Files in DWARF 3 can not only help you relive various moments of your observations but obtaining single-frame images for advanced post-processing is a significant milestone in your journey to becoming a mature astronomer! Without further ado, let's get started!
1. How to Get Access to Files in DWARF 3
Connecting DWARF 3 to a Computer
Use a USB A-C or C-C cable to connect DWARF 3 to your computer, and the computer will recognize DWARF 3 as a USB storage device, allowing you to copy or edit files stored in DWARF 3. This method is compatible with both Windows and macOS.
*Notes:
1. After connecting to the computer, newly captured content will not refresh unless you re-connect the DWARF 3. If needed, you can browse newly captured files wirelessly during this period. [How to view DWARF 3 files wirelessly on a computer]
2. External storage devices, such as portable hard drives, are not supported to be recognized by DWARF 3.
3. Some mobile devices that support USB OTG (such as certain Android phones, tablets or iPads) can recognize DWARF 3. By using a C-C cable, you can browse and transfer data between them.
2. Introduction to Files in DWARF 3
Open the "DWARF 3" Disk, you will see Astronomy, Burst, Normal Photos, Panoramas, Videos, and some basic data folders.
2.1 Astronomy
Here, there are 5 types of folders: CALI_FRAME, DWARF_DARK, DWARF_RAW, Solving_Failed and Restacked.
2.1.1 CALI_FRAME
The prebuilt（factory equipped） dark, bias, and flat files are stored in this folder.
Bias , dark , and flat directories have cam_0 and cam_1 folders, where cam_0 stores telephoto calibration frame data and cam_1 stores wide-angle calibration frame data.2.1.1.1 Dark Frames
Naming format based on data interpretation of telephoto dark field, as follows:
Take the
dark_exp_15 000000_gain_60_bin_1_38C_stack_10 .png image naming as an example. Where exp_15. 000000 represents an exposure time of 15 secondsgain_60 Indicates a gain of 60bin_1 Is the binning setting. For the telephoto configuration, 1 represents a 4k image and 2 represents a 2k image38C means the dark field temperature is 38 degrees Celsiusstack_10 Indicates that the current dark field data is generated by averaging 10 times2.1.1.2 Flat Frames
The data of telephoto flat field is as follows:
Where
gain_2 means the gain is 2bin_1 Is the binning setting. For the telephoto configuration, 1 represents a 4k image and 2 represents a 2k imageir_0 represents filter parameters. Where 0 represents VIS , 1 represents Astro , and 2 represents Duo-BandNote: The dark frames stacked from your subsequent captured darks will be stored here for use in stacking.
2.1.1.3 Bias Frames
The name of the bias field is telephoto and wide angle
bias_gain_2_bin_12.1.2 DWARF_DARK
Your self-captured individual dark frames are here. However, the dark frames stacked using them for later shooting can still be found in the Cali_Frame section mentioned earlier.
2.1.3 DWARF_RAW
Each astro shooting session generates a corresponding folder that stores your captured light frames, also known as raw files.
The naming convention for DWARF_RAW (light frame) folders is DWARF_RAW_TARGET_EXP_value_GAIN_value_TIME (precise to millisecond).
For example, DWARF_RAW_Sun_EXP_15_GAIN_30_2023-01-01-10-30-30-100 represents a set of light frames captured with a 15-second exposure, 30 gain setting, on January 1, 2023, at 10:30:30 AM (100 milliseconds).
Accessing the light frames allows you to perform post-processing on your own or, when you're not satisfied with the stacked images, you can bundle this folder and send it to us for review!
Each folder contains individual raw files. The name of the respective single-frames inside this folder is:
1. Target Name
2. Exposure and Gain Values
3. Filter
4. Timestamp (YYYY/MM/DD/HH/MM/SS/FFF, including year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and millisecond)
5. Temperature (°C / °F)
6. Rejected Frames
Besides those, you'll find an 8-bit stretched JPG (also the one you can download on mobile devices), a 16-bit non-linear PNG(stretched), offering more detail but can only be obtained on a computer), and a 16-bit linear FITS file. Additionally, all folders contain the suffix "_thumbnail" files, which are thumbnail files to be displayed in the gallery and are generally of no use to you.
