Saving ship designs, research plans

[derb]

Of course one must always be prepared to adapt research plans and ship designs to circumstances but shouldn't it be possible to load one's normal ship designs somehow? (or is it already possible?) They could then become visible as the tech that they require becomes available. You could also load your default tech research strategy.

I was reminded of this when I was asked whether I wanted to save my designs with my race. I realised that since the race creation happens before ships can be designed it could only be talking about the picture files (right? How does that work anyway?)

[Skulky]

It really isn't that good though as you will usually have different tactical needs at higher levels and the saved designs will fit you into a box that is easy for the enemy to anticipate (esp if they have played u before and know what you will research and build)

IMHO u shouldn't do it

[capnq]

Another problem with saving the ship designs with the empire is that when you start a new game with that empire, you ship designs list will be cluttered with designs that you don't have the technology to build, and the currently the only way to hide things is to mark them Obsolete.

[Gryphin]

capnq and Skulky,
You are quite right about the usless designs. That is why I tend to only save the ship designs up through Frigate and or untill I have Level III propulsion. With the Aeries of Gryphin I have only saved:
Frigate / CSM
Frigate / PDC I
Colony Rock / 2 cargo and 3 engines
Colony Rock / 2 cargo and 6 engines
Small Population Transport
Small Troop Transport
Small Troop with Ground Cannon

This just saves me from having to "re - create" them.
Engage, um, Enjoy

[PsychoTechFreak]

Is it really that way ? Maybe I was daydreaming, but it seemed to me, the designs do just appear if your tech level provides to build them.

[Suicide Junkie]

Are you sure you haven't turned on the ship design minister?

[Bman]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
Are you sure you haven't turned on the ship design minister?<hr></blockquote>

LOL. But there is an interesting idea: Has anyone customized a set of AI files so it produces the designs you like? Then you play with with the design minister on and can sit back knowing that whenever you go to build a ship the designs will always be the designs you like best for your current tech situation.

[Gryphin]

PsychoTechFreak,

Yes, the ships / units / etc show up "greyed out". They are listed but you can't access them.

Oh, and I have a Space Yard Base for the start of a game.

[derb]

I'm intrigued - why a colony ship with 3 engines?

[rdouglass]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by derb:
I'm intrigued - why a colony ship with 3 engines?<hr></blockquote>

I dunno 'bout anyone else, but I build 3 engine colony ships and use 'em for local system colonization. They're cheap, I can build 'em in 2 standard build turns at a lvl I SY. And 3 move points is acceptable (IMO) in the local system....

[Gryphin]

derb,
I'm not too experianced at this. It will save the actual designs of the ships. The designs only become available when you have discovered the aproparate tech.
I only save the designs up through "Level III" engines. Much further and there are so many variations that I would rather design new ones to fit the stratiegic situations and maybe a new tech or tactic I have developed
The4 ships will still show up as "Prototypes" but at least I can start the game with out having to design Transports, Troop carriers, Exploreres, and Missle Friggates.
BTW: It saves Ship / Unit / etc designs.

[derb]

But how do I save ship designs when the only place I see where I can "save designs with your race" is during race definition at the start of the game? I must be missing another opportunity somewhere else in the game?

[Suicide Junkie]

During a game, when you "Save Empire", it will ask: Save designs with race? (y/n).

[Krsqk]

I also use 3 engine colony ships. The important thing to me (at least most of the time) in early game is to get the ships built. They'll get there in max 4 turns in intra-system travel, and that's not a major difference. Especially in Proportions mod.