← all parity reports
Simulation
Kerf vs Ansys Zemax OpticStudio
The gold standard for optical design and tolerancing — versus an open-core CAD with ray tracing, Gaussian beam propagation, physical-optics propagation, and acoustics.
11/11in Kerf today
9/11in Ansys Zemax OpticStudio (included)
0behind a paid tier
2026-05-24last reviewed
Grouped by discipline (D1–D14), same as Kerf's own capability list. Click a section to expand it.
D1 Geometry & core CAD
| Capability | Kerf | Ansys Zemax OpticStudio |
|---|---|---|
| LLM / chat-native editing |
yes
src/components/ChatPanel.jsx
|
no source ↗ |
D12 Optics / acoustics
| Capability | Kerf | Ansys Zemax OpticStudio |
|---|---|---|
| Paraxial ABCD ray transfer |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/ray_transfer.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Sequential ray tracing (lens design) |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/lens_system.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Seidel / Zernike aberration analysis |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/lens_system.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Non-sequential ray tracing (stray light) |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/nonsequential.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Gaussian beam propagation |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/gaussian.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Tolerancing (NEST / Monte Carlo) |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/tolerancing.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Multiphysics STOP analysis (thermal + structural) | yes | yes source ↗ |
| Wave optics / diffraction / polarisation |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/pop.py
|
yes source ↗ |
| Metalens design | yes | yes source ↗ |
| Acoustics (ISO 9613, RT60, room acoustics) |
yes
packages/kerf-optics/src/kerf_optics/
|
no source ↗ |
- yes shipped
- partial works with limits
- paid tier present, but behind an add-on or meter
- no not available
Corrections welcome. These rows are read off published documentation on the date shown and go stale as products ship. If a row is wrong, open an issue — the source file is public/compare/zemax.md and every claim in it carries a link.