The APEX from Breault Research Organization is an Optical Simulation Software developed for the design, analysis, and optimization of optical and illumination systems. It is implemented as an add-in to the SOLIDWORKS environment. This software enables optical modeling directly within a native CAD workflow without the need for data translation between separate tools. It uses the proven ASAP ray-tracing kernel and supports fast, accurate non-sequential ray tracing. This software allows realistic simulation of light behavior in complex system.

The APEX includes comprehensive libraries of sources, lenses, materials, coatings, and scatter models, enabling detailed system modeling & reducing reliance on physical prototyping. It features a true CAD-based interface with an easy-to-follow workflow, allowing users to design, analyze, and optimize optical systems within a single unified environment. This optical design software has &ldquooptics-aware&rdquo modeling capability that ensures optical geometries - such as lenses and mirrors - are defined with the precision and tolerances required for accurate simulation.

The APEX supports parallel processing using multi-core architectures (via MPI), improving ray-tracing speed and enabling efficient handling of large simulations. It also facilitates collaboration between optical and mechanical teams by allowing both to work on the same SOLIDWORKS files. This software helps streamline product development workflows. It offers capabilities for system optimization, virtual prototyping, and seamless CAD integration. This software is well-suited for applications such as stray light analysis, illumination design, lightpipe modeling, and reflector system development across industries including automotive lighting, medical devices, and optical instrumentation.