Plotting Improved in Prime 8?

[mfrench]

Hi Folks,

I'm writing out an example for my students using Prime 7.  I'm hoping to avoid having to explain the goofy plotting functions and all their limitations.  Has Prime 8 moved to a single plot function like V15?

Fortunately, it looks like there is a V15 site license available here.  That's the backup plan.

Thanks,

Mark

[LucMeekes · Accepted solution]

Some things have changed between Prime 7 and 8, see here: https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS363544?source=MIP

The plotting capabilities of Prime 8 are no worse than those of Prime 7...

As for Mathcad 15: I don't think your students will be able to benefit from it, see here: https://community.ptc.com/t5/Mathcad-Tips/Official-PTC-Mathcad-15-and-Prime-1-6-End-of-Sale-Announcement/m-p/815066

Success!
Luc

[mfrench]

Hi Luc,

Thanks for the quick reply and for the links.

'No worse' sounds like there have been no changes.  Prime 7 looks pretty good, but there are two incompatible plotting functions and the more convenient one doesn't include basics like grid lines and axis labels.

I know that PTC is trying to force everyone away from V15 and that there is resistance.  It appears that my school has a site license for V15 and the students all have access to it.  The only site license we seem to have for Prime is V 4.0.  There's no way I'll require students to use that.

Mark

[LucMeekes]

"There's no way I'll require students to use that."

Not require, I agree. But at least point out to them that once they will (want to) start using Mathcad in their professional life, Mathcad 15 will most probably not be an option; only Prime remains.

For personal use the free-for-life Prime Express is, while limited, pretty usable in many cases. See also: https://community.ptc.com/t5/Mathcad/Prime-Express-A-joke/m-p/604216

Success!
Luc

[mfrench]

Hi Luc,

I've already let them know that V15 doesn't have a future.  It's attraction in class is only that they all have access to it.  I'd rather we use Prime 7 or 8, but we don't have it.  I use it on my own machines and have stopped using V15.

I've also told them about Express.  The obvious problem is that the full capabilities only last 30 days, but a semester is 16 weeks long.  Many of the features they need will stop working after 30 days.  The student edition of Prime 8 is only $60 and I've suggested that it's probably worth the cost.  However, I don't know if a bunch of broke grad students will want to spend the money, especially when all the other software they use is free to them.

I'll ask them next class to see if they are interested in buying student editions of Prime.  The primary tool for the class is MATLAB, but they might like the convenience of V15 and Prime.  I certainly do.

Mark

[DJNewman]

Mathcad Prime 8 has many improvements over Prime 7... but plotting isn't among them, so there are still the quick plots and then the Chart Component and they work the same way as Prime 7.

[mfrench]

Thanks DJ,

I'm sure the improvements in Prime 8 are valuable, but they aren't ones that my students will see as beginning users.  The plotting is now more of an annoyance than a real barrier.  I just figured out how to collapse the input section of the chart component plot.  It's a little clunky, but workable.

Mark

[mfrench]

Hi DJ,

I see that you handle marketing for Mathcad.  I'd like to chat about what it would take to get a classroom license for my students.  What's a good way to contact you directly?

Mark

[DJNewman]

I'll PM you.