SharpCap Pro

A number of the more advanced features of SharpCap now require the purchase of a SharpCap Pro license. SharpCap Pro licenses are reasonably priced, can be purchased for a 1 year term and are available from http://store.astrosharp.co.uk/ .

Installing SharpCap Pro

You do not need to install a separate version of SharpCap if you wish to use SharpCap Pro features – the SharpCap Pro features are already in the normal installed version of SharpCap – they become available to you when you enter a SharpCap Pro license key.

Trying out SharpCap Pro

You can try out most SharpCap Pro features before purchasing a license. If you decide to try out one or more SharpCap Pro features without entering a license then SharpCap enters an evaluation mode where you cannot save any images until you close and then re-start the application. Evaluation mode allows you to see the effects of SharpCap Pro features on screen but not save the resulting images.

When you try to use a SharpCap Pro feature without a license installed you will see a message like this

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which allows you to choose whether to use the feature in evaluation mode, purchase a new license or enter an already purchased one or you can choose not to use the feature after all.

Choosing the various options has the following effects:

·         Try <Feature Name> without a license – you will be able to use the feature and other SharpCap Pro features in trial mode. In trial mode you are normally blocked from saving any images to video or image files, meaning that you can see the results on screen but cannot save the results.

·         Purchase a SharpCap Pro License – clicking this link will take you to a web site where you can buy a SharpCap Pro license.

·         Already have a SharpCap Pro License? – if you already have a SharpCap Pro license but haven’t entered it yet, choose this option to launch the SharpCap license window and enter your license key.

·         Get me out of here… - If you aren’t interested in trying out the SharpCap Pro feature then choose this option. SharpCap will not activate the feature and you will not end up in trial mode – you can just carry on using the free features in SharpCap as usual.

Note that some SharpCap Pro features have different restrictions on evaluation – for instance using the Sequencer or Sequence Planner tool in evaluation mode limits the length of the sequence being run to 5 minutes.

SharpCap Pro Features

The table below shows the list of features that require a SharpCap Pro license. These features are also highlighted with the text ‘[PRO]’ where they are mentioned in the remainder of this user guide.

Feature

Notes

Dark Subtraction

 

Live Flat Correction

 

Polar Alignment

You can measure your polar alignment error without needing a license. Guidance on adjusting to correct any error requires a license.

Python Scripting Language

 

Live Stacking Colour Adjustments

 

Live Stacking and Display Histogram Auto stretch

Manual adjustment of the image stretch does not require a license, but the use of the ‘Auto Stretch’ button does.

Feature Tracking

 

Seeing Monitor

Seeing Triggered capture and Seeing Filtered capture can only be activated with a license.

Smart Histogram

 

Advanced Focus Score Features

Automatic focus scans via ASCOM focuser require a license

Live Stack Image Enhancements

Unsharp mask sharpening, Weiner deconvolution sharpening and bilateral filter noise reduction

Live Stack Sigma Clipped Stacking

 

Live Stack Dithering via PHD2

 

Two Monitor View

Image view on second monitor is watermarked if you do not have a license

Banding Suppression

 

Folder Monitor Camera

 

Automatic Dithering in Live Stacking

 

Sequencer and Sequencer Planner

Can save images while evaluating, but sequences will be stopped after a maximum of 5 minutes.

Planetary Stabilization

 

Click to Recentre

 

Background Subtraction

 

 

Buying a SharpCap Pro License

SharpCap Pro licenses can be bought by visiting https://store.astrosharp.co.uk . Payment is accepted via PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account then you can either choose to create one or choose to buy without creating an account using your credit or debit card (just follow the PayPal link anyway and you should see the option to buy using a credit or debit card – note: PayPal only allows this option in some countries).

Once you have paid, your license will be sent to the email address that you used on the PayPal site, so please make sure that it is correct. Sometimes license emails can get caught in your ‘Junk’ email folder so be sure to check if the license email does not arrive promptly. You will also see your new license in your web browser – just let your browser return automatically to the AstroSharp website after completing your PayPal payment.

Installing your SharpCap Pro License

To install your new SharpCap Pro license, run SharpCap, go to the 'Help' menu and select 'SharpCap Pro License'. Copy the license text from your web browser or email and paste it into the license box. Be careful to include all of the license text.

Once entered, your license should look like the example shown below (without the blurring!). Every line of text should start with a field name (like LicenseId or Expiry), followed by an equals sign ('=') followed by the field value. Don't include any other text and make sure you include all the lines shown.

If your license is entered correctly then you will see the license status change to ‘Valid’ below the license entry box.

