What is Mathcad Express?

[ptc-4168579]

Mathcad Express is here! So what is it?

Mathcad Express is a free version of Mathcad that allows any user to utilize some selected features of Mathcad Prime 2.0, for an unlimited time. Mathcad Express gives you the ability to spend more time solving engineering problems, and less time programming, documenting, reporting and verifying their solutions. Mathcad Express was designed to be a powerful analysis tool – it is easy to learn and easy to use.

How does it work?

Mathcad Express does include the full capabilities of Mathcad Prime 2.0 for 30 days, for free. After the 30 day period has ended, you may continue to use the limited functionality of Mathcad Express as long as you like -- the Mathcad Express license will never expire. But there are some differences beyond functionality. You can expect to see in-product messages with information on selected features, training, tips and tricks, and easy ways to purchase the full commercial product. You will also see specific “Mathcad Express” headers and watermarks on worksheets. Should you decide to upgrade to the full product, you will receive the full breadth of Mathcad capabilities and you can eliminate in-product advertising and watermarks.

What’s next?

PTC is committed to delivering the best products to its customers, and it continues to invest in Mathcad. Mathcad Express is a licensing option, requiring minimal R&D resources, but allowing the Mathcad team to include a number of bug fixes and streamline the licensing process – both of which will benefit Maintenance Customers of Mathcad who are planning on upgrading to the latest release. Mathcad Prime 3.0 is scheduled for release in 2013 and will include the following features:

• Templates
• Math formatting
• Embedded math in text
• New numeric functionality

As always, we welcome your questions and comments. Check out the Mathcad product page at PTC.com to download Mathcad Express!

[ValeryOchkov]

I found this picture in Internet:

[rag]

So the software will not be crippled in functionality after 30 days but is only installable twice on the same computer?

If the buy me begs are not too annoying it sounds like an adequate substitute for the old Mathcad Explorer (a long standing wish) an maybe a good solution for education facilities or am I missing something?

[ptc-4168579]

You are correct -- the full functionality is available only for the first 30 days. After that, the product will revert to Express. There is no need to install the product again. Our goal was to balance in-product messaging so that we are providing infomation and valuable offers, but are not disrupting the user's experience. As always, we welcome your continued feedback!

[ValeryOchkov]

Can Mathcad Prime save files and open files?

Mathcad Explorer can not do it!

[ptc-4168579]

You can open and save files using Mathcad Express! Give it a try here: http://www.ptc.com/product/mathcad/free-trial/

[ValeryOchkov]

Michael E. Clark wrote:

You can open and save files using Mathcad Express! Give it a try here: http://www.ptc.com/product/mathcad/free-trial/

Thanks!

I am reading now this post thru IPad and thinking about... Do you know about what?

And second.

Can I have not on IPad - on PC with Windows both - Full Mathcad and Express?

[VladimirN]

Mathcad Express direct download link: http://free-dl.ptc.com/install/pim_installmgr_mathcad.exe

[rag]

Michael, from what I see on the screenshots provided by Valery, the functions "solve block", "programming" and "symbolic math" are locked. You did not mention that limitation and just talked about in-product messaging. Can you confirm that missing of functionality? If thats true, I would call it a crippled demo.

BTW, I am asking because I am not willing to install it as I suppose it will bring along and install without asking or even informing the unsuspicious user that awful spyware you call quality agent, as did Prime2.0 M010. An absolut no go (see also http://communities.ptc.com/message/190562#190562)!

Winfrod

[VladimirN]

The program has limited functionality, but is not limited to the period of use.

[rag]

Michael E. Clark schrieb:

You are correct -- the full functionality is available only for the first 30 days. After that, the product will revert to Express. There is no need to install the product again. Our goal was to balance in-product messaging so that we are providing infomation and valuable offers, but are not disrupting the user's experience. As always, we welcome your continued feedback!

So I am _not_ correct, as I thought in first place that the full functionality would be available even _after_ the 30 days evaluation - just nagscreens and ads. But reading your inital post again I got it - ".. allows any user to utilize some selected features ...". Thats not all features - my fault. So not really an option for education facilities.

The questions is: What happens if a user opens with Express a Mathcad document which utilizes features not allowed by Express? Will it still solve the solve block or give the symbolic result for example? It is clear, that the user will not be allowed to make his own symbolic regions, etc., but what about the already existing ones? Express would be only usable as a Mathcad Reader if it would display dynamically any mathcad file. Similar to what Mathtype degrades to after the trial period.

WR

[ptc-4168579]

In this case, yes, you are correct. Full functionality only exists for the first 30 days. However, we do offer a Student Edition of Mathcad that addresses the needs of our academic users. You can find out more on our PTC Academic Program page.

