Wall panels

NOTICE: This page is a Work in Progress as much of the lore/Development for the game is yet to be established.

Wall panels are modular components that form the interior surfaces vessels in Starship Simulator. They serve both aesthetic and functional purposes, covering the ship's structural framework and concealing internal utilities such as electrical conduits and pipework.

Purpose & Function

Wall panels are integral to the ship's design and operation:

• Interior Finishing: They provide the visible walls within corridors, rooms, and other spaces, defining the ship's internal appearance and environment.
• Protection: Panels shield the underlying Framework, insulation, wiring, and plumbing from accidental damage or interference.
• Access for Maintenance: Designed to be removable, they allow crew members, particularly Engineering personnel, to access internal systems for inspection, servicing, or replacement. The standardized labeling system aids in locating specific panels for these tasks.
• Location Identification: The visible labels on each panel provide precise location information within the ship.
• Integrated Components: Some panels are designed to house or mount other systems, such as dynamic text labels (See Build 0.225.0.13), information screens displaying deck plans (Build 0.225.0.86), lighting fixtures, controls, or handrails (Build 0.225.0.43).

Design & Features

Wall panels exhibit several design characteristics:

• Modularity: Created as distinct units that can be installed throughout the ship, sometimes copied between different decks (e.g., B Deck panels copied to C Deck in Build 0.225.0.39).
• Removability: Typically secured by visible bolts and brackets, allowing for their removal for maintenance access. The addition and alignment of these fixings have been noted in several Dev Builds updates (e.g., Build 0.225.0.38, 0.225.0.43).
• Variety: Different panel designs exist for various areas, reflecting the function or status of the location (e.g., standard corridor panels, engineering-style panels on F Deck (Build 0.225.0.62), panels in the VIP Lounge or VIP Quarters).
• Standardized Labeling: All wall panels feature a visible, standardized labeling code. This code serves two main functions:
  • Precise location identification within the ship's structure.
  • Assisting crew in locating specific equipment or systems situated behind a panel for maintenance or repair.
  • Format Example: FS-206-L indicates:
    • F = Deck F
    • S = Side (Starboard - see Ship Directions)
    • 2 = Ring number/Deck structural zone (e.g., Ring 2)
    • 06 = Specific panel number in that zone
    • L = Sub-panel identifier (e.g., Left section)
• Materials & Appearance: Subject to visual refinement through material updates and advanced shader techniques like triplanar projection (Build 0.225.0.43).

Development

The design, modeling, and placement of wall panels represent a significant and ongoing part of the ship's interior construction during development. Numerous Dev Builds detail the creation, refinement, fixing, and placement of wall panels across various decks, including the addition of the universal labeling system (Build 0.225.0.87 mentioned adding numbering). Systems like snapping guides (Build 0.225.0.80) have been implemented to aid in their deployment.