Zemax Knowledge Base
Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is a trusted optical design and simulation software that delivers reliable results for high-precision optical systems. OpticStudio enables engineers to take a holistic design approach from component to system-level, optimizing performance andensuring manufacturability at scale. In the Zemax OpticStudio Knowledge Base, you will find step-by-step guides for users of every skill level. Start here for learning how to use and apply the software. You may also find useful tutorials in ALH, Application Gallery, and the forums. Links to those resources are available in the navigation bar at the top of the website.
Getting Started & FAQ
- An overview of a typical illumination system design cycle
- Background theory and concepts of illumination design
- Can I change the {DATA} folder?
- Can we model scattering in Sequential Mode?
- Detectors used in illumination design
- Exploring Sequential Mode in OpticStudio
Learning Paths
- Introduction to Narcissus Effect Analysis in Ansys Optics
- Stray Light Analysis Overview
- [Tutorial Series] Designing with Holograms
- [Tutorial Series] Getting Started with OpticStudio
- [Tutorial Series] Getting Started with ZOS-API
- [Tutorial Series] How to Build a Spectrometer
System Setup
- Adding a phase surface to an off-axis mirror
- Adjusting relative luminosity to simulate the visible spectrum
- Analyzing and Selecting Optical Materials with the Granta Material Picker
- Bulk scattering with the Rayleigh model
- Can I define a background material other than air?
- Can I define an initial beam in POP using its M2 value?
File Import/Export
- Automated Export of Zemax Dynamic LSWM DOE to JSON Data for Usage with Static-LSWM and/or Ansys Speos
- Best practices for importing interferometer measured lens data into OpticStudio
- Converting a binary Source File into ASCII
- Creating sequential systems with prisms, CAD parts and other complex objects - webinar
- How accurate is the CAD exchange?
- How to convert from Lumerical simulations to OpticStudio and back
System Analysis
- How to Use Sequence Selector
- Contrast Loss Map in OpticStudio
- Drawing specific rays in layout plots
- Exploring Physical Optics Propagation (POP) in OpticStudio
- How do I create presentation quality graphics and animations?
- How do OPD Reference settings in System Explorer\Advanced section affect wavefront calculation?
System Optimization
- Aspheric Surfaces - Part 1: Introduction to Aspherical Surfaces in Optical Design
- Aspheric Surfaces - Part 2: Compact Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope
- Contrast Optimization: a faster and better method for optimizing system MTF - webinar
- How to constrain the thickness of aspheric components
- How to design a singlet lens, Part 3: Optimization
- How to measure and optimize color data
System Tolerancing
- NEST; Nested Elements and Systems Tolerancing
- A function for generating random index inhomogeneity cases
- Constructing mid-spatial frequency tooling errors for evaluation and tolerancing
- Designing for as-built performance with High-Yield Optimization
- Ensuring the manufacturability of a freeform surface
- How to analyze your tolerance results
Programming Zemax OpticStudio
- Accessing the Ray Database with the ZOS-API using MATLAB - webinar
- Analyzing hologram construction fringes with a ZOS-API User Analysis
- Automated recurring documentation for optical designs with ZOS-API and LaTeX
- Basic method of performing system analysis in ZOS-API
- Batch Processing of Ray Trace Data using ZOS-API in MATLAB or Python
- Connect to OpticStudio from Python with the ZOS-API Interactive Extension
STAR
- Integrated Structural–Optical Modeling of CubeSat Line-of-Sight Jitter Under Random Vibration
- Introduction to STAR Stress Birefringence
- OpticStudio STAR Module - Data import and analysis tutorial
- STAR Active Rigid Body Motion (RBM) Feature
- STAR Symmetry Tool
- STOP Analysis of high-power laser systems - part 5
Tutorials & Applications
- Attaching Interferograms to Optical Surfaces in OpticStudio
- Birdbath architecture for augmented reality (AR) system - part 1-System setup, optimization, and human vision simulation
- Birdbath architecture for augmented reality (AR) system - part 2 – Accurate polarizing element simulation
- Designing a flood light with OpticStudio's Part Designer
- Designing a head-mounted display (HMD) for augmented reality systems in OpticStudio
- Designing a microscope objective with OpticStudio - webinar