When creating a .ZBD file with the Prepare for OpticsBuilder Builder tool in Zemax OpticStudio there is the possibility to set the .ZBD file as Read-only, the reason why this setting was put in place is to enable the OpticStudio user to make a clear distinction between the optical and the mechanical modelling.
In this post I would like to showcase the differences between a read-only and a non-read-only .ZBD file from the CAD User point of view. Here we are looking at this feature with the Schmidt-Cassegrain sample file and the Creo Parametric 4 environment.
As a first step we are creating two .ZBD files, one with the Read-Only Checkbox ticked and one with the Checkbox unticked (Image below)
- As a side note: It might be very helpful to write information, such as if the optics in the .ZBD file are intended to be changed in the CAD environment, into the .ZBD file notes on the third and final page (Save .ZBD File) of the Prepare for OpticsBuilder window.
If we then open up the CAD Software and import the .ZBD files we can see by the OpticsBuilder Model Tree that there is a difference in the Edit and View of the Sources, Optical components and Detectors.
Within the properties of the optical components of the read-only file the CAD User can see the following disclaimer in yellow and the properties settings are greyed out.
Other features such as the Ray trace features or the Add Mounting Edges are available regardless if the Read-Only box is ticked or unticked as they do not directly influence the dimensions or properties of the optical components.
Within the properties of the optical components of the non-read-only file the CAD User is able to edit optical properties such as dimensions or coating and scattering parameters.
To summarize it can be said that if there is the clear intention to model and edit the optics only by the OpticStudio user, the Read-Only checkbox should be ticked. On the other hand, if the CAD User should be able to edit the optics or the OpticStudio and the CAD user is the same person, it makes more sense to untick the Read-Only checkbox.
