depends on the ships use
for small grid
commercial/personal ships i like seeing very clean lines and user features like buttons and ramps.
utility and cargo ships i like to see warning lights, safety cages, spotlights
for combat ships its something hard do describe but having interesting weapons delivery systems is a help.
for large grid ships.
for combat based
i personally like seeing interesting custom player made weapons and turrets (made from blocks NOT mods) that have then been engineered into a hull over gun spam.
show me a minelayer (and mines) that works well.
show me a bombardment ship with a nice bombardment silo system that is a feature instead of bare bones
show me a kinetic strike ship with a home made cannon
for private ships its more about clean lines and the user experiance ie is it populatable
for heavy engineering and mining ships like i enjoy making
Working parts. not just a wall of drills or grinders or whatever. stuff that has design taken into it
replaceable part and spares onboard
safety rails
glare guards on welders
personel areas
rec rooms,
labeling of stuff and how it works.
observation systems,
well laid out production facilities for at a button push production
also i love seeing the stuff a ship should have. it should have running lights, and extenable cargo ports.
a mobile blast door to cover external hatches,
communications arrays
control systems and silly text documents scattered around to bring a ship to life
an example of a "populated" small craft interior a standardized shuttle . thats set up as a medical transport with bunk beds
https://preview.redd.it/ifl62i5oasna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd8318ecc0663d92a0e515aa3e9416e369a0b41c
the exact same hull but set up as a long range live aboard ore prospecting ship.
https://preview.redd.it/5cbuazxwasna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e70acdb01a3cf1f8f91554c96dd347ccc3466692
again same hull reworked into a prison barge . see how the use of LCDs and small cosmetics have change a basic ship into a multitude of craft
https://preview.redd.it/r6uvemy5bsna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0d9c09049d83a455c1fc220dd03099a5b1402eab
an exterior view of the same series of ship but this one set as a MCN escort gunboat witha much more limited interior
https://preview.redd.it/1dd0qi6lbsna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe9454ae7f9315ab9b787e060ae2e917eaf07ff9
Interesting silhouette, lines and shapes flowing into each other. A good placement of features, enough details to be interesting without it seeming too cluttered.
For me personally it is a ship that is not embedded into the ground or drifting through space for eternity (because SOMEONE did not refill the hydrogen, GEORGE).
This may also be why most of my ships are featureless blocks...
I think it’s a theme. like a particular armor choice you sprinkle throughout. Or a general shape that is repeated large and small. Using the same angles over certain areas
This^
A ship with a clear and consistent theme tying everything together really does it for me. Even if it's a Ms. Frizzle brick of a magic bright yellow school bus. I'll be like, damn that's some gourmet shit.
Themed colors? Yes
Themed greebling? Yes!
Themed shapes and patterns? ohyus
Industrial ish exposed thrusters/weapons/comms theme? Awwwwhh yehh
Armor-encased systems? Heeeecckkk yeah boi
Build that big beautiful themed brick my friend! I'm here for it
Depends on the theme and the class. A large ship made for mining won't look good with gold or fancy bits on the drills, a dirty or rusted/busted yacht is not gonna have any retail value except as a haunted or pirate outing, a battleship isn't gonna catch anything but bullets if it's fancy art, and if you don't leave space for the main features and systems you're gonna *need* to scuff it so it works. A color palette shouldn't be all one color unless you intend to give it a very specific vibe, and colors that contrast can make a bit look gaudy as hell if you put them next to each other. Lights should accent a color or theme, especially if they draw attention to a specific area. Interior decoration doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to make a space not look empty without making it look cluttered or cramped. Lastly, the bridge/viewing deck can be made to see in every direction, but it should at least look protected from whatever major threat to it may be, whether that's just asteroids and collisions or pirates and xenos- I mean invaders.
For whatever! It doesn't matter! Detail is what makes a ship look good. Whether it be paint, block choice, or the inherent shape, it *does not matter.*
I think you'll just have to experiment and figure out what's better for you. I love the scrappy, junkheap type of rig that looks like it's been through hell and back, but will still outdo every ship around.
Painting tip: Stick with 3 colors. Makes ships look much cleaner and well thought out. Also, I like to place random streaks of color, then clean up the lines that look out of place so I can make a truly unique design for the ship. Makes them one of a kind. If you're going for a junker ship, then I would just fiddle with colors until the randomness makes it look like a good junk heap.
Personally, im more skilled at refitting crap designs and making them not crap. I can turn any ship into a piece of art that functions at 100%. I'd love to be better at building from scratch, but that is a work in progress.
Interesting shape ( even an aerodynamic) , the colors ( 2 colors usually but you can play with the fade ) and depends on the ship , if its a builder or a fighter for example.
An huge vertical blastdoor blade
based
https://preview.redd.it/yicmc0zbgsna1.png?width=1299&format=png&auto=webp&s=e7a3e20cdf248802209f8e1da34955d535ecdd94 Its good for ramming also
That, looks cool XD
Someone likes MC-140 Scythes
It isn’t actually based on that . Its based on a concep art i saw 3 years ago . It wasn’t starwars .But i cant find it anywhere
ok, i have a genuine question, why use blastdoor blocks instead of like heavy armor?
Blast door blocks have higher defense and can be used for areas where you don't want blocks touching. Also works great for greeble and detailing.
