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{{Otherlang2
|ru=Проектирование_кораблей
|fr=Spaceship_Engineering/fr
|en=Spaceship Engineering
|de=Spaceship Engineering:de
|zh-cn=飞船工程
|ua=Проєктування кораблів
}}
==Summary==
==Summary==
On this page you can find detailed instructions for creating and modifying spaceships.<br>


This page details the required processes to create or modify a spaceship in Starbase.
Ships can generally be constructed by manually [[Welding tool|welding]] and [[bolt tool|bolting]] objects and components together, or by manufacturing directly from a predefined blueprint.<br>
Spaceships can also be bought from for example [[Origin Stations|Origin Stations]] or directly from other [[Endoskeleton|endos]]. <br>


Ships generally can be constructed ingame by manually [[bolt tool|bolting]] ingame objects and components together, or by manufacturing directly to a predefined blueprint.
== Construction process ==
Alternatively if a player has no desire to design their own ship, a ship can also be bought from the in game economy, either directly from a player, or from a [[Capital Mega Station]].


The ship construction process can be described simply as follows:
The ship construction process from start to finish:


# Mine raw resources from [[Space|asteroids]]
# Mine raw resources from [[Space|asteroids]]
# Refine raw resources into usable [[Materials]] and metals.
# Refine raw resources into usable [[Materials]] and metals.
# Print/Build resources into Devices / Parts.
# Print and / or Build resources into Devices and Parts.
# Bolt together [[Beam]] parts into a usable Frame.
# Weld together [[Beams]] into a usable frame (⇐ requires at least one [[Hardpoints|hardpoint]] and [[Thrusters|thruster]] bolted to it).
# Bolt onto frame additional components And [[Devices and machines|Devices]].
## Note: don't forget to register your ship to prevent it from despawning (easiest with the Spaceship Registration Deed).
# Link required devices to power/propellant and add control devices, Command Centre, [[Flight control unit|FCU]] etc.
# Bolt additional components to the frame and [[Devices and machines|Devices]].
# Link required devices to power and propellant and add control devices such as [[Levers|Levers]], [[Flight control unit|Flight control units]] and more.


==Component and Device Production==


==Component/Device Production==
[[File:Starbase_Material_inventory_icons.png|260px|thumb|Image of all currently known materials and refined ores in the galaxy]]
[[File:BoltingTool_InAction.png|260px|thumb|The [[Bolt tool]] being used for emergency repairs, bolting an off angle steel plate to a frame]]


[[File:Starbase_Material_inventory_icons.png|260px|thumb|Image of all currently known materials and refined ores within the game]]
All ships are created from components and devices and most objects can be bolted together using the [[Bolt tool]].
[[File:BoltingTool_InAction.png|260px|thumb|The [[Bolt tool]] being used for emergency repairs in-game, bolting an off angle steel plate to a superstructure]]
 
All ships are created from components and devices, most, if not all physical objects in the gameworld can be 'bolted' together using the [[Bolt tool]].


===[[Materials|Basic Materials]]===
===[[Materials|Basic Materials]]===


All Spaceships are created from refined materials collected from [[Space|asteroids]] or harvested from other ships/wrecks within the universe.
All Spaceships are created from refined materials collected from [[Space|asteroids]] or harvested from other ships and wrecks within the universe.


Raw minerals are distributed throughout the universe within player mineable asteroids.
Raw minerals can be found throughout the universe on asteroid fields. <br>
Materials and minerals will vary in distribution and usefulness, with rare minerals being used for more expensive and critical elements of ships, such as the [[Flight control unit|MFC/FCU (Flight control unit)]].
Materials and minerals will vary in distribution and usefulness, with rare minerals being used for more expensive and critical elements of ships, such as the [[Flight control unit|MFC/FCU (Flight control unit)]].


Players can mine these resources through the use of a hand [[Pickaxe]], or a [[Mining laser]]
Resources can be mined by using a [[Pickaxe]], or a [[Mining laser (Assembly)]].
 
===Refining===
 
Materials will require pre processing in order to be useful to a player, this can be done by simply selling minerals, or refining them using large refinery devices, commonly found on any of the 5 initial [[Capital Mega Station]]s that populate the universe.


