How do people design and build complex ships?

[VladK02]

I am amazed by quality and scale of NPC ships.

I want to build something simular, but the problem is, building a large project like that is hard without a plan and a lot of cutting / experimentation.

Obviously creative mode. But further to that,

Is there a way to pre-build different segments/rooms, and then copy/paste, splice them together? Like, by memory, in space engineers i could paste partial pre-built components like engine housings or whatever.

Or does the whole thing need to be built from scratch in one go?

[The Big Brzezinski]

My short answer is to build from the inside out. Start with the part of the ship that does its job, add machinery to make the ship go, add crew spaces, a bridge, maybe a hangar, etc, etc. Then I sculpt the outside hull around it. It's a pretty reliable method for making ships that are at least serviceable, and sometimes makes some real gems. Everyone has their own methods, though.

There are cut and pasting tools similar to SE's in the N menu. A bit clunky, but they get the job done.

[Yascherrica]

Or, like I do, Start from the outside. If you have the general concept of what ship should look like, you can start with the hull and then go for the interrior. Honestly, you don't really need much inside if you're not going to house the whole server. Just leave some extra space when calculating proportions.

[Sabaithal]

People have different methods for making big complex ships. As already listed, the conventional method is to build the inside bits first, then design the outside around it.

But some people like me and the previous poster like to start with an outer design first and make the insides fit from there (I think this approach is more challenging, but also more fun).

And honestly no one builds some super huge complex fully textured and tested CV in one day. A good one that people put all their effort into can take days, weeks even. Its a lot of trial and error, a lot of scrapping bits that didn't look very good or didn't serve their function well, a lot of adding and removing devices to get things balanced just right. And of course fully texturing both the inside and outsides of a large ship, and doing it well in a way that's appealing takes a lot of time on its own.

And even after you think you're done, wait a bit. Come back tommorrow and check on it again, check the little details, maybe try and improve a couple of minor things. And you just keep doing this until there's nothing left that needs to be changed. I can tell you right now that the builds I didn't do this last bit on I ended up being pretty dissatisfied with in retrospect.

If you like this sort of thing, its something that will grab your focus. If you don't its a waste of time.

Also for the love of god, make use of symmetry planes. It will literally halve your effort in a lot of cases.

[XLjedi]

Within a given ship design, you are allowed to save "selections" and name them. For instance, if I create an engine housing that I like and know I will need 32 more, I can just save that selection area of my ship, jump back to it anytime and copy/paste it to the new location.

On a recent very large build I did this with things like: bulkheads, piping segments, hallway sections: corner, straight, T, cross, light fixtures, and so on.

[Amrak]

You can get some ideas from Spanj's Chillin & Buildin videos. He streams most every Saturday. Xcalibur has a couple building series as well, one building and the other builders challenge.

[Too lazy to choose a name]

CV is big, you always have more than enough inside space,
unless you want to build a T1 starter CV or a tiny super fighter.
SV is small, you can always give up old design and try a new one.

You can build from outside, and you can build from inside.
Or like me, without any plan and strategy.....

[El Perezidente]

If it helps, you can also try a hybrid strategy, building from inside first but not before at least doing a simple wireframe to get an idea for size and/or any 'docking space'. (e.g. make a frame first, then add function, then fill it in/shape. Sometimes helps to set a goal too, think about what is the ship for? (get off starter planet/inexpensive t1/2?, early combat or mobile base t3? mid/late game do everything t4?)

[Barmy Nimrod]

I'm not a person that can conceive a concept and envision the build. Typically I find inspiration from something existing, on the workshop, movies, other games, comic books, etc. Then combine those with my own ideas. My first complete build was based on the Warchain from the games library, plus some other things I saw on the workshop. Then I added my own ideas. I'm kind of like BASF, I don't make the ships, I make existing ships better. In my opinion of course. Others may not agree it's better.

My version of the Warchain was mostly the same external shape, but two blocks wider and several blocks longer. with expansion for larger engines at the rear sides. I completely changed the aft warp area. The interior was of similar layout but a lot was changed.

Honestly, building with a model to go by helped me learn how to use the angled blocks. Figuring out how they work together was a challenge at first, and without a model, not sure I could have figured it out on my own. By the time I was done I could lay those block with ease.

