Optical Research Associates (ORA) has released LightTools 6.3, an updated version of the illumination design and analysis software, which delivers an expanded, more powerful tool set for optical system modelling and optimisation. The software features an alternate optimisation engine, which supplements the existing optimiser and enables users to successfully address a broader range of design problems. In addition, LightTools 6.3 permits optimisation with user-defined variables, merit functions and constraints, utilising either of the optimisation engines, to further expand the classes of systems for which the software can converge on an efficient solution.
LightTools 6.3 also adds functionality for LED modelling and simulation. An expanded LED library has been incorporated that contains mechanical models for hundreds of LEDs from all major manufacturers, including apodisation files that allow accurate far-field modelling of source output, as well as ray data files for both near-field and far-field output. Furthermore, LightTools ray data files now include colour information to model the spatial and angular output characteristics of the source as a function of colour.
Another significant feature of the software is an enhanced thin film modelling utility. This allows the user to enter a thin film coating and then simulate the performance of that coating on any substrate and under any conditions of use. Other new features include an IES file format import utility that reads and converts IES formatted angular intensity data files into LightTools angular apodisation files, and the ability to perform colorimetric analyses of spatial and angular luminance calculations.