Defining a 3D object without CAD import

Question

Hello,I am relatively new in Zemax have an issue with defining  or creating new 3D objects in Zemax. I have read the relevant articles in Zemax Knowledge base, however, can’t find a plausible explanation to my question. What I actually need is to define a UDO (User defined object) by supplying a set of x  y and z coordinates (or a parametric equation with boundaries) in order to perform a stray light analysis in non-sequential mode. The reason why I want to define it inside of Zemax instead of importing a CAD file is that I want to use Merit function to optimize the dimensions of this predefined object. The object supposed to be a light guide and should reflect off the maximum possible rays of its surface with a total internal reflection so that I can detect them by using a detector polar.  In the case of imported CAD objects, the Merit function cannot optimize its dimensions as far as I can experience.

David.Nguyen · Accepted Answer

@Atalha,Good that you managed with native objects. I don’t have a lot of experience designing such surfaces. I’m not so experienced with designing such objects, but what I can say is that unless the shape of your surface is very specific, a lot of those freeform objects/surfaces can lead to the same shape but they will differ in the way they are optimized. Also, if you have some prior knowledge about how this object will get manufactured, it can be helpful to start with a specific model of the sag. Another thing, if you are going to run this optimization in non-sequential mode, it might be computationally intensive and you want to ensure that as many rays reach your detector as possible. There are some criterion in the Optimization Wizard which you can use, such as Spatial Uniformity. Spatial Uniformity will minimize the standard deviation of all pixels using a NSDD operand. Note that if light doesn’t cover your entire detector, it might causes problems as the change in intensity between the light and dark regions are features of high standard deviation. In such case, you might want to use a different metric for the optimization (and then figure out the corresponding operands to use), or in complex cases use the Bitmap Optimization as described in this article:https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005575582-Using-the-OpticStudio-Non-Sequential-Optimization-WizardsAlternatively, there are cases where it is possible to make such an optimization in sequential mode, which is substantially more efficient. Have a look at this beam shaper example:https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005489161-How-to-design-a-Gaussian-to-Top-Hat-beam-shaperLastly, there are a number of resources regarding freeform optics in the Knowledge base, I suggest browsing a few:https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=freeformAt this point this is really a design problem that you’ll have to figure out based on your needs and the constraints of the problem.Keep us updated of your progress and let me know if anything wasn’t clear.Take care,David

David.Nguyen · Answer

@Atalha,There used to be a way for Premium users with SOLIDWORKS, but unfortunately it is now deprecated (and it was super slow):https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005487461-Using-the-OpticStudio-Dynamic-CAD-link-with-assembliesIf you use the built-in Part Designer tool to make your CAD then it is still possible to expose some of its dimensions (but that means remaking your CAD basically, if the geometry even allows...):https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005577282-Designing-a-flood-light-with-OpticStudio-s-Part-DesignerIf you want to make your own user-defined Object, this is definitely a possibility, and you will need different resources.This article explains how to compile the user-defined Object DLL:https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005577602-How-to-compile-a-User-Defined-DLL(note that you don’t need a header file for user-defined Object)As far as how to program the DLL, I suggest starting with the HalfCylinder.c example in your {Documents}\Zemax\DLL\Objects. The comments describe how to fill the different cases. I have made another relatively basic example with an ellipsoid object that you can also have a look if you like:https://github.com/Omnistic/ellipsoid_objectOne thing to say is that, all the methods above are substantially slower than using OpticStudio native objects and there’s definitely a learning curve for the user-defined Object. Bottom line is, I strongly suggest to also spend a bit of time thinking whether you could get away with native Objects.https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005487401-Improving-non-sequential-ray-tracing-speeds-with-nested-and-Boolean-objectsI hope this helps and good luck in your endeavor,David

Defining a 3D object without CAD import

3 replies

1 Attachment

Reply

Zemax Community

Need more help?

To Chinese users:

1 Attachment

Reply

Sign up

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded

Zemax Community

Need more help?

To Chinese users: