Introduction
In 2025 R1, we have introduced a new modern user interface to the Ansys Lumerical FDTD™ software. This interface uses a tabbed toolstrip menu with dedicated tabs for common tools, the FDTD, the RCWA, and the STACK solvers.
This change simplifies the interface and intuitively lays out functionalities, allowing you to more easily find them, and thereby focus more on design and innovation. In addition, this new interface allows you to easily select between various CPU and GPU resources to run the simulation on, and supports 4K graphics, high DPI displays, dynamic dimensioning of icons, in both light and dark themes.
This article will help you become familiar with the modern interface. Each tab, along with its associated subcategories, are described below with reference to previous interfaces. The methods of accessing specific elements that has been changed from the old interface are also listed in this article.
Note: Other Knowledge Base articles will be progressively updated. If you find any issues with existing documentation, please contact us via the Ansys Innovation Space.
Toolstrip
The new tabbed toolstrip menu is split into tabs and groups, each with their own buttons.
Tabs Summary
File
Project Group
Button | Description | Previous |
New | New project | File > New |
Open | Open existing project | File > Open |
Recent | Open recent project | File > Recent |
Save | Save project | File > Save |
Save As | Save project as | File > Save As |
Program Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Working Directory | Select working directory | File > Change working directory |
About | Software version | Help > About Finite Difference IDE |
Exit | Exit Lumerical FDTD | File > Exit |
Configure Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Resources | Resource configuration manager | Resources button on toolstrip |
Solver Licenses | License configuration | Help > Licenses |
Proxy | Proxy configuration | Help > Proxy configuration |
Notifications | Notification configuration | Help > Notifications configuration |
Startup Scripts | Startup scripts | File > Open startup scripts |
Logging | Configure log settings such as level and collector | Help > Logging configuration |
Save Legacy Backup | Toggle to create backup for legacy files | Setting > Create backup for legacy files |
Status Group
Button | Description | Previous |
FDTD Updates | Check for updates | Help > Check updates |
Optics Homepage | Software homepage | Help > Ansys Lumerical Home |
Matlab Integration | Matlab integration configuration | Help > Matlab integration status |
Python Integration | Python integration configuration | Help > Python integration status |
Cloud Integration | Cloud service integration configuration | Help > Cloud integration status |
APIP | Ansys Product Improvement Program configuration | Help > Ansys Product Improvement Program |
Units Group
Default units are set here, previously, this was done from the settings menu.
Button | Description | Previous |
Length | Default unit for length | Setting > Length units |
Frequency | Default unit for frequency | Setting > Frequency units |
Time | Default unit for time | Setting > Time units |
Loss | Default unit for loss | Setting > Loss units |
Impedance | Default unit for impedance | Setting > Resistivity units |
Conductivity | Default unit for conductivity | Setting > Conductivity units |
View
Layout Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Default | Switch to default layout | View > Set default layout > Default layout |
Small | Switch to small screen layout | View > Set default layout > Small screen layout |
Left Full Height | Extends the left side toolbars to the full height of the software window | View > Windows > Left side full height |
Right Full Height | Extends the right side toolbars to the full height of the software window | View > Windows > Right side full height |
Show Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Viewport | Toggle Viewports | New button |
Objects Tree | Toggle Objects Tree | View > Windows > Objects Tree |
Result View | Toggle Result View | View > Windows > Result view |
Optimization and Sweeps | Display/hide Optimization and Sweeps window | View > Windows > Optimization and Sweeps |
Script File Editor | Display/hide Script File Editor window | View > Windows > Script File Editor |
Script Prompt | Display/hide Script Prompt window | View > Windows > Script Prompt |
Script Workspace | Display/hide Script Workspace window | View > Windows > Script Workspace |
Objects Library | Display/hide the Objects Library window | View > Windows > Object Library |
Filename in Title Bar | Display/hide file name in title bar | View > Preferences > View filename in title bar |
Viewport Group
The “Viewport” group will display different buttons depending on whether classic or modern viewport is selected.
The following buttons are always present
Button | Description | Previous |
Classic | Activate classic 3D viewport (2D or 3D) | View > Viewport > 3D Classic |
Modern | Activate modern viewport | View > Viewport > 3D Modern |
Aspect Ratio | Aspect ratio settings |
View > Preferences > Change aspect ratio settings View > Viewport > Aspect Ratio |
Mouse/Keyboard Mapping | Activate/deactivate alternative mouse/keyboard mappings | View > Preferences > Alternative mouse/keyboard mappings (beta) |
Note: The “2D Classic” view option button has been removed, but can be achieved by switching to “Classic” view and toggling off the XZ view and the YZ view
Button layout are as follows when the classic viewport is selected.
