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Find out how you can save time and energy using the Zemax Programming Language!

  • 187 Topics
  • 495 Replies
187 Topics
H
Harvey.SpencerMonochrome
asked in ZPL
How to SETSURFACEPROPERTY using a variable?

I have defined an array variable with various surface parameters called L1(i,j)for example:L1(1,1) is the value of a curvatureL1(1,2) is the value of a thickness I would like to use the numeric values of this array variable in a .ZPL so for instance I could say: SETSURFACEPROPERTY  12, 2, L1(1,1)but I see that I cannot use a variable that is a number for the value of the curvature., has to be converted to a STRING  Why the heck not, the curvature is not a string but IS a number?  Just another backward ancient programming ZEMAX thing. Anyway, I guess that the value of the lens parameter to set has to be a STRING, a number, or a numerical expression, not a variable?  So how do I convert L1(1,1) to a STRING to set the curvature parameter in the lens which is actually not a string but a number?  Retarded. I thank anyone for the time taken to help.  I tried to use the $STR(val) and FORMAT but loe and behold can’t get that to work.Like $STR(L1(1,1)) gets rewarded an error message.……………………………

1421
MichaelH
Luminary
11 months ago
bdoc
bdocSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
Question about SURP

Hello, I want to change the x-pos in the NSC editor. How can I do that using SURP? The NSC surface is at 13 in the lens data editor, NSC object is 8.Please let me if you need more information. Thanks in advance!

723
David.Nguyen
Luminary
11 months ago
a_crt
a_crtSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
Calling a .ZPL macro from a tolerance script

Hello!TLDR: Is there a way to run a .ZPL macro from within a tolerance script? I’m trying to add and remove fields during the tolerance script used in my Monte Carlo simulation because I suspect this could make things run a little faster but so I made an “add_fields.ZPL” and a  “remove_fields.ZPL”. Context: Have a tolerance script that has a few optimizations and a final performance evaluation merit function is called. I don’t need all the fields for the optimization but I do for the final performance evaluation. So two questions…1)  I’m assuming more fields (especially with ray aiming) will slow down my nested optimizations even if I’m not calling all of the fields in the merit function, is this true? 2)  Any way to call the macros I made “add_fields.ZPL” and a  “remove_fields.ZPL”? Or alternatively, can I play around with SYSP during a tolerance script?   

1641
A
Ultraviolet
11 months ago
D
Daoming.DongInfrared
asked in ZPL
Encapsulate ZPL marco

Dear all, I’m currently developing several Marcos for a specific system. I’m wondering if there is a method in ZEMAX that can let me to encapsulate my code like a black box?  Best wishesDaoming

1283
MichaelH
Luminary
1 year ago
J
JonaszVisible
asked in ZPL
Semi-Diameter larger than Mechanical Semi-Diameter

The semi-diameter of some radially symetric surface is set to “automatic”. From the Zemax help, I understood that the diameter is adjusted so that no rays are clipped.I´m confused by the mechanical semi-diameter, which in some cases takes a smaller value than the semi-diameter. See picture. Shouldn´t the mechanical semi-diameter always be larger than the semi-diameter? Why isn´t it so, when all the values are set to automatic?

2915
J
1 year ago
Michael.Young
Michael.YoungVisible
asked in ZPL
Record GUI interaction as ZPL commands?

I was helping a colleague with ZPL the other day. He wanted to know how to set a field as a variable and then constrain it. Additionally, he wanted to do this through a ZPL.The first part is easy enough. My approach was to expose the field as a variable through the multi-configuration editor using “YFIE”, declaring the solve as “Variable” and then constraining it in the merit function editor with “MCOL”, “MCOG”, or “MCOV”.For the ZPL portion, I wrote a small script for him demonstrating how to assign a variable in the MCE with ZPL.CLOSEWINDOW ! INSERTMCO, 1 # insert a row into the mce.SETMCOPERAND 1, 0, "YFIE", 0 # changes the operand to "YFIE"SETMCOPERAND 1, 0, 1, 1 # assigns YFIE to field no. 1 SETMCOPERAND 1, 1, 15, 0 # changes the value of row 1 config 1 to 15SETMCOPERAND 1, 1, 1, 3 # changes the solve type to "V"BEEP This made me think that it would be useful if there were a way to record GUI interactions as lines in a ZPL. For example, I could turn on the propose

852
Michael.Young
1 year ago
liz_strong
liz_strongInfrared
posted in ZPL
Geometric image analysis ZPL API incomplete

Hello! A feature request -- could you please complete the ZPL API for geometric image analysis? It would be handy to be able to modify parameters available in the GUI that aren’t included in the API yet like the “use polarization” check box & the reference dropdown menu. Thanks!Liz 

1394
liz_strong
1 year ago
R
Renaud.LigotInfrared
asked in ZPL
saving txt files in a loop with incremental file name

HiI would like to save a txt file at each step of a loop. So I need to change the name of the saved file to not overwrite the previous one. Does someone have an example to share?Thank you.

