Manual pause line item for sequences

[Eric Schubert]

I’d like to suggest the addition of a manual pause line for sequences. This line item could simply be a delay to wait for something to happen, or it could require the user to clear a dialog to continue the sequence. This can be helpful for framing at the beginning of a sequence. Take a test shot, verify it looks as you want it, then hit OK or Cancel depending on what you want to do.

This could also be useful for a manual filter wheel/drawer option. For instance, swap filters, then continue. If this were implemented for a manual filter wheel, though, I would suggest also including options to re-focus after switching filters, as well as plate solve after switching filters. In my case, I don’t have a wheel/drawer. I need to remove my camera to swap filters, so it may move the frame a bit when I do so. Plate-solving again after swapping filters would let me frame the object just as before the filter swap.

A manual pause could also be inserted to let the user manually refocus after every so many images, a period of time, etc.

So, having a manual pause would be helpful. You could implement pause features for filters and focusing. But, having a separate, manual, user-defined pause would be great, as well.

[Dale Ghent]

There is a manual pause button at the bottom of the sequence screen. Press it and the sequence will stop progressing after any currently-active exposure is completed. Press the play button to resume.

[Eric Schubert]

There is a manual pause button. But, that requires the user to sit and watch the sequence. I’d like to add a pause into the sequence to wait at a designated time until the user clears it. That way I can walk away and it will stop when I want it to. Not that I have to wait around until it’s in between exposures to click the pause button, which may only be several seconds.

[Stefan B]

You don’t need to be between exposures to click the pause button. You can click it anytime and it will pause after the current exposure.

[Eric Schubert]

I’m glad that it won’t interrupt the exposure, but that still means I need to pause it manually by clicking the button. Some imagers are running really long exposure times, in the 15-20-minute length. If they pause it in the middle of that, they may need to wait nearly that full time until they can do something like change a filter out. The idea with sequences is that they should automate these steps for us. i.e. “Take 10 images, then pause and wait for me.” The idea that I need to be present during a specific time interval makes the manual pause button more of a hassle.

For me, the manual pause is great if I need to adjust something. Maybe there’s an issue I need to deal with. Maybe I want to adjust the inputs for one of the next lines in my sequence. But that doesn’t help me plan things out. Having a line item for a pause would help in planning out a sequence.

[Ron Kramer]

I agree. This area of nina is getting a major over haul. So maybe it will come. Myself - I wanted a pause of target 1. (until target #2 is above the tree’s at 1:24am.) But I can see how this much power and control can really clutter a wonderful interface. But what a dream to say target #1 “DO until” complete OR time: 1:24am (then #2 or #3 target which is rising and a priority. (again could be to complicated). = (

[Stefan B]

This will be part of 1.11 as part of the new sequencer, where you can add pause items (with a certain amount of time) or a message box reminder The first iteration of this new sequencer will soon be available through nightly builds, therefore marking this as resolved.