Button | Description | Previous |
Export XY View | Export the XY view | View > Export view > XY view |
Export XZ View | Export the XZ view | View > Export view > XZ view |
Export YZ View | Export the YZ view | View > Export view > YZ view |
Export Perspective View | Export the perspective view | View > Export view > Perspective view |
XY View | Toggle the XY view | View > Windows > XY view |
Perspective View | Toggle the perspective view | View > Windows > Perspective view |
XZ View | Toggle the XZ view | View > Windows > XZ view |
YZ View | Toggle the YZ view | View > Windows > YZ view |
Note: Previous options refer to menu options while classic viewport is selected
Button layout are as follows when the modern viewport is selected.
Button | Description | Previous |
Axis Triad | Toggle the Axis Triad | View > Preferences > Axis Triad |
Navigation Cube | Toggle the Navigation Cube | View > Preferences > Navigation Cube |
Low Graphics Mode | Enable/Disable low graphics mode | View > Preferences > Low Graphics Mode |
Display Driver | Change display driver settings | View > Viewport > Display Driver |
Export View | Export current view |
With modern viewport active: View > Export view > Export view |
Note: Previous options refer to menu options while modern viewport is selected
Themes Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Dark | Switch to dark mode | View > Themes > Dark |
Light | Switch to light mode | View > Themes > Light |
Design
Clipboard Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Select all | Select all object(s) in Object Tree | Edit > Select All |
Copy | Copy selected object(s) | Edit > Copy |
Paste | Paste object(s) from clipboard | Edit > Paste |
Build Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Layer Builder | Add a layer builder group | Toolbar Build button > Layer Builder |
Dataset Builder | Open the unstructured dataset builder window | Toolbar Build button > Dataset Builder |
Materials Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Database | Open materials database | Toolbar Materials button |
Explore | Open materials explorer |
Simulation > Materials Explorer Check Button > Materials Explorer |
Structures Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Add Triangle |
Add a triangle object | Structures button > Triangle |
Add Rectangle |
Add a rectangle object | Structures button > Rectangle |
Add Polygon |
Add a 3D polygon object | Structures button > Polygon |
Add Circle |
Add a 3D cylindrical object | Structures button > Circle |
Add Ring |
Add a 3D ring object | Structures button > Ring |
Add Sphere |
Add a 3D sphere object | Structures button > Sphere |
Add Pyramid |
Add a 3D pyramid object | Structures button > Pyramid |
Add 2D Rectangle |
Add a 2D rectangle object | Structures Button > 2D Rectangle |
Add 2D Polygon |
Add a 2D polygon object | Structures Button > 2D Polygon |
Planar Solid |
Add a planar solid object | Structures Button > Planar Solid |
Waveguide |
Add a waveguide object | Structures Button > Waveguide |
Import Group
Button | Description | Previous |
GDSII | Import from GDSII file | Import Button > GDSII |
Surface | Import from surface data Z(x,y) | Import Button > Surface |
STL | Import from STL file | Import Button > STL |
(n,k) Material | Import (n,k) material | Import Button > (n,k) Material |
Binary import | Import binary material | Import Button > Binary Import |
Image | Open image import wizard | Import Button > Image |
Groups Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Container | Add new group | Groups Button > Container |
Structure | Add a structures group | Groups Button > Structure |
Analysis | Add an analysis group | Groups Button > Analysis |
Assembly | Add an assembly group | Groups Button > Assembly |
Solvers Group
Button | Description | Previous |
FDTD | Add an FDTD solver simulation object | Simulation Button > Add FDTD Region |
STACK | Add a STACK solver simulation object | Simulation Button > STACK |
RCWA | Add an RCWA solver simulation object | Simulation Button > RCWA |
Learning and Support
Ansys Innovation Space Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Knowledge | Open the Lumerical Knowledge Base | Example and Docs Button |
Forum | Open the Ansys Learning Forum | Forum Button |
Support | Open Ansys Optics support | Support Button |
Learning Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Innovation Courses | Access free online physics and Engineering Courses from Ansys | Courses Button |
Learning Hub | Access subscription-based self-paced and instructor-led courses across the Ansys software portfolio | N/A |
Documentation Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Scripting Help | Open scripting help for Ansys Lumerical products | N/A |
What’s New? | Explore highlights of new features for the latest release | N/A |
Ideas eXchange | Open Ansys Lumerical Ideas eXchange (IX) | Ideas Button |
FDTD
Sources Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Dipole | Add a dipole source | Sources Button > Dipole |
Gaussian | Add a gaussian source | Sources Button > Gaussian |
Plane wave | Add a plane wave source | Sources Button > Plane wave |
TFSF | Add a total-field scattered-field (TFSF) source | Sources Button > Total-field scattered-field |
Mode | Add a mode source | Sources Button > Mode |
Import | Import custom source | Sources Button > Import |
Monitors Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Mode Expansion | Add mode expansion monitor | Monitors Button > Mode expansion |
Refractive Index | Add refractive index monitor | Monitors Button > Refractive index |
Field Time | Add field time monitor | Monitors Button > Field time |
Movie | Add movie monitor | Monitors Button > Movie |
Frequency-Domain | Add frequency-domain field profile monitor | Monitors Button > Frequency-domain field and power |
Note: The previous “frequency-domain field profile” monitor can be obtained by adding a frequency domain monitor and setting spatial interpolation to “specified position” in the “Advanced” tab of the object properties.
