Optical diagrams, what program?

[dmriser]

First, I hope this is posted in the correct section, and I'm sorry if it isn't.

I am looking to create diagrams of optical setups for a technical paper. My mentor recommended using Microsoft PowerPoint, but my diagrams don't compare to those in published papers. Is there a better program, or a 'standard' for authoring these diagrams?



Thanks,
David

 

[Simon Bridge]

You'd want to make the actual diagrams using a drawing tool set up for the purpose - there are a range: like dia. I don't know that dia has a ray optics plugin - I've always used a generic drawing program as for vector graphics or just the Gimp.

 

[Dr Transport]

normally, the program you are using for the optical design has an option to do a 2-d layout for presentations/publications...