FRED  European Tutorial Course Description
This course is a hands-on tutorial that is intended to provide new users with an understanding of how to construct FRED^® models, execute the raytrace, and analyze the results. In so doing, many of FRED’s extensive features and capabilities as an analysis tool will be demonstrated.  Examples will be constructed in real time and will include discussions of both imaging and non-imaging (illumination) applications. This tutorial is the first three days of the intense 4 day tutorial course. The fourth day is optional and can be attended separately. Please contact your Laser 2000 salesperson for more information.

Topics covered during the 3-day tutorial include:

• The FRED Philosophy – Visualization is key to understanding optical engineering problems
• Navigating the user interface including interface customization
•  Using visualization features to create technically meaningful, visually stunning graphics
•  Building and modifying geometry using FRED’s interface
•  Importing geometry from lens design and CAD programs
• Exporting geometry and traced rays to CAD programs
• Working with surface attributes including coatings, scatter models, and raytrace controls
• Creating coherent and incoherent sources
• Using raytrace tools including single, targeted raytrace; sequential/non-sequential raytracing
• Constructing analysis surfaces and ray filtering
• Computing irradiance, intensity distributions; image formation; illumination analyses; power (throughput) calculations; color images; polarization analyses; ghost image formation; stray light analyses; thermal radiometry
• Digitizing coating transmission/reflection plots, geometry, spectral weighting, and refractive index data
• Extending FRED’s capabilities using its compiled BASIC scripting language
• FRED as automation client/server

Topics covered during the optional 4^th day tutorial include: 

• Relationship between FRED and BASIC compiler
•  Accessing data with nodes and structures
• Reading and manipulating data
•  Basic and advanced raytracing
•  Using ray buffers
• Performing energy calculations
• Using pre-update and post-update scripts
• Mastering automation w/COM: FRED as client or server
• Rastering calculations
• Using scripted entities

Instructor:
Dr. Steven Miller, Senior Optical Scientist at Photon Engineering, has 20 years experience as an Optical Engineer in defense and commercial applications. With this much experience to draw on, Steven can customize the tutorial content to the specific interests of the attendees.

• These tutorials have been crafted to help you get the most out of the FRED software. If at all possible, schedule your travel plans so that you can attend all days!
• The optional scripting tutorial offered on the 4^th day is limited to attendees who are proficient in the BASIC programming language.
• Attendance at each tutorial is limited to 7 to 10 participants.
• Participants are strongly urged to bring their own laptop computers. (Please let us know if you will not be bringing a laptop from us so we can plan our resources accordingly.)
• Hotel accommodations and dinner meal expenses are not included in cost of the tutorial.  You are responsible for those arrangements, but upon request we can help with suggestions.
• Depending on projected attendance, we reserve the right to reschedule or cancel a tutorial up to two weeks prior to the tutorial.

European Tutorial Dates for 2008:
The next 4 Day Tutorial in Germany is scheduled for April 22nd through April 25th, 2008

Contact Laser 2000 for details by emailing Soehnke Kleiner at s.kleiner@laser2000.de or by visiting their website here.