Re: Saving ship designs, research plans
 

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.

Re: Saving ship designs, research plans
 

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?

Re: Saving ship designs, research plans
 

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

Re: Saving ship designs, research plans
 

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.