Every now and then something comes up and so I ask if anyone else is using Optical Design, Lighting Simulation or Ray Trace software with SolidWorks. We rec'd an email from Zemax today regarding Zemax 12: http://www.radiantzemax.com/en/zemax/new-in-zemax12.aspx

The interesting thing is that they now have a SolidWorks interface. That is, the part does not need to be exported as an iges from SW and imported into Zemax in order to be used in a simulation making the part editable within the interface. So my question is this: is anyone using Zemax 12 with the SW interface or have they had a demo and are they willing to comment on the performance?

I know there are other Optical and Optomechanical designers on the forum and I know how powerful the software can be for even seemingly simple applications like LED lighting, there just doesn't seem to be much discussion around these types of applications.

Discussion regrading APEX from ASAP Breault: https://forum.solidworks.com/message/194742#194742

A visit a while ago looking for users: https://forum.solidworks.com/message/240657#240657

A really old thread about the topic: https://forum.solidworks.com/message/53815#53815