TracePro
Knowledge Base Articles for TracePro
Knowledge Base
- When applying a Fluorescence Property in TracePro, the Apply Properties dialog requires input values for the following parameters:
- I am entering aspheric terms in the Insert Lens Element dialog, how are the parameters defined in the sag equation?
- Would you please explain the coherence between the saved total lumens and the number of ray traced.
- I am using automatic importance sampling and for some surfaces, the Prescription is being set to -1. Why does this happen?
- I am using automatic importance sampling and for some surfaces, the Prescription is being set to -1. Why does this happen?
- Question on the import of 3D models from Pro-E and I-deas into TracePro. The TracePro manual has a small section that deals with the translation settings at a file export from a 3D CAD program.
- Candela Plots - changes to reported values - Min, Max, Collected Flux, Total Flux, Total Rays, Efficiency
- I generated a ray file using ProSource 5.2 and inserted a source into TracePro. I have a question regarding units: The ProSource file shows a peak intensity of 0.26 Candela
- Suppose I have assigned a user-defined surface property to some of my surfaces. Then at a later date, I wish to modify that property with the property editor.
- In Analysis/Irradiance Options/Map Data/Quantities to plot, there are a lot of map types to select. Could you provide some information about "CIE(xy)" and "CIE(u'v')" or their applications in optics?
- When I attended the TracePro training course, there was mention of references that related surfaces cleanliness levels (specified by MIL-STD-1246C) to cleanroom classifications (specified by FED-209D)
- Comparing Tilt values in OSLO vs TracePro after importing OSLO lens file
- What options are available in TracePro for importing CAD files, and which option is best?
- After running the raytrace for one model having one exit surface, I want to run a raytrace for another model where the light source is the output of the first model.
- I have measured scatter data, and I want to use this data to create a Surface Property in TracePro. What options are available?
- I would like to model a plastic object with a rough finish that diffuses light. How can I create the properties for this in TracePro?
- Can you supply an explanation of the format the data from a rectangular iso-candela plot is saved in when saved as a text file?
- I have created a large elliptical reflector with focal length 1 = 100,000 mm, focal length 2 = 10,000 mm, and z position = 55,000 mm. The reflector has approximately 200 surfaces.
- How can I determine the angle of an incidence for a ray relative to the surface that it intersects?
- I'm not 100% sure, but I think that each time I apply an update for TracePro, the materials I have custom defined disappear and I have to re-define them again.
- I imported a CAD file. Now I am trying to apply a Material Property to one of the objects, but I get the following error message: Material property cannot be applied to a thin sheet body!
- What version of SolidWorks is compatible with TracePro and TracePro Bridge?
- Error: Could not load SiAppDll dll files
- How can I export Irradiance Data to CAD programs?
- If a source which has a specific spectral profile is used for raytracing, how is the power, in FC or in lumen whichever, in each wavelength calculated?
- I understand that you have attempted to use NetMeeting with TracePro, but only the frame of the TracePro Window appears without any detail in the model window.
- I have set up a Grid Raytrace with a rectangular grid boundary, with half-height x and y set = 10. I also selected a Rectangular Grid Pattern with 10 x-points and 10 y-points.
- How many rays should I trace?
- IES File format
- Is it possible that TracePro can import a BMP file (i.e. a color picture ) as a light source? and what should I do?
- I wonder, is it possible to load (import) the ray data again? This would be very important for me because I want to manipulate the rays with DOE's (diffractive optical elements).
- When installing TracePro or OSLO, I get an error message that the Sentinel Drivers failed to install. How do I resolve this?
- How do I enable Windows Installer Logging?
- How can I resolve the License Failure resulting from the System Time message?
- How can I resolve the License Failure resulting from the Codemeter service shutting down?
- I am new to TracePro, and I like the program, but occasionally during a long raytrace, the program crashes. Any suggestions?
- We need to simulate a plastic material (PMMA, PC). What materials in the TracePro Properties database should we use in order to have an accurate simulation?
- Modeling sources in TracePro to obtain valid near-field analysis results
- I have purchased a TracePro Network License, and I would like to allow a TracePro user at a remote location (not on the company Local Area Network) to access the license. How can I set this up?
