Solves
are used to actively adjust surface data to maintain a specific
condition. For example, an F/# solve sets the effective focal
length of a system. For example, a “pick up” solve causes one
parameter to have the same value as another parameter. This
is useful when designing lens assemblies such as double-pass
systems, when the radius of curvature of one lens must be exactly
the same as that of the next lens.

The Solves dialog box
The solves are
summarised in the following table.
| Curvature
Solves |
- Variable
- Marginal
ray angle/normal
- Chief
ray angle/normal
- Aplanatic
- Element
Power
- Concentric
Radius/Surface
- F/#
- Pick
up
- ZPL
Solve
|
| Thickness
Solves |
- Marginal/chief
ray height
- Edge
thickness
- Optical
Path Difference
- Centre
of Curvature
- Position
- Compensator
- Pupil
Position
- Pick
up
- ZPL
Solve
|
| Multi-configuration |
|
|
All
others
|
|
Pick up solves
can also be used across columns in the Lens Data Editor, so
you can pick up a radius from a preceeding thickness, say,
and can also pick up items in the Extra Data Editor