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License Expiry and Renewal

SharpCap Pro licenses are sold on a subscription basis – that means that if you buy a one-year license, it will allow you to use SharpCap Pro features for one year from the date of purchase. If your license has expired then you will no longer be able to access SharpCap Pro features (but you will be able to continue using the many non-Pro features in SharpCap). Subscription based licensing allows the annual cost to be kept very low.

You should receive two reminder emails in the weeks before your SharpCap Pro license expires to let you know that will soon be time to renew your license. You will also see notifications inside SharpCap itself warning you when your license will expire soon.

If you choose to renew your SharpCap Pro license then you will receive a new license key. You will need to replace the existing license key in SharpCap with the new key, following the steps in Installing your SharpCap Pro License. The new key will be valid immediately, so there is no need to wait until your old key expires before making the change. Don’t forget to delete the text of your old license key from the SharpCap License box before installing the new one.

More information about SharpCap Pro Licenses

I didn't receive my license email - what can I do?

Firstly, check your Spam folder or any other junk mail folder, also be aware that this sort of email sometimes gets classed as 'bulk' email and delayed in transfer.

If you still haven't received your email you can get it re-sent to you by visiting the Recover License page. Just enter the email address you used to purchase the license and (optionally) the time from your PayPal receipt. We will automatically resend your license email to you (and show it in the browser if you can enter your PayPal receipt time too).

How do I enter my license?

Run SharpCap, go to the 'Help' menu and select 'SharpCap Pro License'. Copy the license text from your web browser or email and paste it into the license box. Be careful to include all of the license text.

It says my license is not valid - what have I done wrong?

Make sure that the license text looks like this screenshot:

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Every line of text should have an start with a field name (like LicenseId or Expiry), followed by an equals sign ('=') followed by the field value. Don't include any other text and make sure you include all the lines shown.

Some email applications seem to add extra line breaks to the license text - you may need to remove these manually. Do not allow any automatic translation software to try to translate the text of the license – that will cause it not to work.

Does my license include upgrades?

Yes it does - you can use any version of SharpCap with your license and update whenever new versions are available.

I use SharpCap on more than one computer - do I need to buy more than one license?

Provided you have bought SharpCap for your personal use then the license is for you rather than a particular computer, so you can use the same license on different PCs that you own.

In more detail, rules are as follows:

·         If you are a private individual who has purchased SharpCap : You may use the license on any PC that you own and on one additional PC that does not belong to you as long as you are the primary user of that additional PC (this allows you to use SharpCap on a laptop provided by your employer).

·         If you are a not a private individual (i.e. you purchased SharpCap on behalf of a business, government department, education establishment, club or society etc) : You must purchase a SharpCap license for every PC that you install SharpCap on.

I've renewed my license but it hasn't updated in SharpCap - what do I do?

When you renew your license you will receive a new license key by email. You need to put this new key into SharpCap, replacing your existing key. You can start using your new key straight away.

I've lost my license - what can I do?

You can get it re-sent to you by visiting the Recover License page.

Just enter the email address you used to purchase the license and (optionally) the time from your PayPal receipt. We will automatically resend your license email to you (and show it in the browser if you can enter your PayPal receipt time too).

Claiming a SharpCap Pro license bundled with a new Camera

Some cameras are sold with an offer of a 1-year SharpCap Pro license included with the camera. If you have purchased one of these cameras then follow the steps below to claim the license.

·         Install any drivers necessary to allow your PC to detect the camera properly (for Altair cameras, this means you must install AltairCapture, even if you do not intend to use it)

·         Install the latest version of SharpCap

·         Ensure you are connected to the internet – the license claim procedure requires a working internet connection.

·         Plug in your camera to a suitable USB port

·         Run SharpCap. If you do not have a SharpCap Pro license already, then a notification should appear at the top of the screen soon after SharpCap starts.

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·         Click on the ‘Claim License Now’ button

·         In the license claim window, enter your email address. Take care to enter your email address correctly, as you will receive a copy of your license by email. You can choose to share your email address with the camera manufacturer to receive updates and special offers if you want (this is entirely optional – if you choose not to share your email address with the manufacturer then your email address will only be used to send you your licence key and remind you when it is about to expire).

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·         Press the Claim SharpCap Pro License button – after a few moments your claim will be processed and you should see a message confirming the license claim has been successful. Your license email should usually arrive within a few minutes.

Note: Licenses included with purchases cameras are only valid for use with the specific brand of camera they were claimed against.

Note: If you have purchased your camera second-hand then the previous owner may have already claimed the license for that camera – in that case you will not be able to claim a SharpCap Pro license and will see this message if you do try to claim:

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