- I have tried to combine two files using either File/Merge or Insert/Part, but the new objects are not brought in at the correct locations. What can be done to resolve this?
- When viewing an Irradiance Map or a Candela Plot, I find that changing the settings for Number of Pixels, Plot Points, or Smoothing causes the results to vary significantly.
- Opening a STEP file, the object is not visible unless it is selected, and after a while, I determined that the object appears white against the white TracePro background, so I changed the color.
- I have created an Elliptical Reflector in TracePro, and the ray trace results look good. Now, I need a Sag Table to send out to have the Reflector manufactured. How do I get this data?
- I would like some data for Optical Black surfaces. Can you point me to any references?
- I'm looking for any information regarding the best PC configuration for running TracePro. I'm looking to invest in new hardware, and I'd like to buy the optimal configuration.
- I imported a CAD file into TracePro, but the local origin defined in the CAD Program is lost. Now I want to scale and rotate objects relative to each other, but it doesn't work right.
- I have performed a Grid Raytrace in my model, and TracePro is reporting multiple "overlapping object" error messages.
- Raytrace Report - Virtual Memory values do not agree with Windows Task Manager
- Why does the raytrace progress dialog show that some rays trace faster than others?
- I am debugging my model and ran into some questions about the orientation of polarization. Please explain the relationship between the Stokes Vector and the Global Coordinate System of the model.
- I have applied a RepTile "bump-type" Property to a surface in my TracePro model. Why are the bumps still below the surface of the object?
- I have a problem running a loop in the macro below:
- I'm not sure what the reverse ray trace is about. Would that benefit us at all in the way we are using your software?
- How do I rotate a block in Scheme?
- How do I save the illuminance map as a text file? I have been looking at the menu and cannot find the right selection. How does the 'save raydata' option work? where does it save the raydata?
- "I imported a single object into TracePro from a STEP file. Next, I tried to scale it leaving the ""Scale position"" box unchecked, but the position appears to have scaled anyway. Why?"
- I want to make a surface which has some scattered transmittance. So I made a Fresnel type surface with varing BTDF ratio.
- When running long scheme macros, I get the error message "out of heap space" or "free store overflow" in the Message/Macro window, and the macro fails to run to completion." How can I resolve this?
- The TracePro behavior when selecting objects and surfaces seems different in this latest release. Please explain.
- I have an optical system for which the file is generated in a mechanical CAD program. I imported the system into TracePro from a Step file. The result was that the whole system became a single object.
- What is the best approach for setting the Flux Threshold?
- How can I share properties that I have created in TracePro with other TracePro Users in my company?
- As an inexperienced optical designer, I have little idea what degree of smoothing (i.e. what range of waist radii) is generally appropriate to provide the most realistic answers.
- Surface and Material Properties - guidelines for when to use one or both
- I am looking to apply a Surface Property in my model, but none of the properties that are supplied with TracePro seems to be a good match to the actual surface. What other resources are available?
- I edited a Texture file in Excel, saved it as a text file, then tried to use it in TracePro, but I get an error message that TracePro fails to read the Texture File. How can I resolve this?
- TracePro 7.0.5 and OSLO 6.5.4 Installation of Sentinel Drivers to minimize the impact of conflict with LabView software from National Instruments
- When I launch TracePro, the program crashes (I observe a Runtime Error message). How do I get TracePro running again?
- The instant I open a volume flux file TracePro crashes. The identical file and procedure work on another machine. I have tried ..... to no avail. I really need a fix for this! What can you suggest?
- I am observing display issues in TracePro on my laptop. How can I fix this?
- TracePro is not responding
- When I launch TracePro, I see a license error - Key Serial No. XXX does not support Release 7.5.0/7.5.1. How can this be resolved?
- I would like to make use of the macro language in TracePro, how do I get started?
- Are you moving away from FLEXlm licensing? Why? Who's licensing technology is associated with the new USB hardware key?
- When I attempt to download the TracePro Installer, I see the message "TracePro...Installer.exe is not commonly downloaded and could harm your computer". Is it OK to download?
