TracePro
Encyclopedia
TracePro is a commercial optical engineering
software program for designing and analyzing optical and illumination systems. The program's (GUI
) Graphical User Interface is 3D CAD based creating a virtual prototyping environment to perform software simulation before manufacture.
suppression in telescopes and cameras to biomedical applications to LED modeling and solar collector modeling .
In the Aerospace market, TracePro is best known for its stray light analysis capabilities. The program has been used to analyze the FIRST Telescope , James Webb Space Telescope, the Mars Rover cameras, Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph.
, Pro/ENGINEER
, Solid Edge
, and Autodesk Inventor
or other CAD product that exports IGES or STEP models. TracePro additionally has an add-in to Solidworks, the TracePro Bridge. The TracePro Bridge allows users to apply and save optical properties directly to the SolidWorks model via the TracePro System Tree within SolidWorks. To insure data integrity, a single model is used by both TracePro for ray tracing and optical analysis and by SolidWorks for mechanical design and modifying optical material properties. With the Bridge, users significantly accelerate the iterative design process. Users using optical design programs such as OSLO
, Zemax
or Code V
can also import these models to create a complete optomechanical design using the built-in multi-document interface. After creating the optical-mechanical model users then create sources using built-in source wizards, import models from the bulb catalogs or import ray files created from measured data, measured by Radiant Imaging's ProSourceTM Radiant SourceTM product. Then rays are traced through the systems to find energy distributions on any surface or track volume flux through any space. Users can also simulate lit appearance of illumination or lighting systems and trace bitmap images through optical systems to check for uniformity, veiling glare, flare, and distortion issues. Thermal effects and stray light issues can be also be simulated.
(Dynamic Data Exchange) Client/Server interface. This enables the program to work with products such as MATLAB
to create a multi-disciplinary environment . TracePro also uses the Scheme language as a macro language to extend the program's capabilities and provide automated analysis, optimization, and tolerancing capabilities.
Optical engineering
Optical engineering is the field of study that focuses on applications of optics. Optical engineers design components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, and other equipment that utilizes the properties of light. Other devices include optical sensors and measurement...
software program for designing and analyzing optical and illumination systems. The program's (GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
) Graphical User Interface is 3D CAD based creating a virtual prototyping environment to perform software simulation before manufacture.
History
Developed by Lambda Research Corporation of Littleton, MA under an SBIR grant from NASA the program has been in continual development since 1994. NASA uses the program in its next-generation integrated design manufacturing approach as detailed in NASA's Spinoff Magazine.Markets
TracePro is used but not limited to the Aerospace, Defense, Lighting, Display, Biomedical, and Illumination markets. The program has been used in many projects for designing and analyzing all types of optical/illumination systems ranging from stray lightStray light
Stray light is light in an optical system, which was not intended in the design. The light may be from the intended source, but follow paths other than intended, or it may be from a source other than the intended source...
suppression in telescopes and cameras to biomedical applications to LED modeling and solar collector modeling .
In the Aerospace market, TracePro is best known for its stray light analysis capabilities. The program has been used to analyze the FIRST Telescope , James Webb Space Telescope, the Mars Rover cameras, Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) and the Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph.
The TracePro approach
Users create geometry either by using the native TracePro CAD interface or by importing models directly from SolidWorksSolidWorks
SolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
, Pro/ENGINEER
Pro/ENGINEER
Creo Elements/Pro, a product formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER is a parametric, integrated 3D CAD/CAM/CAE solution created by Parametric Technology Corporation . It was the first to market with parametric, feature-based, associative solid modeling software...
, Solid Edge
Solid Edge
Solid Edge is a 3D CAD parametric feature solid modeling software. It runs on Microsoft Windows and provides solid modeling, assembly modelling and drafting functionality for mechanical engineers...
