[@flyingdockp]

I really love this mathematical approach!!! It makes the result so much more reproducible then other methods! Really great lukomatico and you created this!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Klaas, Thanks for the nice comments! Luke has a very nice HOO technique and it was awesome to be able to automate it some with a drag and drop method.

[@jeffratino5456]

Bill, Thanks for putting this out for us. Tried your technique on a couple of images. Phenomenal results. I've used a couple of Luke's tutorials with some success. But this is so easy and works really well.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Jeff!!!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

This is amazing Bill! When you told me I’d like what you were working on next I had no idea it would be this cool! This is really going to speed up my workflow and most likely improve the final result of my images. Huge thanks my friend! I’m excited to try it out.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Joe!!! Thats awesome of you to say that. I have more stuff to post soon so keep an eye out!!

[@thewarhenk]

Bill B, we very much admired your star reduction 'scripts' and profiled them at Masters of PixInsight. I like your normalization idea here, particularly for SHO. I also have an absurdly simple way of doing this. An unlinked STF will optimize the 3 channels to each other very well. Transferring an unlinked stretch from the STF to HT yields an excellent starting point on color- easy and fast. That said, I'm seeing some things in your SHO expression that's somewhat better than my technique- more blue and yellow/red. Congrats!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thank you very much!!!

[@clearskiesastro1028]

Used the new tools last night, simply amazing! Thanks so much for making something like this...post processing is so difficult to get it right, these helped tremendously!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Glad you like them!! More to come 😎

[@jean-marc_m]

That's a crazy thing you did, a great job for all of astrphotographs. Many thanks Bill !

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Jean!!!

[@jonbasstro1413]

Hi Bill, this tool is amazing,just trying it out now on some OSC data I gathered last year.This and all your other tools you provided have made been a game changer for me and the Astro imaging community using Pixinsight. Amazing work and thank you so much for sharing this.Clear skies.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Jon!!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@jonbasstro1413]

Thanks for the update on this.V4 can now be the go to with this tool?

[@catFurrBall]

i just used your tools, bill and it's fantastic! your tools save a lot of time and makes the hobby much more enjoyable! thanks, bill!

[@Si-fp2ij]

Thanks so much Bill for sharing this and to the other contributors. I was able to use the HOO process on the RGB data I had for the Carina Nebula and the colours look fantastic!! Cheers Si

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

That's awesome to hear!!! Thank you!

[@garyanderson6192]

Hey Bill, this is absolutely amazing. It won't be long before osc and narrowband filters are performing as well as mono for backyard amature astro imagers... Thanks for your effort in productiong these pixel math processes...

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Hey Gary, thanks for the comment! I think I spend more time "testing" all of these process and techniques verses actually producing images myself. Im in the middle of testing the true differeneces between OSC and mono, not sure if I will make a video on it but for myself I want to know. OSC is less hassle and less expensive gear wise, but man the difference mono has by having more dedicated pixels is night and day. Might make for a good future video 😀

[@steveking3611]

Amazing stuff Bill. I tried the SHO Normalization and compared it to my normal processing, and, your approach produced a better image and with a lot less work!! Thank you so much for sharing all your hard work with us. Steve

[@AndrewThomas73]

Holy #### ,this is just awesome. What you have done for me with my OSCC is beyond next level. Thank you SIR.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Andrew!!!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@christianandres6554]

Brilliant! Can‘t wait to try this out with my LeNhance data. Thank you so much for providing your methods and tools to the community! Proper job 👍

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Christian, please let me know your results!!

[@carolsantulis2874]

Thanks Bill. I look forward to trying your HOO script!

[@astrotimetraveller4622]

Wow amazing, Thanks so much Bill. I will go back and re-do many of my previous OSC shots in the coming days. You’re going to make a lot of people wonder whether moving to Mono is worth it! I am planning to next year, but it’s very expensive and time consuming and these techniques give some great images from OSC, but I like a challenge! What you are achieving is the biggest step change I’ve seen in the processing side of this hobby since I started nearly three years ago. Many many thanks, clear skies Ian

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Ian!!

[@michaeljarvis4612]

Essential process and super helpful video. Many Thanks, Bill.

[@teslar1]

OSC Processing for HOO starts 17:34

[@staceylloyd6236]

Fantastic overview and explanation of your normalization process tools. Your explanations are always well done and I appreciate the visuals as I am oriented that same way as well. Take care and clear skies.

[@williammauney1129]

Thank you for this. You have made PixInsight so much easier to use. Appreciated showing both options and your explanation is so easy to follow

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Will!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@MrBebopbob]

Wow! Just wow! Thanks for sharing these great methods.