- When I perform a ray trace, the message/macro window displays the following Warning: Possibly defective Object 1 is being added to the ray trace. ACIS Error: Transform translation is too large
- I am unable to change the color of an object I imported into TracePro from a CAD file. How can this be resolved?
- Understanding Candela Plot Orientation (this KB article contributed by a TracePro customer)
- I have succeeded in getting Microsoft's Remote Desktop working on my pc so that I can access my work computer remotely. But I am having trouble using software from Lambda Research with this system.
- I am running LASCAD, and would like to import TracePro Volume Flux data. Will it work?
- I have found that the value of Max Candelas reported at the bottom of the Polar Iso-Candela Plot and the Rectangular CandelaDistribution are different.
- "Which tools within TracePro are you aware of for the detection of vignetting? What is your strategy? One (clumsy) way which comes to my mind would be the following:
- Question Why do I see "Warning Message - out of valid wavelength range (400 to 700)", and how can I resolve the problem?
- I recently downloaded a TracePro Ray File from an LED manufacturer, and when I insert the File Source into the TracePro model, the wavelengths are incorrect. How can this be corrected?
- I want to save the work of TracePro into the IGES/STEP format, but it tells me no such feature exists, and another message tells me that IGES/STEP Translator is required for data translation
- We've become aware of an Error Message that occurs when trying to open a STEP (.stp) or IGES (.igs) file when running TracePro on a PC that's also running a Chinese or Japanese version of the WOS.
- Synopsis: TracePro Properties Database - DB SQL Errors - while applying or creating a property
TracePro Reference Literature
TracePro Tutorials
TracePro Videos
- Introduction to TracePro
- Getting Started with TracePro
- Start to Finish Optical Design using OSLO, RayViz, and TracePro
- Elliptical Reflector Example
- Making Geometry and using Boolean Operators
- Making Grid, Surface, and File Sources
- Design Analysis Tools
- Demonstration of the 3D Irradiance and True Color Capability in TracePro 7.1. How to show irradiance and true color on all surfaces and objects in your system view with TracePro.
- Introduction to radiometry and photometry with TracePro. Overview of radiometric and photometric measurement systems and units and how they relate to TracePro illumination analysis.
- Making Custom Properties in TracePro
- How to use the surface source property generator utility to make an asymmetric LED surface source property with TracePro.
- 15. Scattering and the Surface Property
- 16. Surface Property Generator
- 17. RepTile Property and the Texture Optimizer II
- 18. Modeling Light Sources
- 19. Accurate LED Source Modeling
- 20. Ray and Path Sorting
- 21. IES/LDT Plots Utility
- 22. Luminance, Radiance, and Photorealistic Rendering
- 23. Modeling, Analyzing, and Optimizing Solar Collection Systems
- 24. Optimizing the Optimization Process
- 25. Reducing Noise, Memory Usage, and Raytrace Times
- 26. Improving Productivity and Efficiency in TracePro
- 27. LED Luminaire Analysis
- 28. LED Luminaire Design and Optimization
- 29. LED Lighting Design
- 2D Interactive Optimizer to Design Optical Reflectors - Introduction (2012)
- 30. Efficient Luminaire Design
- 31. Designing LED PAR Lamps
- 32. Designing and Optimizing Reflectors
- 33. Efficient Light Pipe Design
- 34. Designing and Optimizing Light Guides
- 35. LED Lens Design
- 36. Ghost and Stray Light Analysis
- 37. Pulse Oximeter Design and Analysis
- 38. Monte Carlo Tolerancing
- 39. OSLO, RayViz, and Tracepro
- Making an LED Surface Source Property
- TracePro Photorealistic Rendering - Introduction
- TracePro Solar Utility - Introduction
TracePro Examples
TracePro White Papers
- Breaking TIR, is it against the law?
- Freeform Optics for Illumination
- Modeling Large Surface Features using BSDF
- Optical Modeling of UV Sterilization Systems
- The Importance of Accurately Modeling Scatter in Luminaire Design
- Tolerancing in Illumination Optics
- Improving the Efficiency of Monte Carlo Raytracing using Importance Sampling