Zemax really needs to improve their Project Directory and implement a DIFF tool that allows users to go from Project Directory to a “normal” workflow.  When a user converts to Project Directory (almost all the time they do this by accident because there is zero information in the Release Notes, KBA, or Forum), they are unable to now create a ZAR file to pass to a colleague.There are a handful of ways that Zemax can improve the Project Directories:Still allow a user to create a ZAR file when they have Project Directories enabled.  This will allow a user to pass a single file to colleague rather than having a multi-step process of saving the OpticStudio file, creating a ZIP of the folder structure and then passing the ZIP to a colleague.  This will also allow the colleague to use the ZAR with a “normal” workflow rather than the Project Directory Integrate a DIFF tool like GitHub to merge changes between local Project Directory files and the global files.  There are hundreds (if not thous

Hello,Zemax Optic Studio creates on my system disc (C:) temporary files big as 70 GB. My system disc has only 72GB of  free space. How to make Optic Studio create those temporary files on another disc?

OpticStudio supports Q-type aspheres.  Type 0 indicates Qbfs polynomials, and Type 1 indicates Qcon polynomials.  The functional forms of the Q-type polynomials are fairly complex due to the requirement that the polynomials be orthonormal for a circular aperture.  Occasionally, it is convenient to know the functional form of the polynomials for testing and comparison purposes. Below, we list the first 10 Qbfs polynomials, and also share how to calculate them in the Mathematica file GenerateQbfsPolynomials.nb.  The .nb files for Mathematica can be used by downloading the free Wolfram Player: https://www.wolfram.com/player/.Important equations for the Q-bfs polynomialsThe equations used below come from Shape specification for axially symmetric optical surfaces, G.W. Forbes, Optics Express 5218, Vol. 15, No. 8, 16 Apr 2007.  Forbes watned to find a function whose slopes are orthogonal.  So the slope equations must obey:where u is the radial coordinate in the aperture of an optical surface

This tolerance script is not optimizing the compensators.  What am I doing wrong?   OPENFILE 'G:\Tol_output.txt' TXT QUIET OFF HEADER '>>>' CLEARCOMP LOADMERIT 'C:\Users\Mike Jones\Documents\Zemax\MeritFunction\test_mf.mf' !  COMP surf code COMP    4    0    !    M1/M2 airspace compensator COMP    8    0    !    M2/L1 airspace compensator COMP    42    0    !    L3/L4 airspace compensator COMP    52    0    !    Focus space compensator !  CPAR surf param CPAR    2    1    !    M1 X-decenter compensator CPAR    2    2    !    M1 Y-decenter compensator CPAR    2    3    

The main baffle length for a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope is determined using the following formula:Hi,Is the provided calculation adequate for determining the front baffle length in TMA reflective systems, similar to how the main baffle length is calculated (Using Tan angle) for a Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope?P.S: In TMA design, the consideration of the baffle cannot extend to the primary mirror since it encounters reflected rays.

Hi all,I am facing a problem when using the TOLR operand in combination with a TEZI tolerance applied on an Extended Polynomial surface. When running the sensitivity tolerance analysis, the nominal merit function and estimated RSS change is calculated properly. However, when using the TOLR operand in the MFE, only the nominal value is correctly returned, while the estimated RSS change is completely wrong. Please find a screenshot below:When using different tolerances (TTHI, ...) , or when using the TEZI tolerance on a different (standard) surface, everything is working properly with the tolerance viewer and TOLR operand returning the same values. I thus assume it maybe has something to do with the composite surface that is being generated when using TEZI in combination with the Extended Polynomial surface?I would appreciate any input on this topic, as I would love to optimize my polynomial surface taking its sensitivity to tolerances into account.Thanks,Indy

Hello Zemax Community! I’m using Non-Sequential mode and trying to accurately model a series of optics with defined clear aperture and mechanical diameters.  I can see within the object editor that the clear aperture is responding to changes I make, but rays are still being traced beyond it’s specified value.  Is there some ray tracing function I need to enable?  Essentially I want ray to not pass the clear aperture.  But they are currently.  Please let me know if you need additional information.  Thanks! Best regards, Jeff  

