LightTools® 6.3, the newest release of the illumination design and analysis software from Optical Research Associates (ORA®), delivers an expanded, more powerful tool set for optical system modeling and optimization. The software now features an Alternate Optimization Engine, which supplements the existing optimizer and enables users to successfully address an even broader range of design problems. In addition, LightTools 6.3 permits optimization with user-defined variables, merit functions and constraints, utilizing either of the optimization engines, to further expand the classes of systems for which the software can converge on an efficient solution.

LightTools 6.3 also adds important new functionality for LED modeling and simulation. An expanded LED library has been incorporated that contains mechanical models for hundreds of LEDs from all major manufacturers, including apodization files that allow accurate far-field modeling of source output, as well as ray data files for both near-field and far-field output. Furthermore, LightTools ray data files now include color information to model the spatial and angular output characteristics of the source as a function of color.

Another significant feature in LightTools 6.3 is an enhanced thin film modeling 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 apodization files, and the ability to perform colorimetric analyses of spatial and angular luminance calculations.

With over 45 years of success as an industry leader, Optical Research Associates (ORA) is committed to delivering innovative solutions to the optics industry. With its CODE V® and LightTools software products, ORA is the world's leading developer of optical software. ORA is also the largest independent supplier of optical design and illumination engineering services, with more than 4,700 completed projects since the company was founded in 1963.