1. Calibrate
   • Manual Calibration
     • Convert All Raw Files to 16-bit Linear CFA Files
     • Create a Master Bias Frame
     • Create a Master Dark Frame
     • Create a Master Flat-Field Frame
     • Calibrate the Individual Light Frames
     • De-Bayerize the Light Frames (Interpolate into Color Images)
   • Automatic Calibration
   
   
2. Stack
   • Evaluate and review
   • Align and Register
   • Stack (combine by Add, Average, or Median)
   • Normalize / Weight (if necessary)
   
   
3. Adjust
   • White Balance
   • Non-Linear Stretch
   • Adjust the Color of Sky Background
   • Remove Gradients
   • Set the Black Point
   • Fix Cosmetic Imperfections
   
   

4. Enhance

   • Mask Highlights, Enhance Shadows
   • Enhance the Color
   • Reduce Noise
   
   
5. Sharpen
   
   
6. Archive the Image

Mouse Over

Original   White Balanced   Stretched   Neutralized   Shadows   Saturation   SMI   High-Pass Hold your mouse cursor over the image to see a comparison between the original raw linear file and final calibrated, corrected and enhanced image. Hold your mouse cursor over the descriptions below the image to see each major step in the image processing and enhancement process.

It is almost hard to believe that the final corrected and enhanced image could have come from the raw linear original file. But this is the power of digital image processing. All of the data is contained in a stacked, calibrated raw file, it just has to be adjusted correctly and enhanced to bring out the details and information contained in the original.

Nothing has been added to the enhanced image that was not contained in the original data. The information and beauty is there, but it is hidden in the darkest portions of the image because it is a linear file.