# Merge frames (dialog)

The Merge frames dialog is used to start the process of merging CCD frames.

## Activating the dialog

The dialog can be activated:

1. from the main menu: Make ‣ Merge frames.

2. from the main toolbar:

## Setting up the parameters

The “Merge frames” dialog

(1) It is possible to include all source files in the project or the files that are currently selected in the table of input files. By means of this option, it is possible to split frames manually by processing a subset of source files at a time.

(2) Check this option to let the program split source frames automatically. Next parameters in the middle pane sets the merging rules. (3) Specify maximum number of source frames merged into a single output frame. (4) Specify maximum time interval between any two frames that can be combined into a single frame. (5) Specify minimum number of source frames. If the there are less frames than this value, the output frame won’t be made. This situation may happen if the time interval is too short.

(6) Check this option to make a single output frame.

(7) Enter a path to the directory where output files shall be saved to. You can use the ellipsis button to open a new dialog that allows you to browse the files and folders.

(8) Enter a string that the new files shall begin with. The prefix is followed by a dot, ordinal number of a frame (see below), a dot and ‘fts’ extension.

(9) Enter an ordinal number of the first output frame. (10) Enter a step increment for ordinal numbers of frames. The ordinal number is left-padded with zeroes to specified number of digits (11).

## Merging frames

Click on the “Execute” button (12) to start the operation.

- All calibration steps (bias, dark and flat correction), photometry and matching must be made before merging frames.