Spectacle Optics

[Darryl Meister]

After two years of development during what little spare time I have left anymore, I have finally finished my new single vision and progressive lens analysis program. The software comprises six modules:

Progressive Analysis. Analyze simple progressive lens designs and manipulate the variables that affect optical performance. Second-order and high-order aberrations are calculated for any point on the lens. Four different contour plots are available, which can also be analyzed on a point-by-point basis by moving the mouse over each plot.

Prescription Analysis. Analyze spectacle prescriptions and layout geometry. Prescription compensation values for single vision lenses are calculated, including lens tilt, vertex distance, and vertical imbalance at near. Cut-out is also shown.

Optical Analysis. Analyze single vision spherical and aspheric lens designs and manipulate the variables that affect optical performance. The physical geometry of the lens is also calculated. The red vernier line can be moved by clicking and dragging in order to assess the optical performance of the lens at any viewing angle.

Geometrical Analysis. Analyze the relationship between objects and images for lenses, mirrors, and single surfaces using Gaussian optics. The red object can be moved by clicking and dragging in order to ray trace different object and conjugate image configurations.

Tscherning Analysis. Analyze the classic Tscherning ellipse and manipulate the variables that affect optical performance. The red vernier line can be moved by clicking and dragging in order to see the exact "best form" front curves for any prescription power.

Spectral Analysis. Analyze the transmittance and colorimetry data for an extensive range of lens materials and filters, including tinted and photochromic lenses. Four different charts are available, including the spectral transmittance, CIE 1931 color space, CIE color-matching functions, and approximate refractive index as a function of wavelength.

Images from each module can be saved as bitmap (BMP) files. Extensive help documentation is also available.

spectacle_optics.zip

Once you download the spectacle_optics.zip file, extract the three installation files and run the 'setup.exe' file to install the program.

This software is intended for educational purposes only, and in no way represents the advice or direction of a licensed professional. Always use judgment when interpreting these results. This software is provided with no warranty, and by utilizing this software the user agrees to hold the author and Carl Zeiss Vision harmless from any liability or legal action that may result from its use.

[HarryChiling]

Darryl,

Freakin Genius, could kiss you for something like this why aren't you charging money for this, I almost feel like I'm cheating you downloading it. I have a seperate pieces of software and spread sheets I have created to illustrate some of thes very same things, but never would I have though all in one place so eloquently put together, seriously you should consider charging for this.

[Darryl Meister]

why aren't you charging money for this, I almost feel like I'm cheating you downloading it

You know me, Harry, I do this kind of stuff because it's my hobby, not because I necessarily expect to make any money from it. ;)

[HarryChiling]

You know me, Harry, I do this kind of stuff because it's my hobby, not because I necessarily expect to make any money from it. ;)

Hobby you say, well whatever it is keep on doing what your doing, I appreciate it a lot and can't express the gratitude in just words.

[Barry Santini]

Darryl,

Its humbling realizing how much I *don't* know....

Thanks for great Work!!

Barry

[HarryChiling]

Darryl,

Thanks for the help you gave me on the Tschernings equations in my excel sheet, I see the tschernings analysis section of this program which makes my excel sheet obsolete, I think that this part of your program is worth a crazy amount of money, why?

Most opticians I know choose their bases from a manufacturer supplied chart and their is no way to compensate these charts for object distance, or various vertex distances, or even index. I have heard various rules of thumb like if it's higher index you want to go 1.00 flatter in base. Now you have provided a more scientific method which will translate in more precise patient lenses.

I noticed in the Rx analysis that there is no where to enter the ED, it would be nice to have an ED and ED Angle cetion to more accurately measure MBS, the reason I even saw that was a thread poped up here and I suggested your program, but there is no where to put ED into the program so I thought I would mention it for a future realese. Agan thanks and I'm using the Tschernings Analysis everyday and I posted your program over at the technicalopticians.org blog.

[Darryl Meister]

I considered adding an effective diameter field but ultimately decided against it.

It's difficult to measure the effective diameter in practice (most opticians actually measure the "longest distance," instead) and, unless you can determine the actual angle of the effective diameter, it really isn't very useful for predicting cut-out.

