There do seem to be some technical differences between 2D and 3D templates, beyond simply the starting angle of view...but I can't elaborate. For now, just go with whatever floats your boat. Gai is right, in early versions all the default templates, whether Imperial, metric or metric inches etc. all opened in plan view with no ground, sky or Flat Bryce. The Isometric/Perspective view came along later; that is, after all, how most other modellers open by default...at least they do when not in quad view.

Ugh, my fatigue made me overlook what I was actually looking at: it was the wrong tab! This reteaches me the valuable lesson of being well-rested...

Thanks, guys!

@gidon yuval said: Hi Bren and welcome to the forum. One thig that may help you in getting the hang of using SU is to think in terms of extrusion. I'm sure you are familiar with the Playdough machines where the child simply chooses the nozzle shape and forces the Playdough through it. [attachment=0:3sjfduc3]<!-- ia0 -->180px-Playdoh.jpg<!-- ia0 -->[/attachment:3sjfduc3] Well, modeling with SU is quite similar. Always think in terms of the base shape or the profile of what you want to model. Once you have the shape and you know in which you want it to go then you've done 50% of the work. Yes, indeed. Thanks, Gidon. Hadn't read your reply yet, as I've been quite busy, but now that I read this it is immediately reminding me of the Follow Me tool. I managed to create a donut with it which I afterwards gave some smooth bumps and dents of different sizes. Furthermore, made some terrain, a little cabin of stone, a bucket, etc. I think it's going quite well and fast too