1002
R
1 year ago
K
Keiya.YoshidaSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
Where is the detail explanation of MODIFYSETTINGS key word "Tfg"?

Hi, I’m trying to develop a ZPL macro that can get the Through Focus Geometic MTF which modifysettings key word is “Tfg”. But I’m not able to find detail explanation of “Tfg” in UserManual.PDF. In case of “Tfm”,  I  know the Modifysettings of “Tfm” is supported. I was able to run the ZPL code like below.    MODIFYSETTINGS tfmcfg$, TFM_SAMP, calc_tfm_sampBut the ZPL code include “Tfg” like below has errored.MODIFYSETTINGS tfgcfg$, TFG_SAMP, calc_tfg_sampERROR in MODIFYSETTINGS: Incorrect version number in settings file.Please let me know whether “Tfg” code is supported or not?Keiya Yoshida 

1217
David.Nguyen
Luminary
1 year ago
alexander_dumont
alexander_dumontInfrared
asked in ZPL
Why does the merit function have different values than when I run ray trace?

So I’m trying to optimize a design in Zemax non-sequential. However I’m noticing that there is a discrepancy between what the MF editor reports, and what I see from running ray trace and running detector viewer. My MF looks like the following: And I see that the total flux (line 7) is 0.619 out of .75. This is a very good number. So then I cancel the optimization, and perform a ray trace, and when I take a look at the detector viewer, I get the following:How can the MF editor be displaying 0.619, yet the total power, which I think is the same metric on the detector viewer is indicating 0.422?

1441
David.Nguyen
Luminary
1 year ago
Lucia
LuciaSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
ZPL to save geometric image analysis images in a loop

Hi, I’m trying to use ZPL to run a couple of loops and save geometric image analysis. This loops aim to change the field and wavelength in the settings of the image, but I cannot make it work. If I go for the text-only saving option, it doesn’t change either. To guide you into the code, first I define the x and y of the fields:DECLARE setxfields, DOUBLE, 1, 9DECLARE setyfields, DOUBLE, 1, 9setxfields(1) = 0.0setxfields(2)=9.68938        …setyfields(1)=-0.0    setyfields(2)=-0.034… Then define the folders and filenames and then start the loopFOR wave2, 1, 9, 1    FOR field, 1, 9, 1    field_x = setxfields(field)    field_y = setyfields(field)    SETSYSTEMPROPERTY 101, 9    SYSP 102, 1, FLDX(field)    SYSP 103, 1, FLDY(field)    SYSP 202,1,WAVL(wave2)    window=WINL()    OPENANALYSISWINDOW "IMA"    UPDATE ALL    filename$ = arm$+"_"+mode$+"_"+"test_wave_"+$str(WAVL(wave2))+"_field_"+$str(field)+".bim"    filename2$ = arm$+"_"+mode$+"_"+"test_wave_"+$str(WAVL(wave2))+"_field_"+$str(field)

1902
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
1 year ago
JiY
JiYMonochrome
asked in ZPL
How can I import Grid Sag in macro using buffer

Hi all, I am writing a ZPL macro which calculates phase patterns and imports the phase into Grid Phase Surface automatically. (There is a typo in title. I’m using a Grid Phase Surface) I found a way to import the grid phase using IMPORTEXTRADATA keywords in a below questionMacro import of .dat file onto a Grid Phase surface | Zemax CommunityBut it requires “reading” .dat files; so, I should firstly generate .dat file for the calculated phase profiles, and after that I could read again the phase from those .dat files to import. It seems to be very inefficient method and takes too long time to write and read my phase profile.  Is there any way to import phase data directly from another data types in ZPL (like array or vec) instead of writing and reading .dat files? With best regards,Jiwoon.

704
JiY
1 year ago
cameron.vo
cameron.voStudent
asked in ZPL
ZPL Macros: Efficient ways of getting data points from the MTF

Hello,I am trying to develop a ZPL macro that will be used in my merit function so that different wavelengths and different fields will all share the same MTF. I am currently getting very good results with my code, but it is a little bit slow at roughly 8 seconds per cycle which is worrisome as I am currently only doing 1 field with 3 wavelengths. I was wondering how GETMTF actually works since it seems like it is calculating the entire MTF and only extracts the value for a single specified frequency when GETMTF is ran. For my purpose, it would be more efficient to calculate the entire MTF once for each wavelength/field, and then I could just grab the values directly from the MTF rather than having to run a loop combined with GETMTF to get the values I need to calculate MSE.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions on making my code more efficient or any alternative methods to solve this problem. 

