A S A P T E C H N I C A L P U B L I C A T I O N

B R O 4 3 0 8 ( D E C E M B E R 1 7 , 2 0 0 7 )

SOLIDWORKS Layering

Techniques for layer ing in SOLIDWORKS and impor t ing f i les in ASAP

This technical publication describes how to assign a layer to a surface or solid body in SOLIDWORKS® and im-port it to the Advanced Systems Analysis Program (ASAP®) from Breault Research Organization (BRO).

When exporting from SOLIDWORKS to ASAP as a GTX file, layering is maintained. When the ASAP translator is invoked, optical properties can be conveniently assigned to the layers at this stage.

Figure 1 Project lens assembly in SOLIDWORKS

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S O L I D W O R K S L a y e r i n g

Step 1• Open the SOLIDWORKS part file in SOLIDWORKS.

In this example, the SOLIDWORKS file in is a projector lens assembly. It has nine glass optical elements, an aperture stop, a three-piece metal housing, and 10 lens retainer rings.

Figure 2 Projector lens assembly in SOLIDWORKS

Step 2• Select and right-click one or more surface or solid bodies.

• Select GTX layer to open the GTX Layer dialog box.

Figure 3 Assigning the glass layer

The glass elements are selected and assigned to a ‘glass’ layer.

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Different glass types for each element can be also assigned in the GTX Layer dialog box.

For example, from the drop-down box next to Assign Layer, the housings are assigned to a ‘housing’ layer, the retaining rings are assigned to a ‘ring’ layer, and the aperture is assigned to the ‘aperture’ layer (not shown). Lay-ers can be assigned, created, or removed at this stage.

• Click OK.

Figure 4 Assigning the housing layer

Figure 5 Assigning a ring layer

S O L I D W O R K S L a y e r i n g

Step 3• Select all bodies and save as file type ASAP *.gtx.

Figure 6 Saving bodies in SOLIDWORKS as ASAP *gtx file type

Step 4• Close SOLIDWORKS and open ASAP.

• Open the GTX file in ASAP.

Figure 7 Opening the GTX file in ASAP

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Step 5• Click OK when the GTX Setup Parameters dialog box is displayed.

Figure 8 GTX Setup Parameters dialog box in ASAP

The default parameters are typically sufficient. However, you can adjust them. Click Help for details.

Step 6• Assign coatings and media

The CAD to ASAP translator shows layers. Coatings and media are assigned by right-clicking the layer / object name. A custom coating was made for the housing to reflect 1%. Part names from SOLIDWORKS are main-tained as sublevels in the naming tree.

Figure 9 CAD to ASAP Translator window

S O L I D W O R K S L a y e r i n g

Step 7Press the Enter key to generate an ASAP INR script file for the imported geometry.

The ASAP Command Output window displays the generated file in the ASAP Editor window.

Figure 10 The ASAP INR script file runs in the ASAP Editor window

Step 8Run the INR file and verify the geometry by running a VUFACETS command.

Colors, coatings, and refractive indexes are assigned to layers via the CAD / ASAP translator (see “Step 6” on page 5.)

Figure 11 The geometry is displayed in the ASAP 3D Viewer

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Step 9• Add a source in ASAP and trace some rays, either by reading the geometry INR file from a main INR file, or

by adding commands to the geometry file.

Figure 12 A source of parallel light was added and fills the field stop

Notice in the 3D Viewer the Fresnel reflections (ghosting) and various ray paths other than just refraction.

Figure 13 The aperture absorbs and passes some light, and the housing mainly absorbs, but reflects 1%.

Further analyses and/or separation of ray paths can be conducted. The full power of ASAP can be performed on any system built in SOLIDWORKS.