Releases: brickbots/PiFinder
v1.7.2
v1.7.2 Release
The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_1.7.2.img
For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software
Notes
This is a minor point release to fix a config file issue which would prevent new images from using the UART gps.
Bug Fixes & Tech Changes
- Make sure GPSD config file is copied properly
v1.7.1
v1.7.1 Release
The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_1.7.1.img
For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software
Notes
This is a minor point release to address some bugs and tweak the UI after some feedback. It also includes a new catalog that may be of interest to dogged deep-sky observers.
Software
- Quicker boot process and feedback including new splash screen indicating the WiFi mode and software version.
- Standard boot time should be 30-45 seconds, with initial feedback after 15 seconds.
- Removed Accelerometer status indicator to make solve state more legible. Only the camera indicator is show in the upper right for more legibility. If the camera indicator is not there, the system is using an accelerometer estimated position
- Push-To display changes
- Displays additional decimal place when within one degree of target for extra pointing precision
- Direction / distance indicators are dimmed slightly when relying on accelerometer estimates and will brighten back on on next plate solve
- Catalog system now allows direct access to filtered objects. If you type in a specific object number, it will be shown and can be located even if it's not in the currently filtered object set (i.e. different type, magnitude too high, altitude too low, etc).
- Added Extra-galactic Globular Cluster (EGC) catalog. See 'Selecting Catalogs' below
- Added support for UART based GPS receivers (on UART3)
Bug Fixes & Tech Changes
- Fixed crash when switching background subtraction strength for Camera preview
- Fixed issue when switching catalogs while viewing object image which prevented subsequent number key usage to find objects
Selecting Catalogs
Due to the current method of selecting active catalogs you can only have 10 available at any one time to choose from. The PiFinder will use the first 10 listed in the default_config.json or your personal config.json. To make the new EGC catalog (or the Carbon Star Catalog) available add the catalogs attribute into your config.json file and adjust the order so that all the catalogs you might want access to are in the first 10 items. We'll be improving catalog availability selection in the very near future.
v1.7.0
v1.7.0 Release
The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_1.7.0.img
For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software
Notes
This version includes many new features and improvements along with bug fixes and minor hardware changes. Please see the sections below for full details about software changes, but there are two project organization updates as well:
Project Updates
- Documentation is now hosted at https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/ and is being edited and re-organized.
- PiFinder software is now available as a complete SD card .img including object images. This is now the officially supported way to prepare new SD cards. For more information, please see: https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/software.html
Software
- New Status Indicators for GPS, Camera and IMU!
- Please see https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/quick_start.html#first-time-out for explanation/examples.
- Bright Star Alignment system
- Please see https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/quick_start.html#alignment for explanation/examples.
- Function Button Hints with user adjustable timeout
- New Catalogs
- Bright Stars
- Herschel 400
- Catalog System Updates
- Better object descriptions w/ scroll (D key)
- Observation count now listed at bottom of description
- Quicker filtering
- B key now only toggles between through images and description
- Unified objects between catalogs to remove duplicate items from observations lists crossing catalogs
- Easier catalog additions in the future!
- GPS interface rewrite
- Better support for more GPS receivers
- Fix issues with transient fixes/errors
- More reliable fix indication
- Expanded Status screen with scroll
- Screen Saver for OLED screen with extended usage
- Preview screen is now called Camera to better reflect what it's for (Focus/Alignment)
- Chart improvements
- Faster updates
- Less jitter when scope is not moving
Bug Fixes & Tech Changes
- Fixed crash on observing list load
- Fixed crash when adding near objects to observing list with specific filters
- New observing list added via samba are now visible without restart
- Better debug state dumps
- Split keyboard from web server
- Catalog Setup and Image tools use new DB classes
- Non solving camera added for testing/debug
- More reliable solve timing & new solve state testing
- config.json file moved to PiFinder_data dir for easier access
v1.6.3
v1.6.3 Release Notes
This version fixes bugs in the catalog and locate screens that could cause crashes under certain circumstances.
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/release/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
Bug Fix
- Catalog: Cycling description to show logged count crashed if object was previously logged
- Locate: Under specific circumstances sequence would not be available on target object and would crash
v1.6.2
v1.6.2 Release Notes
This version improves plate solving robustness and IMU responsiveness along with some QOL UI changes.
