2. Progressive CAD-LikeControlWithNewObjectEditor
BridgeTheInterface
GapWithANewAPI
The Object Viewer has been significantly enhanced and
is now called the Object Editor. It allows users to interact
with object parameter and property data in a CAD-like,
tree structure. All defining data for an object can be
edited in this interface and changes will remain in sync
with the object properties dialog and NSC editor.
The editor also supports easy visualization
of surface and face groups in the layout.
The new Object Editor function is located in the System
Viewers group of the Analyze ribbon in non-sequential
mode.
The Zemax OpticStudio Advanced Programming Ingerface
(ZOS-API) is a COM/.NET programming interface that
supersedes the existing DDE extension capability. DDE will
be deprecated, but old extensions will continue to work.
The API supports the ability to execute most UI actions,
analyses and tools from an external program. Four primary
modes of operation are supported:
• External program calling OpticStudio
• OpticStudio calling external program
• Built-in analysis
• Optimization operand
These modes are similar to the previous DDE capabilities.
Several wizards are provided to get you quickly started
writing extensions for MATLAB and other programs.
CodeVFileConverter
This macro quickly converts a Code V SEQ file to
OpticStudio ZMX format. It improves upon the SEQ2ZMX
utility that was written several years ago. Users are
encouraged to submit feedback in order to improve the
conversion capabilities. Find it in the Convert group of the
File ribbon or in the Macro List of the Programming ribbon.
Since 1992 Zemax has been the innovative leader of optical design
software, and we work diligently to remain among the pioneers of
software development. Our old software code base was an
obstacle to progress and to secure our future for the next 20
years we needed to adapt.
Optical and illumination design has grown into a diverse and
exciting industry. Today’s design engineers are tasked with
meeting an ever increasing demand for solutions to complex
optical and illumination design challenges. Additionally optical
and illumination design is being applied to a wide range of
new industry frontiers that include biomedical imaging, lasers
and fibers. These new industries attract the engineering design
stars of the future, demanding easy to use design tools that
enable focus on design solutions instead of
mastering the tool.
Zemax also realized a shift in our needs and the
available software coding talent pool. The best
of the best coders use modern software coding
tools and languages not found in the original
Zemax code base. Further, the original code
base did not support easy updates to the user
interface. The time for change was obvious and
Zemax software was reinvented.
OpticStudio 15 is the latest iteration of our software. New physics and a
dramatically improved user experience will take design engineers to the
next level in optical and illumination design. New in OpticStudio 15 are
key user demanded physics, including phosphor/fluorescence modeling
and a new sequential surface model that expands our freeform lens
design tool set.
There are more than 45+ new features and functions in OpticStudio
15, the direct result of user requests. Discover all the new features
and functions we added to OpticStudio in the following pages of this
brochure. If you’re a
current OpticStudio
user, download the
new version and you’re off and
running. If you’re new
to Zemax and/or
OpticStudio test drive
our demo at
zemax.com/demo.
Zemax started as the original
optical and illumination
design software engineered
specifically for the PC
environment.
Zemax 13 grew to be the
industry standard with active
users around the globe and
many employers requiring
previous experience with
Zemax as a prerequisite for
Optical Engineer positions.
Today OpticStudio takes optical and illumination design software to the next level
with multi-threading and powerful new dynamic user interface.
3. ExpandedFreeformOptics AccuratelyModel
PhosphorsandFluorophoresOptical components with shapes that are not bound by
rotational symmetry and support higher order curves and
localized profiles offer unique design challenges. Todays
advanced manufacturing methods now enable design
engineers to incorporate these complex surfaces into their
optical systems. OpticStudio already supports surfaces for
designing freeform optics, including:
• Zernike polynomials
• XY polynomials
• NURB and Bezier splines
OpticStudio 15 includes a new sequential surface model
whose shape is based upon Chebyshev polynomials.
This surface model was developed after discussions with
asphericon GmbH on the design of freeform optics for
manufacture. The polynomials are a flexible XY set that
provide another capability for freeform optic modeling.
Convenient Lens Data Editor (LDE) Surface Filter - New
dialog box that filters sequential surfaces by category.
Using this setting, users can quickly see the available
surfaces for the category that they are interested in
defining, including freeform, conventional, diffractive,
gradient index, idealized and specialist surfaces.
Photoluminescence is the process whereby materials
absorb energy in one part of the electro-magnetic (EM)
spectrum and re-emit energy in a less energetic portion
of the EM spectrum. Typical types of photoluminescent
materials are phosphors used in LEDs and fluorescent
dyes used in biomedical imaging. Accurate modeling of
this phenomena requires not only spectral properties, but
also particle properties to account for the scattering that
occurs in these materials.
OpticStudio now supports a photoluminescence model
with more realistic material inputs. Users define an
absorption spectrum, excitation spectrum or quantum
yield, emission spectrum, and particle parameters. These
properties can be assigned to any volumetric object in
non-sequential mode. In addition, data for several sample
phosphors and fluorophores is included. This capability
supersedes the more approximate waveshift model of
photoluminescence.
Find it in the Volume Physics section of the Object
Properties dialog in non-sequential mode.
Photoluminescence Spectrum Viewer
This plot displays the absorption, excitation and emission
spectra of phosphor and fluorophore data sets. These
data sets are used for phosphorescence and fluorescence
modeling. Find it in the Phosphors and Fluorescence
group of the Libraries ribbon.
Shaded model layout of a white LED composed of a blue LED and a phosphor
Shaded model layout of a confocal microscope.