2131
Mark.Nicholson
Luminary
1 year ago
William Oak
William OakInfrared
asked in ZPL
How to stop NSTR from resetting number of cores?

Hello,So I’ve been trying to alter the number of cores through a macro by using “SYSP 901, []”. However, each time I run the ray trace (NSTR 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0), the number of cores resets to its maximum value.To attempt to identify why, I re-used the code proposed HERE, adding a “print SYPR(901)”, and I get the following.The elapsed time varies somewhat, but stays close enough to one another to conclude that the NSTR is somehow resetting the # of core before running the ray trace.-The duration is coherent with 20 cores (~7.8s) if I run it using the Ray Trace Control window; the time at 1 core is ~40s, 16 cores 7.4 s-I’ve tried using the advanced options in the system explorer to Turn Off Threading, without it having any apparent effect.-Apparently NSTR does an update to everything before running, but I’ve not been able to reproduce the bug with “UPDATE” so I don't think that's the cause.-I’ve tried other files and seen the same issue (namely Projector Modeled Using an IES Data File.Z

1001
William Oak
1 year ago
S
spacebabaMonochrome
asked in ZPL
Zemax Macro

Hi guys, I am new to learning ZPL. I have a list of macros that I am tasked to write at work. Here are the list below with their purpose. I was hoping anyone have written similar macro, p[lease share or give me tips on how to write them. Thanks.Compute the paraxial ABCD matrix between 2 surfaces. Bend a lens. Given one radius, compute the other radius to maintain the focal length. Macro to plot and optionally list the distortion over the full image format Calculate relative or absolute dn/dT values based on the Schott equations Draw the aperture(s) associated with a surface. Define a macro function to compute the clearance between two surfaces, including the sags of the two surfaces Compute the angular boresight error in object space of the system due to the decentration of a surface or a group of surfaces. Compute the edge thickness between two surfaces at a specified x,y location Plot the FOV points Tabulate the focal lengths of each component in the specified surface range. A compon

8994
Georg.Nadorff
1 year ago
O
OranVisible
asked in ZPL
SETNSCPOSITION/ SETNSCPARAMETER In ZPLM

Hello, I want to push into my model an input file with data regarding new position/ parameters.When I execute the ZPL code through the GUI (Programing>Edit/Run, F9) it works just fine, but when I try to execute it through the merit function with a ZPLM row it seems that the SETNSCPARAMETER/ SETNSCPOSITION just isn’t working.I know the MFE is executing the ZPLM since I made a debug output which looks just fine, feels like I’m missing something very basic.Code snippet:OPEN INPUT_FILENAMEOUTPUT OUTPUT_FILENAMEREAD NUM_OF_PARAMS NUM_OBJPRINT NUM_OF_PARAMS, " ", NUM_OBJFOR II, 1, NUM_OF_PARAMS, 1 READ PARAM_NUMBER PARAM_VALUE PRINT PARAM_NUMBER, " ", PARAM_VALUE SETNSCPARAMETER 1, NUM_OBJ, PARAM_NUMBER, PARAM_VALUENEXTCLOSE An input/output example of the code above:## INPUT ##3 181 50 2 50000.0 3 0.005## OUTPUT ##3.0000 18.00001.0000 50.00002.0000 50000.00003.0000 0.0050 Edit: Wanted to point out that my ZPL files are located in Zemax/Macros

1792
O
1 year ago
James.Fry
Ultraviolet
James.FryUltraviolet
asked in ZPL
Macro import of .dat file onto a Grid Phase surface

I have a macro that converts .tif files to .dat files via the CONVERTIMAGETOGRID keyword and that all works like a charm and it creates wagonloads of .dat files.  What I’d like to do next is import those files into a prescription with an established Grid Phase surface via the same macro . . . but I don’t see a ZPL way to do that?Anybody have any ideas?Thanks!

1992
James.Fry
Ultraviolet
1 year ago
David.Nguyen
Luminary
David.NguyenLuminary
posted in ZPL
Adding easing to animations

Hello everyone, I just wanted to share some work I’ve been doing today with adding easing to animations for OpticStudio.In March 2021, Dan Hill published his fine article: How do I create presentation quality graphics and animations? At the end of the article, Dan demonstrates how to produce a 360 degree animated GIF using ZPL.However, one may want to rotate an object over a smaller angular range, and go back and forth from the original position. If you were to do so naively using Dan’s approach, every frame would be at a fixed angular position from the previous one, and you would obtain a “linear” GIF. However, you can obtain a slightly different result if you apply an easing function. There’s an outstanding website, called https://easings.net/, that demonstrates how to make use of such easing functions and the website also includes the formulas necessary to calculate these easing functions.Let me demonstrate the result with an example first, and then show you the workflow I used.I wa

1550
David.Nguyen
Luminary
1 year ago
Julia
Fully Spectral
JuliaFully Spectral
posted in ZPL
ZPLM tricks that you may don't know, but can be incredibly useful

I will share examples of using ZPLM as a workaround to solve some problems that I see/ you may experience in my daily support 😀.  