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/release/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
Software
- Regenerated Tetra3 db with more patterns per fov to solve @mrosseel test image #72
- Made test image from #72 new debug image
- Adjusted IMU moving/static filter thresholds
- Renamed 'focus help' to 'Zoom View' in Preview screen and made 'D' the hotkey for this function
- Make preview update with latest camera image in all cases (previously rejected images taken while moving)
Bug Fix
- Verify GPS lock indicator working
Contributors
Assets 2
v1.6.1
v1.6.1 Release Notes
This version includes software and hardware updates to support the new Flat mode 🎉 Thanks to @cosmoteer for the flat design and software updates to support it!
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/release/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
Software
- Flat mode!
Hardware
- Flat mode parts
- Universal angle dovetail
- Various small improvements to STL's to make them easier to print
Documentation
- Docs for Flat mode!
- Look for further updates to images and comprehensive flat build guide in the coming days as a patch to this release.
Bug Fixes
- Adjusted location of observation.db to original location in shared folder structure
Contributors
Assets 2
v1.6.0
v1.6.0 Release Notes
This version includes software updates for the catalog system and solver along with some more specific STL files for different printers and inserts. @mrosseel did a great amount of work improving the catalog experience, making new catalog addition easier, and adding a couple catalogs along the way.
Special thanks to Gustav and the rest of the Tetra3 team for guiding us through the Tetra 3 improvements and upgrade!
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/release/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
To fetch images for new catalogs:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/release/docs/user_guide_setup.md#catalog-image-download
Software
- New catalogs:
- TAAS 200
- Saguaro Astronomy Club Asterisms
- Description of catalogs shown before object selection on catalog switch
- Auto-Scrolling aliases for objects
- Scrolling object description (use D key)
- Persistent catalog locations
- Better catalog image presentation
- New version of Tetra3 with specific PiFinder database for faster solving and future proofing!
- Improved IMU / Plate solver integration and hand-offs
Hardware
- Small / Large insert parts
- Narrower dovetails
Contributors
Assets 2
v1.5.0
v1.5.0 Release Notes
This version restructures the way hardware is managed to open up support for more hardware platforms. Initially the ability to develop on a OSX or Linux machine! There should be no functional differences (except the one noted below) and no need to update unless you want help test or to contribute to future development.
Very special thank you to @mrosseel for hatching this idea and making the changes required to enable this. It should be a big benefit when bringing in outside developers and besides, it's just really cool to see the PiFinder software running in a little window on the desktop 🥇
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/main/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
Software
- Removed the option for 'High Res' image capture when logging.
Contributors
Assets 2
v1.4.1
v1.4.1 Release Notes
This version includes cleaned up PCB silkscreens and bug fix for keypad backlight flickering.
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/main/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
NOTE: After this update the Raspberry Pi will need a restart, which is not normally done as part of the software update menu item. After the update is complete, the screen will go blank. Power cycle the PiFinder and the UI should return.
Hardware
- Update to silkscreen to include open hardware logo, better position for some footprint markers, and values for two resistors
Bug Fixes
- Fix use of software PWM which was causing backlight flashes under heavy load. Now properly using hardware PWM.
v1.4.0
v1.4.0 Release Notes
This version includes software and hardware updates for keypad backlight support, catalog images and improved solver performance.
For information about how to update software versions:
https://github.com/brickbots/PiFinder/blob/main/docs/user_guide_howto.md#update-software
Software
- Added ability to view images for any catalog object with proper orientation / multiple FOV's
- Added system for downloading catalog images
- Revamp the way camera and IMU operate to generate an integrated solution. Should remove any 'pauses' in position update that could occur when moving the scope.
- Switch GPS to use GPSD linux subsystem. This should allow almost any GPS transceiver to be used.
Hardware
- New gerbers for backlight support!
- Adjusted shroud opening for PiSugar power switch to make it easier to access.
Bug Fixes
- Fix offset RA/DEC coords for Caldwell/Collinder catalogs
- Fixed a bug where cancelling wifi mode change would cause crash
- Screenshot directory was not initialized properly on setup
Documentation
- Added backlight to build guide
- Added light mitigation (paint over of LED's) to build guide
- Added explicit brightness adjustment section
- Added image download info to setup guide
- Added instructions for image and logging view in Catalog
- Added backlight components to BOM