Hello Allie

Thank you for stepping in. OpticStudio just freezes after clicking on SAVE and doesn’t crash, so I cannot reproduce events via File Collector… However, when I start OS again and open the file in question I see that the file saved correctly with all the changes, which were applied before I clicked on SAVE. If I run File Collector now: would it help you to checkt my system characteristics e.g. graphic card? Which topics on the left side of the File Collector (System Diagnostics, Event Log,... etc.) would help you?

Thank you

Dusan

Hi Allie

Thank you for jumping in.

Which part of the File Collector would be most useful? I am attaching a part of the Eventlog (14.04.2025, when it all started) and an error message from this morning.

Kind regards

Dusan

Hi Allie,

This may help: I found OS version 22.2 on my 2nd laptop and worked on the same system that caused the freezing. On this laptop (Surfacebook 3, Intel i7, 32GB RAM etc.) saving was no problem at all.

Surprisingly, my 1st laptop (Lenovo X1) has exactly the same Processor and RAM as the Surfacebook.

So, my next test would be to install OS 23.2.1 on Surfacebook with the purpose of utimate testing -- but I cannot find the download.

Kind regards, Dusan

Hi ​@Dusan - on your new laptop fir 23.2.1, do you use OneDrive or another cloud service to host your documents? Is the Zemax folder on a OneDrive location? I wonder if the program is hanging as it waits to connect to the UNDO folder? If the UNDO folder (located in Documents\Zemax) is located on a cloud server, then OpticStudio may be prone to freezes like what you’ve seen. 

If the Zemax folder is located on OneDrive, please create a new folder under your local folder. Usually the address will look like this: C:\Users\...\Documents\. After creating the folder, update your Data folder location within OpticStudio Preferences, as described here: https://support.zemax.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500005488021-Can-I-change-the-DATA-folder. Then close and re-open Zemax.

As for the File Collector, please send the Event Collector.

Hi Allie

On my laptop with OS 23.2.1 I don’t use any cloud services. OS is installed locally in C:\...Documents\ and all the files are on an external SSD drive. As a test I copied the troubled file directly to laptop but the OS still freezes.

Sadly, I yesterday noticed that also other NSC files with detectors started to freeze, which they have never done before.

I am attaching the Event Collector. The wording “faulting application” makes me worried !?

For that reason I want to install OS 23.2.1 to my other laptop, which shows no problems when using the installed OS 22.2. PLease, advise on where to find OS 23.2.1 download.

Kind regards

Dusan

Hi Dusan - the term “faulting module” or “faulting application” is just the terminology used by the Event Log. It doesn’t mean anything beyond telling you which application crashed, and what component of the application was at fault. Looking at your logs, there’s not too much information. KERNELBASE.DLL and the resulting error code are pretty generic.

Thanks for the information about the system setup. Let’s try this: can you please clear the Temp folder and then re-install the prerequisites? Here are the steps:

1. Close OpticStudio
2. Right-click your Start menu and click “Run”
3. Type “%TEMP%” and click enter
4. You should be seeing the AppData Temp folder. Highlight everything and delete. Some stuff can’t be deleted and that’s fine. Everything that OpticStudio uses should be fair game since the program is closed.
5. Navigate to Program Files...Zemax OpticStudio and run the OpticStudio_Prerequisites.exe
6. Once done, restart your machine

Let me know how that goes.

For legacy downloads, you can find them here: https://customer.ansys.com/s/article/Legacy-OpticStudio-Downloads. Please keep in mind we only offer downloads up to 2 years old, per the legacy license terms.

Hi Allie

Thank you for your continuing support. I executed the procedure but unfortunately, no success. Temp file got almost empty, prerequisites installed without problem. To be sure I repeated the procedure again - with the same result.

Also, I cannot use the link for legacy downloads. The problem is that I don’t have an ANSYS account, which I didn’t need up to now. ZEMAX informed me per email in late 2023 that my emeritus licence (USB key) has been converted to a lifetime licence for this key and the last version I was able to download was OS 23.2.1.

Please, advise.

Kind regards, Dusan

Hi Dusan,

I see you in the Ansys back-end. Can you try to register? I would need special approval to send you the EXEs otherwise. I will message you with the information you’ll need to register.

Hello Dusan, 

Allie asked me to take a look. Strange problem! I would start by closing all instances of OpticStudio and deleting everything in Documents\zemax\undo and documents\zemax\autosave to eliminate any corrupt files that may interrupt the save process. 

Hello Don

Thank you for stepping in. I deleted everything, but it didn’t work. After running OS again it froze and I am attaching the contents of Undo and Autosave folders after the freeze. One photo shows the moment of “Save”: The “Save” button has a frame and that’s it…

Kind regards, Dusan

@ Allie

Thank you for the registration message. I tried to register with the account number but no success. It says: data in our data base do not match your input. I was given a case number, i.e. support team will assess my input: 

• Case Number: 00168464.
• Subject: Customer Failed Registration for ACSS.

I am retired since 2 years and I don’t know any more what was my input several years ago…

As such I again couldn’t use your download link...

Can I start registering from scratch, which would be my preference as I am not working for the company with the ANSYS account number you gave me any more?

One more idea: the OS key I have (L108210) I purchased in 2017 (or 2018) for my private use and maybe an account number has been created at that time?

Thank you, Dusan

​@ Don

I have the following idea re my issue: I still have downloads of 1 or 2 previous versions to OS 23.2.1.

What if I execute one of them and try if the problem still exists?

Questions:

1. will the older version simply overwrite the new?
2. can I afterwards execute the 23.2.1 again?

Thanks, Dusan

Hello

I want to thank again to all who helped towards resolving my problem. Unfortunately, the OS still freezes.

As there were no further feedbacks since 11 days I assume the problem cannot be resolved.

If at some time I get access to legacy downloads I will run the very same version on another laptop and let you know.

Kind regards, Dusan

Hi all, 

I am afraid I am also having this issue with OpticStudio 2025 R1.00

The problem seems to be related to the detector rectangle object. everything works just fine but as soon as i add a detector rectangle, it either freezes when I try to save or sometimes during random interactions with the UI (like opening a merit function editor, changing a variable, etc.)

I have tried deleting the Undo and Autosave folders, I have reinstalled OS 2025 R1.00, I have switched all my saved files from OneDrive to local drives. 

I have been using this release since Dec 2024, and I had never noticed the sudden freezing when using the detector rectangle. 

It even happens when making a brand new file, adding a cylinder volume and then the detector rectangle, immediately freezes when I try to save. 

I am running a laptop with an i9 14th gen and a RTX 4080. I have tried running the program using the integrated graphics, but it seems to freeze still.

If there has been any success fixing this error it would be greatly appreciated, as it is essentially impossible to work without detectors!

Hi Ortego

Sorry to hear that you have the same problem. In my case it is definitely detector rectangle - if I remove it from the setup the file saves normally. I also faced freezing while using UI such as changing data in LDE or checking Preferences. Same as you I never observed such problems up to 1 - 2 months ago.

One interesting thing: using an older version of OS (22….) on my other laptop poses no problems even with detector rectangle included. I cannot use OS23.2.1 here as I currently have no access to downloads.

But: the other laptop runs on WIN 10 PRO and the laptop where the problems occur on WIN 11 PRO…

So, I am also looking forward to finding a solution...