Getting Started With Photopia

Select your CAD software:

Photopia for SOLIDWORKS System Requirements

Solidworks 2021-2024

Windows 10 or 11

Internet Connection

More Details in our support website

Lightpipes

To see the light emitting from your light pipe, you will set it up to be a Recording Object. See more information about defining and viewing recording objects.

Our Photopia for Rhino Interface

Photopia currently works inside of SOLIDWORKS and Rhino.

We recommend using Photopia for Rhino if you aren't using SOLIDWORKS since you can easily exchange models via STEP or IGES files. The installation instructions below include a link to a free Rhino trial license and you'll receive a copy of Rhino with your purchase of Photopia.

Rhino is an excellent CAD program for desigining optics since it is a very good surfacer, allowing you to quickly and easily create optical geometry.

Photopia for Rhino System Requirements

Rhino 6, 7, or 8

Windows 10 or 11

Internet Connection

More Details in our support website

Lightpipes

To see the light emitting from your light pipe, you will set it up to be a Recording Object. See more information about defining and viewing recording objects.

Working With STEP Files

Choose File / Import from the main menu in Rhino.

The model will initially import as one group of nested blocks.

While it is selected (shown as yellow), type the ExplodeBlocksToLayers command.

You can pick this command on a list that pops up as soon as you start typing it.

This command will create a layer structure in Rhino that matches your assembly model structure.

Clicking on the light bulb icon turns on and off layers/parts in Rhino's Layers panel.

Sub-assemblies are shown as layers with sub-layers, and turning off the top layer turns off the sub-layers as well.