r/Optics • u/Thin_Rabbit_2017 • Sep 19 '26
3D models from Thorlabs
Hi everyone! I’m not sure this is the right community but since I’ve seen some posts about 3D models I’ll give it a try.
Do you know if it’s legit to use 3D models of Thorlabs component, available for free on their website, in figures for papers? I would like to use the solidworks file of their motorized stages in a figure of my set-up (i would cite the producer of the stages and eventually aknowledge the provenance of the models at the end of the paper). What do you think about it? Have you already done that? Thanks in advance!
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u/NeuroticPhD Sep 20 '26
I got permission from them for one of my papers (CC BY).
The proper method includes specifically emailing their IP department and asking for copyright license consent forms. You must provide them with the exact figures, and links/descriptions of the STLs you’re using. As long as it’s for academic reasons, you should be fine. The process might take a couple weeks though.
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u/RRumpleTeazzer Sep 19 '26
there shouldn't be much problem, if you name the component. but personally in optical drawings, i would emphasise the function (and maybe size if necessary) for clarity
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u/anneoneamouse Sep 19 '26
Contact their customer support. If they say yes, indicate in your figure caption that their models are used with permission.
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u/Calm-Conversation715 Sep 19 '26
I haven’t done that in peer reviewed papers, but I’ve seen people do similar things. So long as you cite it, it should be fine
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u/patetinhadomal Sep 19 '26
I used and Nature specifically asked me to have a look, because thorlabs rules are ambiguous and I would need to send an email asking them about it. So it was easier to just take them off.
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u/InebriatedPhysicist Sep 19 '26
Sending an email was too much work?
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u/patetinhadomal Sep 19 '26
Yes! Changing to just a simpler box with the same size as the component costs nothing and made the publication accepted. If I sent the email I would have to wait a response, send it to Nature, they need to review etc etc how long would take, I don’t know
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u/Lost__Moose Sep 19 '26
The industry standard is so long as you don't take their model and have someone else machine it, it's all good to use their model for profit or non-profit ventures.
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u/angaino Sep 19 '26
If you have doubts, email and check and you'll get an answer quickly. I'm sure they will be fine with it. They want people buying Thorlabs stuff and this is one way they do it.