Ansys Zemax OpticStudio
Planned OptixLog integration for Ansys Zemax optical design software
Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Integration
Planned Feature — Zemax OpticStudio integration is on our roadmap. This page outlines our planned approach.
Ansys Zemax OpticStudio is the industry standard for optical and illumination design. It's used to design camera lenses, microscope objectives, telescopes, AR/VR optics, and more.
What is Zemax OpticStudio?
OpticStudio provides comprehensive tools for:
Sequential Ray Tracing
Imaging system design and optimization
Non-Sequential Ray Tracing
Stray light, illumination, complex geometry
AR/VR Optics
Waveguides, HOEs, freeform displays
Tolerance Analysis
Manufacturing sensitivity, yield prediction
Why Integrate Zemax with OptixLog?
| Challenge | OptixLog Solution |
|---|---|
| Design iterations pile up | Automatic version tracking |
| Optimization runs generate many variants | Log all candidates systematically |
| Tolerance analysis produces large datasets | Store and query efficiently |
| Collaboration across teams | Share designs with context |
| Knowledge transfer | Preserve design rationale |
Planned Integration Approach
ZOS-API (Primary)
Zemax offers the ZOS-API for Python integration:
# Planned integration example
import clr
import os
from optixlog import Optixlog
# Add Zemax DLL references
clr.AddReference(r"C:\Program Files\Zemax OpticStudio\ZOS-API\Libraries\ZOSAPI.dll")
clr.AddReference(r"C:\Program Files\Zemax OpticStudio\ZOS-API\Libraries\ZOSAPI_Interfaces.dll")
import ZOSAPI
# Initialize OptixLog
client = Optixlog(api_key=os.getenv("OPTIX_API_KEY"))
project = client.project(name="Zemax_Designs", create_if_not_exists=True)
# Create run
run = project.run(
name="camera_lens_optimization_v5",
config={
"tool": "Zemax OpticStudio",
"design_type": "Double Gauss",
"focal_length_mm": 50,
"f_number": 1.4,
"wavelengths": [486.1, 587.6, 656.3], # F, d, C lines
"field_angles_deg": [0, 10, 20]
}
)
# Connect to OpticStudio
zos = ZOSAPI.ZOSAPI()
app = zos.CreateNewApplication()
system = app.PrimarySystem
# Load design
system.LoadFile("double_gauss_v5.zmx", False)
# Run optimization
optimizer = system.Tools.OpenLocalOptimization()
optimizer.Algorithm = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationAlgorithm.DampedLeastSquares
optimizer.Cycles = ZOSAPI.Tools.Optimization.OptimizationCycles.Automatic
optimizer.RunAndWaitForCompletion()
# Extract merit function value
mf_value = system.MFE.CalculateMeritFunction()
# Log results
run.log(step=0,
merit_function=float(mf_value),
effective_focal_length=float(system.SystemData.Aperture.EFL),
total_track=float(calculate_total_track(system)))
# Extract and log aberration data
run.log(step=1,
spherical_aberration=get_seidel(system, "SA"),
coma=get_seidel(system, "COMA"),
astigmatism=get_seidel(system, "ASTIG"),
field_curvature=get_seidel(system, "FC"),
distortion_percent=get_distortion(system))
# Log spot diagrams
for field_idx, field_angle in enumerate(run.config["field_angles_deg"]):
spot_data = generate_spot_diagram(system, field_idx)
run.log_matplotlib(f"spot_field_{field_angle}deg", spot_data)Companion App (Secondary)
The OptixLog Companion App will also support Zemax file formats.
