Using FunTools and Matlab FITS reader


Funtools, is a "minimal buy-in" FITS library and utility package from the SAO/HEAD R&D group, it provides simplified access to FITS images and binary tables, as well as to raw array and binary event lists. It also includes a set of utilities which provide high-level support for processing astronomical data.  More information on FunTools here.


Using FunTools

Comments on the FunTools libraries installation

Funtools installation is very straight forward and I run into no problems installing it, I simply followed the instructions on the Funtools webpage which involve typing the following tandard commands:

./configure --prefix=[installdir] # configuration

make # build the software

make install # install in [installdir]


More information about the installation can be found here

Comments on FunTools use

An important thing not mentioned on the documentation (and discovered after a day and a night of hair pulling), is that in order to be able to write parameters on the header of your FITS file (for bynary tables), you need to specify the amount of colums your file will have and the type of data using the function FunColumnSelect() after which Funtools automatically writes part of the header and gives you permision to write what you want on it.


Using Matlab's FITS reader

Comments on Matlab's FITS reader use

Never create a parameter on the header whose name has only one letter (i.e N), matlab will not take it and will make you go crazy looking for the problem. 


Files Download:

Finally here is the installation file metioned previously in case the package mainpage is down:

- Funtools 1.3.0b29

This file whas uploaded on the 5th of March of 2007.


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Updated on the 5th of March of 2006