Engineering Calculation Software 5

[OptiEng]

Hello All,

I would like to some advice on engineering calculations software. Is there any cheaper (or even free) alternatives to MathCAD and something that can offer better presentation and error checking facilities than excel.

Thanks

OptiEng

 

[DanStro]

Maxima is similar to MathCAD, but it doesn't have the word processor for math GUI. From what I understand it is really a Mathematica clone but having never used Mathematica I can't speak to that.

 

[dik]

SMath Studio is a free program that is very good... Problem is limited documentation... do a web search...

Dik

 

[GregLocock]

http://www.smath.info,

and now it has a wiki user-manual

also

http://www.octave.org

http://www.scilab.org

for two more traditional packages that are fast and stable.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[OptiEng]

Thank-you all very much for this. Having looked at all of them, it seems they will take a little getting used to but I will give them a go for sure.

 

[OptiEng]

SMath seems very close to MathCAD, and very newly developed.

 

[IDS]

I posted earlier but it seems to have disapeared.

The main points were:

Maxima is included in the Euler download, and seems to be integrated with Euler.

Wikipedia has a good comparative table:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_computer_algebra_systems

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[OptiEng]

Thanks that a good comparison table. I started using 'SMath' today, nice software, but currently it does not support engineering units (contacted the developer and its in the pipeline for updates).

Does anyone use a free programme that does cope with engineering units (e.g. m, Kg, etc).

My main purpose for using the software at the moment is for engineering calculations with formulas.

OptiEng

 

[djs]

I believe that some version of Maxima can do units.

 

[SNORGY]

I sometimes find these sites to be of great use:

http://www.freecalc.com/list.htm

http://www.cheresources.com/software.shtml

http://www.efunda.com/home.cfm

I also really like the TI-89T handheld calculator and the PC-based software you can get for it. You basically type in an equation and pick "SOLVE" from a drop-down menu. Then, if you don't give it numbers to work with, it solves it in the form of an expression in terms of whatever alpha-numeric variable you want.

Frightening.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[OptiEng]

Thats really useful to know, thanks.