SAOImage DS9 Version 5 New Features

Version 5.7

MacOSX FITS Bin Table Filters

The DS9 for MacOSX (Aqua and X11) can now filter FITS Bin Tables without XTools installed This feature is only supported for intel based platforms.

Windows FITS Bin Table Filters

The DS9 for Windows can now filter FITS Bin Tables without cygwin installed.

SAMP

DS9 now supports two private SAMP methods, ds9.get and ds9.set. These methods implement full xpa functionality. ds9.set maybe called via notification, call and call/wait. ds9.get can only be called via call and call/wait. Most of the ds9.get calls return a value string, but a few can also return a url.
ds9.get
    Arguments
        cmd (string) required
        url (string) optional
    Returned value
        OK (samp.result map)
            value (string) optional
                url (string) optional
        ERROR- (samp.error map)
            samp.errortxt (string)

ds9.set
    Arguments
        cmd (string) required
        url (string) optional
    Returned value
        OK
        ERROR- (samp.error map)
            samp.errortxt (string)
For further information, please see the SAMP documentation.

DS9 Regions VOTable format

DS9 Regions can now be loaded, saved, and broadcasted via samp as a votable.

Web Tool / Help

The Web tool now will respond to Up Arrow, Down Arrow, and Mouse Wheel events.

Version 5.6

X11 MacOSX 10.5

Support for X11 MacOSX 10.5 Leopard has been reduced to only one version which can be used with or without the Leopard firewall enabled. Please note: this version consist of 2 files,  ds9 and ds9.zip. It is very important that ds9.zip be placed in the same directory as the ds9 binary at all times.

VOTable Catalogs

The Catalog tool can now load and save catalogs in VOTable format.

SAMP

DS9 now supports SAMP (Simple Application Messaging Protocol). FITS images and Catalogs may be exchanged with other application who support SAMP such as TOPCAT and ALADIN.

Version 5.5

Reduced size of Menus

The menus have been reduced in size to accommodate certain window managers who have difficulty with long menus, particularly on laptops.

Buttonbar Preferences

Buttonbar preferences have been moved to the preference tab for each menu.

Open Multiple Extension Fits file into Multiple Frames

A new open option is available to load a multiple extension fits file into multiple frames. Note: multi frame can not be used for files that have been loaded via standard-in or the xpa fits command.

Coordinate Grid

Full support for coordinate grids have been added for xpa and command line options.

MacOSX

DS9 Aqua now supports the core Apple Events for MacOSX including Open Document, Print Document, Quit Application.

Version 5.4

 Masks

Mask now support transparency and may be enabled to block for 0 or non 0 values.

Version 5.3

Regions

Regions now support a centroid function. The centroid function can be manually invoked or regions can automatically snap to a centroid when moved or edited.

Regions now have a DASH line property.

Colorbar

Now supports a vertical colorbar layout option, via the View Menu.

Users can configure the font type and size of the colorbar, via the View Menu.

GUI

Now supports a vertical button bar, when in vertical layout mode.

Aqua MacOSX 10.5 firewall

The MacOSX Aqua 10.5 Leopard port of DS9 can be used with the MacOSX 10.5 firewall enabled.

X11 MacOSX 10.5

There are now two versions available for X11 MacOSX 10.5 Leopard. The non firewall version is recommended for all unless you wish to enable the 10.5 firewall. In that case, please use the firewall enabled version. Please note: this version consist of 2 files,  ds9 and ds9.zip. It is very important that ds9.zip be placed in the same directory as the ds9 binary at all times.

Contours

Contours now have a DASH line option.

Version 5.2

Windows native printing

The windows port now support native printing.

User configurable Button Bar

The user may now configure the button bar using the preferences dialog box. All menu items are now available as a button.

Catalog Enhancements

Catalogs can now be edited.  Users may manipulate the catalog regions on the image or edit rows and columns within the dialog box. Also, catalogs now are tied to the frame in which it was created, allowing multiple copies of the same catalog, one per frame.

GUI Enhancements

Frames can now be rearranged in order using the Frame menu.

Version 5.1

Compressed FITS Support

DS9 supports compressed FITS images using RICE, HCOMPRESS, and GZIP compression.

Version 5.0

MacOSX Aqua Support

DS9 has been ported to MacOSX Aqua and is an universal application which no longer requires X11.

For more detailed information, Please see Release Notes