An XML file format for exchanging singlet lens specifications

Zemax has developed an XML schema for the distribution of singlet lens specifications based on the ISO 10110 standard. In OpticStudio 15, this kind of XML data can be exported from the ISO Element Drawing analysis. The data file is then used in a feature that automates exchange of lens data between designer and manufacturer, the Cost Estimator. This Cost Estimator feature submits the XML data to various manufacturers to obtain cost estimates for prototype lens production. The workflow centered on the XML data exchange facilitates rapid cost estimate retrieval and eliminates the need for redundant manual data entry. The XML Schema Definition (XSD) for the XML format can be used with Microsoft developer tools to automatically create .NET classes to serialize and deserialize the singlet lens data to/from XML files. The format provides flexible unit specification for most parameters. Choosing XML as the basis for the file format has provided several benefits, such as the above mentioned automated serialization capabilities in .NET, a human-readable text-based format, and ready support for consumption by web services.