[@valknotsix]

Thank you so much Bill, you really are a shining light in the enveloping darkness that is being new at astrophtography! Top fellow

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thank You!!

[@Zealor365]

A little more math than I can handle this early in the morning. I'll watch again once I get my brain in gear. Thanks!

[@trinigunbankashi8871]

Thank you so much for these tutorials, Bill. He has no idea how much they have helped me improve my workflow, owing to my inexperience. Although I do not currently own an NB, I am intrigued by this video and would like to test the PixelMath SCNR with my images on Broadband.

[@olly7248]

Thank you so much for doing this, i have such a better understanding of what my Narrowband data is and what it can do….I tried your Pixelmath out on PacMan and Soul data today and it made a huge difference to the final image… excellent ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@sebas_ruel]

Awesome results with 'HOONormalizationV4' PixelMath!

[@desmcmorrow2978]

Many thanks for producing these helpful videos and extremely useful scripts. Cheers, Des

[@michallackovic4489]

Anazing work Bill. Thank you

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Michal!!

[@olly7248]

Just edited my SADR region data again using this process, it is superb, thanks again and I gave you a well-deserved shout out on my Astrobin comments for the image, I hope that's OK

[@ysl109812]

Wow! This is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing those tools. This really is revolutionary! I am totally blown away.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Glad you like them :-)

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@toddeggleston]

Good Lord, fantastic stuff, man! Thank you for sharing!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

My pleasure!

[@MrSpike2450]

Brilliant dude,thanks for making this video, you are a legend.🎉

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!!

[@flyingdockp]

Ive now tried your scnr, star reduction and narrowband normalization Great tools! I love the star reduction; it doe a wonderful job without artifacts! Actually I love all your pixelmath work… easy to use! I still need to try your stretch though. I admire your pixelmath skills!

[@gregmckay666]

As Luke has already said, Game Changer!

[@greyraven1245]

WOW, Thats awesome. Thank you

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

You are welcome!!!

[@AstroGuina]

Hi Bill. How are you? Your scripts are absolutely phenomenal! Here in Brazil I participate in a small group of astrophotographers and, since Luke started publishing videos using his scripts, we were absolutely fascinated by the results. Know that you've been helping us a lot, as most captures using OSC, so being able to transform them into SHO and HOO with quality is fantastic.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Wow!!! Thats great to hear. Thank you!!

[@Manishprajapati-wc2kq]

i really apreciate your help with dowloanding this software

[@ClearAmbientSkies]

I think it's time to sell all my narrowband filters. 🤣 Thank you Bill. This is another gift to the astro community.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Lol, I hear ya. I now regret selling my 6200mc camera now.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@Klyress]

It works like a charm! Thank you for developing this!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@Klyress]

@@anotherastrochannel2173 Thank you for updating. I don't know how to thank you enough. I tested with some old data I have and all of them are totally different. Just awesome!

[@enriqueboeneker]

Bill, thanks for sharing, and especially, thanks for your hardwork! I believe the next step to of all of this that you have done is make a script (or maybe I am mistaken). Thanks again!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Enrique, that would be awesome to have done, espcially if we could combine the other math routines I have and will be releasing shortly. If I can find a good programmer to help me with this, this could be a future option for sure.

[@Astro_Shed]

As usual Bill, another set of superb tools, to make life much easier when processing….much appreciated…👍🏻

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thank you!!!

[@Astro_Shed]

Would it be possible to have these in some sort of UI like a script, so the settings would be easier to change rather than going into the actual code and changing there, or am I asking to much…😂😂

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@GalaxyArtMedia]

Thank you for the video and scripts ! Amazing results !

[@FrankRodrick-fm2vf]

Only one complaint, but it's a big one. Where's your "Thanks" button??? How can I buy you a beer to show my appreciation? This is fantastic; many thanks from this lazy OSC guy.

[@billblanshan3021]

Lol, Thanks buddy!

[@LogansAstro]

Another great set of tools for people to use - thanks Bill. Great job.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Logan!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@ttnownow1292]

You're a steely-eyed missile man! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@bonzer2u]

Outstanding stuff, U.B.D.Man....

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thank you for saying that!!!

[@stefanzait]

Amazing tools. Thanks, Bill.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!

[@ChristianProulx]

Merci beaucoup Bill, Thanks a lot. An impressive evolution of treatment thru your PixelMath formula. Two thumbs up man...

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Christian!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@ScottDavies]

Such an amazing video 😊 THANKS Bill

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks Scott!

