Varkrag

Here's what I started doing: Browse images of ships and find key features you like (My latest favorite is "windows" of recessed framework/scaffolding showing internal light panels or system components like generators/hyperspace cores), then incorporate a bunch of them into a simple clean shaped ship to really make it look cool. Use Nacelles (engines or expansions separated from the main body of your ship, connected with small bridges of hull or components) [think Star Trek's Enterprise] to make your overall structure more complex. You can play around with size and placement of nacelles to easily make some interesting ships. You can make your "block" core with most of your components, then put your engines or cargo space or thrusters off that main body. Cut/Paste tool (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V) and Mirror tool are REALLY helpful here. I don't consider myself to be a wonderfully imaginative builder, but once I got confident with all the nuances of the build tools my ships have become more and more complex and fun to use. [edit]: My first decision I make when building a new ship is: "Do I want this ship to be expandable?" Most times that answer for me is no. When it comes time to upgrade to the next component or I need to seriously upgrade my shields/cargo space I'll use that excuse to design a whole new ship. That frees you up to be less concerned about symmetrical expansion, and you can put things where you think they look best. If you do want an expandable ship then you know right off the bat that symmetry is likely more important.

Can you be more specific regarding your intent for thrusters? I understand the desire to stick to some semblance of reality, but I'd rather not require huge thrusters all over my ship to affect the aesthetics we work so hard on. IMHO, thrusters are incredibly underpowered. Small ports at geometrically significant points on the ship is easy to include in a design, but having a blinding bloom of thruster vents all over my ship is not an attractive expectation. I don't mean to sound negatively critical, I'm excited about the prospect of large ships behaving like large ships, and small ships truly jetting around them. Thank you!