Optical Design Software

For SOLIDWORKS and Rhino

 About Photopia
Photopia is optic design software used by optical engineers to virtually prototype the
performance of non-imaging optical systems before building physical prototypes.

Photopia’s monte-carlo raytracing engine works inside of Solidworks or Rhino and is

compatible with Inventor, Fusion, Catia, Creo, Pro/E and many other CAD softwares.

https://www.ltioptics.com/
 About LTI Optics
LTI Optics is the company that creates and sells Photopia optical design software.

We are a small company located in Westminster Colorado supporting our software

around the entire globe.

Members of our team have been working on Photopia and its predecessor since the
1990’s, continually improving and refining our raytracing and optical design engines.

https://www.ltioptics.com/
Illumination – Light Guides – Optical Sensors

Some of the range of optical systems you can design and model with Photopia.
Photopia for SOLIDWORKS
Photopia for SOLIDWORKS
Photopia for SOLIDWORKS
Photopia for Rhino
True Color Modeling in Photopia
Modeling Spatial Spectral Emission Properties of LEDs
 Simulation Accuracy - LED Collimator Lens

Photo of Actual Beam Image Photopia’s Simulated Beam Image

Parametric Free-Form Reflector Design Tools – Aiming &
Weighting Factors
 Parametric Free-Form Lens Design Tools
Prismatic/Smooth, Profile Mapping, Aiming & Weighting
Parametric Lens Design Tools
Optimization Using Galapagos in Grasshopper

Multi-parameter genetic algorithm optimization in Rhino. Showing various designs

recorded along the progression, with beam angles getting closer to the desired 40°.
Smooth Spherical Lens Optics in SOLIDWORKS
Smooth Spherical Lens Optics in SOLIDWORKS
 Aspherical Free-Form Lens Fit Tool
with Grasshopper VPL in Photopia for Rhino

Determine aspheric lens parameters for a free-form lens shape using the
Grasshopper VPL in Photopia for Rhino.
Lamp Library with Source Geometry & Optical Properties

Cree XHP-70 Model Geometry

Lamp Library with Source Geometry & Optical Properties

Cree XHP-70 Model Spectral Properties

Color Over Angle Variations
Photopia LED Geometry Based Source Models
 Photopia LED Source Models
Geometry + Variable Spectrum Over Emission Angle

Cree XP-L 3000K Color Lamp Model

Photopia Source Library - LED Modules & Arrays
Photopia Source Library - LASERS
Osram – TO56
450nm laser diode

SLD Laser – phosphor

converted white

633nm HeNe laser

 “Ray Set” Problems - Source Modeling

“Ray Set” Source Model for Rebel LED Photopia Source Model for Rebel LED

Model from Lumileds Website.

Rays emit from behind the chip and behind the entire emitter Rays emit from actual LED geometry.
package. LED geometry provided as a reference only.
“Ray Set” Source Modeling Problems

Luxeon 3030 Midpower LED “Ray Set” from Lumileds Website

 “Ray Set” Source Model Performance

Measured Ray Set Model Measured Ray Set Model

Photopia Source Model Performance

Measured Photopia Model Measured Photopia Model

Intensity Distribution Comparisons

 Measured Measured
Ray Set Model Photopia Model

“Ray Set” Source Model Performance Photopia Source Model Performance

Intensity Distribution Comparisons

 Material Scattering Via Measured BRDF/BTDF Data

Laser shining through sample, about 30° Simulation of laser through material at 4 orientations (0, 30, 60 & 90°) with respect to
from linear microstructure orientation. the linear microstructure orientation. 2nd image matches image from physical laser.

Physical and Simulated Views of

Bright View Technologies E0160PE7 Elliptical Anisotropic Diffuser
Custom Built HDR Imaging Based BSDF Measurement Device
Custom Built HDR Imaging Based BSDF Measurement Device

View of Camera & Screen on Rotating Ring

Custom Built HDR Imaging Based BSDF Measurement Device

Reflected data (BRDF). Transmitted data (BTDF). An additional

screen position can cover more of the
hemisphere when the light source is below
the table.

Some of the hemisphere needs to be filled in from surrounding data due to the gap
required to let the light source illuminate the sample.