A pilot-shaped frame with a nasally-oriented ED meridian, for instance, would actually require a considerably smaller blank size than the calculations would normally suggest after decentration. In fact, unless the ED happens to coincide with the A measurement of the frame, a minimum blank size formula will always overestimate the required minimum blank size without an actual ED angle.

Besides, nowadays, the effective diameter of most modern frame styles is very close to the A measurement, anyway. So I decided to keep it simple; I just use the A measurement plus a small "fudge" factor.

[HarryChiling]

Besides, nowadays, the effective diameter of most modern frame styles is very close to the A measurement, anyway. So I decided to keep it simple; I just use the A measurement plus a small "fudge" factor.

That's funny that seems to be common practice nowadays, the opticians in our office just add 2mm to the A size and send it back to me so I guess your right. Sweet program again and it's get more milage than a cheap hooker in vegas.:D

[OPTIDONN]

OK so I tried to load it and all it did was make my computer screen black and in order to get rid of it I have to restart my computer. Why can't I figure out these darned computation machines! :shiner:

[HarryChiling]

OK so I tried to load it and all it did was make my computer screen black and in order to get rid of it I have to restart my computer. Why can't I figure out these darned computation machines! :shiner:

Donn, what version of windows are you running?

[OPTIDONN]

Windows XP

[HarryChiling]

I have it installed on 3 windows XP machines so that shouldn't be an issue. have you tried uninstalling it and reinstalling it?

I know that sounds crazy but sometimes it helps.

[OPTIDONN]

I could try but I think my computer hates me.

[Darryl Meister]

It's a relatively simple Visual Basic 6 application; it should run on any 32-bit or higher Windows platform (that is, Windows 95 or higher). I've tested it successfully on both Vista Home and XP Professional. At what stage of the installation process is your computer screen going "black" on you?

[mullo]

It runs fine on my XP.

[Fezz]

I run Macs at home. I assume I will not be able to use it.

Thanks for the hard work Darryl. Even if I can't use it, I am thankful that you share your passion and devotion with us!!!


:cheers::cheers::cheers:

[ilanh]

I tried opening the program both on my home computer and at work (running windows xp). Couldn't do it from either. Both times I got a message that said that my "files were outdated". I'm quite computer literate and have never seen that error message before.

Ilan

[Darryl Meister]

Donn, Ilan, The program was written in a rather old version of Visual Basic 6, so the dependency information for some of the shared component (OCX) files may be outdated. I have just recompiled it after installing the latest VB6 service pack, which should address any dependency issues. Try downloading and installing the program again, and please let me know if you run into any other issues.

[optical24/7]

What a great set of tools, thanks Darryl!

:cheers:

[lensgrinder]

Just when I had finally weaned myself away from the Windows side, you had to go an create this nice piece of software.
Oh well at least I can run Windows on my Mac;)
Nice job.

[Darryl Meister]

The first "official" version of this program is now available for download: Spectacle Optics v1.0.

[rolandclaur]

I've been on this forum for almost 3 years and I am just now starting to look at the optical file directory. Wow what a great resource....

I say that anyone who has ever benefited from Darryl's knowledge should contribute to his retirement fund!!! His unselfishness and willingness to help complete strangers on this forum is unparalled with the exception of a few others (thanks Harry again for mailing me that B&L Job Coach CD.. still using it today..!) ... I've got a $5 dollar bill in my pocket ready to go!!!

[dbracer]

rolandclaur has said it very well.

Darryl not only are you a genius, but you are willing help your fellow man just for the pure kindness of it. Your passion for your work is tireless and an inspiration.

Guys like you are hard to find. Such a spirit was discussed by C.S. Lewis, earlier in 1st Corinthians, even earlier in Proverbs.

We could use someone like you in the White House. Interested?

dbracer

[Darryl Meister]

Version 1.2 is now available. This version has a minor change to better address differences in region settings in VB functions that work with decimal numbers for users in countries like Germany, where a comma is used instead of a period.

[Darryl Meister]

Extensive online help documentation is now available for my Spectacle Optics program at Spectacle Optics Online Help.