Make sure the "Use Session Files" option is checked under the File menu. When you open a ZEMAX file and "Use Session Files" is checked, ZEMAX will automatically re-open any analysis windows that were open when the lens file was last saved. The "Use Session Files" option can be un-checked to load lens files more quickly without analysis windows.



From the main menu, select the menu option, "File > Open". You will see a screen appear which lists directories containing sample files. Select the file "Samples > Sequential > Objectives > Double Gauss 28 degree field.zmx". The file will load, and the Lens Data Editor will fill with data. Note there are 12 surfaces, with surface 6 being the system stop surface (STO). Each surface has a Radius, Thickness, Glass, and Semi-Diameter. This is a commonly used photographic objective lens.

If the "Use Session Files" setting is checked, a Layout window will be opened when the Double Gauss lens file is loaded. Layouts are used to see what the loaded lens looks like.

The Layout window can be resized and moved like any other window. To change the settings for this window, select "Settings" from the Layout window menu bar. A dialog box will appear which allows you to customize the settings for this Layout diagram. Change the "Number of Rays" to 7. Next check the "Fletch Rays" box then click "OK". Now the Layout will be drawn with 7 rays per field, instead of 3. The rays will also be "fletched" with arrows indicating the direction of light propagation. This basic procedure for changing the default settings for any window is consistent throughout ZEMAX.

To view the contents of the Layout window more closely, the window may be resized. You may also "zoom in" on any portion of the image with your mouse by holding down the left mouse button and dragging the mouse over a portion of the image. The plot may be zoomed multiple times to show an incredible amount of detail. To unzoom the view, select the menu option, "Zoom > Unzoom" from the menu bar of the Layout window.

Several other types of layouts can be opened from the "Analysis > Layout" menu in the main menu bar. The type of layout plot selected will instantly appear in a new window. Shortcut buttons for making analysis plots can also be defined on the button bar. The "Lay" button on the button bar, for example, opens a 2D layout like the one we just looked at.

TIP:  You can close any open window by clicking on the "X" in the upper righthand corner of the window.