@Carl Love 

If I had run my example code I would not have posted. Ignore my post - I see now how I came to this. Thanks .

@Thomas Richard 

Thanks very much. The condensed mode solved my problem.

@Preben Alsholm 

Standard Worksheet Interface, Maple 17.02, Windows 7, September 5 2013 Build ID 872941

on my Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro computer too.

Graphics: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family with latest driver Ver 10.18.10.3304

I purchased/installed Maple 17 just a few months ago so I would think I have the correct java installed.

It seems graphics get rendered correctly if I include the default linestyle in the command.

A simple plot such as

plots:-spacecurve([cos(t),sin(t),t],t=-3..3)

results in a box complete with axis and ticmarks but no curve. Not a big deal but it would be nice if Maplesoft could remedy it.

Thanks

I have the same problem on my Win 8.1 laptop.  I have noticed that including the linetype=solid option , e.g. in the spacecurve command results in a correct rendering.