===Component / Part Printing===
===Component / Part Printing===


Components and devices that are usable must be first printed from refined materials into physical objects in the game world.
Components and devices that are usable must be first printed from materials into physical objects.<br>
For example a player refines a material, this material can then be used to print Beams, armour plates, door sections, etc,
Materials can be used to print beams, armor plates, door parts and such.<br>
These printed objects and parts can be stored in Station storage.


Components are printed as whole sections, which can be stored as physical objects or in [[Cargo crate|cargo containers]].
===[[Building|Basic Construction]]===
 
===[[Building Mechanics|Basic Construction]]===
 
Components in the world are primarily assembled by bolting components together using the [[Bolt tool]], usually this starts with a superstructure constructed from modular beams which forms the basic frame, and onto which can be bolted armour panels and devices.


Components in the world are primarily assembled by bolting components together using the [[Bolt tool]]. Usually the process starts from a frame that is constructed from modular beams, which functions as a frame onto which
armor panels and devices can be bolted.


==Ship Design==
==Ship Design==
[[File:Ithica_Superstructure.jpg|400px|thumb|Image showing the superstructure of an [[Ithaca]] Spaceship. Beams bolted together provide the main structural backbone of a ship]]
[[File:Ithica_Superstructure.jpg|400px|thumb|Image showing the superstructure of an [[Ithaca]] spaceship. Beams welded together provide the main structural backbone of a ship.]]
[[File:Ithaca_LeftSide.jpg|400px|thumb|The [[Ithaca]] Spaceship after the addition of [[Armour Plating]] and various [[Devices and machines|Devices]]]]
[[File:Ithaca_LeftSide.jpg|400px|thumb|The [[Ithaca]] Spaceship after the addition of Armour Plating and various [[Devices and machines|Devices]]]]


All ships need 4 key things to be able to function:
All spaceships need four key things to be able to function:
#[[Generator|Power & Generation]]
#Power & Generation ([[Generator]]) ([[Battery]])
#[[Thrusters|Thrusters & Fuel]]
#Thrusters & Fuel ([[Thrusters]]) ([[Propellant]])
#'''[[Superstructure/Frame]]'''
#Framing ([[Beams]])
# A method of controlling The Ship such as a '''Command Centre''' or [[Levers]] etc
#[[Ducts]] or cables and pipes to transfer data, electricity, propellant and heat.
# A method of controlling the ship e.g. [[Levers]] which are linked to a [[Flight control unit|Flight Control Unit]] and [[Main flight computer|Main Flight Computer]].


In addition you will need armour plating and various devices to add defence, weaponry and other assorted functionality to a ship.
In addition armor plating and various devices are needed to add defence, weaponry and other assorted functionality to a spaceship.
After construction a ship can be examined in-game using the [[Durability tool]] to test for key flaws in a design.
During and after construction a (registered) ship can be examined with the [[Durability tool]] to test for key flaws in a design.


===[[Superstructure / Frame]]===
===Superstructure / Frame===
All ships require a rigid superstructure, this acts as a frame and a basis from which a ships structural strength is derived.
All ships require a rigid frame, which is the basis from which a ship's structural strength (how well it can handle stress) is derived.
A Ships superstructure is composed of I-Beams printed from materials, which are then bolted together using the [[bolt tool]] or a ship mounted bolting device.
A ship's frame is composed of [[Beams]] printed from materials, which are then welded together using the [[welding tool]].


Since all structural strength is derived from a superstructure, it is important that it be designed in a way that supports the ship, overpowered thrusters on a flimsy superstructure will tear apart a ship, and a ship without adequate support would be prone to structural damage.
Since all structural strength is derived from a frame, it is important that it is designed in a way that supports the ship as overpowered thrusters on a flimsy frame will tear apart a ship, and a ship without adequate support is prone to structural damage. The easiest way to lower the risk of severe structural damage from impacting an asteroid is to have a frame that can distribute stress efficiently.


All structural stability of a design can be related to structural integrity.
All structural stability of a design can be related to structural integrity, which is called the Part Strength Factor. Overall ship strength is derived from the lowest part strength factor. Keep in mind that Ship Strength only needs to equal 1 - anything higher is mostly unneeded, as a frame that can distribute stress well is far better than a high strength factor.


