Interface with FocusMax

[oguerrea]

Hello Guylain,

 

As I am thinking about upgrading my scope setup with a motorized focuser, I was looking into software I could use for autofocusing, together with BYE.

 

I do understand that it is quite a big feature to implement in BYE, so I discussed quickly with Steve Brady, developer of FocusMax, the requirements in order to be able to interface with an imaging software. I understand that "FocusMax requires a COM interface to communicate with an application. [He] has added Standard ASCOM methods and properties to potentially work with other applications"

 

Do you think that this kind of ASCOM interface is something that could be implemented in BYE?

 

Thanks!

Olivier

[admin]

There is already an ASCOM interface in BYE Premium.  You can control you ASCOM compliant Focuser, Filter Wheel, and Telescope (for nudge control).

 

BYE does not interface with FocusMax.  CCDWare has taken over the FoxusMax development last summer and they sell it for $150

 

BYE Premium does control your mototized focuser already and will work with Moonlite focuser or any other motorized focuser provided the focuser has an ASCOM driver... most of them do.

 

BYE does not auto-focus yet

 

Hope this helps.

[admin]

oh, here is an image of the current ASCOM control in BYE/BYN Premium.

 

Regards,

[oguerrea]

I do understand that BYE can control ASCOM devices. What I meant is that BYE would be the ASCOM device being controlled and FocusMax (or any other software) would be the software controlling it for getting pictures out of BYE.

Do you think it would be possible to develop?

Thanks! Olivier

[admin]

Hi Oliver,

 

No, that would not work because unlike CCDs, there is no ASCOM driver for Canon DSLR... so it is a non-starter.

 

However, BYE already has a 3rd party integration component where external apps can trigger BYE to take a picture, this is how the AstroTortilla integration works.  If the FocusMax team is willing to implement the same interface then BYE would become a supported camera application within FocusMax and that would work... but it is up to them to implement it.

 

Regards,