Scatter Distributions Projected onto a Hemisphere

 View of BSDF Data from Glossy White Plastic

Spherical plot of relative intensity distribution Spherical plot of relative intensity

for 35° incidence angle. distribution for 40° incidence angle.
Particle Scattering Modeling for TiO2 in Acrylic
 Particle Scattering Distributions

Particle scattering distribution from diffuse opaque

Particle scattering from TiO2 in acrylic.
sphere.
 Volumetric Scattering in Refractor Materials
with Spectral Conversion (Phosphor modeling)

Blue laser directed into a light guide with a Blue laser directed a into light guide with a Blue laser directed into a light guide with a
low density of phosphor particles. medium density of phosphor particles. high density of phosphor particles.
OptiColor PMMA & PC Diffusers with Variable % Loading

A wide range of diffuser loading percentages have been modeled for various
grades of PMMA & PC from OptiColor
 LED Package Design

Phosphor Infused Silicone LED Emitter

Modeling Phosphor Converted White LEDs Using Blue LED Emitting into
Phosphor Infused Silicone Using Volumetric Scattering
Luminous & Spectral Performance of Mid-Power
LED Package

LED Package Cross Section

Emission Face View

Lamp model based on blue LED and phosphor infused silicone. Raytrace is modeling the
scattering and wavelength conversion of the phosphor particles.
Headlight Projector Lens with Dynamic Beam Control
Headlight Projector Lens with Dynamic Beam Control
Headlight Projector Lens with Dynamic Beam Control
Automotive Output – Type A Intensity Distribution
LED Headlight Reflectors

Upper Half - Low Beam Reflector

Lower Half - High Beam Reflector
Reflectors Designed in Rhino
LED Headlight Reflectors

Low beam uses a 5 chip 6000K Samsung LED package

High beam uses a 4 chip 6000K Samsung LED package
 Beam Projections on a Vertical Plane

Low Beam High Beam Low Beam + High Beam

Sample beams, not fully compliant.

 H+L Beam Luminous Views

6 viewing angles were run in a single simulation, separated by 10° rotations horizontally and
vertically. The projected images are upside down from the reflector orientation, so the lower part in
the image is the upper reflector for the low beam.
 H+L Beam Luminous View at H0 V0

Rhino’s standard shaded view on the left and the photometrically accurate luminous view on the right
based on the image projection.
H+L Beam Luminous View at H-10 V0

Rhino’s standard shaded view on the left and the photometrically accurate luminous view on the right
based on the image projection.
H+L Beam Luminous View at H-20 V0

Rhino’s standard shaded view on the left and the photometrically accurate luminous view on the right
based on the image projection.
 UVC Irradiation Simulations of Optical Devices
in Application Environments

UVC LED device irradiating high touch areas of an

UVC low pressure mercury lamp robot irradiating an exam room.
ultrasound machine.
UVC Fluence Simulations of Air Particles in Duct

Fluence rate grids placed along the air duct. The Total Fluence report computes the total integrated fluence
over the duct cross section based on the user input air speed.
 Designs for 3D Printed Reflectors
from Photopia for Rhino & Grasshopper

Light pattern produced by reflector with diffuse white finish and

RGB LEDs inside. Light is mixed in the beam center, but colors
Fully parameterized Voronoi pattern holes applied to a
offset as they exit through holes in slightly different directions.
PODT generated reflector using Grasshopper in Photopia for
Rhino.
 Chair Model Illuminated by Voronoi Cell Reflector
Using Object Recorders in Photopia for Rhino

Larger Voronoi reflector lighting up a chair in the corner of a Gray scale image showing the lux levels on the object.
room.

Chair design by Max Jongewaard.

Quantitative Photometric and Colorimetric Output Options

False color plot showing the lux levels on the object. Delta u’v’ plot, showing color differences from the average color in
the scene. Dark means the color at that point is close to the average,
brighter green is further from the average. 0.001 in the uniform u’v’
color space is a just noticeable color difference. 0.001 is equivalent
to 1 MacAdam ellipse.

Chair design by Max Jongewaard.

