This article is a walkthrough on how to verify license eligibility, install legacy OpticStudio applications and use your license on a new computer. It provides step by step instructions on how to install OpticStudio for the first time. It explains different types of licenses supported by OpticStudio and how to apply them on your computer. It also includes some useful tips to resolve installation and licensing issues.
Authored By Don Dickinson
Introduction
This article describes how to navigate the installation process for OpticStudio. The different license types, as well as the versions of OpticStudio they can run, are discussed. It also contains links to dedicated troubleshooting articles.
Before proceeding, please read:
This article applies to software licensed via legacy Zemax licenses and not Ansys issued licenses. Legacy Zemax licenses include all USB-based licenses, licenses with 5-digit numeric serial numbers (e.g. 22000), and 6-digit alpha-numeric serial numbers beginning with "L" or "T" (e.g. L100000). You can identify your license type using the guide located here: How to identify your legacy Zemax license.
If you are using Ansys-licensed versions of Zemax software, see Ansys Zemax licensing overview and guides.
- Verify your computer meets the system requirements. Note that a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Service Pack 1, 8.1 or 10 is required for OpticStudio.
- Verify what release your license is eligible to run.
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Perpetual licenses: If you are still under a current support agreement, you can install any version available up to the current release, assuming that the version is compatible with your license type shown in in step 3 below. If your support agreement has expired, you must install a version of OpticStudio released before the support expiration date.
To locate your support expiration date, in OpticStudio navigate to Help...About. You may also check your purchase invoice or latest license activation or update email.
If you are still unsure, open a ticket via the Ansys customer portal. Note that you need a current support agreement to open a ticket. Please include your license key serial number. If you have a Black USB key, it is the 5-digit number engraved on the key itself. For all other license types it is a 7-digit alpha-numeric number starting with "L" (e.g. L000001 ), and is not engraved on the key.
- Subscription licenses: If you have an expired subscription license, you need to purchase a new subscription to reactivate the license before it is valid to run Opticstudio.
- Verify the OpticStudio release you want to use is compatible with your license type. Not all versions of OpticStudio / Zemax work with all license types. Please consult the chart below before installing.
- Download the software. Now that you know which release is eligible and compatible with your license, you can acquire the software. Both the current and available previous versions of the software are available on the OpticStudio legacy downloads page. Note you need an Ansys account with active support to reach this page.
Tip: Backup the OpticStudio installation file after downloading in case you need to reinstall in the future. As per Zemax's Legacy Version support policy, Zemax offers downloads for previous releases up to 2 years old. After that, they are phased out and no longer available.
Installing OpticStudio
Make sure you have administrative privileges to install. Double click the OpticStudio installer file. An Setup Wizard will then open, guiding you through the installation.
Click Next to continue. The End User License Agreement screen will then appear. Read over the terms of the license agreement. If you agree with the terms, click the I accept the agreement radio button and then click Next to continue.
You will then see a screen reminding you to close any open instances of OpticStudio or the manual. After doing this, press Next to proceed.
You will then be prompted for the installation location. By default, OpticStudio will install to C:\Program Files\Zemax OpticStudio, but you can specify the location or folder name of your choice. Click Next to proceed.
Similarly, you can specify the Start Menu folder. Click Next to proceed.
You can then choose to add a desktop icon or quick launch icon. Click Next to proceed.
The next screen brings up a summary of the installation.
Click Install to continue. You'll then see a dialogue notifying you that the installation is progressing.
The installer will then show the completion screen. Click Finish to close the installation wizard. In OpticStudio 19.4 and above, there is an option to launch Opticstudio. If checked, Clicking Finish will also start Opticstudio.
After installing OpticStudio, you must ensure that your license is properly activated and configured. See the "Configuring your OpticStudio license" section for details on this process.
Configuring your OpticStudio license
OpticStudio supports the use of single user and network licenses. If you have previously activated a license or configured your machine and see your license in the Zemax License Manager, you may skip to Opening OpticStudio. Otherwise, open the Zemax License Manager from Start...Zemax Opticstudio..Zemax License Manager and follow the below guidelines to configure your license.
Single user (individual) licenses
Single user (individual) Licenses must be installed on the same machine where OpticStudio is installed. They can be transferred from one machine to another, but they are not available for use over a network.
- If you have a USB single user key (black or red), simply plug it in to your computer. The license number will appear in the Zemax License Manager on either the "View License" or "License Information screen.
- If you received a softkey license activation code, see Activate or transfer a Zemax softkey license without internet access (Zemax legacy). Note that previously used activation codes cannot be reused.
Network licenses
Network licenses are hosted on a network server machine. The license seats can be used on different OpticStudio client machines throughout the network up to the maximum number of seats purchased. Most often these license types will automatically appear in the Zemax License Manager if you are connected to your organization's network. If not, here is additional information to configure the license on your client machine.
- If you are trying to reach a network server that uses a Softkey or Red USB license. Most customers use this type, and the license numbers will be in the format L1XXXXX), refer "Configuring Zemax applications to access a Zemax network license."
- If you are trying to reach a network server that uses a Black USB license (License Numbers are 22000-40999) see the Client section of "Installing OpticStudio with a Black USB network hardkey (server and client)."
After your license is working, move to the Opening OpticStudio section below.
Opening OpticStudio
The first time you launch Opticstudio, the splash screen will show briefly. You'll then be notified that OpticStudio needs to copy some files to your data folder. If you have not changed the data folder location within a previously installed release of Opticstudio, these files are copied to your Windows account's Documents\zemax folder. These files include all the sample lens files and catalogs that come with Opticstudio. Note that if you are upgrading, all the default files from the previous release are overwritten.
Click OK. After the files are copied, OpticStudio will open. If OpticStudio doesn't open or a dialogue box appears, please read the Troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting
What to do if OpticStudio will not launch
If OpticStudio generates a crash, error message, or nothing happens at all (no error ), please see "Troubleshooting your OpticStudio installation."
Cannot find Zemax key or license
- If you see the above message, and you are using a Black USB key plugged into your computer or a black USB that is on a network server, start with Troubleshooting license issues with a Zemax Black USB key license (legacy)
- If you are trying to reach a network server that uses a Softkey or Red USB license (license numbers similar to L1XXXXX , refer to Configuring Zemax applications to access a Zemax network license (legacy)
- If you have an individual softkey license, and you have previously activated this machine but do not see it, see the article How to troubleshoot softkey license issues.
- If you have a red USB individual license plugged into the machine, see How to troubleshoot red USB license issues
License code request
The first time you run OpticStudio, you may be prompted for a license code. This will only happen if you have a black USB license plugged into your machine or are accessing a black USB network license on a keyserver.
If you see this dialog box, your copy of OpticStudio is correctly installed, and the license is working properly. You just need a license code to allow OpticStudio to run with your key, if your license eligible to run the installed release. To request one, refer to "How to request an Opticstudio license code."