Do I have to learn Command Language in order to use SYNOPSYS?
The short answer is no. You can run most features just by clicking menu and dialog items with the mouse. As you become familiar with the program, however, you will learn a few commands that let you get where you want to go in an instant, instead of drilling down through a menu tree. You may not realize what a timesaver this is, since your current program may not have any command language at all and won't let you do this even if you want to.
Let me illustrate:
1. Suppose you want to see a diffraction point-spread function for your lens. There are several ways to get it. If you click on the top toolbar selection "EZ Menus", you get the following choices (we have expanded the tree here, so you can see the options). You could select "Menu Tree", then "Diffraction Image Analysis", and then "MDI -- Diffraction Analysis".
The short answer is no. You can run most features just by clicking menu and dialog items with the mouse. As you become familiar with the program, however, you will learn a few commands that let you get where you want to go in an instant, instead of drilling down through a menu tree. You may not realize what a timesaver this is, since your current program may not have any command language at all and won't let you do this even if you want to.
Let me illustrate:
1. Suppose you want to see a diffraction point-spread function for your lens. There are several ways to get it. If you click on the top toolbar selection "EZ Menus", you get the following choices (we have expanded the tree here, so you can see the options). You could select "Menu Tree", then "Diffraction Image Analysis", and then "MDI -- Diffraction Analysis".
The Menu Tree breaks things up in a natural way, and you can follow those leads to any feature you want. A somewhat faster way is to select the MLI -- List All Menus choice, which shows all menus in the program. Then click "MDI" in the Diffraction Image Analysis section.
Yet another way is to select the Main Menu Mode and then follow a tree of dialogs that open. In any event, you wind up at the MDI dialog:
Now enter the parameters for the PSPRD analysis (the Multicolor option, on axis, for this example), and click the PSPRD button (or press the <Enter> key) ...
... and there's your picture.
Okay, suppose you want to do this again, at a different field point. You could of course drill down through the menu tree again and get a new picture. That's what you would have to do with Zemax -- but here's where the Command Language is a great timesaver. See what's on the Command Window?
Type <ENTER> to return to dialog.
Just press the <Enter> key -- and you're back at the MDI dialog! Change the field point to 0.5, press the <Enter> key again, and you're done. (The program remembers which button you used, and that becomes the default) So -- three keystrokes to get your new picture. Try that with a mouse-only interface!
2. And there's more. Yes, it even gets easier. Now that you've run the a command from the MDI dialog, click the top toolbar button, on "MACro".
See the the LMM command? When you use the mouse in this way, the program is creating commands for you. So you don't have to remember them if you don't want to. Click the LMM link, and a MACro editor opens up:
SYNOPSYS has created a MACro for you and has filled in the command needed to generate the picture you just created. You could type that line yourself if you were going to do it in command mode. The LMM function works for almost every dialog in SYNOPSYS. That way you don't have to memorize any of the command syntax yourself. (And the program automatically reminds you of the syntax if you start typing a command like this. We have worked hard to make SYNOPSYS the most user-friendly lens design program in the world.)
Now that the command is in the editor, you have lots of options:
1. Click the RUN MACro button (the leftmost). You get your picture again.
2. Edit a parameter. The window you are looking at is a text editor, so you can change anything you want. Change the field point from 0.5 to 1.0, and then run the MACro to see the full-field image.
3. Save the MACro by clicking on the Save As button (fifth from left). The program asks for a name. How about PSPRD? Now you can run this MACro anytime you want. You can load the MACro into an editor at another time by clicking the Open MACro button ...
Now that the command is in the editor, you have lots of options:
1. Click the RUN MACro button (the leftmost). You get your picture again.
2. Edit a parameter. The window you are looking at is a text editor, so you can change anything you want. Change the field point from 0.5 to 1.0, and then run the MACro to see the full-field image.
3. Save the MACro by clicking on the Save As button (fifth from left). The program asks for a name. How about PSPRD? Now you can run this MACro anytime you want. You can load the MACro into an editor at another time by clicking the Open MACro button ...
... and selecting the name when prompted. Or you can open a new editor by clicking one button to the left, and then go to the List MACro dialog with the button...
which brings up a list of MACros where you can select the one you want.
Okay, we've shown you how to do lots of things without remembering or entering any commands yourself.. But try these timesavers:
So, no, you don't have to remember or use any commands. But once you learn a few, you'll be delighted at how much easier and faster you can work. Faster than you are now, for sure.
Watch the video tutorial, if you are not already convinced that SYNOPSYS is the most powerful and friendly lens-design program in the world. The button below links to a zip file.
Okay, we've shown you how to do lots of things without remembering or entering any commands yourself.. But try these timesavers:
- Type LMM to load the last dialog command sequence, without using the mouse.
- Type MDI to go directly to the MDI menu.
- Type MIM to go directly to that one ...
- ... and so on.
- Type MLI to get to the dialog showing all menus in the program again. No drilling down. See, you don't have to use the mouse to get there, unless you want to. SYNOPSYS gives you a choice. Does your current program?
- Type LM PSPRD to load the MACro you just saved into an editor. (LM means 'Load MACro'.)
- Type EM PSPRD to execute that MACro without loading the editor first. The keyboard is a powerful resource, and it makes sense to use it. Don't you agree?
So, no, you don't have to remember or use any commands. But once you learn a few, you'll be delighted at how much easier and faster you can work. Faster than you are now, for sure.
Watch the video tutorial, if you are not already convinced that SYNOPSYS is the most powerful and friendly lens-design program in the world. The button below links to a zip file.
And then download and install SYNOPSYS. When you run it the first time, navigate in the Help file to the Tutorial Manual. You'll be pleased at the friendly power you now have at your fingertips.