Computational Optical Geometry Generation with Grasshopper in
Photopia for Rhino

Design tool produces curved facets for any revolved reflector

A light guide extraction feature design tool patterns any
or lens surface. User defined inputs for the # of facets around
extraction feature geometry across any NURBS surface. The
the circumference, horizontal and vertical curvature and the
feature density and rate of size change is user defined.
draft angle, which limits vertical curvature to avoid part
undercuts.
Light Guide Extraction Feature Generation
with Grasshopper in Photopia for Rhino

A light guide extraction feature design tool allows any extraction feature geometry to be
arrayed across any NURBS surface. User defined feature density and rate of feature size
changes.
 Modeling Underwater Lighting Effects

Pool model with 3 LED lights, spectral water properties & air/water interface at the surface.
Modeling Underwater Lighting Effects

Top perspective view of pool to see all color mixing effects.

Modeling Underwater Lighting Effects

Quantitative results with false color plot showing lux levels in the pool.
Modeling Underwater Lighting Effects

Quantitative results with gray scale plot showing lux levels in the pool.
Modeling Automotive Interior Lighting

Quantitative results show lux levels on car seat from dome light.
Automotive Interior Lighting – False Color Illuminance
onto Driver’s Seat

Isolating seat to show lux levels from LED dome light.

 Automotive Interior Lighting – Appearance with
Spectral Reflectance

True color exitance reflected off seat from 4000K LED

True color illuminance onto seat from 4000K LED.
and spectral reflectance of slate gray main seat with
cherry red cushion & logo.
 Luminaire Luminous Images
LED Nichia 757 V1 2700K

LED Layout 4x4 Array, 25mm Spacing

Bright View Circular 80°

Lens 10mm in front of LED emission surface
125mm x 125mm

Reflector Materials White Optics F16.4, white PCB

CAD model showing the housing, PCB, LED array and diffuser in Rhino.
 Luminous Image Model Configuration

Convex Lens

Luminaire

Aperture

Image
Projection Plane

View of simulation model for a luminous image. A smooth spherical convex lens and aperture are placed between the optic
and the image projection plane.
 Images of Diffuser on Image Plane

False color image showing lux values on projection

True color image. plane. Values are proportional to luminance and can be
converted to luminance via a scale factor based on the
lens system F-number.
Color Uniformity Evaluation Across Diffuser

“Delta u’v’ from average” plot of the image

True color image. projection plane. This plot shows the color
variation over the diffuser surface. 0.001 is 1
MacAdam ellipse.
Tunable White Design Color Uniformity Evaluation

True color image. Subtle color “Delta u’v’ from average” plot of illuminance plane. This plot shows the
variations are seen around the beam quantitative color variation over the plane. In this color space, 0.001 is 1
perimeter. LED array uses 7 2700K MacAdam ellipse. Perimeter color variations are now very clearly
and 7 5000K LEDs. identified.
 Tunable White Design Color Uniformity Evaluation

True color image with improved color mixing Distinct color differences around the perimeter are gone
features in the optic. and there is now just a smooth color gradient from the
center outward.
 Medical Illumination / Irradiation / Color Uniformity

Illuminance onto object. Exitance off object.

 Desk Lamp Luminous Views

Detailed light pattern onto desk and shade surface from a 4 “filament” LED A-lamp with surrounding cage. The shadows are all due to the 4
individual filaments being blocked by the various bars of the cage. Images were created using “object recorders” in Rhino. Note that the A-lamp
appearance is shown via Rhino’s standard ghosted shaded view.
 Accurate “Near-Field” Effects

This wall grazer design is intended to be mounted so that it nearly touches the wall being lit. “Far-field” photometry does not adequately quantify the way this
luminaire will interact with the wall. The 3D rays within and emitting from the luminaire model in Photopia precisely describe the light field it produces.
Surfaces can therefore be placed anywhere, including within the luminaire, to see how the light interacts with those surfaces.
Passive Infrared (PIR) Motion Detector Sensor Lens Simulation

2 Element Sensor Optical Model

Array of Fresnel lens features aimed toward different regions of the field of view. 4 sensor
elements setup to emit red & green light to confirm their beams minimally overlap.