TracePro, developed by Lambda Research Corporation, is a leading software solution for non-imaging optical design and analysis. Known for its robust modeling capabilities, precision ray tracing engine, and intuitive user interface, TracePro is widely adopted across industries including lighting, medical devices, aerospace, and automotive. Below are the key attributes that contribute to its position as a preferred tool for professionals designing complex optical systems.
Robust Solid Modeling Capabilities
At the core of TracePro lies a high-performance solid modeling engine that supports the creation of intricate optical geometries with engineering-grade accuracy. Designers can import complex assemblies and components from industry-standard CAD platforms—such as SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, or Creo—using widely accepted formats like STEP, SAT, and IGES. This ensures compatibility and easy collaboration across mechanical and optical design teams.
Alternatively, users can construct geometries directly within TracePro using its native 3D CAD tools, which support a full range of primitives, Boolean operations, and parametric modeling techniques. This built-in flexibility enables rapid design iteration, prototyping, and adaptation to changing design constraints. Whether building freeform reflectors, complex lens assemblies, or mechanical enclosures, TracePro’s modeling capabilities streamline the transition from concept to simulation-ready geometry, reducing development time and minimizing costly design errors.
Advanced Ray Tracing Engine
TracePro’s ray tracing engine delivers both speed and accuracy. It supports precise ray tracing through all types of geometry, including imported spline surfaces, with no missed intersections or “leaky” rays. The software offers two operational modes:
- Analysis Mode: Designed for tracing thousands to millions of rays, enabling interactive, real-time inspection of optical behavior at individual surfaces or system-wide.
- Simulation Mode: Ideal for tracing millions to billions of rays, offering high-resolution simulations for large-scale optical systems where accuracy is paramount.
This dual-mode system allows users to balance performance and detail depending on the simulation requirements.
Extensive Library of Optical Properties
TracePro comes equipped with a comprehensive, research-backed library of predefined optical properties, enabling designers to simulate real-world light interactions with minimal setup. The library includes an extensive range of optical glasses, polymeric materials, infrared-transparent substrates, and biomedical-grade materials. Each material entry includes wavelength-dependent refractive indices, transmission curves, and absorption coefficients, ensuring realistic simulation results.
In addition to bulk materials, TracePro also includes a vast selection of surface finishes and scatter models—ranging from polished optics to roughened, painted, or micro-structured surfaces. Users can simulate bulk scattering, surface reflection, fluorescence emission, and wavelength conversion phenomena with high fidelity. Furthermore, the software supports importing measured BSDF data and creating custom materials or coatings to meet specialized design needs.
This extensive material library eliminates the need for manual data entry, speeds up simulation preparation, and ensures that the resulting optical analysis aligns closely with real-world product behavior.
User-Friendly Interface
The software features a CAD-like graphical user interface designed for accessibility and productivity. Whether users are new to optical simulation or experienced engineers, TracePro’s interface allows intuitive navigation and efficient use of its full feature set, reducing the learning curve and enhancing overall workflow efficiency.
Interactive Optimization Tools
TracePro provides 2D and 3D optimization tools that utilize the Downhill Simplex (Nelder-Mead) algorithm. Users can sketch initial models, set variable parameters, define objective functions, and allow the optimizer to converge on ideal solutions. These tools are especially useful for optimizing LED optics, light guides, and luminaires. Real-time feedback during optimization helps users quickly identify and implement design improvements.
Photorealistic Rendering
TracePro includes physics-based rendering capabilities that simulate the visual appearance of an illuminated optical system. Using actual material properties and lighting configurations, designers can generate realistic visualizations to assess both functional and aesthetic outcomes. This feature supports design reviews and can reduce reliance on physical prototypes.
Specialized Analysis Tools
TracePro includes targeted toolkits for specialized applications:
- Solar Emulator: Simulates solar exposure over specified time intervals, accounting for solar angle, irradiance, and tracking systems.
- Analysis Toolkit: Provides detailed spectral and spatial analysis of optical performance.
- Lighting Toolkit: Facilitates the development of illumination systems by helping users assess uniformity, intensity, beam shape, and spatial distribution.
These modules enhance the depth of system analysis and ensure design requirements are thoroughly validated.
Versatile Applications Across Industries
TracePro supports a wide range of applications:
- Lighting Design: Simulation and refinement of light guides, reflectors, diffusers, and luminaires, ensuring compliance with performance targets such as uniformity and angular distribution.
- Medical and Life Sciences: Development of biomedical instruments, diagnostic devices, and laboratory optics with optimized illumination and minimal thermal load.
- Automotive Lighting: Integration and evaluation of headlamps, taillights, and ambient lighting systems using various technologies including LEDs and HID lamps.
- Aerospace and Defense: Modeling of optical payloads, multispectral systems, and stray light control in high-precision instruments like telescopes and sensors.
Seamless CAD Interoperability
TracePro supports file exchange with CAD software using formats such as STEP, SAT, and IGES. Its integration with SOLIDWORKS® via the RayViz add-in enables direct application of optical properties in the CAD environment, allowing models to be exported to TracePro for detailed optical analysis. This seamless interoperability bridges the gap between mechanical and optical design teams.
Customization and Automation
The software includes a powerful macro scripting environment based on the Scheme language. Users can automate repetitive tasks, create custom workflows, and extend the software’s capabilities. The Macro Recorder aids in learning the scripting syntax and speeds up the creation of automated routines. Nearly all functions in the user interface are script-accessible, supporting full control over geometry, simulation, and analysis operations.
TracePro stands out as the premier tool for non-imaging optical design thanks to its comprehensive features—from solid modeling and accurate ray tracing to rich optical material libraries, photorealistic rendering, and powerful automation tools. Its versatility across diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, lighting, and medical devices highlights its effectiveness in solving real-world optical challenges. Combined with seamless CAD integration and user-friendly optimization tools, TracePro significantly accelerates the product development cycle while enhancing design accuracy and performance.