Skip to main content

General Discussion

Use this space to learn more about your software!

3532 Topics
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Zemax Consultants List

Hi everyone!Are you looking for a consultant to aid in your design work? Or are you a consultant who wants to get your name out there?This thread will serve as a list of Zemax Consultants. It is a Google-indexed replacement for the Zemax Consultants webpage, which was removed. Thanks to @Donna.Waters for getting this started :).If you're a consultant, please reply with your company information. Include your website and a little blurb about the kind of consulting work you do. Additionally, consider updating your Profile with a signature and some information about your business so other users can see your credentials as you reply to posts.If you are looking for a consultant, please reach out to the consultants via their website or via a private message. Do not reply to this thread requesting services. Please note: the consultants on this list are self-reporting, and are not endorsed by Ansys Zemax. We reserve the right to remove consultants from this list if they fail to meet the standar

9995
Opticsforhire
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
posted in Licensing and Installation
License and Installation Directory

This forum category is a space for you to find help with any of your licensing or activation questions. It is monitored by our regional licensing specialists. For your convenience, you can find some self-help guides here:  License & Installation In the event you cannot find what you're looking for there, post your question! Our staff or your fellow community members will be able to help.

3750
Allie
Zemax Staff
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
published in User News & Alerts
New here?F.A.Q.

Welcome to the Zemax Community! This is a gathering place for all things optics. Within this community, you will be able to find out more about your Zemax products. You will also be able to chat with other industry professionals about the latest trends. Use this space to ask questions, help others, and learn!  Now that you're here, there are a few steps you should take to make the most of your experience!  新人入门？(Chinese Version)はじめてですか？ (Japanese Version) First Steps: 1. Subscribe to User News & AlertsWhen you subscribe, you will be kept up-to-date on news that affects Zemax’s user community, like new release functionalities, opportunities to learn and network, or critical issues. 2. Configure your profileLog into the platform and navigate to your profile settings here. Each of your profile elements (except your last name) will be visible to all community members. We encourage you to be descriptive: tell others about your areas of expertise and professional interests. 3. Introduce

5890
Allie
Zemax Staff
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Tolerancing: How to bound COMPENSATOR when using Merit Function Criterion?

Here is an example of a simple 2f system to compute fiber coupling (located in Zemax samples).The MFE operand used here is FICL to calculate the Fiber Coupling efficiency [η]. When using Zemax Tolerance, I set the Criterion: Merit Function → Run Monte Carlo.As you can see, the compensated parameter values are totally out of whack from the bounds I set.Zemax documentation clearly states that “This bounding of the compensators is ignored if "merit function" or "user script" is selected as the tolerance criterion,  although the compensators will still be used.”If that is the case, then what is the right way to bound the compensator(s) when using a Merit Function Criterion? Nominal System Perturbed Monte Carlo system with compensation: The compensation is totally out of whack. 

70
A
Ultraviolet
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Alberto.DonazzanUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Suspect Bug: Go To Surface

Maybe it’s just me, but I am no more able of opening the “Go To Surface” popup window from any Editor.The following does not come up (image taken from Help file):I am using opticStudio version 2025 R1.00

13810
David.Nguyen
Luminary
M
MIN SOO.KANGMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
How to update opticstudio to the latest version

How to update opticstudio to the latest version

310
M
Monica93
Monica93Infrared
asked in Got a question?
Fly's eye setup - particular pattern on top of top-hat profile

Hi, I am modelling a setup in which an LED light source is homogenized using two fly's eye multi-lens arrays.There exists already a tutorial on a fly's eye setup:https://optics.ansys.com/hc/en-us/articles/42661744169363-Fly-s-eye-arrays-for-uniform-illumination-in-digital-projector-optics In my setup, I have chosen components that are all off-the-shelf available.My setup consists of:1. LED light source, wavelength = 340 nm, emitter size = 6x6 mm.2. Collimating lens, spherical type, focal length = ~50 mm @340 nm.3. MLA1: a multi-lens array with pitch = 7 mm (in X) and 5.4 mm (in Y) and nr of lenslets in X = 7 and in y = 9 and focal length ~ 40 mm at 340 nm.4. MLA2: identical to MLA1. MLA2 is placed in the focal length of the MLA, that is at 40 mm behind MLA1. This is the classical fly's eye setup configuration.5. A focusing lens with f = 474 mm @340 nm.  What I observe:1. A square-like top-hat profile at the focal plane of the focusing lens (see figure in additional post below).2. A cro

561
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Alberto.DonazzanUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Colorbar scaling and position is wrong in analysis windows

As per title, I face this issue every time, with many analysis windows, both with old and new graphics.Changing the windows aspect ratio changes the results.Good Bad  Bad                     

220
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Yang.Yongtao
Fully Spectral
Yang.YongtaoFully Spectral
asked in Got a question?
how to change the mirror tilt pivot to the back of mirror surface?

