Maplesoft Releases New Versions of Maple and MapleSim

By DE Editors

Maplesoft (Waterloo, ONT) has announced the simultaneous release of MapleSim, its physical modeling and simulation tool, and Maple, the company’s widely-deployed technical computing software for engineers,  mathematicians, and scientists. MapleSim 4 introduces a new 3D construction feature that is said to save engineers significant time when developing multibody models, while Maple offers a new methodology for creating, sharing,  and receiving technical documents within an integrated environment. Both upgrades are intended to provide engineers and scientists advanced technologies that save them time designing, modeling, as well as executing high-performance simulations such as real-time and hardware-in-the-loop applications.

Maple 14 from Maplesoft.

At the core of MapleSim lies Maple, which provides an advanced symbolic computation engine, numeric solvers, and a technical document interface. MapleSim 4’s new 3D construction feature is reported to give users an instant, realistic feedback of multibody systems through its ability to render models dynamically as they are built. Additionally, MapleSim 4 supplies engineers with functionality that enables them add and manipulate multibody components with in their 3D workspace directly.

MapleSim 4 has also been enhanced with other new features,  such as flexible probe management tools that include the ability to add new probes to previous simulation results without having to rerun the simulation. Additionally, a new semi-stiff solver returns what the company describes as “good results” for stiff systems without the overhead formulation costs of a true stiff solver. New and enhanced analysis tools, including tools for exploring multibody equations, have also been incorporated in version 4.

Maplesoft says that Maple 14 offers increased depth and breadth of mathematics for engineering applications. Version 14 includes new control system design tools, linearization tools, as well as new solvers to help produce better designs and allow the exploration of a variety of design techniques. A key enhancement in this release of Maple is the MapleCloud Document Exchange, which the company describes as “a revolutionary way to create, share, and receive technical documents all within a single integrated environment.”

MapleSim 4 from Maplesoft.

With MapleCloud, shared documents are available instantly when you start Maple, and you can share new documents with individual users or work groups with a click of a button. Admin functionality enables you to create groups, set permission levels, and manage document security. Additional features include a private area on the MapleCloud server for storing Maple documents as well as the ability to leverage Google Translate on demand.

Performance is said to have been increased in Maple 14. This, says Maplesoft, enables engineers and scientists to find faster results and take on larger problems to solve. Improvements in the Maple 14 work environment include enhanced search capabilities for the help system, and new tools for creating and exploring plots. Connectivity with MATLAB from the Mathworks has been expanded through the integration of the Maple Toolbox for MATLAB into Maple 14.

“Every year, engineering systems are becoming more complex and time-consuming to develop and improve,” said Jim Cooper, President and CEO of Maplesoft in a press statement. “Symbolic computation is quickly becoming one of the most important, defining technologies of next generation modeling techniques. Because MapleSim 4 and Maple 14 are based on a world-leading symbolic computation engine, engineers across many different industries are saving weeks and months of time while developing better solutions for their customers.”

Single-user professional licenses of MapleSim 4 are $4,595. Maple 14 is $1,895. (Quoted prices are for installation and use in the US.)  Volume, upgrade, and academic discounts are available. Both MapleSim 4 and Maple 14 are available from the Maplesoft Web Store and from Maplesoft directly. For complete details, visit Maplesoft.

  Visit the MapleSim 4 web page.

Go to the MapleSim image gallery.

Read MapleSim application stories.

Visit the Maple 14 web page.

View Maple 14 demos.

See a movie on MapleCloud.

See why DE’s Editors selected MapleSim 4 and Maple 14 as their Pick of the Week.