2.1.4 Solving_Failed
When the classic "Calibration Failed" occurs, this folder is automatically created.
The naming convention for the Calibration Failed folder is DWARF_CALIBRATION_TIME_(precise to millisecond).
Each folder includes all attempts made during this calibration failure.
When calibration failure happens, don't be upset or frustrated. First check if there are clear and properly focused stars in the images here. The image format is JPG, making it easy for you to review on your own. Alternatively, you can package it and send it to our experts to receive professional advice!
2.1.5 Restacked
This section contains stacked images generated using the Mega Stack feature.
Each stacking session creates a new folder, and includes these formats: PNG, FITS JPG and thumbnails.
2.2 Burst
This folder contains your burst photos, perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects or creating a series of images to be compiled into animations or high-dynamic range (HDR) photos.
In burst mode, you can use both the telephoto and wide-angle lenses to capture shots. With the previous explanations, the naming convention here becomes self-explanatory: DWARF_WIDE_TIME and DWARF_TELE_TIME. I'll save my tongue.
2.3 Normal Photos
The naming convention for this folder is completely consistent.
For your convenience, we have placed all the unnecessary thumbnails in one folder.
2.4 Panoramas
The DWARF_PANORAMA_TIME files are the panoramic photos you've captured. Take them to pro software to stitch them into large panoramic images! Alternatively, you can look forward to our upcoming automatic stitching feature. Simply package the folder, upload it, and it'll return a beautifully stitched piece of art to you!
Panorama folders are composed of sequentially shot photos, and their numbering follows the order of capture.
2.5 Videos
Just like in your App album, the contents of the Videos folders are divided into two categories: videos shot in Video Mode and Time-Lapse Mode, each named with DWARF_TELE_TIME and DWARF_TELE_TL_TIME, respectively.
3. Manage the Files (Deletion and Format)
You can connect the DWARF 3 to your computer to manage files, or directly delete the desired content from the App album.
How to DELETE files:
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Open or select the folders or files you want to remove from the device. You can do this by right-clicking and selecting DELETE, or dragging your files to a “Trash Bin / Recycle Folder”. The process is no different than deleting files or folders in most PC/MAC desktop devices.
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When completed, verify you have DELETED the content completely from your “Trash Bin / Recycle Bin”. *This step is important for MAC OS devices.
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After the deletion and removal steps have been completed, REBOOT (Power Off / Power On) your DWARF 3, then re-connect to your PC/MAC device and check the storage size available.
Deletion Notes:
How to FORMAT the DWARF 3 internal storage:
Make sure to do a backup of files on the DWARF 3 drive before you format the DWARF 3 storage to "exFAT" with a computer. Follow the procedures below to finish the format.
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Connect the DWARF 3 to your computer using a USB C-C or USB A-C cable.
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Turn on the DWARF 3. It should appear as a disk/drive on your computer.
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Windows: Right-click on the disk and select "Format." (Do not choose “Quick Format”)
*MacOS: select the DWARF 3 drive, select “Erase Disk”
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Choose exFAT as the file system.
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After the internal drive has been formatted, check the folder structure and storage space available. You should have around 100 GB (estimated) in space available. *The remaining storage space that is not accessible is reserved for the device’s operating systems and other functions.
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Reconnect with your DWARFLAB App, start a session, retake your darks, etc. You may reconnect to your DWARF 3 to PC later and check to see if the folders have been created and your session work has been saved.
Formatting Notes:
Alright, the above covers all the information about the internal storage files. If you find it helpful, don't forget to give it a thumbs up and schedule some time for post-processing!