RAYCAD

RayCAD is designed to be an optical modeling tool in the spirit of modern CAD concept. Error prone data entry such as global and local coordinates and angles and having to contend with the sign rules in optics is avoided. An input ray is simply a Line which automatically gives start point and direction. Similarly with surface location and orientation - there are no complex x y z offsets or v w u angles to contend with. The operation of RayCAD is consistent with the way you draw and design in AutoCAD. Familiar commands like Move, Rotate and Stretch are used to point and drag surfaces and input rays into the configuration the design requires.

This approach to optical design allows for a familiar way of working. The intuitive data entry enables you to get started quickly. The utilization of AutoCAD's many display features like Dynamic Viewing, perspective and hidden line removal empowers you with an unprecedented look at optical design.

Effort has been made to make RayCAD a responsive tool by keeping the size of the program and the computer demand to a minimum. This allows for quick loading and quick response while, at the same time, leaving AutoCAD fully operational.

The concept of software add-ons is not new. Every package operating under Windows is an add-on to Windows. It doesn't make any sense to design Windows over and over again, and it doesn't make sense for an optical design package to recreate a CAD environment.

There are tremendous benefits from integrating optics and mechanics. Communication between optical and mechanical designers, creativity enhancement, increase in the number of people now having the ability to implement optics in their design, and improvement in package design due to integration are to cite just a few.

Being able to create opto/mechanical designs in the AutoCAD environment is unique. The open architecture of AutoCAD allows a designer the freedom to model just about anything and it's a tool that allows the imagination to run free.

RayCAD opto/mechanical design is the tool you've been waiting for!