MultiSurf 3D Boat Modeling Software

How I started using MultiSurf the 3D modeling software for yacht design. I graduated from Yacht Design Institute program, on the Maine Maritime campus in the late 1980’s, when most naval architects were still designing on drawing boards. At school we were doing the same thing. But in 1986 we had a guest lecturer Dr. John Letcher showed us how he designed and used his FL2b hull fairing software. At that point Dr. Letcher opened our eyes to the future for 3D modeling.

Dr. Letcher was a captivating speaker, and knew more about math then the rest of the room combined. But at the same time if you had a question, he gave his answer in a way everyone understood, and knew they had just learned something from him.

In 1986 the fast computer was a Tandy 2000 you purchased at Radio Shack. It had two 5-1/4” floppy disk, very small RAM, and a monochrome screen. Oh yea, we did have a dot matrix printer where we would print out our lines. I have saved that work, very cool times.

To this day the software that started 3D modeling for me, and a lot of other NA’s is still in use, yet very upgraded. Dr. Letcher’s company AeroHydro, which he started in the 1980’s, today sells software that is based on FL2b, it is called Multisurf. I still use this program and have used it as my 3D modeling tool all along.

The current version of MultiSurf is a very powerful 3D modeling software. It will do everything a NA wants when designing their craft, and has loads of add on software such as Solid Works.

It is great being back in MultiSurf and designing again. I have missed you MultiSurf.

It is July, get out on the water and enjoy your summer!