Re: OptisWorks

In article <dj6dmq$2hnp$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
alexspamander@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...
> Hello all,
>
> Can someone here share his experiences or opinions about the OptisWorks
> program? http://www.optis-world.com/G_O.asp?soft_id=3
> It is an extension to Solidworks and advertised to be a full featured optics
> design program. Its advantage is the full integration of optical elements in
> the mechanical design.
> Is it possible that this program, rather unknown in the community of optics
> designers can replace a special-purpose program like Zemax and the like?
>
> Thanks, Alexander
>
>
>
I don't have an opinion about OptisWorks, but (speaking
as an optomechanical designer with 30+ years experience)
I don't see the integration of optical design software
with mechanical design software as a big advantage. The
design sequence always seems to be the same: it is
mostly a one-way process.

Optical systems are driven mainly by optical and space
considerations. Once the optical designer has a
collection of optical elements floating in space, it's
the job of the mechanical guy to hold everything
together, maintain positional tolerances, athermalize,
provide adjustments, etc.

I've used I-DEAS since 1994 and SolidWorks since 1999
for optomechanical design. Typically, I receive an IGES,
STEP or Parasolid file of the optical elements
constrained in space, and then fit mechanical parts to
them. Rarely, I need to request minor changes to the
optics, such as flats or bevels to accept spacers, but
never a change to the optical prescription.

I'd look at optical design software on its own merits:
capability, cost, quality of current support and
probablilty of future support.

AW

.

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