# Formlight Optics Canonical: https://www.formlightoptics.com Markdown: https://www.formlightoptics.com/index.md Imaging lens design and illumination design, from first-order layout through tolerancing and CAD handoff. Optomechanics, stray light, and multiphysics support those two when the system demands it. AI-accelerated analysis and documentation, human-reviewed. This is not a black-box design bot. Formlight Optics is a DBA of Five Talent Consulting, Inc. Based in Austin, Texas. Serving clients worldwide. 20+ years in optical design. Fixed-fee projects. Scope, deliverables, and price are agreed in writing before work starts. Email: hello@formlightoptics.com ## Services - [Imaging lens design](https://www.formlightoptics.com/services/imaging-lens-design): First-order layout through aberration analysis and tolerancing. Sequential models cover visible, NIR, and custom spectral bands. Zemax OpticStudio, Quadoa, LensHH, and OpTaLiX. - [Illumination design](https://www.formlightoptics.com/services/illumination-design): Source-to-target mapping, light pipes, reflectors, and luminaire optics. Models report collected flux and uniformity, including freeform surfaces when a symmetric optic cannot meet the target. Photopia, FRED, TracePro, and Zemax OpticStudio. ## Why teams come to us ### No optical engineer on staff. You get one experienced optics lead for a fixed fee, scoped in writing before work starts. ### Stock optics don't fit the package or the spec. We design the custom lens, light guide, or reflector, freeform included when a symmetric optic falls short. ### Tooling is next and you want a second look. An independent design review checks the model and tolerances before you commit to a vendor RFQ. ## Client quotes "[He] really knows his way around the Photopia software and helped us immeasurably in our product design phase. We were able to try out dozens of design changes and tweaks without needing to physically prototype a single one." Client, UV-C fixture design "[His] knowledge of all things lighting and optical is nothing short of encyclopedic. He's a great communicator, listener, and pleasure to work with." Client, compact LED flashlight optics "...the results provided from his work vastly improve the end product." Client, independent project review "Dealing with a highly technical issue but explained each step and produced an excellent result within the agreed time frame." Client, automotive lamp optic "Amazing at communicating technical knowledge in an approachable way. Gave a lot of useful information regarding manufacturing preparation." Client, optics consultation ## Process 1. Inquiry. Send a project inquiry with the wavelength band, the source or detector, and the decision you need. Formlight Optics replies within two business days. 2. Scope. A written scoping note covers assumptions, constraints, success criteria, deliverables, and the fixed fee. Work starts after this is agreed. 3. Analysis. Human-directed sequential or non-sequential work against the agreed spec. The work covers layout, merit function, and tolerances as scoped. AI-assisted exploration is used where it shortens the loop. 4. Handoff. Native files from the agreed tool, STEP or IGES geometry, and a written report, for internal review or a vendor RFQ. ## What you receive - Scoping note: Problem, existing data, and the decision the analysis needs to support. - Native model: Files from the tool named in the scoping note, often OpticStudio, sequential or non-sequential. - STEP / CAD: Geometry export for mechanical teams, typically STEP or IGES. - Written report: Assumptions, methods, results, and recommended next steps. ## FAQ ### Do you use AI? Yes, for acceleration and exploration. Formlight Optics retains engineering judgment and reviews every deliverable. There are no unsupervised client deliverables. ### What tools do you use? The tools are listed on the services page. Native files and exports are named in the scoping note. ### Do I get native files? Yes. The agreed package includes native models from the named tool, not screenshots or a locked viewer. ### Do you sign NDAs? Yes. NDAs are routine. Client geometry, source data, and results stay with the engagement. ### Do you manufacture optics? No. This is design and analysis. The handoff is for your mechanical team or a fabricator you choose. ### How long does an engagement take? Fixed-fee projects. Scope, deliverables, and price are agreed in writing before work starts. Duration is written in the scoping note and depends on model complexity and the decision you need. ### What should the first email include? Wavelength band, source type or detector, constraints you already know, any existing models or drawings, and the decision the work needs to support. ## Also - [Services](https://www.formlightoptics.com/services) - [Portfolio](https://www.formlightoptics.com/portfolio) - [Free tools](https://www.formlightoptics.com/tools): Free browser calculators for LED beam angle and etendue. Check spot size, throw, and geometric coupling, with each formula shown. No account and no upload. - [LED beam angle calculator](https://www.formlightoptics.com/tools/led-beam-angle): Full beam angle from a spot diameter and throw, or the reverse, plus optional on-axis illuminance. - [Etendue calculator](https://www.formlightoptics.com/tools/etendue): Source etendue against a fiber or an aperture, and the geometric coupling ceiling. - [Notes](https://www.formlightoptics.com/notes): Short technical notes from Formlight Optics in Austin, Texas. A PMMA TIR collimator ray trace and an example tolerance budget for a small imaging lens. - [TIR collimator basics for LED downlights](https://www.formlightoptics.com/notes/tir-collimator-basics-for-led-downlights): How a PMMA collimator splits an LED into a refracted core and a reflected outer band, from a 2D ray trace. - [Building a tolerance budget for a small imaging lens](https://www.formlightoptics.com/notes/tolerance-budget-for-a-small-imaging-lens): An example root-sum-square tolerance budget for a three-element imaging lens, with focus treated as a compensator. - [Service catalog](https://www.formlightoptics.com/.well-known/services.json): fixed-fee, quoted per project. No prices are listed. - [Full text](https://www.formlightoptics.com/llms-full.txt) - [Contact](https://www.formlightoptics.com/contact)