Planned features for Zemax:
- Watch directories for
.zmx,.zosfiles - Extract key metrics from lens files
- Parse tolerance analysis results
- One-click sync to OptixLog
Use Cases We're Targeting
1. Lens Design Optimization
# Track optimization progress
run = project.run(
name="telephoto_optimization",
config={
"design": "telephoto_600mm",
"optimization_target": "MTF",
"variables": ["radii", "thicknesses", "glasses"]
}
)
# Log each optimization cycle
for cycle in range(num_cycles):
optimizer.RunOneCycle()
run.log(step=cycle,
merit_function=float(system.MFE.CalculateMeritFunction()),
mtf_30lp=get_mtf(system, 30),
mtf_50lp=get_mtf(system, 50))2. Tolerance Analysis
run = project.run(
name="tolerance_analysis_production",
config={
"design": "smartphone_camera_v2",
"monte_carlo_samples": 1000,
"yield_target": 0.95
}
)
# Run Monte Carlo tolerance analysis
tolerance_tool = system.Tools.OpenTolerancing()
tolerance_tool.RunAndWaitForCompletion()
# Log sensitivity results
for surface in range(system.LDE.NumberOfSurfaces):
sensitivity = get_surface_sensitivity(tolerance_tool, surface)
run.log(step=surface,
surface=surface,
radius_sensitivity=sensitivity["radius"],
thickness_sensitivity=sensitivity["thickness"],
decenter_sensitivity=sensitivity["decenter"])
# Log yield prediction
run.log(step=system.LDE.NumberOfSurfaces,
predicted_yield=float(tolerance_tool.YieldEstimate),
worst_offender=get_worst_toleranced_surface(tolerance_tool))3. Multi-Configuration Zoom Lens
run = project.run(
name="zoom_lens_24_70mm",
config={
"type": "zoom",
"focal_lengths_mm": [24, 35, 50, 70],
"aperture": "f/2.8 constant"
}
)
# Log performance at each zoom position
for config_idx, focal_length in enumerate(run.config["focal_lengths_mm"]):
system.MCE.SetCurrentConfiguration(config_idx + 1)
run.log(step=config_idx,
focal_length_mm=focal_length,
efl_actual=float(system.SystemData.Aperture.EFL),
mtf_center=get_mtf(system, 30, field=0),
mtf_edge=get_mtf(system, 30, field=max_field),
distortion_percent=get_distortion(system))4. Non-Sequential Stray Light
run = project.run(
name="stray_light_analysis",
config={
"system": "space_telescope",
"analysis_type": "ghost_analysis",
"ray_count": 10_000_000
}
)
# Run ray trace
nsc_trace = system.Tools.OpenNSCRayTrace()
nsc_trace.NumberOfRays = 10_000_000
nsc_trace.RunAndWaitForCompletion()
# Log detector results
detector_data = get_detector_data(system, "image_plane")
run.log(step=0,
ghost_intensity_ratio=float(detector_data["ghost_max"] / detector_data["signal_max"]),
total_scattered_flux=float(detector_data["scattered"]),
signal_to_ghost_dB=float(10 * np.log10(detector_data["signal_max"] / detector_data["ghost_max"])))
run.log_matplotlib("detector_image", plot_detector(detector_data))Data We Plan to Track
Design Prescription
| Parameter | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Surface data | Array | Radii, thicknesses, materials |
| Aperture | Object | EPD, F/#, NA |
| Fields | Array | Angles, heights |
| Wavelengths | Array | nm values with weights |
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Type | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Merit function | Float | RMS wavefront |
| MTF | Array | cy/mm vs contrast |
| Spot size | Float | μm RMS/GEO |
| Wavefront error | Float | waves RMS |
| Distortion | Float | % |
| Seidel aberrations | Object | SA, COMA, ASTIG, FC, DIST |
Tolerance Results
| Data | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivities | Object | Per-surface, per-tolerance |
| Monte Carlo results | Distribution | Merit function histogram |
| Yield estimate | Float | Probability of acceptance |
| Compensators | Object | Focus, tilt adjustments |
Timeline
| Phase | Status | Target |
|---|---|---|
| ZOS-API research | 🔄 In Progress | Q1 2025 |
| Basic scripting support | 📋 Planned | Q2 2025 |
| Tolerance integration | 📋 Planned | Q2 2025 |
| Companion app support | 📋 Planned | Q3 2025 |
| Full feature parity | 📋 Planned | Q4 2025 |
Get Early Access
Interested in Zemax OpticStudio integration?
We'll prioritize development based on demand and reach out when early access is available.
Related
- Ansys Photonics Overview — Integration philosophy
- Ansys SPEOS — Optical system simulation
- Lumerical — Photonics simulation