Timeismotion software (how to use) for MiLapse Head - Part 2

[WSPSkydiver]

I Just found this video and I must say thanks! I'm an avid videographer, and just do it as a hobby. Thanks for providing this video tutorial and going into detail about how it works. I really enjoyed watching it. I do have one question, though.

My camera is an entry-level DSLR and (for instance) I wanted to take one shot every second. I was wondering what you use as a trigger to open and close the shutter of your camera, especially for time-laps stuff?

Great videos and thanks for sharing!

[milapse]

@WSPSkydiver typically you use an 'interval timer' we make our feature rich interval timer called the MX2 at dynamicperception(dot)com ;) but you can also find cheap ones on ebay.. Google: Timescapes FAQ ( I wrote that)

[WSPSkydiver]

@milapse thanks again. I did pick up a cable trigger with a built-in timer and it seems to work fairly well. I'm still interested in your stuff and as I get better at this, I'll seriously consider your product. Cheers!

[XSportSeeker]

I'd suggest taking all the deprecated videos of MILapse out, making one really short with the main features (and perhaps one about the software alone using Camtasia, FRAPS, CamStudio or another screen capture tool), and explaining details in text using a webpage or blog...

Not trying to be a troll or overtly critic here, but just seems that such a nice tool needs better presentation. :)

[milapse]

@XSportSeeker this project was an old hobby/labor of love, now I consider it a dead-end due to the proprietary hardware. I've moved on to more sophisticated, capable and expandable open-source solutions: the openmoco timelapse engine!!

[XSportSeeker]

@milapse Thanks for the info milapse! I was looking at OpenMoco too... just a question though: Are you still using the same motorized head and Meade controls, or switched to the full Arduino project on OpenMoco?

And if so, did you assemble it yourself or you bought it?

I can deal with the software part, but I'm useless when it comes to hardware... :P

[milapse]

@XSportSeeker No, like I said, the meade route is a dead end due to proprietary restrictions. We are about to reveal the pan tilt head that will be best paired with the openmoco system It's very robust and has nodal adjustment for panoramic shooters. News within a month...

[XSportSeeker]

@milapse Anxiously waiting! :D

[XSportSeeker]

Not to be picky, I really like the product, price and iniciative, but why not simplify things? I like the videos, but they are a bit too long and don't pass much of a sense of security...

Now that the Meade controller goes with the head, why not send it with the custom firmware preloaded?

Another thing I still didn't get: how much can the setup do without a PC attached to it? From what I understand, most jobs can be donw with the head alone, right?

[milapse]

@XSportSeeker this is what's commonly known as a 'hacking' or 're-purposing'... It's not a product that I produce, it's a Meade product. The only thing the 'TIM' software adds is the ability to 'ramp up' and 'ramp down' your speed - like I say in the beginning of part 1 "TIM will allow you to get gentle starts and stops to your timelapse pans". The Meade head alone will work fine for simple continious pans at any speed. If you need more information go to timescapes(dot)org, lots of info there.

[mkaltoft]

Any idea if this will work with a Celestron NexStar SLT mount? It appears that you can communicate with the mount via the same RJ10 - RS-232 - USB cable, and it appears that the mount can be controlled by a computer from this port. However I assume that Meade and Celestron uses a different protocol, so what needs to be changed for this software to work on a Celestron mount?

[milapse]

No it will not work. Honestly I have no idea!! Your right - different companies / different protocols...

[MrReggub]

Ok, just a thought......

[MrReggub]

(BUG: at release the TOTAL time is off by about -20% for unknown reasons... so plan on the calculated time +20% for the total script duration)

Hi, Have you considered the impact of the AZ-Ratio changes you made to your controller from default setting to 1.00 in an earlier video.

[milapse]

As far as I know those ratios will not affect it when your using the software to control it. The software is effectively overriding and sending raw speed commands.

[wowcolors]

Who made the custom firmware for the meade head? What music is that in the timelapse footage? Thanks again!

[milapse]

the brilliant Australian astronomer : Dick Seymour & ..... williamson 'cool people make me tired' ;-)

[wowcolors]

Why do you need to update the firmware on the meade head to a custom firmware? I am wondering why the TimeIsMotion software does not just use the meade commands outlined in the "Meade Telescope Serial Command Protocol" document to command the OEM firmware? Thanks!

[milapse]

reason: the 497 handset can't make speed changes 'on the fly' with the the oem firmware.

[radioativ]

It's hard to be an indy motion controler..hehehe. I'd like to have money such as Mark Robert...that bastard.

[milapse]

I'm all about budget motion control. Stay tuned! New things to come in 2010...

[radioativ]

Damn, here in Brazil is really hard to find the RJ10 cable to Serial (DB9) ready to go. The guys from cable stores told me that they can build it, if I give them the pin configuration. Does someone Knows where can I find this god damn configuration? Isn't it a RJ11 instead of RJ10? I wouldn't like to do an international shop, cause it would take to long to arrive on San Paulo. But it would be my last resource. Where can I buy it on U.S.?

[milapse]

I know it's a PITA to find a serial to RJ10... Check out ebay... That's where I found mine.

[radioativ]

Hello, I'd like to Know if the timeismotion program will work on a Windows XP. Thanks

[milapse]

affirmative timelapse enthusiast!

[MauriceNaragon]

I see that the software says "Hold Still"... does this mean it can be set to move a certain amount - like 30 degrees and hold still for 10 seconds while you shoot a photo? It looks like hold still means it goes to a point and stops for a while.

[milapse]

not in this case... the hold still parameter is so you can get some 'lead in' footage before your movement starts. I'm sure that could be easily programmed using a custom script...

[highwaym]

Very cool! I would love to implement this into stop motion - is there a way to adjust the hold time to manual?

[milapse]

It's open source... so it's possible... as it is the head does not stop for the exposure so that would have to be re-worked for stop motion.

[bcharrold]

I have a milapse head, but now I need the software... Any chance of making a Mac version?

[milapse]

It's open source... so it's possible if anyone is willing to make it work. I'm not really a programmer so it's outside my abilities!

[fotocallepuntocom]

I have a Nikon D300. How do you modify it to trigger the camera?

[milapse]

what I'm saying is that "it could potentially be modified" in other words.... You would have to write your own code to make it do that.

[fotocallepuntocom]

Nice! Can it shoot gigapixel panoramas. Does the software trigger the camera?

Thanks

[milapse]

It doesn't coordinate the shutter... but it could be potentially modified to do so.

[Shmithers]

Very nice! Now I defiantly need a MiLapse Head :P

[Mavi222]

Agreed! I need it too :-))) .. great work MiLapse!