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Science Forum Index » Optics Forum » Simple, free, optical modeling program?
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| Dave |
 Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:22 am |
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I have a specific problem I wanted to model, and have been looking at
the array of free ray-tracing and lens modeling software. Perhaps
someone here can help direct me to something less ambitious than, say
OSLO EDU. That looks wonderful, but not being an optical designer
already, I got hopelessly lost within minutes!
What I want to model is a hollow transparent sphere illuminated by the
Sun, and the shadow image it would cast at varying distances. I'd like
to be able to select different materials (index primarily, not likely
to need to get into dispersion), inner and outer radii, possibly fill
material (index again.)
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Dave |
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| Skywise |
| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 12:22 am |
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Dave <dbell@thebells.net> wrote in news:572d6db7-a403-4eb0-89e5-
509ff65919cf@c4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com:
Quote: I have a specific problem I wanted to model, and have been looking at
the array of free ray-tracing and lens modeling software. Perhaps
someone here can help direct me to something less ambitious than, say
OSLO EDU. That looks wonderful, but not being an optical designer
already, I got hopelessly lost within minutes!
What I want to model is a hollow transparent sphere illuminated by the
Sun, and the shadow image it would cast at varying distances. I'd like
to be able to select different materials (index primarily, not likely
to need to get into dispersion), inner and outer radii, possibly fill
material (index again.)
Any suggestions?
Are you wanting to analyze the optical properties of the sphere
or just get a pretty picture with an accurate simulation of it's
shadow?
Brian
--
http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism
Seismic FAQ: http://www.skywise711.com/SeismicFAQ/SeismicFAQ.html
Quake "predictions": http://www.skywise711.com/quakes/EQDB/index.html
Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes? |
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| Dave Bell |
| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:17 am |
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Skywise wrote:
Quote: Dave <dbell@thebells.net> wrote in news:572d6db7-a403-4eb0-89e5-
509ff65919cf@c4g2000hsg.googlegroups.com:
I have a specific problem I wanted to model, and have been looking at
the array of free ray-tracing and lens modeling software. Perhaps
someone here can help direct me to something less ambitious than, say
OSLO EDU. That looks wonderful, but not being an optical designer
already, I got hopelessly lost within minutes!
What I want to model is a hollow transparent sphere illuminated by the
Sun, and the shadow image it would cast at varying distances. I'd like
to be able to select different materials (index primarily, not likely
to need to get into dispersion), inner and outer radii, possibly fill
material (index again.)
Any suggestions?
Are you wanting to analyze the optical properties of the sphere
or just get a pretty picture with an accurate simulation of it's
shadow?
Not particularly "pretty", but yes, it's the shadow that interests me,
and how it is affected by varying the properties of the sphere.
(Various glasses vs. acrylic, wall thickness, etc.)
Thanks
Dave |
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| Bruno Barberi Gnecco |
| Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:39 pm |
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Dave wrote:
Quote: I have a specific problem I wanted to model, and have been looking at
the array of free ray-tracing and lens modeling software. Perhaps
someone here can help direct me to something less ambitious than, say
OSLO EDU. That looks wonderful, but not being an optical designer
already, I got hopelessly lost within minutes!
What I want to model is a hollow transparent sphere illuminated by the
Sun, and the shadow image it would cast at varying distances. I'd like
to be able to select different materials (index primarily, not likely
to need to get into dispersion), inner and outer radii, possibly fill
material (index again.)
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Dave
Have you considered POV Ray? You don't mention what physics
effects you want to simulate, but POV could be your choice if you're
not looking for very sophisticated effects. It's not user friendly,
but since your image is extremely simple (a sphere and a plane, I'm
guessing), it won't be difficult to write it. Take a look at this:
http://www.nathan.kopp.com/photons.htm |
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| Brian |
| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:43 am |
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On Feb 12, 8:22 pm, Dave <db...@thebells.net> wrote:
<snip>
Quote: OSLO EDU. That looks wonderful, but not being an optical designer
already, I got hopelessly lost within minutes! <snip
Dave, Don't get faint hearted about OSLO EDU. It can answer your
question, all you need is a little patience. As it happens I am now
responsible for all OSLO training in Europe, and I have in the past
written tutorial notes specifically for the likes of those who, like
yourself, are starting from square one in optical design, and want to
answer questions such as the one you are asking. They should take
about three evenings to get through.
Your problem is in fact an interesting one, and once I get time I plan
to use it as the basis of some new tutorial material to demonstrate
the OSLO EDU "Source" menu option. I will pass it to you when it is
ready. In the mean time I am forwarding the existing tutorial notes to
your thebells.net email address.
Brian Blandford
Ancient and Modern Optics
amoptics (dot) com |
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| Dave |
| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:58 am |
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On Feb 13, 5:39 pm, Bruno Barberi Gnecco
<brunobgDELETET...@users.sourceforge.net> wrote:
Quote:
Have you considered POV Ray? You don't mention what physics
effects you want to simulate, but POV could be your choice if you're
not looking for very sophisticated effects. It's not user friendly,
but since your image is extremely simple (a sphere and a plane, I'm
guessing), it won't be difficult to write it. Take a look at this:
http://www.nathan.kopp.com/photons.htm
I've heard of it, but haven't checked it out.
Will do - thanks!
Dave |
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| Dave Bell |
| Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:34 pm |
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Brian wrote:
Quote: Your problem is in fact an interesting one, and once I get time I plan
to use it as the basis of some new tutorial material to demonstrate
the OSLO EDU "Source" menu option. I will pass it to you when it is
ready. In the mean time I am forwarding the existing tutorial notes to
your thebells.net email address.
I got it, thanks!
Digging in, tonight...
Dave |
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