During the brief Site shutdown I visited a thread at SF.org that was discussing the general characteisitcs of UPF and Sathar ship design and recognition. While as a matter of strict game canon I think this was a good idea for standardized ship construction but as a creative referee of a long standing campaign I think that these characteristics are too limiting. For example (I dont remember the list verbatim) but one point I thought was rather silly was that all Sathar Ships use Spherical command modules and have engine nacelles mounted on pylon stalks. Ok, as a matter of original canon this is true, however I do not think that the Sathar have a monopoly on the use of Spherical module design or engine nacelles. The use of Spherical module design is universal and a very efficent use of space. Personally while I feel that having a standardized ship recognition is a good thing it should not be limited by a race specific geometry. Size, color scheme, technology, are all factors at work in starship design recognition. Obviously, common ship design would depend a lot on what shipyard(s) currently have the contract for designing and building the ships that are in current fleet service. However, as those ships are decommissioned with age, damage, or obsolete tech, new designs and configurations are bound to be seen in successive generations. In the recently submitted chits which are based on my warship designs contructed by a private mega-corp shipyard for use by UPF (or the highest bidder) a spherical module design is the construction norm employed by this shipyard. Now, I recognize that these are most definitely alternative non-canon designs they are based on the canon ship archetypes and concepts. In the future I am will be working on some Sathar designs that do not rely on the use of outboard exterior engine nacelles as these tactically provide a distinct target of oportunity. If ship shape and color was the sole design factor for recognition then the UPF would be in big trouble if the Sathar decided to build vessels that used stocky cylindrical designs with angular features and aft mounted engines. Imagine that conversation..."uhhh captain, that destoyer with the federation configuration, well it's is painted red and has established a target lock on us." As ship configuration often depends a lot on function and efficent use of hull space I think that we should take a page from our own millitary history. During the WWII era a distant vessel on the ocean horizon were just grey chunks of metal in the water until it could be identified friend or foe. Coloration, Flags, engine design, (and later during the cold war engine sound detected by sonar), weapon battery placement, intercepted radio traffic/code, draft in the water, etc. all went into consideration in identifying an enemy vessel. In the SF universe, with the exisitence of powerful detection technology, identification transponders, energy emission signatures, comm traffic, and even analysis of material construction are far more reliable means of ship recognition then a glimmering reflective hull silhouetted in the black of deep space. On a humorous note and in the words of one my friends' PC, "Don't matter if its shaped like cigar or an egg, if it shoots at 'ya it ain't friendly".

On a side note I am endeavoring to post these chits and ship design images on one of the photo/image hosting sites so everyone can take a look. If your into 3d modeling send me an message with your email and I'll be happy to send you the 3d meshes.