Custom Software Extensions for Zemax OpticStudio

What is a Zemax OpticStudio software extension?

A Zemax OpticStudio software extension is a custom plugin or module that allows users to extend the functionality of the software beyond what is provided in the standard application. It enables users to add their own custom optical elements, surfaces, coatings, sources, and analyses using their own algorithms or mathematical models. By creating software extensions, users can tailor Zemax OpticStudio to suit specific requirements, simulate specialized optical components, or integrate custom algorithms and designs into the software.

The Zemax OpticStudio software extension framework provides an interface for users to develop their extensions using programming languages like C#, C++, Mathematica, MATLAB and Python. With the extensions, users can define the properties, behavior, and interactions of their custom optical components, which can then be seamlessly integrated into the OpticStudio environment. Extensions can be loaded within Zemax OpticStudio as a plugin, and the custom elements and features become accessible from the user interface alongside the standard elements provided by the software.

Zemax OpticStudio API programming offers different extension modes:

- User Extension (UE)

- Interactive Extension (IE)

- Standalone Application (SA)

- User Analysis (UA)

- User Operand (UO)

The Standalone Application (SA) mode runs independently without requiring an open instance of Zemax OpticStudio, making it particularly useful for computationally intensive processes. UE and IE are similar to SA but operate within an active Zemax instance and perform operations on the opened file. UA is helpful for non-standard analysis purposes, while UO is used for custom operand functions that are not built into the software."

What we do:

One of our main areas of expertise is the development of standard and custom software extensions and macros for Zemax OpticStudio. In addition to providing a list of standard extensions, we also specialize in creating custom extensions. Please discuss your project with us, and we will write the code tailored to your needs.

Some typical examples of extensions / macros that we can develop for you include:

- All analysis types (i.e., MTF, depth of field, sensitivity, tolerance, stray light, PSF) at various real and imaginary evaluation planes, considering changes in surface properties (such as glass type, coating, aperture, coefficients, etc.) or system variables (wavelength, field, pupil positions, configurations, temperature, etc.) as defined by the user's incremental steps.

- Detailed analysis of optical aberrations (Seidel / Zernike)

- Image evaluation for positioning error, slope error, aspect ratio, offset errors, slope error, aspect ratio error, divergence, dipvergence, offset gradient, slope gradient, local distortion offset, and more.

- Sensitivity analysis of systems involving complex geometries for three-dimensional movement of elements, element groups, or subsystems.

- Tolerance analysis of systems involving complex geometries for three-dimensional movement of elements, element groups, or subsystems.

- Stray light analysis.

- Non-sequential user-defined source modelling.

- Sequential and non-sequential user-defined surface modeling.

- Conditionally modifying surface properties (i.e., glass type, aperture, radius of curvature, thickness, coating, coefficients, etc.) and merit function editor operands (type, variable, target, weight, etc.) during optimization process.

- Backreflection analysis.

- Sunlight concentration analysis.

- Calculating distances, angles, and other geometrical variables between any surfaces (or surface points) in systems with complex geometries together with three-dimensional movement of elements, element groups, or subsystems.

- Collimation map.

- Retardance map.

- Reverse ray tracing.

Do you have an existing Zemax OpticStudio extension that needs improvement or analysis?

We also provide analysis for existing extensions, addressing issues such as:

- Improving functionality

- Fixing bugs

- Enhancing performance, etc.

Let's discuss your project!