===[[Armour Plating]]===
===Armour Plating===


[[File:Armour_Plate.png|400px|thumb| A small singular armour plate shown prior to being fastened into a ships superstructure]]
[[File:Armour_Plate.png|400px|thumb| A small singular armour plate shown prior to being fastened into a ship's frame]]


Armour plating is the defensive skin that covers the superstructure frame of the ship.
Armour plating is the defensive skin that covers the frame of the ship.
Armour plating provides internal components and the superstructure protection from space and [[weapons]] [[damage]], although it is not critical to the ships ability to fly.
Armour plating provides internal components and the frame protection from [[weapons]] [[Damage]], although it is not critical to the ship's ability to fly.


Armour plating is fabricated in shaped sheets or sections which can then be bolted to a ships frame to add aesthetic contour and defence in critical locations to mitigate various types of [[Damage|weapons and environmental damage]].
Armour plating is fabricated in shaped sheets or sections which can then be bolted to a ship's frame to add aesthetic contour and defence in critical locations to mitigate various types of [[Damage|weapons and environmental damage]].
Plating can be bolted in any location, assuming it has a valid location to be bolted, thus it can be used for both external and internal defence and decoration.
Plating can be bolted in any location, assuming it has a valid location to be bolted. It can be used for both external and internal defence and decoration. It is recommended to '''manually''' bolt plating to the frame where possible, as plates are heavy and (in the case of manual bolting) autobolting is not to everyone's taste.


===[[Generator|Ship Power]]===
===[[Generator (Assembly)|Ship Power]]===


All ships require power created from a [[Generator|Generator device]]. All devices that require power require themselves to be connected to a generator by connecting them with blue wires, which can be custom placed throughout the ship with the [[cable tool]].
Almost all ships require power created from a generator device like a [[Generator (Assembly)|generator]] or [[Solar panel]]. All devices that require power need to be connected to a data network that has electricity, by the use of cables. Cables can be custom placed throughout the ship with the [[Cable tool|cable tool]].
If at any point power connection is severed the connected component or device will cease to function.
If at any point power connection is severed the connected component or device will cease to function.


Ship generators are not simple plug and play devices, and can use a whole host of additional addon-devices that facilitate it's function, a user must be careful to ensure that generators have:
Ship generators are not simple plug and play devices, and can use a whole host of additional addon-devices that facilitate it's function. <br>
* Modules for cooling / heat dispersion
Generators need to have:
* Sockets for attaching power cables to
* Cooling / heat dispersion (radiators, coolant cells, heatsinks, passive cooling)
* Fuel rods (for fuel)  
* Power Output (generator socket)
 
* Fuel (Fuelchamber with fuel rod)  
**'''Note:''' tier 1 fuel rods, generators and fuelchambers don't work in combination with higher tiers


===[[Thrusters|Thrusters/Thrust]]===
===[[Thrusters|Thrusters/Thrust]]===


Thrusters are devices that provide the main driving force of a spaceship in flight.
Thrusters are devices that provide the main driving force of a spaceship in flight.
Every ship requires thrusters to fly in space and provide motion in all axis for the spaceship.  
Every ship requires thrusters to fly in space and to provide motion in all axis for the spaceship.  
Thrusters require both power from a generator and [[Propellant]] from propellant tanks to be able to function.
Thrusters require both power and [[Propellant]] to be able to function.
The exact amount of propellant required depends on the thruster type.
The exact amount required depends on the thruster type and activity of the thruster (at 0 activity, no resource is used).


A resource called [[Propellant]] is consumed by thrusters when being used, and is stored in [[Propellant|tanks]] within the ship.
[[Propellant]] is stored in [[Propellant tank|tanks]] within the ship.
Every thruster needs directly or indirectly piping to a propellant tank to facilitate its use, connected through use of the [[Pipe tool]].
Every thruster needs direct connection to a propellant tank to facilitate its use, connected through use of the [[Pipe tool]] or [[Ducts|Duct]].
Cessation of a fuel line will cause a thruster to cease functioning.
Cessation of propellant supply, by disconnect or other, will cause a thruster to cease functioning.