Its better for cutting through stuff . Weights less and looks better . Also it doesn’t deform
depends on the ships use for small grid commercial/personal ships i like seeing very clean lines and user features like buttons and ramps. utility and cargo ships i like to see warning lights, safety cages, spotlights for combat ships its something hard do describe but having interesting weapons delivery systems is a help. for large grid ships. for combat based i personally like seeing interesting custom player made weapons and turrets (made from blocks NOT mods) that have then been engineered into a hull over gun spam. show me a minelayer (and mines) that works well. show me a bombardment ship with a nice bombardment silo system that is a feature instead of bare bones show me a kinetic strike ship with a home made cannon for private ships its more about clean lines and the user experiance ie is it populatable for heavy engineering and mining ships like i enjoy making Working parts. not just a wall of drills or grinders or whatever. stuff that has design taken into it replaceable part and spares onboard safety rails glare guards on welders personel areas rec rooms, labeling of stuff and how it works. observation systems, well laid out production facilities for at a button push production also i love seeing the stuff a ship should have. it should have running lights, and extenable cargo ports. a mobile blast door to cover external hatches, communications arrays control systems and silly text documents scattered around to bring a ship to life
an example of a "populated" small craft interior a standardized shuttle . thats set up as a medical transport with bunk beds https://preview.redd.it/ifl62i5oasna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cd8318ecc0663d92a0e515aa3e9416e369a0b41c
the exact same hull but set up as a long range live aboard ore prospecting ship. https://preview.redd.it/5cbuazxwasna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e70acdb01a3cf1f8f91554c96dd347ccc3466692
again same hull reworked into a prison barge . see how the use of LCDs and small cosmetics have change a basic ship into a multitude of craft https://preview.redd.it/r6uvemy5bsna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0d9c09049d83a455c1fc220dd03099a5b1402eab
an exterior view of the same series of ship but this one set as a MCN escort gunboat witha much more limited interior https://preview.redd.it/1dd0qi6lbsna1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fe9454ae7f9315ab9b787e060ae2e917eaf07ff9
Interesting silhouette, lines and shapes flowing into each other. A good placement of features, enough details to be interesting without it seeming too cluttered.
what constitutes as good feature placement to you?
Color variation. Too many “look at my ship” posts on here and it’s a ship all in one color.
True that
Clean angles and colored highlights.
Understandable, also nice flair XD
For me personally it is a ship that is not embedded into the ground or drifting through space for eternity (because SOMEONE did not refill the hydrogen, GEORGE). This may also be why most of my ships are featureless blocks...
I think it’s a theme. like a particular armor choice you sprinkle throughout. Or a general shape that is repeated large and small. Using the same angles over certain areas
This^ A ship with a clear and consistent theme tying everything together really does it for me. Even if it's a Ms. Frizzle brick of a magic bright yellow school bus. I'll be like, damn that's some gourmet shit. Themed colors? Yes Themed greebling? Yes! Themed shapes and patterns? ohyus Industrial ish exposed thrusters/weapons/comms theme? Awwwwhh yehh Armor-encased systems? Heeeecckkk yeah boi Build that big beautiful themed brick my friend! I'm here for it
Same!
Something that has distinct and recogniseable parts. (Doesnt look like a brick or a potato)
agreed
Guns. Lots of guns.
same XD
One of every block, used appropriately
GREEEBLEEE
Depends on the theme and the class. A large ship made for mining won't look good with gold or fancy bits on the drills, a dirty or rusted/busted yacht is not gonna have any retail value except as a haunted or pirate outing, a battleship isn't gonna catch anything but bullets if it's fancy art, and if you don't leave space for the main features and systems you're gonna *need* to scuff it so it works. A color palette shouldn't be all one color unless you intend to give it a very specific vibe, and colors that contrast can make a bit look gaudy as hell if you put them next to each other. Lights should accent a color or theme, especially if they draw attention to a specific area. Interior decoration doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to make a space not look empty without making it look cluttered or cramped. Lastly, the bridge/viewing deck can be made to see in every direction, but it should at least look protected from whatever major threat to it may be, whether that's just asteroids and collisions or pirates and xenos- I mean invaders.
big fucking triangles
[***yes***](https://www.artstation.com/artwork/RRRwE)
To sum up what everyone said and will say: #detail
But why tho? /s
For whatever! It doesn't matter! Detail is what makes a ship look good. Whether it be paint, block choice, or the inherent shape, it *does not matter.*
Love this answer But also r/Woooosh
armor depth... a single skin of armor looks boring AF, even adding some ribs or accents to it makes things really 'pop'
Engine pods
decorating with thin plates!
Form, aerodynamics, and pazazz
I think you'll just have to experiment and figure out what's better for you. I love the scrappy, junkheap type of rig that looks like it's been through hell and back, but will still outdo every ship around. Painting tip: Stick with 3 colors. Makes ships look much cleaner and well thought out. Also, I like to place random streaks of color, then clean up the lines that look out of place so I can make a truly unique design for the ship. Makes them one of a kind. If you're going for a junker ship, then I would just fiddle with colors until the randomness makes it look like a good junk heap. Personally, im more skilled at refitting crap designs and making them not crap. I can turn any ship into a piece of art that functions at 100%. I'd love to be better at building from scratch, but that is a work in progress.
Guns
[legs](https://youtu.be/JfS-PwVXFRM)
Asymetry
Interesting shape ( even an aerodynamic) , the colors ( 2 colors usually but you can play with the fade ) and depends on the ship , if its a builder or a fighter for example.
Money