I’ve only used Zemax before, but unfortunately have no license at the moment. Is there anyone out there with a positive experience learning/using an open source tool?
3 Likes
Any thoughts @Nicola?
2 Likes
Hi,
it really depends what you need to do: Zemax is a rather capable and comprehensive software but for basic design and optimization is a bit of overkilling. I have a license for OSLO (Lambda Research): the program is ok but a bit outdated, structure similar to Zemax. There is also an EDU version, limited to 10 surfaces, which you can use for free. Another free alternative is KDP2 http://www.ecalculations.com It is rather capable, but I did not use it for any serious design.
4 Likes
OpticsStudio (née zemax) is the best I have used, but it is definitely expensive to keep!
Every so often I search for another open-source or cheaper solution, but none have been up to snuff.
lately, I have been keeping my eye on opticspy. It looks promising! It uses the refractive index database as its glass catalog.
5 Likes
Hi,
there is also Optalix ( http://www.optenso.com/ ) which offers a low-cost entry-level version. Among python packages, there is also Pyrate ( https://github.com/mess42/pyrate ).
Cheers,
Fabian
4 Likes
good tips, thanks! in looking into pyrate (which looks promising) I came across this paper which might also be of interest @hgibbs:
4 Likes
Qioptiq has a free (but closed source) option here - https://www.qioptiq-shop.com/en/Optics-Software/Winlens-Optical-Design-Software/Free-Winlens-Basic/?cur=3
Pyrate looks quite cool!
1 Like
WinLens3D also works well for my job. it has a free version of WinLens3D Basic
Commercial Posting.
3DOptix has recently launched a FREE, cloud-based (no installation is needed) Optical Design & Simulation software tool.
Link: https://design.3doptix.com/
Teaser :
3Doptix revolutionary cloud-based ray optics simulation platform runs on the user’s browser and allows the implementation of versatile optical designs.
The simulation platform has a build-in, off-the-shelf optomechanical component, and common light sources library, as well as a growing optical elements database from leading vendors.
You can also use the 3DOptix optomechanics to design a 3D setup or to build a design with a minimum alignment process - an out of the box working setup.
Just giving this thread a bump - curious if anyone has found anything else over the past couple years they really like? I’m interested in packages that have good python APIs - so opticspy and pyrate seem appealing to me. I’m curious if anyone has been using them. Thanks!!
1 Like
It depends on how detailed / high level modelling you need. For basic stuff, if you are willing to put in some work in designing the geometry of your optical elements, the free and open source ‘Optics Workbench’ for FreeCAD is quite good I think. Here is the GitHub link: GitHub - chbergmann/OpticsWorkbench
I found it very useful for making teaching demos such as shown in my latest YouTube video on beam splitters and the compound microscope here: Beam Splitters and the Advanced Filter Block (plus Microscope Length and Distance RMS/DIN Standards) - YouTube
but it is capable of a lot more.
Thank you very much for sharing such a valuable find.
3DOptix just released Python APIs to their premium uses
This Python package is worth a look: RayTracing. I have used it for optical system design and found it to be reasonably intuitive and easy to use.
1 Like
I’d also like to add Geopter here as it comes the closest to Zemax of all the OS design tools that I’ve found and isn’t too well known:
@hgibbs Could you describe what it is that you want to design if you’re still looking into this two years later? Knowing the use case would better determine what algorithms would be appropriate for the problem. Zemax/CODE V, Oslo, FRED, etc. are really compilations of numerous algorithms for solving different sorts of problems. Open source packages instead tend to focus on more narrow problem domains, such as lens design or beam propagation. For this reason, it’s difficult to recommend something without knowing the problem.
1 Like
@ingo_steiner , can you please explain to the forum in what sense is ‘luminous algo’ considered to be ‘Open software’ as is stated in the title of this thread?
I understand you have made it clear that this is ‘on the market’ but are you claiming this commercial product is also ‘open source’ or ‘source available’ software (as some other commercial software is)?
@ingo_steiner Also, if this is a commercial posting, please mark it as such. See for example the posts from 3DOptix. Thank you.
Sorry, I must have missed that this is about free software only.
Didn’t want to bother you…
No need to delete your post, it is fine to post about commercial software as long as this is indicated. Just put “Commercial Posting” or something similar at the top.