SE:V Screenshots at the SE Depot

[Wade]

This is from malfador.com\SEV\interviews\Orion Sector

"4) Can you describe some about how the new ship design system works? How significantly does where you place a component affect the performance of the ship?

[Aaron] - The new ship design system is something we got a lot of requests for from SE4. You can now place your components onto a layout of your ship. There are three sections to a ship, the armor, outer hull, and inner hull. Damage first goes through the armor section, then the outer hull, then the inner hull. So components places in the Inner Hull are the most protected of your components and will usually damage last. Also, damage is directional and your components will be damaged on the side the ship is hit by weapons fire. So you need to design your ship with regards to how you like to fight with your ships. If you like frontal assaults, then put more protection in the front of your ship."

[Randallw]

Concerning the topic of rescaling ships, here's a little article. It's Star Trek specific but I believe it is relevant to general ship design.

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/scaling.htm