OnTarget software for measuring groups. I love it. Update, Pic now.

[Steve Wilson]

This is about the slickest thing I have seen in some time. And cheap too, at $12.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/ontarget-software-measures-groups/

I downloaded the free trial version and after playing around with it some, I bought it. It took a bit of fiddling to get it to measure my group correctly. OK, so it didn't do it right until after I read the tips. : I confess that I didn't read any of the instructions at first or watch the demonstration.

The problem was that I was working from a picture of a target, and if you do it that way you have to start by establishing a reference to a known dimension on the group you are measuring. Like the measured extreme spread, grid spacing, etc. You just click on the +--+ icon in the controls bar, then click the cursor on your two measured points. Then a window pops up and you input your known measurement in it. Presto, you are in business. The tips say that if you start with a scan of the target/group you don't have to do that step.

I used the extreme spread measurement of a group on one of my 600 yard match targets from the match last Saturday, as it was scored at the match. By clicking the +---+ icon, then clicked the cursor in the centers of the two extreme spread holes, I then entered that value in the reference window. After that it was simple because the bullet placement cursor's circle was the same size as the black outline of the actual bullet holes on the picture of the target. OnTarget's measurement came up within .006 of the official 2.772 inch measurement of the group. That's pretty darned close; well inside the human judgement of aligning the tips of a micrometer on the bullet holes. At least, I think it is.

The tips page says this program is not intended for use in officially scoring targets. I don't disagree with that. But it sure is a feature packed program, cheap and slick as all get out.

To Benjamin199 and Wayne (bozo). Thanks for the link.

 

[Forum Boss]

Re: OnTarget software for measuring groups. I love it.

Steve,

Yep we think OnTarget is pretty slick and we use it for measuring our own targets. We've heard other reports that, even working just from a photograph, the programed measured groups were very, very close to official results.

For the everyday use you can simply throw a quarter or other item of known size down on the paper before you take the picture. Try to photograph the target sheet at a 90 degree angle to reduce distortion and wide angle lens effect.

I think for the average users, who tend to just measure outside edge to outside edge, then subtract nominal bullet diameter, OnTarget will give more honest results. In most kinds of target paper, the actual bullet hole (including the gray circle) will be SMALLER than the nominal bullet diameter -- because of this outside-to-outside group measurements will err towards "smaller than actual" groups, unless you subtract "true" bullet hole size taken with calipers. E.g. .308 hole on paper might average .290.

OnTarget is a good way to get quite accurate center to center measurements. And the more you use the program the more repeatable the results are.

 

[Steve Wilson]

Re: OnTarget software for measuring groups. I love it. Pic now.

Mr. Boss Man,

I type this on my knees, humbly responding to his Graciousness. Please excuse any typos, since I am typing by feel now.

In all seriousness though, OnTarget was within .006 of the official measurement. Which could have been caused by; either where I plunked down the target circles, or the human factor when the target was officially scored. Either way, .006 isn't much to argue over, is it?

I agree with you that the gray/black ring of a bullet hole on a target is likely smaller than the actual diameter of the bullet. At least it is in my experience of measuring them. That's why I thought it was more accurate to center OnTarget's bullet placement's cursor around the gray/black circle caused by the actual bullet hole. I don't find measuring the outside to outside of the black rings, and then subtracting one bullet diameter to be very accurate at all. I believe that measuring from center to center is a better way. But when you have a very tight group, where most, or all, of the center is blown away, then all you have left to measure from is the outside black rings. That is where I see one of the benefits of On Target, and the ability to center the correct sized cursor on your holes.



Official? No. But in this case, being within .006 of the official measurement of 2.772, was close enough for me. I know you understand that I am in no way suggesting this program be used to officially score targets. It gets you pretty darned close though. Close enough for "Government Work." 8)

Thanks for your reply,

 

[Joe C]

Boss, Steve, Others,

I was browsing around here yesterday looking at some things and came across a guy on here using ontarget to measure his groups. So I looked it up, downloaded it and HOLY CRAP BATMAN! THAT IS AWESOME! I now plan on using it with my pistol targets that are shot at 50 yards for client testing to show them exactly how small the groups are as configured by the program. And all for about $12.00!

I've even turned on a bout a dozen friends to it already! It is one of the coolest programs I've seen in a LONG time and I can't wait to use it in the upcoming spring testing season. Not to mention, it is going to come in very handy for my hobby of rifle shooting!

Thanks for a great product!

 

[Forum Boss]

Steve, I wasn't at all critical of your technique. I think it was smart, in your case to use the official measurement as the "index" for the +---+ tool. For most applications the smart thing to do is pre-measure some visible dimension, such as diameter of 8-ring and use that as the dimensional index. If one doesn't have calipers or otherwise one has no way of measuring anything on the target, and the target is going to be turned over to a third party, the best thing is to place a ruler or coin on the target prior to taking the picture. You can still get some camera-induced distortion, but generally this works pretty well.

For practice groups, you can shoot onto graph paper and use the boxes for a known measurement.

JOE: The FREE v1.1 is still available. Not that $12.00 is expensive. But just wanted folks to know they can still download the free version here:

http://www.ontargetshooting.com/download.html

(v 2.10 download at top of page, v 1.10 FREE version in middle of page.)

 

[Joe C]

Boss,

I hear ya! But personally, $12.00 seems like a BARGAIN for what a person is able to do with it. Fabulous idea in my opinion!

 

[TheSnake]

Re: OnTarget software for measuring groups. I love it.

Yes this is a slick program and I use it on all my targets. I also use it to measure deer racks from my game cam pictures. Open the picture in OnTarget and set my reference point on ear length and use the ruler to measure things like inside spread, tine length etc. Deer has to be looking straight at the camera and with ears alert to get good measurements. After I get a good legnth on say G2, then I can use that as a reference on a side view to get main beam legnth etc. if you get your brain pumping, you can use this program for other measurements too.

 

[mikecockcroft]

Is there an Iphone version? If you could take a picture with your phone and run it thru the program that would be awesome. Didnt see a reference to smart phone use on their site