Novice to MathCAD 1

[engineer4266]

Can someone help me with guidance as to where to start as far learning MathCAD from the start?
Do the software packages like PTC Student editions really help - someone who has not used MathCAD at all?

 

[IRstuff]

Sure, why not? Most academic versions are identical to the normal versions.

If it's a matter of cost, you might look into Studyworks, which was a separate academic product, but shares similar syntax with Mathcad. Studyworks does not support programming, and has a limited symbolic processing capability. However, you can get it on Ebay, usually for less than $20:

http://cgi.ebay.com/StudyWorks-Math...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53e10d4273

The Studyworks Mathematics and Science packages uses the same program, only loaded with different worksheet examples.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[engineer4266]

Thanks for the reply. No it is not a matter of cost but simplicity. I do not want to buy something which I am not able to understand in the middle of the way.

So you feel, being basic mechanical engineer (1980 passout) who has not tried MathCAD yet, I will be be able to utilize the Student Version of PTC for MathCAD 14.0; I am very determined to learn it at all cost.

 

[IRstuff]

I'm not sure why you think your graduation year has much to do with it; it's not like learning to ride a bicycle.

Attached is a link to a PDF of a heat transfer calculation, and you can see that it's basically what you would write down on a calculation pad:

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...ef9-d89fb42fe41f&file=furnace._w_radiated.pdf

While the sheet is uncommented, it should be relatively easy to follow. Note that Mathcad comes with built-in, on-the-fly, unit conversion, which is really is primary strength.

One caveat, PTC is rolling out Mathcad v15 later this year, and you might want to get Studyworks to play with until M15 comes out. It's essentially the same capability, plus some extras, as the v14 M020 version you'd probably get in the current academic version, but its bug fix level would be equivalent to v14 M40.

PTC currently has some rather draconic limitations on supplying revisions and bug fixes to single-user licensees.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[IRstuff]

Oh, and note that this level of worksheet can be completely implemented in Studyworks. It'll be while before you exceed its capabilities. Studyworks is admittedly rather old, ca. 2002, but it holds up well; I have it installed on Windows 7.

TTFN

FAQ731-376