Create your own Symbols

How to make your own
custom Object Types (symbols)

Examples of new object types
How Do I draw my own Nebulae?
How Do I draw my own constellation lines?
How do I create my own SDB files?
Meade Alignment Stars - example SDB
SEDS Messier SDB - more Messier information
User-Defined object types explained
Variable Star custom SDB example How to create one
Why bother?

Often times you will find it nice to have your own custom object types for compiling SDB's (Sky Database's). For example creating your own asterisms, Iridium flare coordinates, plotting Super Novae, Simbad queried objects, etc.

By defining new object type(s) using custom symbols you can easily recognize them in TheSky display. You can use the option View | User-defined object types to accomplish the task. See below.

User-Defined Objects

Choose View | Display Properties

Here is where you specify the object name and other attributes like font for labeling the objects.

Why NOT to use Object Type Reference Point?

Because you cannot filter magnitudes using object type "reference point" it is better to use one of the User-Defined Object types instead! This allows you to show only Super Novae or other objects that are brighter than say 12th magnitude for example. The only reason for not compiling the data this way is there is no way to know if the User Defined Object type is already being used by something else! Just recompile the data using a custom object type when filter is desired.

Name of the new Object Type

Use "Symbol" highlighted above to draw your own

Be creative! Draw a symbol that represents the type of object so you can easily identify it in TheSky display.

CAUTION! Don't forget to re-compile the data into the SDB Data | Sky Database Manager | Import using the newly created Object Type in order for it to take effect. And, if you have the object type coded inside the HEADER make the change there too. See below.

Accessing the User-Defined Object Types

If you are using a HEADER text file to define the fields of information change the object type here to! The custom object types start at 70 and go down from there. In the header text.

>IDENTIFIER My database objects
>OBJECT TYPE 70 <- This is the FIRST entry for User-Defined Object Types!

Object type 70 accesses the first User-Defined Object Type,71 for User Defined type number 2 and so on

Starting at Object Type 70

Then down from there

Example custom Object Types

Your own symbols can be drawn

And a NEW object!

You can then re-compile the data as the object type you have created rather than as "Reference Point" or any other standard symbol. Again, make sure that the object type has been set to "Visible" using View | Display Explorer! Other examples of custom object types are shown here.