To begin your first design close any design that is currently open and then make sure the Plan window is in front.

·   Select New Design from the File menu.

This creates a new design with no surfaces

·   Select Default from the Add Surface sub-menu under the Surfaces Menu.

This inserts a new U-shaped surface into your design.

This surface is created with a simple 3 by 3 net of control points. This surface is half U-shaped in cross-section; since it is symmetrical it forms a full U-shaped ‘hull-like’ surface.

The shape of the new surface is shown below. Examine it by selecting the drawing windows from the Windows menu, you may wish to use the Zoom, Shrink and Pan commands to fit the surface inside the window.

In this first design you are aiming to design a simple canoe body with a closed bow and open transom.

Your task is to modify the default surface into the above shape. This may be done by manipulation of control points in the Plan, Profile, and Body Plan windows. The following sections guide you through the necessary steps.

Next: Setting up your Units