[@RigoFromSpain]

Bill, you are really the MASTER !!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Lol, thanks buddy!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@CaptRescue2]

Dayum Bill! Knocked it out of the park with this one!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@giohelp]

Realy nice work man. Thankyou

[@ricardoabh3242]

Fantastic… I am just starting…like buying the stuff This was one of my concerns

[@astromadness]

Thanks for putting this video and these processes together. I'm dyslexic and can find putting a process together in the right order really tricky sometimes. Particularly maths based ones, and not just for astro imaging, but in all walks of life. What you've done is provided me (and the whole community) with the ability to up my processing game and take a lot of the struggle out of what can be a very long winded and tough thing for me to do. What could be easier than using a drag and drop technique?! Thank you so much 🙂

[@zelodec]

You deserve more subs/views. Good luck! 👍

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks for saying that. I just want to help others, thats my main goal. 😎

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@gianmariaraboini7952]

thank you Bill for sharing this fantastic work .👍👍👍

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@heizenbergone]

this is great! thank you very very much🙂👍

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!!

[@ronor-el706]

Such a great tool. Thanks Bill :)

[@Thommy78]

Awesome, very good work, thx

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks!

[@ricklaird2218]

Amazing.Thank you.

[@DeveshPande]

This is absolutely fantastic. I followed Luke's channel and did most of my NB processing following his process but this is so much more easier. Also takes away the manual intervention with matching brightness of individual channels. One question though: Do you use starnet to remove your stars or is there an icon I am missing for it? Also, do you normalize at linear level or nonlinear? Great work Bill. You've got a sub!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thanks for your comment! I use StarXterminator or Starnet2, both are excellent for star removal. For recombining the stars I do recomment my RGB to NB star transfer math so you can retain the same star color and brightness. You can try and normalize in linear but from all my testing non-linear provides the best results as the average deviation of the data when stretched is much greater thus the normalization will be more defined.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@TheRuminator]

i would definitely pay for these

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Lol, thanks!!!!

[@angelvphotography]

Hi Bill, excellent work mate, thank you for that. I'm getting the following error message: * Error: Invalid character in expression: /* Normalize HOO data with Pixelmath - V3 by Bill Blanshan See "Symbols" tab for blending modifications Drag the bottom left arrow over to your HOO image Notes: 1) On symbols page, turn OFF OIII Scurve=0, On=1 2) Works best on a non-linear image; however, because this method is a linear style stretch, stars in the image will most likely be blown out. It is best to remove the stars first. The preferred method to adding the stars back is using my RGB to Narrowband pixel math so that star color is preserved. Hope you enjoy!!!*/ $T[0]*BrightnessControl .................................................^ Reading swap files... 1651.312 MiB/s Could you help me to identify what it's going on please?. Thanks in advance.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Are you running the latest version of pixinsight? Also, please make sure you dont delete any character after the nuber value like this " ; ". Try reloading the math script again if you feel that something got currupted. Bill

[@lepetitbaigneur9073]

@@anotherastrochannel2173 i got the same error =(

[@alneid2707]

This is fascinating stuff. Wish I'd found your channel much, much sooner. What would you recommend as a reference source to learn more about pixelmath? In the meantime, I'll just download all the process icons you've made available!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Al, re pixelmath, this is a hard one. There are a lot of videos on processing astro images within Pixinsight and most use some generic pixelmaths. I dont know of anyone specifically teaching pixelmath. I know Adam Block has a lot of indepth videos but maybe I can do more videos on pixelmath basics.

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@alneid2707]

@@anotherastrochannel2173 Thanks for the response. If you decide to do a 'basics' series on pixelmath, I'll be watching. You, and a few others, are really showing people the power of this tool, yet it's a mystery to most of us. In the mean time, guess I'll read some PI documentation to see if that will get the ball rolling for me.

[@pcboreland1]

I greatly appreciate the work you are doing. I'm a pixelmath convert, having done my own stuff, but you are taking things to the next level. You must be working on this, but what about inserting Ha and Oiii data in RGB images like galaxies?

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

I have been working on some math for that for Ha intergration, should be soon so please stay tuned 🙂

[@Nico.75]

Dear Bill I cannot thank you enough for all your effort you put into your Pixel Math processes, they are real game changers! May I ask you if it is possible to use your NB normalization tools to create dynamic NB palette blends like the Foraxx palette from @thecoldestnights? That would be great as I think that palette has a great look... Thanks again and cheers from Zurich!☺️

[@garybarr7116]

Thanks Bill. I really appreciate that you give these pixel math scripts to all of us to use. I have a question. Sorry if I missed it in your presentation. I see how to add stars back in when dealing with OSC. For narrow band, I removed the stars from Ha and O using StarXterminator. So, I have Ha stars and Oii stars. How do you recommend I add them back to the combined RGB image? Should I do HOO combination the starX stars only and then combine with pixel math?

