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Thread: simpler optics (simulation) software other than Zemax?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
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    96

    Default simpler optics (simulation) software other than Zemax?

    I understand what a powerful tool Zemax is and how useful it is to professionals designing optics, but I'm not an optical engineer. Zemax to me is overwhelming.
    I simply sometimes need to simulate how bounce mirrors will reflect a laser beam or video beam. I have no idea how to do this in zemax. The only way I am able to do this is in a 3d modeller with a raytracing renderer. But that is slow. It doesn't have to be that slow.

    Say I want to check how bounce mirrors or galvo mirrors will perform, or I want to simulate how a halfdome mirror will work with my video projector for panoramic projection.
    I see nothing available for users like me.
    We only have these bad options:
    1) Zemax and similar professional optical design programs which are very difficult to use
    2) programs for simulating simple laser or uncollimated light interactions with simple limited list of lenses, flat or circular mirrors. These are more useful as teaching programs
    3) using a raytracer in a 3d modelling program to do the simulation which takes forever

    Is there really no better option out there?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Germany
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    1,478

    Default

    ... here's a similar thread - https://photonlexicon.com/forums/sho...hlight=algodoo

    If it's only to bounce some beams or "get the feeling" for focussing, then even Algodoo can help ... here a sample I sketched for some fiber-optic-collimating simulations/discussions:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Viktor

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
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    96

    Default

    Thats a good one I have but it seems to not have an uncollimated light source in the list. I found another program called "OptGeo". While site and installer is in french, in the options it has a way to choose English. It has all I need except not being able to draw freeform mirrors, like off-axis parabolic mirrors. https://doc.ubuntu-fr.org/_media/optgeo.gif And in an ideal world something like OptGeo but 3d would be what I would want.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    381

    Default

    I use solidworks. It takes a single digit number of minutes to develop a model with mirrors floating in space or attached to galvos with a beam projected through them. I use this for designing new mirrors, mounts, or evaluating competitors claims (some of whom forget the laws of physics occasionally...)
    Sincerely,
    Ryan Smith
    ScannerMAX Mechanical Engineer
    ryan {at} scannermax.com

  5. #5
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    Apr 2008
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    Poland
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    322

  6. #6
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    Mar 2018
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    Default

    Isnt OSLO a competitor to Zemax and as powerful and complex?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Cleveland Ohio
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    Default

    Zemax is mind numbing.....

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    96

    Default

    Oh, then I guess I'll give OSLO a try. Only judged it from the website photos and people saying it is a Zemax alternative.

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