Thank you for trying out the demonstration version of the ZEMAX Optical Design Program! If you have not already installed the ZEMAX demo, please download the installer now. Once you have downnloaded the demo installer, double-click on it to launch the ZEMAX demo installation wizard.
The ZEMAX demo will introduce you to the user interface, and analysis features of the program. The demo comes with many sample lens files which you can open and investigate. Once each lens file is opened, you can perform diagnostics such as ray fan plots, spot diagrams, layouts, MTF plots and Physical Optics Propagation. You can also perform detail radiometric analysis using non-sequential ray tracing.
ZEMAX integrates features required to conceptualize, design, optimize, analyze, tolerance, and document virtually any optical system. ZEMAX offers power, speed, flexibility, ease of use, and value in one comprehensive program. ZEMAX also goes beyond the traditional limits of ray tracing software by allowing users to use diffraction calculations to propagate any arbitrary beam through an optical system.
Two editions of ZEMAX are available to support your optical modeling needs: ZEMAX-SE and ZEMAX-EE. The demo is of ZEMAX-EE, the Engineering Edition. The differences between editions are mainly in the surface types and tools supported. Please see the Products section on the ZEMAX website for a list of the features in each edition. If you have a special requirement, or need a feature that is not listed, please contact ZEMAX Development Corporation or your local distributor. Complete distributor information is available on the ZEMAX website.
For obvious reasons, the ZEMAX demo cannot do everything that a full, licensed version of ZEMAX can. You cannot modify most of the lens data in the demo. This means you cannot change the number of elements, the radii, the thicknesses, or other data. The ZEMAX demo does not support saving lens files, printing, and other optimization features supported in the actual program.
Continue to the next page of this article for information on how to explore what ZEMAX can do for you using the ZEMAX demo!
The ZEMAX Knowledge Base is an online collection of information created to assist ZEMAX users in using ZEMAX to its fullest potential. The Knowledge Base, like the ZEMAX demo, is also an excellent resource for prospective ZEMAX users. The Knowledge Base can be accessed via the following web address:
The Knowledge Base includes articles written specifically for you, the prospective ZEMAX user. Please feel free to review the following articles which will guide you on your tour of the many useful capability that ZEMAX has to offer:
Exploring Sequential Mode in ZEMAX
Exploring Physical Optics Propagation in ZEMAX
Exploring Non-Sequential Mode in ZEMAX
It is recommended that you review the articles above in the order in which they are listed.
The ZEMAX manual, which is installed with the demo, is a superb resource for learning more about what you can do with ZEMAX. It also can serve as a worthy companion while exploring ZEMAX using the articles above. You can access the ZEMAX manual from the Help menu in the demo.
There is also a wealth of information available on the ZEMAX website. The following pages may be helpful in learning more about what ZEMAX can do:
Summary of ZEMAX Features
ZEMAX Technology
ZEMAX Applications
ZEMAX Short Courses
Purchasing ZEMAX
Contact Information