def _make_const_image(self, value):
        """
        Creates a constant image
        """
        # unlearn some iraf tasks
        iraf.unlearn('mkpattern')

        # get a random filename
        tmpfile1 = get_random_filename('t', '.fits')

        iraf.mkpattern(input=tmpfile1,
                       output="",
                       pattern="constant",
                       option="replace",
                       v1=value,
                       v2=0.0,
                       size=1,
                       title="",
                       pixtype="real",
                       ndim=2,
                       ncols=self.dimension[1],
                       nlines=self.dimension[0],
                       n3=1,
                       n4=1,
                       n5=1,
                       n6=1,
                       n7=1,
                       header="")
        return tmpfile1
    def makeOneImage(self, imgname, nx, ny, metadata, drzmeta=None):
        """
        Creates one dummy image

        The method creates a dummy image with the given name and dimension.
        A list of general metadata and a list of drizzle metadata is added
        to the zero extension header of the image.

        @param imgname: name of the image to be created
        @type imgname: string
        @param nx: image dimension in x
        @type nx: int
        @param ny: image dimension in y
        @type ny: int
        @param metadata: the list of general image metadata
        @type metadata: []
        @param drzmeta: the list of drizzle metadata
        @type drzmeta: []
        """
        from pyraf import iraf
        from iraf import noao, artdata

        # delete a previous version
        if os.path.isfile(imgname):
            os.unlink(imgname)

        # open a HDU-list
        mex_hdu = pyfits.HDUList()

        # create a primary HDU,
        # append it to the list
        hdrpr = pyfits.PrimaryHDU()
        mex_hdu.append(hdrpr)

        # go the the header and put
        # the exposure time
        hdr = mex_hdu[0].header
        hdr['EXPTIME'] = (1.0, 'dummy exposure time')

        if drzmeta != None:
            # update the header
            for item in drzmeta:
                hdr[item[0]] = (item[1], item[2])

        # write the image and close it
        mex_hdu.writeto(imgname)
        mex_hdu.close()

        # get a random filename
        tmpfile = get_random_filename('t', '.fits')

        # create a tmp-image with the right dimension
        iraf.mkpattern(input=tmpfile,
                       output="",
                       pattern="constant",
                       option="replace",
                       v1=0.0,
                       v2=0.0,
                       size=1,
                       title="aXeSIM simulation",
                       pixtype="real",
                       ndim=2,
                       ncols=nx,
                       nlines=ny,
                       n3=1,
                       n4=1,
                       n5=1,
                       n6=1,
                       n7=1,
                       header="")

        # copy the tmp-image to the empty dummy image
        # as science extension
        iraf.imcopy(input=tmpfile,
                    output=(imgname + '[SCI,1,append]'),
                    verbose='YES',
                    Stdout=1)

        # open the dummy image, go to the header
        img = pyfits.open(imgname, 'update')
        hdr = img[1].header

        # update the header
        for item in metadata:
            hdr[item[0]] = (item[1], item[2])

        # write to disk and close
        img.flush()
        img.close

        # delete the tmp-image
        if os.path.isfile(tmpfile):
            os.unlink(tmpfile)