, and Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor, developed by U.S.-based software company Autodesk, is 3D mechanical solid modeling design software for creating 3D digital prototypes used in the design, visualization and simulation of products...
or other CAD product that exports IGES or STEP models. TracePro additionally has an add-in to Solidworks, the TracePro Bridge. The TracePro Bridge allows users to apply and save optical properties directly to the SolidWorks model via the TracePro System Tree within SolidWorks. To insure data integrity, a single model is used by both TracePro for ray tracing and optical analysis and by SolidWorks for mechanical design and modifying optical material properties. With the Bridge, users significantly accelerate the iterative design process. Users using optical design programs such as OSLO
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, Zemax
Zemax
Zemax is a widely-used optical design program sold by Zemax Development Corporation of Bellevue, Washington . It is used for the design and analysis of optical systems...
or Code V
CODE V
Code V is a commercial software package developed by Optical Research Associates. It is used for the design and analysis of optical imaging and optical communication systems...
can also import these models to create a complete optomechanical design using the built-in multi-document interface. After creating the optical-mechanical model users then create sources using built-in source wizards, import models from the bulb catalogs or import ray files created from measured data, measured by Radiant Imaging's ProSourceTM Radiant SourceTM product. Then rays are traced through the systems to find energy distributions on any surface or track volume flux through any space. Users can also simulate lit appearance of illumination or lighting systems and trace bitmap images through optical systems to check for uniformity, veiling glare, flare, and distortion issues. Thermal effects and stray light issues can be also be simulated.
Compatibility
TracePro works with other software products using a DDEDDE
DDE is a three-letter abbreviation that may refer to:In mathematics:* Delay differential equation* Directional derivative estimationIn computing:* Direct data entry* Double data entry* Dynamic Data ExchangeOther:...
(Dynamic Data Exchange) Client/Server interface. This enables the program to work with products such as MATLAB
MATLAB
MATLAB is a numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language. Developed by MathWorks, MATLAB allows matrix manipulations, plotting of functions and data, implementation of algorithms, creation of user interfaces, and interfacing with programs written in other languages,...
to create a multi-disciplinary environment . TracePro also uses the Scheme language as a macro language to extend the program's capabilities and provide automated analysis, optimization, and tolerancing capabilities.
See also
- SolidWorksSolidWorksSolidWorks is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on Microsoft Windows and is being developed by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., a subsidiary of Dassault Systèmes, S. A. . SolidWorks is currently used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers at more than 130,000 companies worldwide...
and SolidWorks Corporation – Has a formal partnership with Lambda Research Organization
- ACISACISThe 3D ACIS Modeler is a 3D modelling kernel owned by Spatial Corporation . ACIS is used by many software developers in industries such as computer-aided design , Computer-aided manufacturing , Computer-aided engineering , Architecture, engineering and construction , Coordinate-measuring machine...
and Spatial CorpSpatial CorpSpatial Corporation was founded in 1986, and had one main product: ACIS, the first commercially available 3D modeling kernel. Through subsequent years, Spatial added products to its portfolio that enabled ISVs mostly in the CAD/CAM industries, to build applications...
– TracePro's GUI is designed using the 3D ACIS modeler and uses the Hoops Graphics Engine
- Optics Software for Layout and OptimizationOptics Software for Layout and OptimizationOptics Software for Layout and Optimization is an optical design program originally developed at the University of Rochester in the 1970s. The first commercial version was produced in 1976 by Sinclair Optics. Since then, OSLO has been rewritten several times as computer technology has advanced...
- TracePro imports OSLO design files and is a compatible product from Lambda Research Corporation
- Optical engineeringOptical engineeringOptical engineering is the field of study that focuses on applications of optics. Optical engineers design components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, and other equipment that utilizes the properties of light. Other devices include optical sensors and measurement...
- Optical lens designOptical lens designOptical lens design refers to the calculation of lens construction parameters that will meet a set of performance requirements and constraints, including cost and schedule limitations....
- Ray tracing (physics)Ray tracing (physics)In physics, ray tracing is a method for calculating the path of waves or particles through a system with regions of varying propagation velocity, absorption characteristics, and reflecting surfaces. Under these circumstances, wavefronts may bend, change direction, or reflect off surfaces,...