Zemax User Manual [updated] Jun 2026

The most common mistake is reading only one page. The manual is hyperlinked (in PDF or online). If you read about "Aspheric Surface," the "See Also" leads to "Even Asphere," "Q-Type Asphere," and "Conversion Utility." Always click the links.

: Detailed documentation for the Lens Data Editor (LDE), Merit Function Editor (MFE) for optimization, and Multi-Configuration Editor (MCE) for zoom lenses or thermal modeling. zemax user manual

: Focuses on systems where light follows a predefined path through a series of surfaces (e.g., camera lenses, telescopes). The most common mistake is reading only one page

Detailed instructions on interpreting Spot Diagrams , MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) charts, and Encircled Energy plots. : Detailed documentation for the Lens Data Editor

For quick reference without the software installed, you can view these archived versions: Zemax OpticStudio Help Files (2014) A 2,200+ page PDF hosted by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Zemax Manual (2011) Available through UC San Diego Getting Started Guide: A shorter introductory guide from the University of Arizona Key Sections of the Manual Lens Data Editor (LDE):