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Gary, Yes, I would do an HOO combination just so you can preserve the orignal stars and colors. I know this is still narrowband colored stars but it will still look the best having the original stars. So once you have the HOO data combined, stretch the data, then clone the data so you can produce an RGB starless image using Starnet2 or Star Exterminator. Once you have this starless image, clone that starless image to create the NB starless image and that will be the image you will run normalization on. Next, now that you have all three files, you can use my RGB-to-Narrowband star transfer math to create the new image with your original stars onto your new normalized starless image. I showed this process towrds the end of my video with a full workflow from linear to non linear. This method will produce the best image using these techniques. I hope this makes sense!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@cubzilla1524]

Another great tool for my processing , many thanks ! . do you have anything for the more basic task of the addition of Ha to an RGB image ? it's been the pain of my life ;-)

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Trevor, I am working on that now. I few months back I had a hard drive crash and lost many years and terabytes of astro data and am still trying to recover. Lots of that data was shot using OSC cameras so if I can find my Ha and RGB data sets, I will begin the process and create the technique, which should only take me a day to do. I just hope I can find my data, lol

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.

[@mgutierrezp]

fantastic job, thanks a lot. Please let me do the following question. How does this normalization differ from linearfit? I thought linear fit what precisely does is equalize brightness levels. I've been doing some tests and the results are not the same. Obviously they differ in some extent, but don't know what exactly

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Miguel, thanks for the response!!! Another viewer had a simular question so I copied my response: "So, I dont know the "math" behind linear fit but in the linear state, even with my tests the results should be close as we both do a linear style pixel value change. This is why I use my technque in the non-linear state so the average deviation of all pixels is more exaggerated than that being linear. If you try linear fit on none linear data it doesnt look as good as my math, well atleast from my tests. Regardless, my operation is a drag and drop operation, linear fit is not. So, if you wanted to use my math as a "linear fit" on linear data, it is still faster than running linear fit in PI. I hope this clarifies things but you should be able to test the differences on your end 😀"

[@mgutierrezp]

@@anotherastrochannel2173 great, thanks for the reply. Makes sense

[@haiderbhogadia4829]

Hi Bill, I am very new to PI and your PM tools look amaging. However how do i install this on to my PM process ? the scripts represent different functions i i am struggling with which one to copy and paste onto the symbols? Help!

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

If you have OSC data, use the HOO script, if you have mono data and put together an SHO image, use the SHO script, If you have mono data and put together an HOO image, use the HOO script, etc.

[@rvoykin]

I have downloaded the icons and try to open them with pics and say how do I actually use them?

[@bluespeck-qc2zv]

Thanks for the valuable information and tools. This is probably a really dumb newbie question but how do I add them to Pixinsight? Thanks.

[@MrStrativarius]

Hey Bill. Thank you so much for creating this. It's pretty incredible. I'm just getting started on learning Pixinsight. If you have time, I have a question for you. All my pics so far are taken with a OSC camera (ASI 533MC pro) and a dual narrowband filter (Svbony 220 7nm). When I open my images in Pixinsight and throw your HOO plug in on them, they look better, but all i get is kind of ambers and gold colors, no blues, or even greens. What am i missing? Do I just need to do something different in post? Or am I not getting the right data initially? Thank you for any thoughts and thanks again for this great plug-in. Aaron.

[@gclaytony]

These are great tools, but the assumption concerning the Blue Channel being primarily noise isn't true of all targets when shooting monochrome/narrowband and I suspect it isn't necessarily true of all OSC NB. From the monochrome NB perspective, in M42 Oiii is very strong and displays detail in the Running Man that is not in Ha or Sii. That Oiii detail is critical to capturing the full detail in that target. The loss of that data with your scripts was very apparent. The M42 Orion Nebula may be unique in that for NB imaging it offers great data in all three of the traditional NB band widths (Ha, Sii, Oiii). I do agree that it is appropriate in The Pelican Nebula processing and probably most other targets in Sadr nebula cloud - there is very little if any Oiii band present. Without checking my archived data for SH2-308 OSC NB data I can say for certain but by memory I believe that data was overwhelmingly in the Blue/Oiii band with the L-Extreme filter that I used and even with the L-Pro. Great tools, but I think users should not use them as a one size fits all item. Anyone using these tools (for all tools really) needs to assess their data and tailor their application of PI tools accordingly. IMO - YMMV

[@billblanshan3021]

There is no such thing as a one size fits all tool, especially when you're trying to process M42 which is also a reflection nebula. This tool was designed to help normalize OIII and /or SII in emission nebula to that of the Ha signal to help create a balanced SHO like image. If you are trying to normalize HA to that of the 0III signal then move the formula around

[@Dorkyand40]

Just amazing bill! I would love a foraxx version someday :) do you have a Patreon or a way to donate for the work ?

