ok didnt know that just seen some ship blueprints using merge blocks with docks and auto mining builds using them to keep the miner going forever not sure how they got past that problem then

Merge blocks have always been causing me trouble. Whenever you unmerge something, it becomes a new grid with a generic name like "small grid 5592". Predefined menu bars stop working, scripts may stop working etc etc.

The idea behind merge blocks is great but they don't work in every scenario. At least not for me.

if sub grids cause large lag then why not link the system using merge blocks beside connectors to lock it as 1 grid and that should help with the lag problem ?

i know this would change your setup and require altering all these units but its just a thought

AWESOME BEST THING EVER 10/10 +REP

@jarhead, @ScarryHarry I just uploaded a new Freighter .
What do you think?

ah I see. That's a good idea. Lets see if I can do this.

Saw the pack horse. The design I had in mind was similar in shape but it would need to be about 40% - 60% wider and around 30% - 50% longer. I would have a sort of raised platform for the grasshopper to sit on (like it does the UCU pods) but so it has a ramp coming down the front to allow easier access to the cockpit (or a catwalk from main ship cockpit to grasshopper front then have h2/o2 tanks and other equiptment below catwalk).

I just added a small and a large mining ship. Both are very old designs of mine but I modified them both before upload. I hope, you like it :-)

but i have faith that it whuld look nice AND be practical

ey if you ever want to know what i THINK is a popular build in terratech....its mining hulers.......ya kinda off game topic but seeing what you can build in SE im cureus what you chuld build in that im prity shur it whuld look epic EXSPECALY if you can figer out how to thet the joint blocks to work

Yes it would be quite similar to the packhorse, I think. I think I will make a few more cargo ships and vehicles anyway so lets see what future brings :-)

I agree about ease of access in survival and planet settings. I don't play a lot of creative and post my blueprints because most of my best ones are not always really pretty too, but I for one am always interesting in how well it can be used in survival. That why I asked my question. But a "flatbed" design sounds cool, though that would be very similar to your other build right? the non-planetary cargo that holds 4 ucu's

Thank you for your suggestion. That sounds interesting. I could either alter the Elephant as you suggested or design a new freighter with your ideas in mind. I will play around a bit tomorrow or next week :-)

An idea for a "more" planet freindly version.

Keep the front close to the same but make the cargo area so it is closer to that of a brick hauller truck (or some other flatbed truck). I would max the number to 8 or 10 units (lag reduction) but also have it so that all of them are set up on the top of the bed in 2 or 3 rows.

If using 2 rows I would go for 10 units total and have the grasshopper loaded up behind the ucu pods.

If using 3 rows I would have 1 row of 2 and the other 2 rows of 4 and have the grasshopper loaded up in the middle behind the center row.

This would also allow the design to be altered in other ways as well. (like having a way to wlk from ground to roof on planet without need of jet pack)

Gotcha, I'm just curious. Figured it wouldn't hurt to think of all possibilities...we are engineers after all :P

That's a good question. I will test this. The problem is, that my game tends to crash when I'm on planet surface. That's why I don't play on planets very much at the moment.

Question: has it been tested with full cargo loads? As in, what if you have a bunch of steel tubes or other heavy objects...is it able to battle the gravity of a planet? At least on 1x inventory space I'm sure but what about 10x?

Well you did a great job with it considering the factors involved. I think, once the game has reached it's final state, it'll be able to handle this ship with no problem. You might be able make an even bigger one in the future!

Thank you!
Yes, the lag is a problem with so many subgrids. I think, I got inspired by various spaceships from different games and books.

This is a very nice frieghter. I enjoy it's simple design. It does lag from time to time but it is pretty good. How'd you come up with this design?

This look is great!!!

Very nice freighter! I can't wait to see more.