BEFORE YOU START:

1. It is important that you do not plug in your ZEMAX hardware key until you have been told to do so later on in this article. You should also disconnect security keys for any other software that you have while installing ZEMAX.

2. This article refers to installing the single-user key. If you are using the multi-user network key then see this article instead.

In order to install ZEMAX on your computer, you will first need to download the latest version of the installer files from the ZEMAX website.

When installing ZEMAX on a computer for the first time, you will need to download two files from this web page. The two files that you will need are the ZEMAX program itself and the Sentinel key driver.

You can download the Sentinel key driver using this link.

You can download the ZEMAX program from the Downloads & Updates page of the ZEMAX website. Click here to access this page. Once you have opened the Downloads & Updates page, click on the Download for the Latest Full Release. The file name will start with "ZEMAX_". The rest of the filename will include the year-month-day when that particular version of ZEMAX was released.

Please note that this article refers to the Single-User (standalone) key. For instructions on how to install the multi-user network key see this article.

Users of XP-64, please see here.

It is important that you do not plug in your ZEMAX hardware key until you have been told to do so later on in this article. Make sure that no other security keys are plugged in as well.

Now that you have downloaded the files necessary to install ZEMAX, you can begin the installation process. The installation involves running the two files that you just downloaded from the ZEMAX website. Install the key driver first by double-clicking it.  An installation wizard will then open, guiding you through the installation.

When you are asked to choose between Complete and Custom installations, always choose "Complete" install and then click "Next": 

A screen will also appear asking for your permission to modify the firewall settings of your system to allow remote users on your network to access your ZEMAX key using Remote Desktop. If you want to authorize this click "Yes", otherwise click "No". (If you ever want to change the setting, just re-run the installer.)

 

If you plan on running ZEMAX remotely from your machine using Windows' Remote Desktop capability, click on the "Yes" button. Otherwise, click "No". The necessary files will then be installed after which you should see a completion screen. Click "Finish" to close the installation wizard.

At this point, you can plug in the ZEMAX hardware key as well as any other software security keys that you have.

With the Sentinel key driver now installed, you can proceed to install the ZEMAX software. You can start the installation process for ZEMAX by double-clicking on the other file that you downloaded from the ZEMAX website. The file name will start with "ZEMAX_". The rest of the filename will include the year-month-day when that particular version of ZEMAX was released. Once you have double-clicked on the installer, you will see an installation wizard guiding you through the installation process.

 

Click "Next >" to continue the installation. The 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 existing copies of ZEMAX and the ZEMAX manual (in Adobe Acrobat).



You will then be given an opportunity to specify where ZEMAX should be installed.

The default directory of Program Files > ZEMAX is recommended but you may specify a different location if you desire. Once done, click "Next >" to proceed.  You will then be prompted to specify a Start Menu folder name.

 

Specify the name of the Start Menu group you wish ZEMAX to be installed into and then click "Next >".  You will then be given a couple of more options before installation is completed.

If you wish, the installer will place a ZEMAX icon on your desktop and in your Quick Launch bar. Choose the options that you want and click on "Next >".  This will bring up a screen summarizing the installation choices that you have made.

Click on "Install" to continue. The installer will then copy the necessary files to install the ZEMAX software. Once all of the files have been copied, ZEMAX support contact information will be provided to you for future reference. (This information can also be accessed at any time within ZEMAX by pressing the F10 key.) 

Click on "Next >" to continue. The installer will then bring up the installation completion screen which, if you wish, can launch ZEMAX after clicking the "Finish" Button. Make sure that your ZEMAX hardware key is plugged in.

Now, with the Sentinel key driver and ZEMAX program installed, you are ready to run ZEMAX.  By default, ZEMAX will open after the ZEMAX installation wizard is complete. If you did not choose the default option when the installation finished, you can open ZEMAX by:

• double-clicking on the ZEMAX icon on the desktop (if present)
• clicking on the ZEMAX icon in the Quick Launch bar (if present) 
• clicking on the ZEMAX icon in the ZEMAX Start Menu group

ZEMAX should then open. If you see either of the following messages, make sure that you have installed the Sentinel key driver and that your ZEMAX hardware key is plugged in. Refer to page 2 of this article for information on how to install the Sentinel key driver. Once you have corrected the situation, try running ZEMAX again. 

If you are still unable to open ZEMAX, you will need to verify that the key driver is installed properly.  Page 4 of the Knowledge Base article "What to do when ZEMAX will not run" can assist you with this.

When you open ZEMAX, you may see a window requesting that you enter your license code like the one below.

License codes are required in order to run ZEMAX. Each ZEMAX key has a unique license code for each version (release date) of ZEMAX that is released.  If you are requested to enter your license code, please see page 2 of the Knowledge Base article "What to do when ZEMAX will not run" for further assistance.

New versions of ZEMAX are released on a regular basis. Versions of ZEMAX are identified by the date on which they are released. ZEMAX includes a feature which can assist you in ensuring that you have the latest version of ZEMAX installed on your computer. The menu option, "Help > Check for updates" will check the ZEMAX website to see if there is a newer version of ZEMAX available.

If you see the following message, you are running the latest version of ZEMAX.

 

The following message indicates that a newer version of ZEMAX is available for download from the Downloads & Updates page of the ZEMAX website. After downloading the new ZEMAX program, follow the instructions on page 3 of this article to install the new version of ZEMAX.

If you see the following message, a newer version of ZEMAX is available but the support for your ZEMAX hardware key expired before the new version of ZEMAX was released. As such, in order to run this new version of ZEMAX, you will need to renew your support.  You can do so via the web (http://www.zemax.com/shop/Qstore.cgi) or by contacting the ZEMAX Development Corporation Sales department (sales@zemax.com, 425-822-3406).

ZEMAX can also automatically run the Check for updates feature. You can control how often ZEMAX performs this check via the "Files > Preferences > Misc." dialog.

This article has demonstrated how to get ZEMAX up and running on a new computer. In summary:

• Two installer files (ZEMAX program and Sentinel key driver) need to be downloaded from the ZEMAX website
• Once these files are downloaded, they need to be run so that the Sentinel key driver and ZEMAX program are installed properly
• License codes are required to run ZEMAX and can be downloaded from the ZEMAX website
• The "Check for updates" feature in ZEMAX can be used to ensure that you have the latest version of ZEMAX installed