4. OpticStudio 15 bridges the gap between optical design
and manufacturing with a new Lens Cost Estimator. This
revolutionary tool allows the optical designer to send
lens design prescriptions to a manufacturer in XML
format for real-time prototyping cost and fabrication
estimates. Optimax is the first manufacturer to support
the new OpticStudio 15 feature that connects to the
Optimax Estimator web application. The new Lens
Cost Estimator includes ISO 10110 XML Output to
convey optical designs in a standardized format. Lens
manufacturers can now read
the data directly into
estimating systems and
potentially CNC and diamond
turning equipment.
The new Lens Cost Estimator
along with sensitivity optimization and tolerancing are
powerful tools in OpticStudio 15 that enable design
engineers and manufacturers to achieve cost effective
design solutions.
GetLensCost
EstimatesInThe
DesignEnvironment
AddedFunctionality,MoreNewFeatures
CreateReports
The report graphics are back and have been
implemented in a way that supports the new dynamic
plots. Three different variants are supported: 2x2, 2x3,
and 3x3. As before, users can save layout combinations
for quick access. Report graphics are very useful at
summarizing system performance for reports and
presentations. Find them in the Reports group of the
Analyze ribbon.
PrintPreviewAll analyses support a print button to quickly print out
the graphic or text in the window. The print dialog now
contains a print preview pane to easily see the size and
orientation of the output. Find it in the print dialog
launched after clicking the Printer icon in any analysis
window.
Surfaces & Objects
• Grid Sag Lens 2 - A non-sequential object whose base shape
is a standard lens that also supports grid sag profiles on the
front and back surfaces.
• Toroidal Odd Asphere Surface - A non-sequential surface
that supports an odd asphere profile on top of a toroidal
surface.
• Zernike Annular Standard Sag Surface - A sequential
surface with a Zernike standard sag profile over an annular
region.
• Gradient 12 - Added sequential gradient index surface.
• Boolean Merge Surfaces Setting - Now includes a setting
to disable the merging of adjacent surfaces.
• CAD Parts/Assemblies Tolerance, Face Settings - chord
tolerance, surface tolerance, face mode and angle inputs now
supported.
• CREO Parts/Assemblies Compatibility - parts and
assemblies created with CREO 3.0 now supported.
Analyses
• File Comparator - Compares two ZMX files looking at the
prescription data reports and lists the differences.
• ISO 10110 Drawing XML Output - A standardized XML
output for transferring lens data to external programs and
machines.
• ISO 10110 Drawing TEZI Data - RMS fringe data defined by
the TEZI tolerance operand are automatically pulled into the
appropriate fields in the drawing.
• Physical Optics Unpolarized Beams - Now calculates
polarized output data for unpolarized (random polarization)
input beams.
• Sag Table RMS Best Fit Sphere - Now calculates using RMS
in addition to minimum volume.
• Prescription Data Report Additions - Now includes
polarization, advanced, and ray aiming settings from the
System Explorer.
• Spherical Theodolite Field Angles - A new field definition
that supports azimuth and elevation angle definitions.
Tools
• Create Spectrum File Tools - Launch built-in editors to
create custom absorption, excitation and emission spectra.
• Slider Tool Updates ZPL Windows - The slider tool has an
option to update open ZPL macro windows.
• Export Polar Detector Data Exponential Notation - New
tool option to disable/enable exponential notation in the
output files.
Optimization
• STRH Multi-Threading - The STRH optimization operand
now computes faster.
• POPD Angular and Cross-Spatial Moments -
Now supports angular and cross-spatial
moment calculations.
Libraries
• Phosphor & Fluorophore Data - Several data models have
been added.
Programming
• ZPL & UDA Syntax Highlighting - ZPL macros and user-
defined aperture (UDA) files can now be edited with text
editors that show color-coded syntax.
• ZPL Suspend/Resume Updates Keywords -
SUSPENDUPDATES and RESUMEUPDATES keywords allow
macros to provide control over the UI updating open
windows.
• NSC Bulk Scatter DLL Parameter Visibility - Now control
the visibility of the mean path and angle inputs in the object
properties dialog.
• NSC Sample DLLs Improved Random Numbers - Sample
DLLs now use a more robust random number generator.
User-Interface
• New Tolerance Script Button - Launches a built-in text
editor to create a new tolerance script.
• Closing Fields/Wavelengths Dialogs - Escape (ESC) key will
close dialog tabs while those tabs are in focus.
• Improved Plot Axis Limits - Improved fit of the calculated
data for relative illumination, physical optics, and the beam
file viewer.
• Solve Change Analysis Recalculations - If a solve type on
a cell in the LDE or NSCE changes and the value computed
doesn’t change, analyses will not be forced to recompute.
• Language Localization Support - Proper accounting for the
user’s localization settings.
• Merit Function Updates on Independent Thread - Now
allows interaction with other windows during updates.
• Solve Dialogs Display Parameter Names - LDE and NSCE
now display surface specific parameter names.
• Analyses Converted to Dynamic Plots - Includes NSC
detector viewer, footprint diagram, standard spot diagram,
matrix spot diagram, and configuration matrix spot diagram.
• Bigger Workspace Dividers - Wider borders between
docked workspaces for easier clicking and dragging.
• Faster NSC Ray Database Filtering - The non-sequential ray
filtering code is more efficient for large sets of rays.
• Convert to MAT Tool Multi-Threaded - Yields calculation
speed improvements up to 15x.