12037
Julia
Fully Spectral
1 year ago
S
spacebabaMonochrome
asked in ZPL
ZPL TASK 4. Energy on a Detector (EOD)

Hi guys,Here is another set of task focus on Energy on a detector.  Compute and plot the EOD of a system over a defocus range for the specified field points Shift an optical element over a range of axial shifts and compare the change in EOD Compute and plot the percent EOD (energy on detector) over a linear field. Compute and plot the EOD (energy on detector) for a range of focus shifts Compute and plot the change in EOD (encircled or ensquared energy on a detector) over the 2D rectangular FOV Plot the change in EOD (encircled or ensquared energy on a detector) times the normalized PSA over the FOV. Assumes that the macros EOD_VS_FOV and VIG_VS_FOV have been run. Thank you!

930
S
1 year ago
S
spacebabaMonochrome
asked in ZPL
ZPL TASK 3

Hi guys,Task 3 Plot the RMS spot size vs. through-focus position. Compute and plot the RMS value of geometric spot size, wavefront error, or strehl ratio over a linear field. Compute and plot the RMS value of geometric spot size, wavefront error, or strehl ratio vs focus position. Compute and plot the RMS value of geometric spot size, wavefront error, or strehl ratio over the two-dimensional FOV Compute and plot the RMS value of geometric spot size, wavefront error, or strehl ratio vs wavelength. Compute and plot the RMS WFE over the FOV. Plot spot diagrams over the 2D rectangular or circular field of view. The field of view is assumed to be centered on-axis. Macro that defines a function that returns the RMS Spot Size at any surface in your system. Can be used to constrain the spot size during optimization Thank you!

1040
S
1 year ago
S
spacebabaMonochrome
asked in ZPL
ZPL MACROS TASK 2 (MTF)

Hi guys,I decided to section the ZPL task to avoid confusion because I have about 100 of these macros to write. Compute and plot MTF, plotting all fields in one plot (to a maximum of 20 fields). Compute and plot the MTF over a linear field for a specified set of spatial frequencies. Compute the MTF over the field of regard (FOR) for a specified spatial frequency and a specified field point Compute and plot the radial, tangential, or average of radial and tangential MTF over the FOV for a specified spatial frequency Compute the MTF at a given spatial frequency vs. the change in a specified lens parameter. Compute the MTF at a given spatial frequency vs. the change in a specified lens parameter. The parameter minimum and maximum values may be entered as actual values or as deltas. Plot the two-dimensional MTF for the specified field points, zoom positions, and through-focus positions. Plot the optical MTF cascaded with the detector MTF to get the combined MTF for the system

1340
S
1 year ago
R
RaphaelSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
ZPLM and POP analysis

Hello. I’m interested in running optimization targeting to get a specific beam shape on image. The beam is generated using POP Gaussian angle. The analysis i want to run requires a macro code. For that I’m going to use the ZPLM operand. My question is how do I read POP analysis Text data tab with the ZPL? I want to process the data and to return the macro result to the merit function ThanksRaphael  

2191
David.Nguyen
Luminary
1 year ago
Christoph.Bodendorf
Ultraviolet
Christoph.BodendorfUltraviolet
posted in ZPL
Print statements in ZPL are suppressed during the script is running

Dear support team, it seems that a 'Print' statement  in ZPL is suppressed during the script is running. Then at the end of the script all print statements are executed at once. I guess, this is a kind of optimisation? However, I am running large scripts and I would like to see the progress in the command window . So I would like the print statement to react directly when it is called. Is this possible?    Thank you,       Christof.

2779
MichaelH
Luminary
1 year ago
O
Olivier.FRANCOISSingle Emitter
asked in ZPL
Unable to save file

Hi,  I've recently experienced an issue when using ZPL/Zrdplayback command for optimizing a non sequential system.  The local optimizer/orthogonal descent, worked fine, but the two global optimizers (Global search & Hammer) stopped at the start of the optimization process with the following error message 'Unable to save file...'.  I've found a design file in this forum showing the same behavior (please check the attached file). I suspect that the problem arises when  several variations of the initial model are generated and attempt to create and/or read the rayfile from the ZPL macro. Could you please comment and propose a fix that would ideally, preserve the call to zrdplayback?   Thank you  

2615
SimoS
1 year ago

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