Hi zemaxers I am trying to understand how coordinate breaks work in Zemax, and I have a question about the tilt pivot point for a mirror. When a mirror(component) is used, the tilt pivot is typically at the back surface of the mirror(?). I’m wondering how to set this up in Zemax when using a mirror surface that has a defined thickness. PS: I read this, and tried as file attached.   Thanks for your help YANG

12810
Yang.Yongtao
Fully Spectral
S
Susan.LindecrantzInfrared
asked in Got a question?
Export detector data oin a for loop with ZPL

Hi,  I am trying to run non-sequential sequence in a loop, for which I change a parameter and save the detector data for each loop. The text tab should allow me to export the irradiance data at each coordinate, but I am a little uncertain how I can grab detector 1 and 2, then save the data as text files as for example data_d1_01 and data_d2_01, data_d1_02 and data_d2_02,..etc. Any suggestions appreciated. My experience with ZPL is limited. My attempt: update ALLFILENAME$ = "data_xtilt"+ $STR(xtilt) + "_tiltY_" + $STR(ytilt) + ".TXT"savewindow 1, H:\_work\ZEMAX\+FILENAME$savewindow 2, H:\_work\ZEMAX\+FILENAME$This got an error “ERROR in SAVEWINDOW: Window 1 does not support text”

211
MichaelH
Ansys Staff
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
ZOS-API: Setting Decenter X,Y and Tilt X,Y,Z cells Solve as Variable

I have no issues using the code line in Zemax Programming Interactive Mode# mark cell as V# Surface 18 - LDE row number for compensator# Cell 15 - Decenter X/Y or Tilt X/Y/ZTheSystem.LDE.GetSurfaceAt(18).GetCellAt(15).MakeSolveVariable() But it raises the following error when I program and try to use it in a Standalone application mode.Error1Any ideas on why this happens?

13510
A
Ultraviolet
mlisowski
mlisowskiSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
How to target the EFFL in Non Sequential Mode

Zemax in Non-Sequential:  I have a system with a grid of emitters, see below, and a detectors (polar and rectangular) about 1000mm away. I started by collimating the light which worked to get nice disscrete point; however, the magnification is not correct. I could change my target angle but this seems like it will just fuzz out the image.  I’d like to set the EFFL of the lens so that with the object to lens I get the correct magnification. What is the best way to do this? 

722
MichaelH
Ansys Staff
turner12345
turner12345Single Emitter
asked in Got a question?
ANSY logo contaminating graphics windows

How do I turn this off? We pay to use Zemax, not to be an advertiser for Ansys.

2094
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
yuan.chenZemax Staff
posted in People & Pointers
Summary of available materials about AR/VR simulation

Technical details about how to simulation AR/VR systems with Ansys products (Mainly Zemax,Speos and Lumerical)22/11/16: Add Fresnel, human vision and some learning paths.Many thanks to Mathieu Reigneau!22/12/06: add explanation of dll parameters: stochastic mode, max/min order KBA learning path (including all AR examples) ：HUD & AR – Knowledgebase (zemax.com)AR surface relief waveguide：Simulate 2D diffraction grating using customized diffractive DLL | Zemax Community关于如何使用Zemax的RCWA工具进行EPE的仿真 | Zemax CommunityLumerical RCWA和Zemax OpticStudio的动态链接 | Zemax Community[RCWA Stochastic mode] Discussion of Start Order・Stop Order / Max Order / Only These Orders | Zemax CommunityUpdates about this dllOpticStudio grating tools beta function update history | Zemax CommunityVHG：Overview of Kogelnik's Efficiency Calculations in OpticStudioModeling a Holographic Waveguide in OpticStudio for AR SystemsFAQ of volume hologram model in OpticStudio | Zemax CommunityUpdates about this dllBuilding Exit

12836
yuan.chen
Zemax Staff
multiple criteria tolerances
multiple criteria tolerancesSingle Emitter
asked in Got a question?
Multiple tolerance criteria

I would like to study the tolerance of my optical system. I want to evaluate the RMS Sport and the RMS wavefront error at the same time in the same tolerance simulation. However, we can choose only one of the two criteria during a tolerance run. Do you know if it's possible to evaluate both criteria at the same time, and if so, how?Thank you very much.

482
Sebastien G.
jhimavanth
jhimavanthMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Corning HPFS 7979 glass material

Hi,I want to use Corning HPFS 7979 glass material which has very good transmission in the IR region. I didn’t find the corning.agf glass material in any of the glass catalog. Is somewhere else it is there, where can i find that glass in the catalog. Can any help in this regard will be appreciated.

853
Sebastien G.
Shivam
ShivamMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
surface form error

Hi I am trying to add surface form error individually on a lens and a flat window of λ/5 on both sides. Optical drawing doesn't mention the kind of aberration this surface form error brings. How do I perform this using zernike coefficients with the surface type of zernike standard sag? 

