PTC Creo vs. PTC Mathcad

I wouldn't suggest it to my worst enemy. My colleagues worked with other CADs and, in my experience, complain every day about this CAD, about how much things it doesn't have or do, etc. One of them keeps telling me, in their opinion, how even CREO Direct is far superior, easy to use, faster and better. In my opinion, it's a CAD that requires constant attention at what you do, how you do, when you do because it doesn't do it for you.

It is definitely a must have for every design engineer. The formulas can be written in the expanded format which facilitates the process. The measurement unit feature is very useful and helps prevent errors in formulas. Mathcad is now equipped with a decent spell checker which is also very helpful.

Incentivized

• PTC Creo contains many advanced tools with better optimization for creating part models and other production related drawings.
• The initial concept designs can be done more adequately.
• The parameters of 2D drawings can be changed easily by editing the 3D model.
• The productivity can be increased by customized tools for modeling.

Incentivized

• MathCad has a relatively easy to learn and easy to use programming language.
• It is easy to deploy and manage seats of MathCad.
• Documentation and support are reasonably strong.

Incentivized

• Providing guidance through using tools is lacking in Creo. There is a small area where the text is displayed at the bottom that is supposed to help guide you, but many times the guidance doesn't make sense.
• Layers are a hassle in Creo. Unless you know how to set up your config file to do it automatically, you have to add each item to the appropriate layer.
• There is a lack of automation in Creo. In some other CAD packages, you can add holes or the like on a pattern of features. Not so in Creo.

Incentivized

• A limited number of file formats for export, especially those that support visual graphics in vector format
• Interfaces for mathematics and equations with MathType and LaTeX / MikTex / Tex
• Limited functionality for visualization of data in a 3D format

Incentivized

Higher-order math, despite symbolics, become tedious and variable nomenclature isn't as forgiving as other programs. Due to it's sheet-like nature, the greater the complexity the more bothersome the screen usage becomes. But it's a trade-off between a sketchpad-like interface or lines and lines of code. Pick your poison but MathCad was our choice.

Incentivized

I liked the training manuals I used to learn some, as I didn’t have CAD background in college or before this job. My coworkers were able to share with me what they learned in PTC training and I was able to get support online and through reading.

Incentivized

PTC Creo is much better than other software at allowing collaboration across multiple users, even multiple plants/locations. We went from an older non-parametric industry standard software to PTC Creo because we could save massive amounts of time by using the parametric assembly features of PTC Creo along with the the Windchill drawing organization functions.

Incentivized

I have not found an alternative that is as useful as [PTC Mathcad]. In fact it is exactly what I've been looking for for some time.

Incentivized

• Having PTC Creo as our primary tool positions us as forward thinking and creative in the eyes of our clients.
• PTC Creo constantly evolves in the ability to increase our productivity; new capabilities and features are added, which reduce our level of effort for some tasks.

Incentivized

• Mathcad has allowed us to take legacy hand written calculations and document them in an electronic format. Now we can quickly run different design scenarios using the legacy calculations. It allows us to quickly vet new design options.
• Sharing new design concepts is quicker and easier within our various design groups.

Incentivized