I have a problem where I have an LED and multiple flat detectors placed at the same distance, so the detectors all overlap but have different sizes, like 1cm^2, 5cm^2 etc. Because the detectors do not have ABSORB, they pass the light through so all the detectors should see the light, but if they are placed at the same location, ie same Z distance, then they only detect light as if they are blocking each other. The issue can be resolved by spacing them out apart by 0.001mm but I'm wondering if that's a bug.

When I run the install for Zemax there is no option to choose a location. It defaults to the C drive with no way to change that...as far as I can tell. My C drive is near full. My D drive is near empty. How do I install on the D drive?I tried moving the install files to the D drive and run the install from there but it continued to put the files in C where I don't have enough space.. Short of installing a bigger C drive and reinstalling all my programs...etc what can I do? Thanks for the help and all the best,   

How to install OpticStudio on our local server and access through browser? We cannot use Zemax Cloud Server to access OpticStudio from the browser due to security reasons. So, looking for instructions on how to do this locally. Thank you.

This may sound a bit simple, but I just want to be sure about something in the test plate listing.  When a test plate is denoted as CX or CC, does that mean it’s available for testing that type of surface or is the test plate itself that shape?

I could not renew my ZEMAX support contract because I am self-employed.My licence is a perpetual licence, which means that I can continue to use ZEMAX only in its current version.I will continue to have questions about how to use ZEMAX.I am looking for a place to discuss ZEMAX after I no longer have access to this community and for people to personally advise me on ZEMAX.If you know of anyone who might be able to help, I would be grateful if you could respond. My email address is. optics@nifty.comKIDA Hideki 

When exporting a model to the STEP file format, while you can name the STEP file any way you like, you cannot change the names of the individual surfaces / ray parts.When I then attempt to use the results from (x2) different optical models in SolidWorks, I experience a naming conflict.  For example, the rays are incorporated into a part called “rays.sldprt”.  The lenses are “surfaces 2,3.sldprt”.With this fixed naming convention it is easy to have two completely different models have the exact same part names.  The only work around is to manually rename each part file.Please add a feature such that users can attach a unique name to the individual part files and/or add the name of the model as a prefix / suffix.Thanks!

Hi,How can I renew my Zemax opticstudio student licence?Thank you

Hello! Does anybody know how total internal reflection (TIR) is handled in geometric image analysis? Thanks!Liz 

One of the many uses of OpticStudio composite surfaces is that they offer a powerful tool to analyze and manipulate optical surface irregularities. They enable the addition of multiple sag profiles to create complex surface distributions. Therefore, users can stack multiple surfaces to study various optical effects. To demonstrate this usage, we will use an achromat lens with composite surfaces configured through the multi-configuration editor.  One of the critical elements in this approach is the correct utilization of the Zernike fringe sag surface type on the add-on composite surface. This surface choice allows us to convert Seidel aberrations from Zernike expansion coefficient terms. Consequently, by manipulating the parameters on this surface within the multi-configuration editor, we can effectively manage the Seidel aberrations arising from the surface irregularity. As a designer, one can follow this step-by-step guide to analyze, model, and mitigate surface aber

Hi together, With the last Zemax Version (ANSYS R2.01) I have such funny behavior of the NSC editor. Sometime (e.g. add ne object) the cell number and the whole row is not shown. Has somebody seen that? 

In sequential mode, If I define my system such that nothing is filled in the Field editor, so field is zero. And I set Object Space NA: 0.01. What does the field editor do? I am always confused with it. Does it create an  object Height? Now I want to use RAID operand to find the angle of incidence to some surface. RAID takes in field and pupil coordinates, if I choose these coordinates at random, are they still within the 0.01 NA? How does the Object Space NA play a role in this? Specially if I am setting zeros in my Field editor. Thanks in advance for your reply.

