Question: Why doesn't OpticStudio utilize 100% of my CPU during optimization to speed up the process?

Question:  I'm trying to use the API to connect to OpticStudio. I'm using the default template script to establish a connection. When I run the script, I get an error message "License Check Failed" or "License is not valid for ZOSAPI use".   

I'm trying to write a ZPL macro in Notepad but I can't figure out how to save the file with the .zpl extension. Every time I try to save, the file name ends up looking like "MyMacro.zpl.txt". How can I change this?

The Ray Database Viewer reports quite a bit of data, but it doesn't seem to have angle of incidence. Is there an option to show that information? Or do I have to derive it myself?

What does it mean to do a virtual propagation of rays?

Why is the nominal criterion value different from my Merit Function value in some cases? Is there a different analysis feature in OpticStudio that the nominal criterion is supposed to match up to? If not, then how is it being computed?

I'm working in a wide angle system and would like to ignore the stop setting so that different fields can have different stop locations. How can I do this?

Sometimes, 3rd party programs can interfere with the prerequisites for OpticStudio and prevent Opticstudio from launching.  Note: Many of these programs have patches or updated releases that correct the behavior. If you have any of these programs installed on your machine, either update to the latest version of the program or remove the program and retry running OpticStudio. You should find that once the program is removed, ZOS is able to execute properly. The current list of known offenders is: NVIDIA Geforce Experience 1.6 (and some newer ones).  Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended 64-bit Add-On (just the add-on, you do not need to remove the whole program) Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Extended 32-bit (the whole program appears to be corrupt) BeyondTrust Avecto Illivid Searchqu Toolbar TrustBroker Secure Client Browserdefender PolicyPak (Client Side Extensions)

I thought OpticStudio was supposed to utilize multi-threading for a faster optimization process. Why is my optimization running as a single-threaded process? Is this a setting I could change?

I've placed a MIRROR into my system, but I haven't defined a coating for it. How is its reflectivity defined?

Is there a difference between the reported "ray" and "field" coefficients used in polarization ray-tracing through thin-film coatings?

The Help file defines Radiant Intensity as “The incoherent intensity of the ray in cosine space (Radiant Intensity) This is the sum of the ray intensity divided by the solid angle subtended by the pixel." The question I have is how this solid angle subtended by the pixel is defined?

I'd like to take data directly from an interferometer and input the measurement data into my system in OpticStudio. Can this be done?

OpticStudio seems to have four accepted values for the mode flag under a "Birefringent In" surface: 0, 1, 2, 3. What are they for, and when do I use them?

What is the best way to reference a surface or object in ZPL so that the macro still works even when the numbering changes because surfaces/objects are inserted or deleted?

What are the s- and p-polarization states? How do I make my incoming beam s-polarized?  

I am trying to save my Non-Sequential system as an archived file (ZAR) but the file is very large. I know that the ZAR file type is a compilation of several different files that help define the lens file but can I safely remove certain files to reduce the overall file size?

I want to use Importance Sampling to trace scattered rays, but when I do, no rays are traced. How do I fix this without changing my optical design?

I am currently working on a Professional edition of OpticStudio and wish to import a Zemax Part Designer file (.ZPO) into my optical design. However, I am finding that the option to import an object of type “CAD: Zemax Part Designer” is only available in the Premium edition of OpticStudio. Can I import my .ZPO file or do I have to work on a Premium edition of OpticStudio?

Can I install and use multiple versions of OpticStudio on the same machine?

How can I define diameter and divergence for a Gaussian point source in OpticStudio?

If I know the M2 value of the Gaussian beam I want to study, can I use that value to accurately simulate the beam in the Physical Optics Propagation tool?

How do I know what command to use to run an analysis in the ZOS-API? Once I run my analysis, how can I extract my results in a meaningful way?

What are the benefits of Express View? What are its limitations?

How can I model an elliptical beam in a sequential system?