Best open software for optical system design

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 I have a license for OSLO (Lambda Research): the program is ok but a bit outdated, structure similar to Zemax.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