My goal at the moment is to set up a model based on existing optics. I’ve copied various surfaces provided by manufacturers and put them together in the zmx file attached. The layout looks like this: In Zemax, I first collimated the input beam by running ‘quick adjust’ twice. As you can see, the spot diagram on the first parabolic mirror (M1) looks reasonable.  Then I did another ‘quick adjust’ to optimize the space between M1 and the second parabolic mirror M2. The beam ended up looking skewed on M2 and IMA. and I expect at least a axially symmetric profile.spot diagram on first parabolic mirror (Edmund 35-507)spot diagram on second parabolicI think My problem has to do with the parabolic mirrors, probably with how I optimized the geometry. While I’m not sure if the beam would focus perfectly to one point as in the original model from Edmund, I think the output beam should look more symmetric at least. What should I optimize to achieve more symmetry?Also, in the model provided by Edmu

I need get the coherent irradiance from the detector viewer to see a laser behaviors inside of a glass.  The code i used is based on the python example code as:Detector3D=np.zeros((100,100,100)) for i in range(1,101):    D_num=11+i    d_test= TheSystem.Analyses.New_Analysis(constants.AnalysisIDM_DetectorViewer)    d_set = d_test.GetSettings()    setting = CastTo(d_set, 'IAS_DetectorViewer')    setting.Detector.SetDetectorNumber(D_num)    setting.ShowAs = constants.DetectorViewerShowAsTypes_FalseColor    d_test.ApplyAndWaitForCompletion()    d_test_results = d_test.GetResults()    results = CastTo(d_test_results, 'IAR_')    d_test_values = results.GetDataGrid(0).Values    Detector3D[:][:][i-1]=np.flipud(np.array(d_test_values))    d_test.close() unfortunately, this code only give me the incoherent irradiance. My question is how can i set the “show data type” to “ coherent irradiance” or coherent phase” in python code? 

I’m using 2023 R2.00I’m tolerancing a system and when I select “Separate Fields/Configs” the results in the Sensitivity table clearly aren’t right.  The result for the average of all fields (field 0 in the table) shows a large degradation, but for each of the individual fields the degradation is exactly 0.  It’s a single config system with 3 fields.  I’m tolerancing average diffraction MTF.Is this a known issue?  

Hi everyone,    I‘m trying to design a 1.5× microscope objective, and I want to know the depth of field of this lens.  but I don’t know where the DOF is? Can anyone help me with that?  

The definition statement of IDEAL coatings is as follows,Syntax: IDEAL <name> T R TIRHere the transmittance and reflectivity of the ideal coating are defined. I tried to define several ideal coatings and then performed polarization ray tracing. The analysis results showed that the transmittance analysis was reasonable, but compared with the actual coating, the polarization pupil diagram was not significantly different.Ideal Coating DataI would like to know whether OpticStusio considers polarization issues for ideal coatings. How are the transmission coefficient and reflection coefficient calculated when performing polarized ray tracing? Are there any regulations?

HiCan we model the scatter analysis of mirrors in Zemax? Are there any default models in Zemax, like ASAP software?Which software is more recommended for stray light analysis? Is it Zemax/ ASAP? 

Hi All:                                               Jan 10th, 2024 I have often exchanged suggestions with peers for optics fabricators or coating specialists over the years.   Does the Zemax community share or list such information in a specific topic or sub-topic. ? I am currently looking for looking for a vendor that is capable of “low cost” metalization coatings on plastics, such as the protected aluminum coating commonly seen on automotive reflectors or consumers flashlights.  The firm would need PE-CVD coaters, similar to the Leybold PylonMet system.     I would appreciate any information that might point me in the right direction. 