[@milkyastrophile]

hi I am getting an error while executing this how to solve this? please help Reading swap files... 1864.371 MiB/s

[@ganymede235]

Is version version 5, "Bills_NB_NormalizationV5.xpsm" on the GoogleDrive the latest version? If we use that one, we do or do not need versions 3 and 4? Thanks...

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Use the latest version please. Thanks!

[@ricardoabh3242]

I have a Nikon Zf, and always like to take images in RAW or now HLG and potentially pixel shit to push the data and depth. How those data best used in this tool, since I think it can’t work with raw?

[@avinashajupiterastronomycl2868]

It's not working for me, i am using Asi533mc camera, This HOO & SHO Normalization not working, showing failed, when i drag. Anyone help me.?

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

What do you mean when you drag??? Use the actual script now please so you can see in real time.

[@heno52]

Bill, this looks so great. But I have still to process my first SHO image, I.e. total newbie. I can't find any video utilizing these scripts so my question is then: Where in a "normal" NB process would this fit in? After/before?

[@diegoalca]

IDK why but when i open up this process nothing happens, doesnt show up on my screen the icons

[@Thomas-mn5ih]

Hi Bill, thanks for your pixelmath set and your explanation. When watching it, I'm asking myself spontaneously:" Is it not the same as doing a linear fit on the the three channels before the SHO combination which I normaly do?" So I tried your pixelmath set on my linear data set with a linear fit but there is just a little difference between it. So is not just a different way to do a linear fit? Or is just my data set? What do you think? BR Thomas

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Thomas, good question!! So, I dont know the "math" behind linear fit but in the linear state, even with my tests the results should be close as we both do a linear style pixel value change. This is why I use my technque in the non-linear state so the average deviation of all pixels is more exaggerated than that being linear. If you try linear fit on none linear data it doesnt look as good as my math, well atleast from my tests. Regardless, my operation is a drag and drop operation, linear fit is not. So, if you wanted to use my math as a "linear fit" on linear data, it is still faster than running linear fit in PI. I hope this clarifies things but you should be able to test the differences on your end 😀

[@juangonzalezsanz3840]

I am very impressed how you managed to do such great job in a so automated way. Thanks a lot. I get and error when importing some of the tools into PI. In particular with NB normalization and Stretching tools I get "Parsing XML document (line=197 offset=0): Stray character #x2e outside markup." Do you know what might me going on? Cheers

[@juangonzalezsanz3840]

OK. I have just discovered that it was because no image was loaded into PI. Once there is an image opened the process can be imported without problems. Thanks again

[@DamianVines]

This is amazing Bill thank you! Quick question about normalizing Flat Darks... Are they also supposed to be No Normalization like regular Darks?

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

No sir. Dark Flats are "Dark frames" that match the same exposure time as your flats. "Darks" are match to the same exposure as your Lights. The only time you want to scale darks is if you shot your lights at different exposure times and dont have the correct master dark to calibrate your lights with. I dont like this method but it can be done

[@The-explorer]

Thanks so much for the magic. I have this error when try to use the HOONormalization"*** Error: Invalid character in expression: /* Normalize HOO data with Pixelmath - V4 by Bill Blanshan -- Concept by Luke Newbould See "Symbols" tab for blending modifications Drag the bottom left arrow over to your HOO image Notes: 1) On symbols page, turn OFF OIII Scurve=0, On=1 2) Works best on a non-linear image; however, because this method is a linear style stretch, stars in the image will most likely be blown out. It is best to remove the stars first. The preferred method to adding the stars back is using my RGB to Narrowband pixel math so that star color is preserved. Hope you enjoy!!! "

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

You may have accidentally deleted a backslash or semicolon. Just download the math script again and dont delete any characters, you can only modify names but please make sure that you do not remove any backslashes or semicolons. Also, please make sure you're running the latest version of Pixinsight

[@johnfavalessa4487]

How can I support you? 😇

[@desmcmorrow2978]

Hi, I was wondering whether there was somewhere where we could check of and download the latest versions of your process icons? Cheers, Des

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

It's says in the description. The download folders will always contain the latest versions. 😎

[@TheMje1963]

Nice, Now you make me want to go back and reprocess some of my images LOL

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

Same here, lol

[@anotherastrochannel2173]

**Update** I had to make a change to the HOO math so Version4 is now in the download link.