Zemax releases active RBM decoupling for STAR Module, plus improved composite surface tolerancing capabilities for OpticStudio and equation-driven import options for OpticsBuilder

OpticStudio® STAR Module 22.3 adds support for individually considering or excluding the impacts of rigid-body motions (RBM) during STOP analysis

OpticsBuilder™ 22.3 adds an equation-driven import option for the most common surface types

KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON— Zemax, an Ansys company, is pleased to announce the latest release of our three major products: OpticStudio®, our flagship optical design solution; OpticStudio® STAR Module, which simplifies and optimizes workflows between finite element analysis (FEA) packages and OpticStudio; and OpticsBuilder™, which streamlines optomechanical packaging.

Announcing our official next-to-last Zemax release

Version 22.3 is our third release this year. The next release after this one will be our last release under the Zemax label. Following the launch of Zemax OpticStudio 23.1, Zemax OpticStudio STAR Module 23.1, and Zemax OpticsBuilder 23.1 in January 2023, we will release only bug fixes to Zemax software in 2023, and we will discontinue releasing Zemax software entirely in 2024. To retain full feature support for one or both products, you'll need to transition to the Ansys Zemax product line. Under Ansys licensing, STAR Module will now be a dedicated feature of the new Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Enterprise Edition.

In addition, Zemax OpticsViewer is no longer available for purchase and will not be available for renewal after 2023. We will not release any new versions of OpticsViewer nor support any bug fixes after the Zemax OpticsViewer 23.1 release.

For more information about Ansys Zemax products, or for help with migrating from OpticsViewer to a new solution type, check out the Ansys Optical Simulation and Design Software page or contact your Ansys Zemax sales representative.

OpticStudio 22.3

OpticStudio 22.3 features the following key changes and additions:

• Composite surface capability

Easily create and tolerance complex surface geometries in sequential mode, including direct tolerancing of irregularities on sag-based surfaces and stacked composite surfaces without requiring work-arounds.
(Professional and Premium editions, subscription only)

• Non-sequential single ray tracing

Build great optical designs through a better understanding of ray behavior in complex imaging systems such as AR exit pupil expanders. Analyze and visualize single rays in non-sequential mode without affecting your original system.
(Professional and Premium editions, subscription only)

• UDA support for extended polynomial lenses

A User Defined Aperture (UDA) will now be added on top of the Extended Polynomial Lens object in non-sequential mode when creating this object during conversion of an Extended Polynomial sequential surface mirror with a user-defined aperture on it. This is important for modeling complex geometries supported by the Extended Polynomial surface and lens which often require specific apertures to deal with effects at the surface boundaries.
(Professional and Premium editions, subscription and perpetual)

• Speos Lens System exporter updates

Gain expert control and save time when exporting lens systems to Ansys Speos. Skip automated reversal when computing systems that are reversed manually; export specific configurations from a multi-configuration system; and save parameters in the Speos Exporter Output Settings, including distortion, variable entrance pupil position, sharpness losses, depth of field, and resolution.
(Professional and Premium editions, subscription and perpetual)

• 2D diffraction order support

Characterize 2D gratings more accurately by specifying start and stop orders in the Non-sequential Component (NSC) Editor for both the X and Y directions.
(Professional and Premium editions, subscription and perpetual)

All editions of OpticStudio 22.3 also introduce improvements to the Prepare for OpticsBuilder tool pertaining to NSC Hard Aperture improvements for stop surfaces. These improvements help users understand in more depth the outcomes of converting stop surfaces to NSC Apertures during ZBD file creation. We've also added Project Directory support for the following file types:

• Physical Optics Propagation (POP) files (.ZBF, .ZMM)
• Objects/Sources/IESNA files (.IES, .DAT)
• Configuration files (.CFG)
• Objects/Sources/Source Files (.CRS, .FFD, .RRD, .DAT, .SDF)

 

OpticStudio STAR Module 22.3

STAR Module licensed users now have access to a feature for active decoupling of rigid-body motions (RBMs) during STOP analysis. Gain more granular control during your analysis by enabling or disabling the impact of RBMs independently of the surface deformation effects.

OpticsBuilder 22.3

OpticsBuilder 22.3 adds a new option for equation-driven import. Expose the surface equations that drive lens surface creation and tie those equations to the part file for your design, so you can store the optical parts in a product data manager (PDM) and recall the equations later. This option is now available for standard, even asphere, odd asphere, binary 2, and off-axis mirror nonsequential component types.

Experience the power of Ansys Zemax optical design software for yourself. Request a free trial today!