ARC
Optics In Onshape
ARC is a cloud-based optical simulation platform that brings your optical and mechanical design teams together in Onshape. Develop your opto-mechanical systems faster and more accurately.
A STEP Beyond
Go beyond the limitations of STEP files when working with optical systems in CAD
Features |
ARC + Onshape |
STEP + Solidworks |
Onshape Native Features |
✓ |
⃠ |
Opto-Mechanical Datum |
✓ |
⃠ |
Optical Prescription |
✓ |
⃠ |
Mech-E Defined Lens Edges |
✓ |
⃠ |
Labeled Part Geometry |
✓ |
⃠ |
Direct Import to PartStudio |
✓ |
⃠ |
Material Properties |
✓ |
⃠ |
Spherical Surfaces |
✓ |
✓ |
Aspheric Surfaces |
✓ |
✓ |
Freeform Surfaces |
Coming Soon |
✓ |
Complex Lens Apertures |
✓ |
✓ |
Try Arc for Free
Supported Features
-
Onshape Native Features
Work with familiar Onshape feature definitions that allow you to see how the optical elements are defined and get the data that you care about, from radius of curvature to positions
-
Opto-Mechanical Datum
View and utilize optical datums like centers of curvature or vertices, allowing you to define the mechanics to what matters
-
Optical Prescription
Verify the optical system meets requirements and matches mechanical drawings
-
Mech-E Defined Lens Edges
Mechanical engineers can build out the physical lens apertures to define the custom needed mechanical outer apertures.
-
Labeled Part Geometry
Easily define component names to assure the entire team is aligned and can iterate faster on design
-
Direct Import to PartStudio
Unify your optics and mechanics workflow into Onshape, reducing file version errors and allowing you to get to market faster
-
Spherical and Conic Surfaces
Precisely model the most common optical surface, allowing you to precisely model the mechanics to your lenses
-
Aspheric Surfaces
Build your mechanics around complex aspheric lenses common in a variety of optical designs
-
Non-Circular Lens Apertures
Precisely model complex aperture shapes to assure no rays are blocked and stray light is controlled
-
Material Properties
Optical glass density is imported so your mass estimates are accurate
-
Multi-Config Systems
Import multiple configurations into the model with elements that are automatically labeled so you see the whole model in context
-
Freeform Surfaces (Coming Soon)
natively model even the most complex optical surfaces in Onshape
Not Yet Supported
-
Analysis
Optical analysis, including spot diagrams, modulation transfer function, and image analysis. Tolerance analysis and Opto-mechanical analysis are not yet supported
-
Non-Sequential Ray Tracing
Currently, ARC supports only sequential ray tracing. Non-sequential coming soon.
-
Optimization
Optimization of optical systems is in the works but is not currently supported
-
Live Updates
Live system design and ray trace updates and not yet supported. You must upload a new design file to update the ray trace.
-
Automatic Component Replacement
You must manually delete any optical components before uploading an identical lens.
-
Custom Materials Libraries
Currently we do not support custom materials libraries but support is planned for the future
-
Unsupported System Types
Holographic systems, Freeform surfaces., Toroidal and Cylindrical surfaces., Polynomial type surfaces, and Polarization based systems
-
Automated part drawings
ISO 10110 and other technical drawings are not yet supported