Learning Forum

[jrf]

I've been a long time user of Zemax OpticsStudio and currently using a Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Premium license. Today I tried an evaluation version of the Ansys Academic Research Optics license which includes an Enterprise version of OpticsStudio for additional tools for STOP analysis tasks. I'm running into a strange issue when using the Academic license which doesn't seem to recognize all available cores on my workstation for any optimization tasks. The N-Core drop down menu is limited to 4 rather than the available 64 (see figure below). This is the case for the Performance Test diagnostic and any Optimization processes. However for Tolerancing and Non-sequential raytracing tasks are not affected and allow me to select the available 64 cores (or any other number of cores). If I go back to using my current OpticStudio Premium license everything seems to behave normally. This behavior tracks across a home and work workstation.

Am I just seeing a limitation in the evaluation license? A limitation in the Academic Research Optics license? Or some kind of software bug or is my workstation not configured correctly?

If this is a limitation in the evaluation license then there is no issue and will continue to evaluate knowing the limitations. If this is a limitation in the Academic Research license then it will affect future purchasing decisions. If this is a configuration or software bug then any helpful recommendations to resolve the issue are welcome.

Best,

Jason.

Zemax Verison: 2024 R2.02

Ansys License Manager: 2024 R2

OS: Windows 11 23H2

CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 5975WX

       

   

[Niki Papachristou]

Hi Subscriber!

Thank you for reaching out to us! May I ask you to clarify what you mean by "Ansys Academic Research Optics License"? Are you talking anout the Student version license downloaded from here: Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Student or an actuall Aademic Lisence?

Kind Regards,

Niki

[jrf]

My understanding is that it is an actual Academic license. "Ansys Academic Research Optics" is the title of the product as listed in the entitlement screen of the Ansys Licensing Portal.  

[Niki Papachristou]

Thank you for your clarification here,

Can I ask you to check if it is only the Performance Diagnostic window that shows this behavior or other windows lists only 4 cores (for example local optimization and tolerancing)?

I think one explanation for this is a corrupted installation file. In this case, I would suggest to re-install the software and actually try our latest version 2024 R2.02.

Let me know if that worked or you are still facing the same issue.

Kind Regards,

Niki

 

[jrf]

 

No its not just the performance diagnostic window, but this behavior is also seen within all optimization windows (local, hammer, global). Tolerancing and non-sequential raytrace windows seem to be OK. I am already running the lastest version of 2024 R2.02 and did a repair on the installation files with no change in behavior. I also see this behavior across two different workstations. 

What is odd is that the behavior is related to the license version I run. If I run my current subscription license “Ansys Zemax OpticStudio Premium” everything behaves normally. If I run the evaluation license “Ansys Academic Research Optics” I see this behavior.  

I will do a complete un-install and re-install of Ansys Zemax OpticStudio 2024 R2.02 and see if that changes anything.

Best,

Jason

 

[jrf]

Did a complete un-install of OpticsStudio and all other installed versions.  Re-downloaded the OpticsStudio 2024 R2.02 package from the Ansys Download Center and re-installed OpticsStudio. Still see the same behavior.

[Niki Papachristou]

Thank you for your detailed response here. This is really helpful for me! I think based on your description this might be a bug then! Let me reach out to the team responsible about Academic Research Optics lisences and report that. I will come back to you as soon as I have any progress.

Kind Regards,

Niki

[Niki Papachristou]

This is now confirmed that it is a bug. I will go ahead and submit a report to our systems. I am hoping to be fixed soon on the next releases.

Feel free to respond here for any additional questions.

Kind Regards,

Niki

[jrf]

Thanks Niki for looking into this issue. I will continue to evaluate the license knowing its not a limitation of the license itself, but rather a bug that will be fixed in a later release.  

Best,

Jason.