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PTC Mathcad VS Blockpad.net

Compare PTC Mathcad VS Blockpad.net and see what are their differences

PTC Mathcad logo PTC Mathcad

PTC Mathcad PTC Mathcad is Engineering Math Software That Allows You to Perform, Analyze, and Share Your Most Vital Calculations.

Blockpad.net logo Blockpad.net

Blockpad is spreadsheet software re-imagined for engineering. It gives engineers a better way to create, manage, and share critical calculations.
  • PTC Mathcad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-14
Not present

Blockpad is spreadsheet software re-imagined for engineering calculations. It enables engineers to create professional calculation deliverables in an intuitive and familiar way.

The primary interface feels like a traditional word processor, but pressing the equals sign opens up a formula like in a spreadsheet. This formula is then calculated and presented in clear math notation so that the math is readable and not hidden behind a cell. Also like a spreadsheet, these formulas update whenever numbers change.

The formulas also employ many engineering friendly features: - units intelligence - variable names - matrix math - custom functions

The documents themselves are more than just word processors, and include tools that make engineering calculations easier: - spreadsheet-style tables - actual spreadsheets - point snap drawings - solver sections

Also, the various parts of a document can all connect together using spreadsheet-style formulas and references, so that a whole document can update when the numbers change.

Because Blockpad feels like the office and calculation tools you already know, the learning curve can be pretty short. The math is just like spreadsheet math, and the functions are the same too. So it's easy to get started and creating calculation documents you're proud to share.

PTC Mathcad features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    PTC Mathcad offers a highly intuitive and visual workspace that allows users to document and solve problems with ease. This usability reduces the learning curve for new users.
  • Engineering Notation
    Mathcad supports natural math notation, making it easier for engineers to input and understand complex mathematical expressions as they would be written on paper.
  • Live Mathematical Calculations
    Mathcad performs real-time calculations, allowing users to instantly see the results of their inputs and changes, which aids in iterative design processes.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The software easily integrates with other PTC solutions like Creo and Windchill, enhancing its value in a comprehensive product development environment.
  • Collaboration Features
    Mathcad provides tools for sharing and collaboration, which are crucial for team-based engineering projects. Users can annotate, comment, and share their worksheets seamlessly.

Possible disadvantages of PTC Mathcad

  • Cost
    PTC Mathcad can be expensive, especially for small businesses or individual users. The cost may include license fees, maintenance fees, and potential training costs.
  • Software Performance
    Some users have reported performance issues with large or complex worksheets, which can slow down productivity and impact user experience.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, mastering advanced features and functionalities may require significant effort and time investment.
  • Limited Scripting Capabilities
    Mathcad's scripting and automation capabilities are limited compared to other tools such as MATLAB, restricting the flexibility for users who need advanced computational capabilities.
  • Resource Intensive
    Mathcad can be resource intensive, requiring considerable computing power and memory, which may necessitate hardware upgrades or limit its use on lower-end machines.

Blockpad.net features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Blockpad.net offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users at all skill levels.
  • Efficient Collaboration
    The platform allows seamless collaboration among team members, enhancing productivity and ensuring transparency in project management.
  • Data Security
    Blockpad.net provides robust security features to protect user data and ensure privacy, giving users peace of mind while using the platform.
  • Customizable Templates
    Users have access to a variety of customizable templates, allowing for tailored solutions to meet specific project needs and requirements.

Possible disadvantages of Blockpad.net

  • Limited Integrations
    Blockpad.net offers fewer integrations with third-party applications compared to some of its competitors, which may limit its usability for certain users.
  • Subscription Costs
    While there is a free version available, access to premium features requires a subscription, which might not be suitable for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although the basic features are user-friendly, mastering some of the more advanced functionalities can be challenging for new users.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    The mobile version of the platform doesn't offer the full functionality available on the desktop, potentially hindering on-the-go project management.

Analysis of PTC Mathcad

Overall verdict

  • Yes, PTC Mathcad is considered to be a strong tool for engineering calculations, particularly appreciated for its documentation capabilities and ease of use in handling mathematical expressions. It provides a good balance of power and simplicity, making it a popular choice in engineering fields.

Why this product is good

  • PTC Mathcad is known for its ability to perform complex engineering calculations while displaying them in a user-friendly, readable format. It is especially useful for engineers and professionals who require a straightforward way to document calculations alongside units and graphs. It integrates well with other engineering tools and offers extensive capabilities for solving, analyzing, and sharing engineering calculations.

Recommended for

  • Engineers who need to perform and document complex calculations
  • Students studying engineering or related fields
  • Professionals who require clear visualization of mathematical data
  • Administrators or managers who need to ensure accurate and consistent calculations in reports

PTC Mathcad videos

PTC Mathcad Prime 6.0 - Overview

More videos:

  • Review - PTC Mathcad Prime 6.0 is Here!
  • Review - Engineering Calculations with PTC Mathcad Prime 5.0

Blockpad.net videos

No Blockpad.net videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PTC Mathcad and Blockpad.net)
Technical Computing
78 78%
22% 22
Engineering Calculator
68 68%
32% 32
Numerical Computation
80 80%
20% 20
Spreadsheets
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Blockpad.net seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 10 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PTC Mathcad mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PTC Mathcad yet. Tracking of PTC Mathcad recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Blockpad.net mentions (10)

  • Ask HN: Help me find spreadsheet software I found on HN
    I remember seeing an app that has a canvas, and on it you put individual 'sheets' or tables. You can reference between them as normal, drag and drop them around. The screenshots _may_ have shown math being entered too, I can't recall. Because my calculations are made up of many mini-calculations this seems a much better idea than the normal Excel style of multiple tables on one sheet, as adding a row doesn't... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: Software to Write Engineering Calculations?
    I don't personally use it, but you might find Blockpad interesting https://blockpad.net/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Mathics: A free, open-source alternative to Mathematica
    In that space, https://blockpad.net/ is interesting also. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Hand Calculations - What works best for you?
    I work at Blockpad, and we have a lot of structural engineering customers that love it. It's sort of like Mathcad+Excel, inside of Word. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • How to Excel in Tech Without Learning to Code
    For engineers Blockpad (http://blockpad.net) is making a good case for itself as an Excel replacement. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PTC Mathcad and Blockpad.net, you can also consider the following products

SMath Studio - Tiny, powerful, free mathematical program with WYSIWYG editor and complete units of measurements support.

Wolfram Mathematica - Mathematica has characterized the cutting edge in specialized processing—and gave the chief calculation environment to a large number of pioneers, instructors, understudies, and others around the globe.

Mathcad - Mathcad is engineering calculation software that drives innovation and offers significant process...

MATLAB - A high-level language and interactive environment for numerical computation, visualization, and programming

EngineeringPaper.xyz - Online app for engineering calculations. Solves systems of equations, checks and converts units automatically, supports plotting, and allows for the creation of a link to share your work. Free and open source, no registration required.

Swift Calcs - The Collaborative Computational Notebook Built for Modern Engineering.