Most ships requires multiple small maneuvering thrusters in all directions, this provides a ship the ability to turn and point itself when travelling.
Most small ships require multiple small maneuvering thrusters in all directions, this provides a ship the ability to turn and point itself when travelling. Larger ships will often use triangle thrusters, as they produce many times the amount of thrust of manuvouring thrusters.


In Starbase all thrusters apply a torque around the centre of mass, thus for the most efficient designs thrust should be balanced and equally distributed as much as possible.
In Starbase all thrusters apply a torque around the centre of mass, and stress to the frame from where the hardpoint is bolted. Thus, for the most efficient designs, thrust should be balanced and equally distributed as much as possible.


===[[Flight control unit|MFC/FCU (Flight control unit)]]===
===[[Flight control unit|MFC/FCU (Flight control unit)]]===


[[File:Starbase_Vasama1.png|400px|thumb|One of the smallest types of ship capable of spaceflight. The Vasama has 329 parts, shown clearly can be seen the beam-based frame, [[propellant|fuel tanks]], [[generator]] and the command centre and seat, along with external power wiring (blue) and some directional Maneuver [[thrusters]]]]
The 'Main Flight Computer'([[Main flight computer|MFC]]) and 'Flight Control Unit'([[Flight control unit|FCU]]) are devices used to 'balance' a ship. They are not strictly necessary, but help out a lot.


The 'Main Flight Computer'([[Main flight computer|MFC]]) and 'Flight Control Unit'([[Flight control unit|FCU]]) are expensive devices used to 'balance' a ship.
For example in a ship which has offset thrusters, or has damaged thrusters on one side of the ship, under normal circumstances accelerating will cause the ship to spiral out of control. The FCU/MFC combination will try to balance the ship as good as they can with the thrusters they have access to.


For example in a ship which has offset thrusters, or has damaged thrusters on one side of the ship, under normal circumstances accelerating will cause the ship to spiral out of control.
FCU'and MFC's come in the form of small boxes, and can usually be easily identified on a build.
All FCU's will take input from various control means and route into a central MFC (connected via cables), which combines information from possibly two FCU's and sends data to the thrusters it is connected to in order to balance them.
The FCU/MFC will throttle each thruster so that forces around the center of mass are balanced and thus when accelerating, even if the ship is off balance or has battle damage, the ship will not spiral out of control and it will still be (easily) flyable, even when subject to battle damage.


FCU'and MFC's come in the form of small boxes, and can usually be easily identified on a build.
MFCs can only be connected to a limited amount of thrusters, so it might be necessary to either add more MFCs ('''NOTE:''' MFCs don't communicate so they can work against each other) or combine thrusters (setting their device field to the same name/address).
All FCU's will take input from various control means and route into a central MFC (connected via wires) which combines information from several FCU's and sends data to the thrusters in order to balance them.
The FCU/MFC will throttle each thruster such that forces around the center of mass are balanced and thus when accelerating even if the ship is off balance or has battle damage, will not spiral out of control and be easily flyable, even when subject to battle damage.


Being expensive components that have such a high importance they are a great component to be looted or targeted, and should thus be kept heavily defended.
Being components that have such a high importance they are a great component to be looted or targeted, and should be kept heavily defended.


===[[Devices and machines|Additional Devices]]===
===[[Devices and machines|Additional Devices]]===


[[Devices and machines|Additional Devices]] on a ship refers to the many additional components that can be attached to a ship that provide it with it's additional functionality.
[[Devices and machines|Additional Devices]] on a ship refer to the many additional components that can be attached to a ship that provide additional functionality.<br>
Devices include but are not limited to: [[Weapons]], [[Devices and machines|mechanical blocks]] such as doors, [[generator|generators]], control seats, [[Mining laser|mining equipment]] etc.
Devices include but are not limited to: [[Weapons]], [[Devices and machines|Devices and Machines]] such as doors, [[generator|generators]], control seats, [[Mining laser (Assembly)|mining equipment]] and such.
Devices require themselves to be connected to power and usually fastened to the superstructure, as with armour plating.
Most Devices require to be connected to power and usually fastened to the frame, like the armor plating.


