We will now look at the complex geometry creation capabilities of non-sequential mode in ZEMAX.

There are many different types of objects that are built in to ZEMAX that can be used to model many different varieties of geometries. There will be times, however, where the geometry you wish to create will not be possible given the available native objects in ZEMAX. Traditionally, you would then build the geometry that you need in a CAD program and then import the CAD object into ZEMAX. There is another approach that can be taken, however, using the Boolean object.

The Boolean object allows you to combine, using a variety of Boolean operations, up to 10 different non-sequential volume objects. The resulting object remains fully parametric based on the parent objects that were used to create it. As such, unlike imported CAD objects, the construction parameters of Boolean objects can be fully optimized and toleranced!

Open the file "Samples > Non-sequential > Boolean > lens mount.zmx". This sample file demonstrates the use of the Boolean object to model complex objects with ease.

Observe from the NSCE that there are four volume objects defined (Rectangular Volume as well as three Cylinder Volumes). There is also a Boolean object defined. With the Boolean object selected in the NSCE, scroll to the right until you see the columns “Object A”, “Object B”, etc. These are the objects that the Boolean operations that you specify will be applied to.

As you can see, the Rectangular Volume (object 1) is assigned as object A and the three Cylinder Volumes (objects 2-4) are assigned as object B, C and D respectively.

Scroll back to the left in the NSCE and look at the “Comment” column for the Boolean object. The “Comment” column is where the Boolean operation for the object is specified.

Since “a-b-c-d” is specified for the “Comment”, this indicates that objects B, C and D are subtracted from object A. Thus, the three Cylinder Volumes are subtracted from the Rectangular Volume to create a simple lens mounting structure! The four parent objects and the resulting Boolean object are shown side-by-side in the NSC Shaded Model that opens with this example.

While this example demonstrates the subtraction of objects using the Boolean object, objects can also be combined together using addition, intersection and exclusive or (XOR) operations.

Complex geometry creation can be explored in more detail in the Knowledge Base article, "How to Use the Boolean Object and the Combine Objects Tool".