PinPoint, sold by DC-3 Dreams, is software that automatically performs "plate solves" using an astronomical image. Plate solving is comparing the image to a database of billions of stars to match the pattern and precisely determine the center of the image. PinPoint comes in a version integrated into MaximDL and also in a stand-alone version, which can be used with CCDSoft. There is also a "visual pinpoint" that allows plate solving of an image independent of camera control software.

PinPoint needs to know the approximate location of the image, which is obtained in the FITS header file (it is placed there by MaximDL, which knows the telescope aiming position through its connection with TheSky6). PinPoint compares the stars in the image with a database, usually the Guide Star Catalog ("GSC"). If the image location is not determined, PinPoint uses an outward spiral to search additional locations near the approximate location in the FITS header. PinPoint needs a good image to work with, which takes an exposure of 20-80 seconds, typically. The image below shows the Visual Pinpoint software doing a plate solve on a stored image. Note that both the exact position of the image, as well as the position angle (or "North angle") are determined.