Optical design tools can appear to overlap in capability, particularly when ray tracing is a shared feature. In practice, TracePro, RayViz, and OSLO are differentiated by the problems they are designed to solve and the stages of development they support. Understanding where these tools converge and where they diverge helps engineering teams select the appropriate software without unnecessary redundancy or analytical gaps.
Shared Concepts, Different Objectives
All three tools rely on ray-based optical analysis, but they apply it in fundamentally different ways. OSLO uses sequential ray tracing to evaluate imaging performance through a predefined sequence of optical surfaces. This approach is well suited for lens-based systems where the optical path is intentional and tightly controlled.
TracePro uses non-sequential Monte Carlo ray tracing, allowing rays to interact with any surface in a three-dimensional model based on physical intersection. This enables modeling of reflections, scattering, absorption, and stray light in complex optical and mechanical assemblies.
RayViz enables ray visualization directly within CAD models. Rather than performing detailed optical analysis, it provides visual insight into basic light paths during mechanical design.
While ray tracing is common to all three tools, their assumptions, outputs, and intended uses differ substantially.
Application Focus Defines the Boundaries
OSLO is centered on optical prescription design and optimization. It is most effective when controlling aberrations, refining lens parameters, and evaluating classical imaging metrics such as wavefront error and modulation transfer function. Its role is to define ideal optical performance.
TracePro focuses on system-level optical behavior. It is used to evaluate illumination distribution, stray light, scattering effects, and radiometric or photometric performance in systems where real geometry, materials, coatings, and surface finishes influence outcomes.
RayViz does not replace either approach. Its purpose is to provide early optical insight during mechanical design, allowing teams to identify potential issues before committing to detailed simulation or optimization.
Geometry Handling and Workflow Integration
Geometry representation further distinguishes these tools. OSLO uses parametric surface definitions optimized for precision lens design but not intended for complex mechanical assemblies. TracePro operates directly on detailed CAD geometry, enabling accurate modeling of housings, baffles, apertures, and enclosure surfaces that affect real-world performance.
RayViz operates entirely within SOLIDWORKS, allowing mechanical teams to evaluate how design decisions affect light propagation while geometry is still evolving. This supports rapid iteration without disrupting established CAD workflows.
How Results Are Applied
The outputs of these tools serve different purposes. OSLO informs optical prescription decisions and imaging performance tradeoffs. RayViz supports rapid iteration and communication between optical and mechanical teams. TracePro provides quantitative, system-level validation that supports engineering decisions, risk reduction, and design signoff.
Each tool answers a different class of questions, and their results are intended for different phases of development.
Complementary Use in Practice
In many workflows, these tools are used together. A lens may be designed and optimized in OSLO, integrated into a mechanical assembly using SOLIDWORKS and RayViz, and then analyzed in TracePro to evaluate illumination performance and stray light behavior. Each tool addresses a distinct layer of the problem, and substituting one for another typically results in incomplete analysis or inefficiencies.
Defining Clear Boundaries Improves Outcomes
By clearly separating optical prescription design, CAD-integrated validation, and full system simulation, engineering teams can deploy TracePro, RayViz, and OSLO where they provide the most value. This structured approach improves collaboration, reduces late-stage risk, and supports more reliable optical system development.
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