883
Sebastien G.
Travis3
Travis3Monochrome
asked in Got a question?
Two different diverging source angles in sequential mode

Hello, I am currently trying to model a rectangular source with two different diverging angles in sequential mode. I want the top and bottom to be diverging at 2 degrees while the sides to diverge at 1.3 degrees. I am trying to set the source and rectangular aperture at set degrees based on trig, but am not getting the results I am expecting. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!  

651
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Alberto.Donazzan
Ultraviolet
Alberto.DonazzanUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
A trivial issue: Solve column label not visible when selected

As per title, when selecting a specific row in the LDE the Solve column label is not visible (black on black instead of white on black). I am using release 2025R1.      

895
David.Nguyen
Luminary
Allie
Zemax Staff
AllieZemax Staff
posted in User News & Alerts
Spam on the forums

Hi everyone - I am aware of the users posting spam on our forums. I’m working on banning them as soon as I see them, as well as the keywords they’re using. If you see one I missed, please feel free to flag it. I will review regularly. 

392
David.Nguyen
Luminary
Mike.Jones
En-Lightened
Mike.JonesEn-Lightened
posted in Got a question?
Ansys takeover of Zemax - unfavorable

Now that Ansys has taken over Zemax, what are our options for inputting feature requests?  I don’t know what this AnsysGPT thing is or does, but it is currently blocking people like me (and you?) with gmail.com or yahoo.com emails.  I’m damned if I’m going to pay monthly for a domain just to make Ansys happy.I really hope Zemax can break free of this Ansys takeover, it’s not working well and never will.Mike 

761
Esteban
Zemax Staff
G
Gianluca.FerraroMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Laser Diode Simulation - Source Diode

Dear all,I need a help from the community. I would like to simulate a laser diode in Non-sequential mode. I am attaching here the datasheet of the laser diode I would like to simulate. On Zemax: I set as Object type → Source Diode After having set the wavelength,  the Layout Rays, and the power I am getting stuck on this information:  X/Y-Divergence X/Y SuperGauss Number X’/Y’ Delta X/YCan someone help me having a look to the file attached (datasheet diode laser) to fill the abovementioned parameters?  Many thanks in advance  Gianluca 

26173
Jeff.Wilde
Luminary
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
GRIN Interconnect example - How to do a POP analysis?

I tried to run a POP analysis on the GRIN interconnect example that comes with Zemax. It complains POP is not possible with ‘Use Rays To Propagate To Next Surface’ is checked. I do not think it is possible to uncheck this option with Gradient surface.Is it not possible to run a POP analysis on GRIN lens designs?-AS

323
MichaelH
Ansys Staff
Lalte.Ma
Lalte.MaMonochrome
asked in Got a question?
Marginal Ray Height solve with intermediate surfaces

Hello, I am trying to simulate a laser triangulation setup and would like to use the “Marginal Ray Height” solve type for the thickness between the last lens surface and the image plane.  To improve the simulation accuracy, I am adding two surfaces for the detector cover glass between the last lens surface and the image plane. Is there a way to set the “target” of the thickness calculation to the image plane instead of the cover glass?Or is it only possible by defining the surface thickness as variable and optimizing it? Thank you for your help!    

562
Lalte.Ma
A
Ultraviolet
AsukuUltraviolet
asked in Got a question?
Pivot Surf0 and Surf1 as a group about an arbitrary point in space

Hello all: How can I pivot surf0 and surf1 as a group shown below at an arbitrary point in Z such that the incident ray at surf2=0°? I would like to pivot the group in Z such that the exit ray from surf1 is normal incident to surf2This article shows how an optical element can be pivoted about any point in space, but it is not clear how to add coordinate breaks prior to surf0. Thanks-Asuku

1153
Yang.Yongtao
Fully Spectral

Badge winners

  • Visibly Un-Polarized
    Asukuhas earned the badge Visibly Un-Polarized
  • Allow me to introduce myself
    Bharathas earned the badge Allow me to introduce myself
  • Allow me to introduce myself
    Yryxhas earned the badge Allow me to introduce myself
  • Allow me to introduce myself
    curiouslearnerhas earned the badge Allow me to introduce myself
  • Allow me to introduce myself
    Bharadwajhas earned the badge Allow me to introduce myself
Show all badges
Community Posting GuidelinesCookie settings


Zemax Community

Need more help?

To Chinese users:

Do not provide any information or data that is restricted by applicable law, including by the People’s Republic of China’s Cybersecurity and Data Security Laws ( e.g., Important Data, National Core Data, etc.).


不要提供任何受适用法律，包括中华人民共和国的网络安全和数据安全法限制的信息或数据（如重要数据、国家核心数据等）。



Privacy policy   License Agreements    Terms of use    Cookie Policy   Zemax Account Licensing Policies