Maestro Functions

MaxIm DL Maestro is an enhanced version of MaxIm DL Pro, which allows the user to operate multiple cameras simultaneously on the same telescope mount. The multiple cameras can all expose at the same time, and synchronization is provided to allow for slews, dithering, guider settling, etc. without interrupting exposures on any of the cameras.

Basic Concepts

One instance of MaxIm DL, called the "server" operates as the master controller for all other instances.  The "client" instances, which are synchronized to the server instance, can be run on the same computer, or on another networked computer.

If you are using an external scripting program such as ACP, it must be set up to control the server instance.  If it is running standalone, then the Autosave feature would be used to set up an imaging session. Tip:  When using ACP other other scripting application, only the first instance of MaxIm DL launched on that computer can be the server.

Each client instance is set up to execute its own Autosave sequence.  Whenever the server instance starts an exposure, it will inform the clients that they can also start their exposures, and it tells them how much time they have.  If different exposure times are to be used, the server should be set up with the longest exposures.  If the client exposures are shorter, they will attempt to shoot as many exposures as possible during the server's exposure.

At the end of the server's exposure, it will wait for any ongoing client exposures to complete, and then it will prepare for the next image in its sequence.  That may involve slews, dither, guider settling, or whatever else is needed for the sequence.  When it is ready to start its next exposure, it tells the clients to continue their individual exposure sequences.  

Example

In this example we have four cameras being used to take Luminance, Red, Green, and Blue images simultaneously on four optical tube assemblies on a single mount.  The plan is to target two different fields over the course of the night, to optimize the air mass for each set of observations (i.e. keep the targets well above the horizon).

• An automation program is set up to control the Server instance, and will perform 20 Luminance exposures of 10 minutes each of one target.  It will then repeat the same sequence with a second target.  The images are guided with dithering. Total exposure time will be approximately 6h 40m.
• Three clients are set up for R, G, and B filtered exposures of the same field.  They are set up to take as many as 400 individual 5 minute exposures each via their Autosave feature. All four instances of MaxIm DL can run on a single computer, or can be set up on separate computers, or two per computer, as needed.
• Under control of the automation program, the telescope slews to the first target and begins guiding.  The server's camera opens its shutter for a 10 minute exposure, and the server informs the clients that they have 10 minutes to take their images.
• Each of the clients take two 5 minute exposures.
• The server's exposure completes, and it checks with the clients to ensure that they have all completed their exposures.  The clients report back when they are idle and waiting.
• The server dithers the mount, waits for the guider to settle, starts its next exposure, and informs its clients to continue imaging.  The clients in turn start their own exposures, and the process repeats.
• Half-way through the night the last exposures of the first target have been acquired.  Under control of the automation software, the telescope slews to the second target, and the imaging process continues.

Configuring Maestro

Special licenses are provided for MaxIm DL Maestro server and clients.  This allows the user to legally operate multiple instances of MaxIm DL on multiple computers.

MaxIm DL must be started using command line arguments, typically via a batch file.  This allows you to tag the instances as being the server or the client, and give each a port number that uniquely identifies them.  

Note that if you are using an automation program, the server should be launched first to ensure provides COM interface access to the automation program.

Server Comand Line Arguments

--server or -S [Server name] (required)

• Mark this instance of MaxIm DL as a server and set the server name

--port or -P [port] (required)

• Set the port for this client or server

--hostname or -H [Hostname/IP]

• Set the hostname for this client or server

Client Comand Line Arguments

--client or -C [Client name] (required)

• Mark this instance of MaxIm DL as a client and set the client name

--port or -P [port] (required)

• Set the port for this client or server

--serverport or -SP [Server’s port] (required)

• Set the server’s port when launching a client

--configuration or -CF [Config file name]

• Open a MaxIm DL client with an existing configuration

-hostname or -H [Hostname/IP]

• Set the hostname for this client or server

--serverhostname or -SH [Server’s Hostname/IP]

• Set the server’s hostname when launching a client

Other Comand Line Arguments

--help or /?

List all arguments and their explanations

How to Use Maestro

First we need to start up the Maestro server instance.  Open a Command Prompt window using the Start menu, and type:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Diffraction Limited\MaxIm DL 6\MaxIm_DL.exe" -S MyServer -P 8000

The Client manager window will then appear:

If you are planning to run the clients on a different computer, you will need to know your server's information.  Click ServerSettings to see the Hostname and Port.

Now click Client Command Generator, which will allow you to create the full command for creating a Maestro client.  A suggested name and available port will appear in /Client and /Port. While this port is not in use by any of our clients or servers it is possible that other applications may be using it, so you may have to change it to prevent a conflict. Click Generate and Copy to generate the command.  It will display in a text box and it will also be automatically copied to the clipboard. Simply open a command prompt and then paste and execute the command to start a client.

If the clients are to be run on the local computer, you can simply click the Launch Client button.

Also /Configuration can be used to select a configuration from File menu Configurations.  This allows you to preconfigure the camera and other settings for each client.

To launch a Maestro client, first make sure your Server is running.  Open a Command Prompt and enter the command that you generated using the Command Generator.  You can of course modify the command line as needed.  It may be very helpful to build a ".bat" batch file to launch all your clients.  A Client Server Info window will appear, and if all goes well you will have a connection to the server and it will be listed in the window.  If at any time the connection fails, e.g. due to a network outage, you can click Re-Connect to try again.

The camera control dialog will automatically launch and attempt to connect to whatever camera is selected based on previous sessions with this client or a specified configuration using /Configuration.

To set up a client simply launch it and adjust your settings as desired. You can save named configurations which can be used by the client they were created in and selected using /Configuration “configname”). The "configname" needs to match one listed in the File menu Configurations dialog.

If you attempt to launch the client without a server it will pause while trying to connect then display a message saying the connection failed. MaxIm DL will still open and you can still adjust your settings but the program will need to be restarted with the server running in order to connect.

Once all of your clients are set up, make sure their cameras are cooled down and you have selected an appropriate Autosave sequence.  Then click Start.  They will wait for the server for authorization to begin their first exposure.