How do I get better at designing ships?

from GalCiv2 Forums
Aside from practice, of course. I am seeing some of the ships others have created and I'm having a hard time making something really cool with the 3 categories of extras that the shipbuilder gives me. I mean, can you really design a replica of The Enterprise or an imperial battlecruiser with the parts provided in the game (DA) or is there a separate download the gives me the tools to do this?
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Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Alot of those designs can be somewhat replicated with just the in game tools. Just have to think outside the box a little. Two unassuming pieces can combine in interesting ways to make entirely new pieces and shapes. That and Kryo's hull mod(KHSM) makes the ship designer almost become it's own ship building game.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The way I got better at building ships is by hanging around kenwebb's Omega Shipyards and the ship design 2007 thread. Take a close look at the ships and its easy to see how people use parts in unique ways to create completely different shapes.

Look at kenwebb's, PubMaster's, Hillslam's (pre-DA, so he's on the previous ship design thread, pgs 9-12, I think), and TG_Steeler's ships.

Don't get discouraged, you'll learn!
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
First of all as you said, like anything in life, practice is the key to getting better. People who make good ships have probably spent many many hours tinkering in the Shipyard!

Aside from that, I find that it helps to think about structure. Dont just go for form immediately as you may find that you dont have the hardpoints underneath to place outer parts correctly. Turning parts 180 degrees can often give unexpected but useful results.

Basically, experimentation will get you where you want to be and when you feel confident, having an idea before you start, a theme, really helps. Most of the races have a built in theme to me - a simple example is the Thalans whose ships I make look insectoid. If you choose a range of parts that fit that race, then try to reuse those parts in all their ship types, you will end up with a fleet that has a core identity to it and is recognisably the same race.