Critical out of these is a controlling device that facilitates a characters ability to interface with and control a ship,
Critical out of these is a controlling device that facilitates a characters ability to interface with and control a ship.
This can be in the form of [[Ship controls|directional levers or buttons around the ship, or in a command centre or bridge.]]
This can be in the form of [[Ship controls|directional levers or buttons around the ship, or in a command centre or bridge.]]


In addition most devices have some form of access to the ingame programming language [[YOLOL]], which ultimately allows automation of processes and streamlining of ship systems for enhanced functionality.
In addition, almost all devices have some form of access to the programming language [[YOLOL]], which ultimately allows automation of processes and streamlining of ship systems for enhanced functionality.

Latest revision as of 14:38, 11 December 2023

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Summary

On this page you can find detailed instructions for creating and modifying spaceships.

Ships can generally be constructed by manually welding and bolting objects and components together, or by manufacturing directly from a predefined blueprint.
Spaceships can also be bought from for example Origin Stations or directly from other endos.

Construction process

The ship construction process from start to finish:

  1. Mine raw resources from asteroids
  2. Refine raw resources into usable Materials and metals.
  3. Print and / or Build resources into Devices and Parts.
  4. Weld together Beams into a usable frame (⇐ requires at least one hardpoint and thruster bolted to it).
    1. Note: don't forget to register your ship to prevent it from despawning (easiest with the Spaceship Registration Deed).
  5. Bolt additional components to the frame and Devices.
  6. Link required devices to power and propellant and add control devices such as Levers, Flight control units and more.

Component and Device Production

File:Starbase Material inventory icons.png
Image of all currently known materials and refined ores in the galaxy
The Bolt tool being used for emergency repairs, bolting an off angle steel plate to a frame

All ships are created from components and devices and most objects can be bolted together using the Bolt tool.

Basic Materials

All Spaceships are created from refined materials collected from asteroids or harvested from other ships and wrecks within the universe.

Raw minerals can be found throughout the universe on asteroid fields.
Materials and minerals will vary in distribution and usefulness, with rare minerals being used for more expensive and critical elements of ships, such as the MFC/FCU (Flight control unit).

Resources can be mined by using a Pickaxe, or a Mining laser (Assembly).

Component / Part Printing

Components and devices that are usable must be first printed from materials into physical objects.
Materials can be used to print beams, armor plates, door parts and such.
These printed objects and parts can be stored in Station storage.

Basic Construction

Components in the world are primarily assembled by bolting components together using the Bolt tool. Usually the process starts from a frame that is constructed from modular beams, which functions as a frame onto which armor panels and devices can be bolted.

Ship Design

Image showing the superstructure of an Ithaca spaceship. Beams welded together provide the main structural backbone of a ship.
The Ithaca Spaceship after the addition of Armour Plating and various Devices

All spaceships need four key things to be able to function:

  1. Power & Generation (Generator) (Battery)
  2. Thrusters & Fuel (Thrusters) (Propellant)
  3. Framing (Beams)
  4. Ducts or cables and pipes to transfer data, electricity, propellant and heat.
  5. A method of controlling the ship e.g. Levers which are linked to a Flight Control Unit and Main Flight Computer.

In addition armor plating and various devices are needed to add defence, weaponry and other assorted functionality to a spaceship. During and after construction a (registered) ship can be examined with the Durability tool to test for key flaws in a design.

Superstructure / Frame

All ships require a rigid frame, which is the basis from which a ship's structural strength (how well it can handle stress) is derived. A ship's frame is composed of Beams printed from materials, which are then welded together using the welding tool.

Since all structural strength is derived from a frame, it is important that it is designed in a way that supports the ship as overpowered thrusters on a flimsy frame will tear apart a ship, and a ship without adequate support is prone to structural damage. The easiest way to lower the risk of severe structural damage from impacting an asteroid is to have a frame that can distribute stress efficiently.

All structural stability of a design can be related to structural integrity, which is called the Part Strength Factor. Overall ship strength is derived from the lowest part strength factor. Keep in mind that Ship Strength only needs to equal 1 - anything higher is mostly unneeded, as a frame that can distribute stress well is far better than a high strength factor.

