Mathcad Prime and Symbolic Manipulation

[DavidFinkleman]

I am not sure if this is the right forum, but I can find no other way to communicate my questions and concerns.

First, the symbolic manipulation capabilities of Mathcad have diminished since Version 12. Symbolic manipulation and simplification that worked flawlessly in 11 and 12 either does not work at all or requires several intermediate manual manipulations to achieve the desired result. I have sent examples to Mathcad support for about two years, but there has been no response.

Second, I responded early and enthusiastically to the Mathcad Prime announcement. Although web pages led ostensibly to purchase, the actions led nowhere for Mathcad Prime. I called central and local (Denver) sales representatives and was told that it was not quite released yet. Worse, none of the sales reps knew anything about the capabilities of the product, for example whether symbolic manipulation had been further deprecated. They took my vitae and promised to call back with more information. No one ever called, and I still cannot learn much about the product on the Web -- except the hype.

How can I get someone to address the current status of the product and the questions that are important to my applications? I am an astrodynamicist.

I have used Mathcad almost as long as it has existed, but I stopped upgrading at V14 when it was clear that symbolic manipulation was deficient.

Dave Finkleman

Colorado Springs, CO

[RichardJ]

First, the symbolic manipulation capabilities of Mathcad have diminished since Version 12. Symbolic manipulation and simplification that worked flawlessly in 11 and 12 either does not work at all or requires several intermediate manual manipulations to achieve the desired result. I have sent examples to Mathcad support for about two years, but there has been no response.

You are much more likely to get help by posting the examples here (not from support, but from other users). The switch from the Maple engine to the Mupad engine (which occurred between versions 13 and 14) is a mixed bag. Some things work better, some worse. Unfortunately more worse than better

Worse, none of the sales reps knew anything about the capabilities of the product, for example whether symbolic manipulation had been further deprecated.

Prime 1.0 does not have any symbolic math capability. That's not because it's been deprecated though, but rather because it has not yet been implemented. It will be implemented in al later release. A lot of other things have not been implemented yet either. There is a long thread on the subject here: http://communities.ptc.com/message/159822#33599

[mzeftel]

This link shows the features of Mathcad 15 and Mathcad Prime 1.0.

http://www.ptc.com/WCMS/files/121440/en/6017_Mathcad_Comparison_TS_EN.PDF

Symbolics are not yet in Mathcad Prime 1.0, but will be added in a following release.

Mona

[RogerMansfield]

Hello Dave,

Haven't seen you since the annual winter AAS Space Flight Mechanics meeting in Sedona, Arizona, during January 2007:-) I am familiar with Mathcad Prime 1.0, its capabilities, its limitations, and how to get a copy.

You are welcome to call me or e-mail me privately with questions.

P.S. Be sure to visit the "Mathcad Prime 1.0 is a Step Back" thread at PlanetPTC. There you will find quite a bit about what experienced Mathcad users think of Mathcad Prime 1.0. You will find there, too, that Mathcad Prime 1.0 does not have symbolics nor 3D plots (yet) -- these and other Mathcad 15 features now missing will be added incrementally, in future releases, starting at Mathcad Prime 2.0.

Roger Mansfield

Colorado Springs, CO

[DavidFinkleman]

Eighteen months later, there is still no answer or action. I downloaded the latest MCAD Prime, which has symbolic manipulation capabilities, and I was contacted by a sales person. He asked that we send examples of the MCAD programs we had generated in older versions and which did not work in Prime. We sent the examles, and absolutely nothing happened. No response. No follow-up. The issue is that we cannot convert those programs to MCAD Prime unless we purchase MCAD 15. We stopped at 12, when symbolic manipulations started disappearing. 15 is free is one purchases MCAD Prime. So, in order to evaluate it, we have to buy it. This would be stupid if it were not unworthy of that honor. It is absolutely mindless.

[RichardJ]

Try these:

http://www.ptc.com/prime-download/mathcad/free-trial-1.html?gclid=CM28raH937ACFUOo4AoduAxZ1g#1

http://www.ptc.com/products/mathcad/mathcad-15-0/free-trial.htm

[DavidFinkleman]

That is what I did. The free trial would not allow one to determine how Prime would handle old MCAD files. The ability to convert files essentially required that one purchase Prime or 15. Hence the do loop. In addition, I travel a lot, and the 30 day trial expired beford I could do much. PTC would not allow me an extension or another free download. I guess they no longer want me as a customer.

[RichardJ]

Conversion of the files only requires that both Prime and 15 are installed. However, it does require a certain release of 15, and maybe the free download is not the right one.