Application Note: TracePro® Simulation Of Instrument Panels And Display Systems

TracePro simulates all types of display systems, from back light systems to lightpipes. The product is based on Spatial Technology's ACIS® solid modeling engine creating compatibility with 170 other ACIS based programs, like AutoCAD, CADKEY, IronCAD, and Solidworks. Full non-sequential ray tracing is built into the program in a fully C++, graphical-user-interface, integrated environment.

Running TracePro is a simple four-step process. First, either enter the 3D system geometry inside TracePro's CAD window or import SAT, IGES or STEP files. Next, create sources by either defining a grid of rays, adding source characteristics to system geometry, or importing measured Radiant Imaging sources. Next, apply material and surface properties to the geometry by opening property dialog boxes and clicking on system geometry. Finally, define ray-tracing characteristics, including wavelengths, thresholds, and propagation characteristics, then click on the source emission icon to start the ray-trace.