Armour Plating

A small singular armour plate shown prior to being fastened into a ship's frame

Armour plating is the defensive skin that covers the frame of the ship. Armour plating provides internal components and the frame protection from weapons Damage, although it is not critical to the ship's ability to fly.

Armour plating is fabricated in shaped sheets or sections which can then be bolted to a ship's frame to add aesthetic contour and defence in critical locations to mitigate various types of weapons and environmental damage. Plating can be bolted in any location, assuming it has a valid location to be bolted. It can be used for both external and internal defence and decoration. It is recommended to manually bolt plating to the frame where possible, as plates are heavy and (in the case of manual bolting) autobolting is not to everyone's taste.

Ship Power

Almost all ships require power created from a generator device like a generator or Solar panel. All devices that require power need to be connected to a data network that has electricity, by the use of cables. Cables can be custom placed throughout the ship with the cable tool. If at any point power connection is severed the connected component or device will cease to function.

Ship generators are not simple plug and play devices, and can use a whole host of additional addon-devices that facilitate it's function.
Generators need to have:

  • Cooling / heat dispersion (radiators, coolant cells, heatsinks, passive cooling)
  • Power Output (generator socket)
  • Fuel (Fuelchamber with fuel rod)
    • Note: tier 1 fuel rods, generators and fuelchambers don't work in combination with higher tiers

Thrusters/Thrust

Thrusters are devices that provide the main driving force of a spaceship in flight. Every ship requires thrusters to fly in space and to provide motion in all axis for the spaceship. Thrusters require both power and Propellant to be able to function. The exact amount required depends on the thruster type and activity of the thruster (at 0 activity, no resource is used).

Propellant is stored in tanks within the ship. Every thruster needs direct connection to a propellant tank to facilitate its use, connected through use of the Pipe tool or Duct. Cessation of propellant supply, by disconnect or other, will cause a thruster to cease functioning.

Most small ships require multiple small maneuvering thrusters in all directions, this provides a ship the ability to turn and point itself when travelling. Larger ships will often use triangle thrusters, as they produce many times the amount of thrust of manuvouring thrusters.

In Starbase all thrusters apply a torque around the centre of mass, and stress to the frame from where the hardpoint is bolted. Thus, for the most efficient designs, thrust should be balanced and equally distributed as much as possible.

MFC/FCU (Flight control unit)

The 'Main Flight Computer'(MFC) and 'Flight Control Unit'(FCU) are devices used to 'balance' a ship. They are not strictly necessary, but help out a lot.

For example in a ship which has offset thrusters, or has damaged thrusters on one side of the ship, under normal circumstances accelerating will cause the ship to spiral out of control. The FCU/MFC combination will try to balance the ship as good as they can with the thrusters they have access to.

FCU'and MFC's come in the form of small boxes, and can usually be easily identified on a build. All FCU's will take input from various control means and route into a central MFC (connected via cables), which combines information from possibly two FCU's and sends data to the thrusters it is connected to in order to balance them. The FCU/MFC will throttle each thruster so that forces around the center of mass are balanced and thus when accelerating, even if the ship is off balance or has battle damage, the ship will not spiral out of control and it will still be (easily) flyable, even when subject to battle damage.

MFCs can only be connected to a limited amount of thrusters, so it might be necessary to either add more MFCs (NOTE: MFCs don't communicate so they can work against each other) or combine thrusters (setting their device field to the same name/address).

Being components that have such a high importance they are a great component to be looted or targeted, and should be kept heavily defended.

Additional Devices

Additional Devices on a ship refer to the many additional components that can be attached to a ship that provide additional functionality.
Devices include but are not limited to: Weapons, Devices and Machines such as doors, generators, control seats, mining equipment and such. Most Devices require to be connected to power and usually fastened to the frame, like the armor plating.

Critical out of these is a controlling device that facilitates a characters ability to interface with and control a ship. This can be in the form of directional levers or buttons around the ship, or in a command centre or bridge.

In addition, almost all devices have some form of access to the programming language YOLOL, which ultimately allows automation of processes and streamlining of ship systems for enhanced functionality.

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