Show HN: Open Optical Designer, free and open source lens design software

Show HN: Open Optical Designer, free and open source lens design software(alexbock.github.io)

59 points by alexbock 3 years ago | 5 comments

Nice, Something like this would have been so usefull, I was building a diy projector, and could not find a projector lense in budget, but I found somewhere that I could use two prescription lense to build a projector lense, the distance between those two lense the distance from screen was all trial and error, all I could project was a dim image of cellphone on the ceiling. But looking at this project sent me back to my diy tinkering days.

comfypotato 3 years ago |

I may be able to use this!

I’m intrigued by the idea of special glasses for the computer. 4 lenses, 2 over each eye. Basically binoculars for the computer screen an arm’s length away. They would allow greater magnification than reading glasses at the same distance. I’ve got the 3D printer, but I’ve struggled with the lens details.

alexbock 3 years ago | |

Producing a non-inverted image with only two lenses per eye and no additional prisms implies a Galilean telescope with a convex lens as the objective and a concave lens as the eyepiece. Zeiss makes distance magnifying eyeglasses using this design and calls them teleloupe spectacles:

https://www.zeiss.com/vision-care/int/eye-care-professionals...

If you're going to make your own, keep in mind that there will be a tradeoff between magnification and field of view.

rgovostes 3 years ago |

Are there algorithms to select the lens elements for me given the properties I want?

How does one buy lens elements? Are they custom manufactured or out of a catalog?

alexbock 3 years ago | |

> Are there algorithms to select the lens elements for me given the properties I want?

I plan to add optimization features in the future to automatically tune design parameters to suit specified target criteria, as well as some application-oriented design generators for things like telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.

In the current version, the only features that automatically determine system specifications to achieve a specific result are autofocus for the distance from the last surface to the image, and a generator that produces a planoconvex singlet lens given a specified focal length and glass material.

> How does one buy lens elements? Are they custom manufactured or out of a catalog?

If I need some basic singlets or achromatic doublets for a visible-light use case that does not place strict requirements on the specific type of glass or the precise specifications of their AR coatings (if any), then I will typically order from Surplus Shed. They are significantly cheaper than other domestically shipped (US) sources for individual lens elements, but it is often necessary to design around the diameters and focal lengths that they have in stock rather than designing a finished system first and ordering exactly what it needs.

For specialized components like infrared and ultraviolet optics or for parts with formally documented specifications and product line consistency, I order from Thorlabs. They are more expensive.

Both Surplus Shed and Thorlabs will sell directly to individuals from their online stores. I have no affiliation with either company.