Automadome

• Check for Updates!
• Known Windows Issue path statement
• Launching Automadome from TheSky6
• Registering the Dome DLL files
• Security Settings

Check for updates!

As always if you are not sure whether or not you have the latest version of TheSky, Automadome, TPoint, CCDSoft, etc. visit the Software Bisque page download section and obtain all the latest versions. You can check version number under Help | About the application.

Registering the necessary DLL files

In order to use Automadome in conjunction with TheSky you must make sure the following DLL files are properly registered with the system. Easy enough.

The above DLL files are located in the folder "C:\Program Files\Common Files\System". Registering the DLL file with the system is quite simple. Just double mouse click the filename. See below showing this,

Registered DLL file IRASDome.dll



Double Mouse Click on the filename (DLL)

The above shows a successful registration of the DLL named "IRASDome.dll". Continue on and register each (4 total).

Known Windows Issue  Knowledge Base article 280 <-Click here for complete details.

Summary. Software Bisque places DLL files in the "c:\Program Files\Common Files\System" folder. However, without explicitly adding this folder to the existing PATH statement in the environment variables the necessary DLL files cannot be found. The end result is the application will fail.

To check the path statement use Start | Control Panel | System | Advanced | Environment Variables.

System Properties

Environment Variables

Check PATH statement

Navigate to Path

The Path Statement must include ;C:\Program Files\Common Files\System. That is a semi-colon first then the folder name. Just EDIT the line and at the very end append ;C:\Program Files\Common Files\System to the existing PATH statement.

NOTE: You must be an administrator to make this change!

Now launch Automadome on it's own first to check the Dome settings. That is DO NOT launch it from within TheSky. Note the title of the Automadome dialog here. As opposed to "Dome Controller" when it has been launched from TheSky.

Automadome

Dome | Setup

Dome Setup Parameters

Double check them all!

Make sure the proper COM port is selected, Baud Rate and ACL address if it applies. The default settings are shown.

Security Settings

NOTE: The security settings do not apply when using a Local Connection!

Best to not enable the options in the Local mode.

Setup

Security tab

Security Settings

Not used in Local Connection!

Once Automadome has been properly configured and is working fine on its' own you are ready to use it with TheSky.

Make sure you are allowing for remote operations. Most likely you will want to check all of the following options. NOTE: Without a check mark next to the option it will not work!

Last you will need to enter the proper geometry settings in order for your dome to properly align with the telescope. Please see the Automadome documentation for details on the use of the geometry settings.

Geometry

 

Geometry Settings

Defaults settings are shown here!

NOTE: It is highly unlikely that the default settings will work properly! However, if you are experiencing issues with your own custom dome geometry parameters revert back to the default settings for a reality check!

Please refer to the Automadome documentation for details on the use of the geometry settings.

Launching Automadome from TheSky

Launch TheSky software. When TheSky is up and running just press the "D" key. Either lower or upper case key, "D" as in Dome to launch Automadome. Automadome appears as a dialog in TheSky titled Dome Controller. See below. It makes no difference if you are already connected to the telescope or not. Either way.

Press "D" - Dome Controller appears

Dome Controller in TheSky

Before linking to the Dome- Dome | Link Establish make sure that the Internet Settings are set to a local connection NOT a remote internet connection.

Dome Controller in TheSky

Setup

Use a Local connection!

Place Check here

Dome | Setup

Choose "Local Connection

At this point you are now ready to make the connection to the dome.

Dome Controller

Link | Establish

Dome linked and Telescope linked

Note the telescope position and the dome slit position are show!

Not properly synchronized yet!

In the above image the telescope cross hair and the dome slit are not yet in synch with each other. However, you can use the option in Automadome Synch to accurately align the telescope to the dome slit.

Dome

Sync

Automadome shows the telescope's current Altitude and Azimuth. The dome will then be synched on this position.

Telescope coordinates

Note the difference!

The scope and dome are in Sync!