[Yascherrica]

Originally posted by Uranium235:

I'm not a person that can conceive a concept and envision the build. Typically I find inspiration from something existing, on the workshop, movies, other games, comic books, etc. Then combine those with my own ideas. My first complete build was based on the Warchain from the games library, plus some other things I saw on the workshop. Then I added my own ideas. I'm kind of like BASF, I don't make the ships, I make existing ships better. In my opinion of course. Others may not agree it's better.

My version of the Warchain was mostly the same external shape, but two blocks wider and several blocks longer. with expansion for larger engines at the rear sides. I completely changed the aft warp area. The interior was of similar layout but a lot was changed.

Honestly, building with a model to go by helped me learn how to use the angled blocks. Figuring out how they work together was a challenge at first, and without a model, not sure I could have figured it out on my own. By the time I was done I could lay those block with ease.

This!

Start with modifying. You'll learn a lot of building things by totally reconfiguring other creations. My fist creation was so ugly that I can't look at it, though I keep it just to remind myself that I can always do better than what comes out right now. I than started to grab stuff from the WS but with little retrofiting. JC haulers from t1 to t4-m were bourn that way. I updated those models as I progress saving intermediate BPs. From lvl 5 to lvl 25. And finally I was able to build a CV... And that's when the fun part actually starts. More mats, more stuff, more posibilities... Huge blocks that you need to combine into shapes... In SV you have 27 blocks against 1 in CV so it's a challenge. Fun! Grab the one you like by design and make it your way. Don't hasitate to use other people's BP as there are many things in them that may inspire you, teach you a few thing and finally you'll make a greate unique creation.

Just a tip: Frame and overal proportions is a must and may spare you a lot of time.

P.S.: There are some nice empty hulls on the WS so you may grab 1 and try it out if you're out of ideas.

[Es'carli]

When it comes to building you simply have to continue building, take inspiration and tips from others for sure but don't directly try to replicate their method. Does what feels best for you and over time you'll develop you're own way of building. I for one cannot build from the inside out and I also cannot plan out a frame of which to design around. Other's swear by those methods and none of them are wrong, they don't work for me however.

There's not a right way or wrong way build something, the only right way is what's right for you. For me, what works best is to simply freestyle it.

For whatever method you chose I would advise the following:

1) Be patient
2) Follow your gut instinct
3) If something doesn't feel right, change it

Building a big ship that you like the look of and functions as you desire will take time, the only difference is how much time you are prepared to put into it. I have a ship that I've been working on for over 1.5 years now.

[Barmy Nimrod]

Originally posted by Es'carli:

Building a big ship that you like the look of and functions as you desire will take time, the only difference is how much time you are prepared to put into it. I have a ship that I've been working on for over 1.5 years now.

I have just over 500 hours in EGS. At least half of that has been in Creative working on stuff, probably more. Building is a big part of the game IMO. It's what attracted me in the first place.

[isi]

Originally posted by VladK02:

I am amazed by quality and scale of NPC ships.

I want to build something simular, but the problem is, building a large project like that is hard without a plan and a lot of cutting / experimentation.

Obviously creative mode. But further to that,

Is there a way to pre-build different segments/rooms, and then copy/paste, splice them together? Like, by memory, in space engineers i could paste partial pre-built components like engine housings or whatever.

Or does the whole thing need to be built from scratch in one go?

yes . you can copy paste sections . N for edit tools.

the first time you paste, it shows the how it will look , you need to past a second time, for that to be permanent .

if you still have difficulties , you can check youtube for a tutorial on how to copy and paste .... .
there is also a symmetry plane, which cuts the work in 40-60%

[VladK02]

N menu is clunky to use. Had to read a steam guide.

So yeah, Im getting the hang of it. Last night had 4 beers and built a 4000 block model of an orthrus from eve online. But shell only.

Interiors - whole different ballgame. Plus my shell is no good lol. Wont fit 100 crew quarters. Need bigger.

Like others said, build from the inside out, then put the skin on.

[Yascherrica]

Never ending story =))))
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2660841736
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2753058460
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2753058539
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2753058407

[rubyismycat]

i only build total garbage but please try out my new attempt shes almost decent