Using Animate tools to show a zoom lens: Does anyone have an example of their recommended method for showing the movements of their zoom lens, as a communication tool to mgmt. ?    I am guessing that one might use the “Slider” or Visual Optimizer” tools to do this.   Or is there a simpler way.   Lastly, how can we export any animation loops we see ?   Thanks  

Hi, after/during running a raytrace, is there a way to hide the rays that go from one object to another?I very much need these rays to be in the Path Analysis but would much prefer not to see this subset of rays in the NSC 3D Editor as they obscure everything else in the system. To give some context, there’s a source rectangle that needs to be quite a bit larger than the field of primary reflectors and detectors. I put a “ground plane” detector roughly the same size as the source rectangle behind everything else and I need to determine how much energy is hitting this “ground plane” detector. The problem for the NSC 3D Editor is there’s to many of these rays hitting the “ground plane” and I can’t see the details of the light hitting the other objects in the system. Thanks!

I created the polygon object data file and saved it as a .pob using notepad. But I cannot see it from the Object properties window to loaded it in. Anybody know why?

Merit Function Editor:  Control of ASP Coefficients:Are there operands to directly control , or write expressions for the aspheric terms ?   For example if one is using an Even Asphere, and you wish to reduce the 4th order term, (Par 2), how would one do that ?  

Hi all,I try do a wedge tolerance analysis for sequential design with doublet lens. However, I couldn’t find the operands for it. Someone suggested me use TETX/TETY operands. However, the TETX/TETY is the tilt of the whole doublet group that pivoting its front surface vertex. Therefore, TETX/TETY tolerance operand is for alignment error. The wedge tolerance for doublets is more like doublet roll tolerance. Even though, both will cause optical deviation, I am not sure how correct to use TETX/TETY (alignment tolerance) for doublet roll tolerance. How you do wedge tolerance analysis? Any advices and thoughts are helpful.Thanks,Xiaolei

Hi all, I have a problem in nsq simulation where the refractive index of one of the lenses is not working properly. The problem is obejct 12 & 15 interface- they are from the same material but there is refraction on the interface. Thanks in advance,Nadav

Dear all,I am currently working on extended depth of field and aim to plot the axial (z-stacks) Point Spread Function (PSF) using the Julia programming language. After generating different Huygens PSF data in Zemax for both in-focus and defocused scenarios, I intend to examine their axial sizes.The Huygens PSF cross-sections have only x or y sections (refer to the attached Figures). My question is whether taking the Huygens PSF data and simply plotting it in Julia would provide the axial PSF.Your insights on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi, I am a beginner in optics.I am trying to simulate the image from an aspherical mirror and a Fresnel mirror.First, I have a spherical mirror (ROC = 400mm, semi-dia = 150mm, object at a distance =10000). I convert it to an aspherical mirror (conic = -1), but I cannot find the best aspheric coefficient. And even when I have the aspherical coefficients (the ones I get from others) and I add in 4th & 6th order terms (3.08*10^-5 and 5.4*10^-6, respectively), it doesn’t work.Second, how can I convert that aspherical mirror to an idealized Fresnel mirror with the above parameters? I try to change surface 1 from an “even asphere” surface to a “Fresnel” surface in sequential mode. But it doesn’t work either.Please explain in detail for me. Thank you so much. 

Currently, the topics are all mixed in one big pile of which only the last few are visible. This is much less useful than with the previous implementation. Please reintroduce categories, along the lines of Sequential / Non-Sequential / POP or better yet, reuse that of the old forum and import the old messages so all that useful information is not lost.

This is my question to info@zemax.com but the email does not work. Can anyone help me?_____________Dear Zemax Team,I am in need of the installation file (exe file) for a Zemax legacy version that predates "OpticStudio 20.3.2, released on 30 Nov 2020." (As per your website, the available versions only extend up to 30 Nov 2020.)Could you please confirm if it is possible to obtain an older exe file from your website?Kind regards

I keep getting an issue where the Boolean Native/CAD disappear from NSC Shaded Model or NSC 3D Layout. I checked if they are being drawn, if the locations are proper and all the obvious stuff.using version R2.01Any one else encountering this issue?