Misc. Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Port | Add port | Port Button |
Field Region | Add field region object | Field Region Button |
Mesh | Add mesh control region | Simulation Button > Mesh |
Attributes Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Permittivity Rotation | Add permittivity rotation grid attribute | Attributes Button > Permittivity rotation |
LC Orientation | Add LC orientation grid attribute | Attributes Button > LC orientation |
Matrix Transform | Add matrix transform grid attribute | Attributes Button > Matrix transform |
np Density | Add np density grid attribute | Attributes Button > np Density |
Temperature | Add temperature grid attribute | Attributes Button > Temperature |
Import LC from CSV | Import LC orientation data from CSV | Import Button > Import from csv |
Settings Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Normalization | Change normalization settings | Setting > Normalization state |
Global Source | Edit global source properties | Sources Button > Global properties |
Global Monitor | Edit global monitor properties | Monitors Button > Global properties |
Far field | Change far field projection settings | Setting > Far field settings |
Check Group
Button | Description | Previous |
CPU | Check CPU simulation requirements | Check Button > Check CPU Simulation and memory requirements |
GPU | Check GPU simulation requirements | Check Button > Check GPU simulation and memory requirements |
Run Simulation Group
The “Run Simulation” group is split up into two sections. The left side of the group handles resource selection, while the right side of the group handles running the simulation.
Selecting Resources
Resources are selected using the interface on the left-hand side of the group. The CPU and GPU toggles at the top determines what type of hardware to use to run the simulation, and the drop-down menu corresponds to resources set in the resource configuration manager in the “File” tab. From the drop-down menu, a variety resources, including local, and remote resources utilizing remote machines or high-performance computing services through a message-passing interface (MPI) or a job scheduler can be selected, as seen below.
The right-hand side of the group consists of buttons that either runs or resumes an existing simulation. Their behaviour is described in the table below.
Button | Description | Previous |
Run | Run the simulation using currently selected resource | Run Button |
Resume | Resume the simulation | Resume Button |
RCWA
Button | Description | Previous |
RCWA Field Monitor | Add RCWA field monitor object | Monitors Button > RCWA field monitor |
Attributes Group
Button | Description | Previous |
Permittivity Rotation | Add permittivity rotation grid attribute | Attributes Button > Permittivity rotation |
LC Orientation | Add LC orientation grid attribute | Attributes Button > LC orientation |
Matrix Transform | Add matrix transform grid attribute | Attributes Button > Matrix transform |
np Density | Add np density grid attribute | Attributes Button > np Density |
Temperature | Add temperature grid attribute | Attributes Button > Temperature |
Run Simulation Group
Like the “Run Simulation” group in the “FDTD” tab, the “Run Simulation” group for the RCWA solver is also split into two parts, resource selection on the left and the run button on the right.
The resource can be set using the drop-down menu, like it is for the FDTD solver, and the resource configuration can be done using the resource configuration manager from the “File” tab. See this article for more information on configuring resources for RCWA.
The run button runs the RCWA simulation based on the selected resource, and is described below.
Button | Description | Previous |
Run RCWA | Run RCWA simulation using the selected resource | Run Button |
STACK
Button | Description | Previous |
Edit STACK | Open the property edit window for the STACK simulation object |
With STACK simulation object selected: Edit > Edit properties |
Accessing Old Options
As a part of the modern interface update, several old interface elements have been changed. The method of accessing select options from the old interface are described here.
- Analysis scripts and structure components, previously available via the “Analysis” and “Components” button on the top menu, can be accessed via the Object Library tab on the right menu.
- Viewable objects, previously under View>Viewable objects, are toggled using the buttons above the Objects Tree.
- The ‘Show grid and ‘Snap to grid’ options, previously under View > Drawing grid, can be accessed by clicking on the “Edit drawing grid” option on the left toolbar beside the Objects Tree.
- The “Classic 2D” viewport view, previously under View > Viewport, can be achieved by switching to “Classic” view and toggling off the XZ view and the YZ view. See section above on “Viewport” group for more information on each option.
- The frequency domain monitor is now added with the “Frequency-domain monitor” button. Its behaviour is the same as the previous “Frequency-domain field and power” button. The functionalities of the “Frequency-domain field profile” button can be obtained by first adding a frequency domain monitor using the new button, and then setting spatial interpolation to “specified position” in the “Advanced” tab of the object properties. The script commands associated with these two monitors, addpower and addprofile, have been deprecated and replaced with adddftmonitor.