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Overview

An overlay is information that is added, i.e., overlayed, on top of each captured Allsky image. This often includes the time the image was taken, the sensor temperature, and the exposure length, but can include any other text or images you want.

TL;DR

  • Yes, there are detailed instructions for the Overlay Manager… but if you’d rather skip the homework and start clicking buttons like a caffeinated raccoon, go right ahead. It’s surprisingly hard to break anything.

    • Click the Variable Manager to add data to the overlay
    • Click the Image icon to add an image (use the Image Manager to upload new images)
    • Click a field to set its properties (font, size, etc.)
    • Click the Preview button to preview the overlay — Allsky must be running
    • Click and drag to select fields. Once selected:
      • Click the Group button to group fields
      • Click the Left Align button to align the fields

Features

Almost any information can be added to a captured Allsky image. Some of the key features of Allsky's overlays include:

  • Overlay Editor - this is the web page for creating and managing overlays and supports:
    • Drag and Drop interface - Fields can be dragged around the screen to position them.
    • Customisable Interface - The Overlay Editor user interface can be highly customised.
    • Overlay Manager - Allows multiple overlays to be created and used in daytime / nighttime capture.
    • Font Manager - You can upload any TrueType font and use it in the overlays or use any font already on your Pi.
    • Variable Manager - Provides a library of fields that you can add to the image. You can also add your own fields.
    • Image Manager - Allows you to upload and manage images you wish to add to the image.
    • Blocks - Allows groups of fields to be added using a template
    • Field Grouping - Fields can be groupd to make moving and alignment easier
    • Field Alignment - Fields can be left aligned, spaced equally etc
  • Text Fields - This allows text to be added to the image. Key features include:
    • Ability to add any data from Allsky to the image
    • Ability to add custom (extra) data to the image
    • Any TrueType font can be used
    • Text can be any colour or size
    • Text can be rotated
  • Image Fields - This allows images to be added to the image:
    • Any image can be uploaded
    • Images can be scaled and rotated and their opacity changed
  • Shapes
    • Rectangles - You can draw on the overlay with a fill, border and transparency. This can be used to help highlight groupd of fields