One of the most difficult things to learn is working in a 3 Dimensional environment on a computer screen. Especially if you have never used 3D drafting tools before it can take some time to get used to. The Maxsurf application is specially designed to help you manipulate a shape in 3D using just your mouse and the computer screen display. The tutorials in this document will teach you different mouse techniques and screen display settings that increase your 3D modelling efficiency in Maxsurf.

Maxsurf consists of four view windows. For each 2D view direction, Maxsurf has one window:

* This may appear odd, but this way the user can model above the centreline in Plan view. Research has shown that a naval architect can interpret the shape of a vessel in plan view better when it is drawn above the centreline.

Body Plan Window

Profile Window

Plan Window

Finally Maxsurf has a 3D viewing window that allows you to view the model in 3D, rotate it and render it. This is called the Perspective Window.

Perspective Window

Continue with the section on Working in Different Windows Layouts.