While converting a file from Code V (.seq) to Zemax i get an error which suggests that the surfaces of the model were not recognised. Do you know why Zemax gets stuck and how can I overcome this?I attach the log file of the conversion, along with the .seq file (inside .zip), in case someone could give me a help with that. Kind regards,

An optical system acts between two finite conjugates. How can I condition the optimisation in order to achieve a low spot RMS but simultaneously maximise its (paraxial) magnification?

Hello,I am currently working on a Zoom system. I would like to know whether it is possible to get a zoom curve plot directly through the software or not.If possible please suggest ways to obtain the data points or plot with the help of the software.Thank you.

Why such type of image vignetting  is happening on Image simulation?

An optical system composed of two lenses operates between two finite conjugate planes. The first lens collimates the image from the object. The second lens focuses the collimated image into an image.I would like to extract the angular spread of the rays in the collimated space. How can that be done in sequential mode? Is it possible to set up a detector betwen the two lenses? 

Hello, As a new beginner to Zemax, I am not sure whether it is normal to get a negative stop radius in Prescription Databelow is part of my design result and in lens data the stop is a fixed R 5.75my question is Why the stop radius here is a negative one? but the system aperture  as I set is positive is it normal to get a negative stop radius in the prescription data?   Thank you ! 

I am accessing ZEMAX via virtual desktop, and experiencing very slow response. It takes ~40 min to run 20 Monte Carlo with multiple compensators on. Could anyone help check my system diagnostic (as attached) and let me know whether my system is capable or need an upgrade?Thanks.

Hi,I am trying to see the effect of NA on my system, and was wondering if there is a way to change the NA in ZPL.

Hello, I have contacted Ansys several times through their website, but I havent heard anything from them. I have also tried to email the Zemax team and I got reply saying I am not eligible for tech support. Who should I contact in order to get this issue resolved?  Thank you very much. 

Generating the Q­con polynomialsOpticStudio 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 20 Qcon polynomials, and also share the derivation in the Mathematica file GenerateQConPolynomials.nb.  The .nb files for Mathematica can be used by downloading the free Wolfram Player: https://www.wolfram.com/player/.Important equations for the Qcon polynomialsThe Qcon polynomials can be calculated in a straightforward way using an equation for the Jacobi polynomials.From Shape specificat

Hi,There are two analysis output of one imaging design below. My question is that how can be FFT MTF values so higher during the RMS and geometric spot size radius are high. 

Hi Everyone,GOAL:Load an interferogram to define the surface error of an optic so I can simulate TWE through the optic.I’m using Optics Studio Premium 23.1.3  STEPS TAKEN:I”m using a Zygo MX interferometer to gather data on a flat optic. I have measurements of both faces of the optic and have saved them as .dat files. From what I’ve read I’m supposed to set both face of my optic to “Grid Phase” and then under surface properties import the interferogram as a .dat. When I load I get an error saying there must be at least 5 rows and 5 columns. I click okay and it accepts the surface. (I’ve also tried these same steps with “Grid Sag” as the surface type).I’ve done this and when I look at the TWE under Analyze, then Interferogram as well as Wavefront Map I get something very very different from what it should be. I can confirm this by only loading a Grid phase to one surface and making the other just a normal flat. It’s nowhere near

I would like to perform image simulation by first generating a USAF 1951 3-bar target on a curved object surface concave toward the entrance pupil, rather than on a flat surface object.  Has anyone tried that before?  How to do it?Thanks, Mike

Dear all,I am trying to couple the output of a RC telescope into a single mode fiber. The fiber used is from Corning with mode field diameter 10 micrometers at 1550 nm. In this system, I am facing some main problems. The coupling efficiency as given by the fiber coupling option in the analysis tab and the coupling efficiency as given by the operand FICL is different. So, when I optimize the system to increase the coupling efficiency using the FICL operand, the coupling efficiency as given by the fiber coupling option is found to decrease. I have done both the analysis by neglecting the source fiber and only the receiver fiber is considered. Second concern is regarding which criterion to choose while tolerancing the system. My ultimate aim in both the cases is to have an increased fiber coupling efficiency When I change the length of the fiber, the coupling efficiency is found to decrease. But as per my understanding the coupling efficiency should