Furthermore, the RSoft CAD manual acts as a bridge between the design phase and the computational phase. It outlines the "Simulation Tool Palette," where users can toggle between different numerical methods without needing to redraw the structure. The manual explains the nuances of setting up "Launch Conditions," such as Gaussian beams or fiber modes, and defining "Monitors" to capture data like power transmission, spectral response, or far-field patterns. By mastering these sections of the manual, designers can efficiently transition from a conceptual sketch to a data-rich simulation, significantly reducing the time-to-market for new optical components.

For advanced users, the RSoft CAD Manual dedicates significant space to scripting. It explains the RSoft scripting language used to generate designs programmatically. This is particularly useful for generating repetitive structures, such as Bragg gratings or arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), and for automating batch simulations.

Once the geometry is fixed, you must tell the software how to "solve" the physics.