To answer your question, a user will be able to open, view, and print a Mathcad Prime 2.0 worksheet using Express, regardless of the content. However, any premium features (such as solve blocks) cannot be recalculated using Mathcad Express. The user would have to upgrade and purchase the full version.

[ValeryOchkov]

My first calculation in Mathcad Prime Express:

[ValeryOchkov]

My second calculation in Mathcad Express from Roark's Formulas for Stress & Strain:

[ValeryOchkov]

See please about Mathcad Espresso - http://communities.ptc.com/message/190651

[ValeryOchkov]

OK, Clark!

And what about Mathcad Espresso - http://communities.ptc.com/message/190651

[ptc-4168579]

Ha ha! Wouldn't that be interesting -- a la carte pricing just like your neighborhood cafe! Maybe that's possible, some day, in the distant future. But for today, it's one price for full functionality. We think it's worth it!

[ValeryOchkov]

Michael E. Clark wrote:

Ha ha! Wouldn't that be interesting -- a la carte pricing just like your neighborhood cafe! Maybe that's possible, some day, in the distant future. But for today, it's one price for full functionality. We think it's worth it!

OK!

I go into a cafe and sit down at a table and I can drink a glass of water for free (Mathcad Express). Next, I want to order a coffee, a hamburger and some one more (Mathcad Espresso). But the waiter tells me that I have to order ALL that they have on the menu (Mathcad Prime).

[ValeryOchkov]

Valery Ochkov wrote:

Michael E. Clark wrote:

Ha ha! Wouldn't that be interesting -- a la carte pricing just like your neighborhood cafe! Maybe that's possible, some day, in the distant future. But for today, it's one price for full functionality. We think it's worth it!

OK!

I go into a cafe and sit down at a table and I can drink a glass of water for free (Mathcad Express). Next, I want to order a coffee, a hamburger and some one more (Mathcad Espresso). But the waiter tells me that I have to order ALL that they have on the menu (Mathcad Prime).

I understand that PTC things in first line about commercial successes of projects.

But I thing also that PTC will get more money from the project:

Mathcad Espresso + Mathcad Prime

than from the project

Mathcad Express + Mathcad Prime

Do you understand me!

[AndrazGuncar]

Is it possible to integrate creo parametric with mathcad express ?

[tdevaraj]

yes it is

[SimonLewis]

Installation Progress

Application - Mathcad

Status - Unsuccessful

End of evaluation

[VladimirN]

What dou you mean?

[VladimirN]

Comparison Chart Mathcad Express vs. Mathcad Prime 2.0:

[lchristensen]

I posted an "official" blog post on PTC Mathcad Express today.

I'm also looking for PTC Mathcad Express reference quotes for an upcoming press release. Do you use the free software and like it? Do you see value in PTC's offering? How? Send me a message! There may be a Mathcad polo in it for appreciated contributors!

Happy holidays!

Lindsey

PTC Mathcad Program Marketing

[ValeryOchkov]

Lindsey M. Christensen wrote:

Do you see value in PTC's offering? How? Send me a message!

PTC Mathcad Program Marketing

See examples please:

http://twt.mpei.ac.ru/rbtpp/RegionAll/eng-index.html

[ELSID]

Feels like it's a bloated reader ... because it is a full install which is good for 30 days. There are other "free" products that give you more functionality, less bloat, and even portability. Granted, most of the "free" alternatives are not as mature as MathCAD, but it gets the job done. As an example, one of the "free" programs allows for graphing where MathCAD express does not.

[RogerYeh]

Oh, I think that might be a typo. I just went into Express mode, and I can insert X-Y plots, just not polar, contour, and 3-D.

[Werner_E]

I am interested in two things concerning MC Express:

1) Is it possible to switch a licensed Prim 2.0 M010 into Express mode temporarily to experience what will work in this version and how bothersome it is?

2) Is MC Express capable to handle and show worksheets created with a licensed Prime2 which utlilizes non-Express features? In other words: is express a viable Mathcad Reader?

WE

[RogerYeh]

1. I am running off of a license server, so switching into Express mode is easy. I go into Mathcad Options, License tab, and put in a bogus server or port number. If you're running off of a license file, I suppose you could move that file to a different location? Not sure...

2. Yes! So because Prime saves results in the worksheet, Express can open up worksheets created with the full version and see all the results. If you had 3D plots in there, you could even zoom in, pan, rotate, etc. Once you re-calculate, then those regions will return an error. So Express is indeed a "viable reader."

Roger.