I tested several processing procedures with my Clavius AVI sequence. My aim was to find how to get the most details visible.
The test results were converted to grayscale and saved as GIF images (lossless compression). The GIF images (~1500kB) must be loaded prior to using the processing table below. So, please, be patient. In the meantime you can study the table of abbreviations used in this review.

		Histogram dialog in K3CCDTools enables in addition to histogram tweaking also unsharp mask processing. Unlike standard graphics software packages like Photoshop, Photopaint, it can process result image in full 32-bit depth per color channel.
	Registax wavelet settings enable to adjust wavelet processing in 6 layers. Registax also processes the result image in full depth.

Using K3CCDTools and Registax for post processing
	Select the image for displaying in the left cell: A, RX-40 = Stack result of 40 best frames (stacked in RX) B, RX-40 + hard WL () in RX C, RX-40 + soft WL in RX D, RX-40 + UM (1, 0, 500) in K3 E, RX-40 + UM (1, 0, 500) in K3 + UM (1, 0, 50) in K3 F, RX-40 + soft WL in RX + UM (1, 0, 200) in K3 G, K3-40 = Stack result of 40 best frames (stacked in K3) H, K3-40 + UM (1, 0, 500) in K3 + UM (1, 0, 50) in K3 I,  K3-40X2 + UM (2, 0, 500) in K3 + UM (2, 0, 50) in K3 J, K3-150 + UM (1, 0, 500) in K3 + UM (1, 0, 200) in K3 K, K3-150X2 + UM (3, 0, 600) in K3 + UM (2, 0, 100) in K3
Used abbreviations: K3   K3CCDTools RX   Registax K3-40   Stack result of 40 best frames - Stacked in K3CCDTools K3-40X2   Stack result of 40 best frames - Stacked in K3CCDTools in X2 mode K3-150   Stack result of 150 best frames - Stacked in K3CCDTools K3-150X2   Stack result of 150 best frames - Stacked in K3CCDTools in X2 mode RX-40   Stack result of 40 best frames - Stacked in Registax UM   Unsharp mask WL   Wavelet

As using harder wavelet or unsharp mask emphasize more details, the imager is often tempted to use harder UM and WL values. But, as you can see, it is better to use the softer UM or WL and do it rather in more steps. The best result image, at least in my opinion, was achieved by using soft wavelet and then applying unsharp mask (1, 0, 200) - image (F). The images (B) and (F) look very similar, but in more detailed view you can see, that (F) reveals more fine details.
It is also interesting to compare the effect of using only wavelet (C) and using only unsharp mask (D).

So, my conclusion is, that the best way is to use only soft wavelet processing and then apply unsharp mask with small radius and higher strength.

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Last Update: 17.02.2003