Use an XSPD profile in PixInsight

Use this guide only when a camera profile offers an XSPD download. The file contains sampled RGB or monochrome data for supported profiles; native CSV and provenance JSON remain available for spectral records. XSPD import and sample-value round-trip were checked with PixInsight 1.9.4 Lockhart / PCL 2.10.4. This does not establish SPCC or photometric accuracy.

1. Choose the exact profile. Check its source category, response scope, optical configuration, wavelength coverage, gaps, and reuse terms. Download the XSPD and its metadata sidecar when offered.
2. Back up your per-instance filter catalog. In PixInsight, find the active instance's ConfigDirectory under Resources → Manage Disk Resources. Close PixInsight and copy that instance's filters-NNN-pxi.xspd to a safe backup. Leave the global factory filters.xspd untouched.
3. Inspect the sidecar. Check wavelength unit nm, sample count, channel type, and coverage. The fragment contains no default filters. Partial coverage means it does not span the full range represented by a broader profile.
4. Merge the fragment. In Resources → Manage Filters, choose Merge XML filters database and select the XSPD file. The Import XML filters database action replaces a full catalog and is not for these fragments.
5. Verify and keep the backup. Confirm the profile's channel entries appear and the existing L, R, G, B, and Q defaults remain. If anything is wrong, close PixInsight and restore the backed-up per-instance catalog.

Use the profile within its documented scope. File-format validation does not validate a camera configuration or calibration result. Unknown license or permission status does not document permission to redistribute or repackage source data.

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