Mathcad Alternative
Mathcad Alternative
(OP)
Is there a cheap, er I mean, inexpensive alternative to Mathcad? Pretty much the functionality of Mathcad ver. 6 is all I need. Something that will let me type in text and free format equations so I can document calculations.
I've recently started at a new company and as the new guy I'm hesitant to suggest something so pricey considering we would probably use a fraction of its capability. Oh, this package would need to be able to handle graphics, like screen shots of a FEA model that you paste in the report.
In case you're wondering, I used Mathcad for many years. I was using ver. 11 at my old job. Now I work at a place that uses Word to document their calcs. Those guys seems to be fine with it but using Word for math is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
I've recently started at a new company and as the new guy I'm hesitant to suggest something so pricey considering we would probably use a fraction of its capability. Oh, this package would need to be able to handle graphics, like screen shots of a FEA model that you paste in the report.
In case you're wondering, I used Mathcad for many years. I was using ver. 11 at my old job. Now I work at a place that uses Word to document their calcs. Those guys seems to be fine with it but using Word for math is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
RE: Mathcad Alternative
So, do I get the TKsolver commission?
You could buy Mathcad v6 on ebay.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Greg, good idea, I just looked on ebay but didn't see anything that looked worthwhile. Most of the stuff is training CD's for Mathcad. There were also some academics versions of MC13, but I'm not a student or professor. There was a MC2000 but I recall having a ton of problems with 2000, or was it 2001? or 2001i? I don't remember, but I'm not taking any chances.
I'll take a look at TKsolver. Thanks.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
You can legally use academic versions of earlier versions for commercial work. Before I bought the 2001 academic version I E-mailed Mathsoft and received an E-mail permission/confirmation that this is true. Basically when a new version comes out Mathsoft gives all that left from the academic versions to authorized dealers to openly sell it for commercial use too.
If you have doubts you can call or E-mail Mathsoft and inquire about this.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Also keep your eye on mathsoft's web page, periodically they offer incentives to upgrade.
Peter
RE: Mathcad Alternative
RE: Mathcad Alternative
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Why not get Mathcad it's only around $1,000
RE: Mathcad Alternative
It's only a couple hundred dollars and supposedly has graphical live equations. There's a trial version available for download:
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TTFN
RE: Mathcad Alternative
TTFN
RE: Mathcad Alternative
http://www.sciface.com/
or TK Solver
www.uts.com
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Has anyone created a pretty interface for Matlab?
I must admit I've never used Matlab or Scilab for symbolic stuff, Mathcad's approach is so much more readable.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
RE: Mathcad Alternative
TTFN
RE: Mathcad Alternative
ht
This sort of 'copy protection' is not acceptable in professional software in my opinion.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
I've run Adaware, Norton IS, HijackThis, and Spybot and have found no detections of any Safecast adware on my system. And, I've had no problems with my CD recorder.
TTFN
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Let us know how your evaluation of MuPad goes. I looked at Scientific Notebook but was fairly underwhelmed. Some things I didn't like about it were the fact that you are always picking buttons to do something instead of just typing. Also, say you type in an equation and then tell it to evaluate the equation. Now go back to the equation and change something. It doesn't change the evalution! You have to wipe at the evaluation and then tell it to evaluate the modified equation. Maybe there's another way, but if it's no more intuitive than that, no thank you.
Currently, I'm thinking of just asking my boss to get Mathcad. I've tried to be the company man and find something cheaper that would do the job but unless MuPad looks promising I'm gonna throw in the towel.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
It is early days for me with MuPad but I hope to give it a tough work out in the coming weeks, I did try over Christmas but you know how it is.
IRstuff,
Forgive me if I sound jaded it is just that SafeCast did break my CD Burner. I did upgrade to 13 but then found that I needed to activate every couple of days which became a real pain. Why they just don't use dongles is beyond me.
RE: Mathcad Alternative
Dongles walk
Dongles can interfere with other dongles as well the printer
As for v13, you probably need to uninstall, clean the registry and reinstall.
TTFN
RE: Mathcad Alternative
I just called Mathsoft, and asked if older versions of the Academic Edition can be used commercially, and they said "no".
Do you have a the name of a person I could talk to who may have more information about this?
V
RE: Mathcad Alternative
DPAJR