cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Community Tip - New to the community? Learn how to post a question and get help from PTC and industry experts! X

PRIME 2 - not

Joeboy
12-Amethyst

PRIME 2 - not

I just left a live meeting (it went dead) on Prime 2. I attempted to convert a simple statics file to Prime 2. "2" could not handle "insert math mode", my footer notations did not transfer, I could not get the new footer notations I created to format correctly. I gave up. I have somewhere around 10000 Mathcad files, I do not have the time to go through this frustration each time I want to convert a file. If PTC wants people to convert to "2" they need a SEAMLESS converter which retains all features of the converted file.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
17 REPLIES 17

rbostiga
3-Visitor
(To:Joeboy)

Unfortunately PTC seems to be more concerned with integrating Mathcad into their other applications than destroying all the work users have done over the years. I have about 12 years worth of Mathcad files that I may have to print hardcopies just so I have a record of them, since I can't count on v15 being there forever.

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:rbostiga)

since I can't count on v15 being there forever.

I have colleagues seriously considering switching to new software packages. They are even willing to start from scratch because they feel it will be quicker than waiting for Prime. PTC really need to make Prime 3.0 fully functional otherwise I feel they will loose valuable users.

Mike

Mike Armstrong wrote:

since I can't count on v15 being there forever.

I have colleagues seriously considering switching to new software packages. They are even willing to start from scratch because they feel it will be quicker than waiting for Prime. PTC really need to make Prime 3.0 fully functional otherwise I feel they will loose valuable users.

Mike

That's exactly where I am at. I've been a loyal Mathcad customer for about 20 years (since college). However, if my current maintenance agreement runs out before there is a fully functional version of Prime that can seamlessly open my archive of Mathcad worksheets, I'll be seriously looking at all other options.

My whole PTC/Mathcad experience has been quite disappointing. As it is, I already feel like PTC has seriously abused their Mathcad maintenance customers by trying to pass off these severely compromised versions of Prime as Mathcad "upgrades".

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:BTBeilke)

Let's hope it doesn't to that and Prime 3.0 is the version which changes everything.

Mike

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:Joeboy)

Absolutely agree. This HAS to be the first issue sorted for the next release of Prime. The conversion should be completed in the background with only minimal compatibility issues.

Mike

Joeboy
12-Amethyst
(To:Joeboy)

Can you say Matlab ? If PTC doesn't start paying attention to Mathcad they will be hearing that word alot.

Fred_Kohlhepp
23-Emerald I
(To:Joeboy)

Can you say Smath?

Closer to mathcad, programming not required, FREE

I Googled it, looks very nice

Your right Fred, SMath has been recommended here many times.

Mike

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:Joeboy)

Not just Matlab, they have been looking at multiple options if I'm being honest.

Mike

When six years ago we heard that PTC buys a company Mathsoft, we were almost in unison asked: "Is this the end of Mathcad!?".

But since I do not lose hope that Mathcad reborn in new hands. But not with Prime 2. I am very disappointed with Prime 2. Its developers do not do what users need but what they themselves want or can.

I already wrote here that the developer of Mathcad was a physicist. The developer of Prime is an IT-specialist.

And more!

We have not see in the list "Community Highlights" here http://communities.ptc.com/docs/DOC-2617

the poin with the name "PRIME 2 - not'"

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:ValeryOchkov)

I already wrote here that the developer of Mathcad was a physicist. The developer of Prime is an IT-specialist.

Good point Valery you might be onto something there.

Mike

I have been a Mathcad user for close to 20 years. The sad thing is that, since PTC took it over, it had become more and mor onerous, tied up as it is in intractable software distribution controls. I have had PRIME1 for about a year. Aside from pretty looking fonts, it is a seriously non-functional mathematical tool; I quit using it almost immediately. Why is PTC so keen on replacing a working software with a broken one? It is not pretty fonts that solve mathematical and engineering problems it is the robust calculational prowess that Matcad used possess. I wonder if the newer versions are being developed by "interior decorator'' type of software people instead of seasoned mathematicians, scientists or engineers with broad experience in software development.

MikeArmstrong
5-Regular Member
(To:ptc-1215629)

I have been a Mathcad user for close to 20 years. The sad thing is that, since PTC took it over, it had become more and mor onerous, tied up as it is in intractable software distribution controls. I have had PRIME1 for about a year. Aside from pretty looking fonts, it is a seriously non-functional mathematical tool; I quit using it almost immediately. Why is PTC so keen on replacing a working software with a broken one? It is not pretty fonts that solve mathematical and engineering problems it is the robust calculational prowess that Matcad used possess. I wonder if the newer versions are being developed by "interior decorator'' type of software people instead of seasoned mathematicians, scientists or engineers with broad experience in software development.

Another unhappy customer hey!!!!

I must admit Mathcad Prime 2.0 is much further down the line than Prime 1.0, which you would expect but not at M15 level yet. I have a feeling that Prime 3.0 will be very close in terms of functionality.

Mike

Fred_Kohlhepp
23-Emerald I
(To:Joeboy)

Be careful what you wish for.

If Prime 3 can read old files, then the necessity of bundling Mathcad 15 (as a stand alone, fully functional and powerful program) will disappear. Can you imagine trying to work around what we have already been told won't be in Prime 3?

That's a scary thought, but PTC cannot make M15 redundant until Prime is at a position to convert the majority of older files without much effort.

Mike

Top Tags