7 BASIC TIPS & TRICKS to get better at building stuff in Kerbal Space Program (KSP Tutorial)

[@arifkramer4974]

One thing you could have mentioned (and maybe should've) is how holding down shift allows infinite offset to be applied to a part.

[@strikingcobra5607]

Arif Kramer I have always wondered how to do that

[@eshafto]

I never knew that was possible!

[@Cr1msonFir3]

This only works if your ksp offset files are correct. Mine was not until I saw a video on how to fix it. Default is supposed to be 20.0 I think but mine was .20 which meant that it didn't work like it should.

[@arifkramer4974]

Even while holding shift? Hmm. I just use EditorExtensionsRedux

[@daltonlong9593]

THANK YOU!!! If it wasn't for you, I would still be settling on something due to that reason right there. So THANK YOU!

[@jorge1734]

I've got about 200hours in KSP and even i found this pretty useful, thanks a lot ShadowZone, the controls in KSP is one of the things which throws me off so much when building since sometimes it's so infuriating and frustrating. Have a nice day.

[@ryleighs9575]

I thought this was just going to be a refresher, but I had no idea about "F" for offsetting and rotating. Thank you!

[@Dead1Eagle6]

I've been playing KSP since version 0.18, and I had no idea about this either.

[@ryleighs9575]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[@jwhit88]

DUDE, I've been playing this game since 2012, and you still provided me some EXTREMELY valuable information. THANK YOU!

[@aidenlemus8226]

how u plyin the game before it was released

[@cave0770]

@@aidenlemus8226 wym? KSP was released June 24th 2011.. it is older than you think

[@Banisher_of_Hope]

Another neat tip you didn't mention is that the reroot tool works for groups of parts that have been removed from you main ship in VAB or SPH. Just click the reroot tool icon, then instead of clicking on your main ship, click on one of the semi transparent part groups you have removed then click on the new root. This is really handy to "rotate" whole blocks of you ship to balance weights.

[@ShadowZone]

+Banisher of Hope huh, didn't know about that one. Thanks!

[@bruhmoment2312]

Thank you so much for this info man.

[@EURIPODES]

I've had this game since 2012. I have hundreds of hours in this game. I have completed successful single mission landings with returns to all planets (except Jool) and grand tours. But sometimes I forget this stuff between breaks in playing. Thanks for sharing.

[@mattsart415]

Thanks! Helpful hints even for experienced players!

[@Ediranii]

I've been playing for more than a year and had no idea about those dV charts :D

[@swimmre906]

Mr. Zone, I watched one of your videos and managed my first Mun Orbit and Mun Landing. You're awesome and keep doing what you do.

[@Tuning3434]

Awesome. Have been onboard ever since 0.24, but I really never got realized that pressing F during translation / rotation tools would change orientation from global to local. That is a GREAT tip. Thank you! Anyways, I wouldn't mind if any of you guys (you, Marcus, Matt, who-ever) would do a tutorial on the transfer window mod. I can work a bit with it, but I cannot loose the feeling that I am always loosing lots of dV when 'didging' it's read-out halfway and resorting to trial-and-error with the classical (or Precise Node) controls. Especially when trying to get a sub-optimal fast transfer.

[@PhantomMods4]

You missed one thing. DON’T DISTURB THE KRAKEN

[@PhantomMods4]

@WHMP sixsixsix replying to a comment 3 years old let’s get it

[@PhantomMods4]

@WHMP sixsixsix yup and I got the fast as fuck replies

[@eliasbecker9425]

how about 6 years late?

[@andreipendle1778]

This was a great video also for (somewhat) experienced builders, for sure. Especially the inspiring, and drool-worthy, builds you show!

[@sixstringedthing]

Posted comment above along the lines that after a couple of hundred hours of play, I come and watch this video and realise that the biggest thing I've built (480 tons in vanilla career mode) is basically just a teeny little booster rocket compared to some of these craft! :)

[@jocax188723]

I've been playing since 0.13 and I had no idea what 'f' did in the editor. This is going to change a significant portion of my designs, hopefully for the better. Thanks!

[@niteshmurti]

i got 400 hours under my belt, and i learnt so much from this video! especially the key bindings in vab and sph

[@lord_morp8824]

Did you know that there is a secret tool when you press alt and f4 at the same time?

[@soysauce6977]

It's so good 😮

[@tr5iplex]

I dont get how you have so little upvotes. More people should see this. I was struggling a bit with KSP as a newbie but this made the gameplay like 10x easier.

[@lord_morp8824]

Raimonds I just try to help, glad I helped you!

[@pugs6357]

XD

[@sirrudy1233]

I will try it next time I play

[@randybunn7491]

man if only i knew when i was young if i never followed through with going to college for being an engineer i couldnt play KSP lmao

[@eshafto]

Thanks as always, that was very helpful. Next, could you share some of your process for creating your ships? Some go-to moves (like using solid boosters as structural elements), some thoughts on planning and managing the build, some general techniques you've learned to achieve specific effects, etc.? Heck, it would make a nice series: "Briefly believe you could one day build like ShadowZone" or some such.

[@70RCH]

wow, great video - nearly two years old and I still learned a ton! I'd consider myself a relatively experienced player and knew of and totally use a lot of these tips but there were a LOT here I didn't know. Just getting back into the game for Breaking Ground after a long break and really took a lot away from this video -- thank you so much! +1 subscriber!

[@ShadowZone]

I'm glad this video was useful for you. Thanks for subscribing! :)

[@Turnip1981]

Those were some very helpful hints. Thanks!

[@Enceos]

Editor Tricks not mentioned: 1) You can also use the reroot tool on subassemblies you’re about to place (the red transparent parts in the editor scene). Use the reroot tool on the part with which you want to attach that subassembly to your vessel. After rerooting attachment nodes will appear on that part. 2) Use Shift to detach individual parts or groups of parts from a subassembly.

[@lordcirth]

Thank you! I never realized you could do #1.

[@sixstringedthing]

I knew about #1 but not #2.... thanks man, that's definitely going to come in handy. :)

[@gigamut11b86]

Alot of great info in a small package...awesome video SZ...some of those were a real eye opener :) Thanks for sharing, Keep up the great work. Hope you have a great day & be safe.

[@imthedarknight-8755]

Dang the local/absolute mode thing is extremely helpful and so it switching to only attach to nodes.

[@salih-khan]

WHAT I WANT TO SEE THE MOST A dyson sphere like an ark or something dome whatever that generates its power try different ways then just try any o fthese build like different types of stations examples docking station battle station haven class station inflatable stations habitations wheel

[@brillo64]

Awsome! When I first heart about that game, I had no idea what is behind it. Seeing which vehicles are actually possible blows my mind.

[@FourthRoot]

Something I've learned recently that has proven highly useful is using the root tool to break symmetry. Very useful for asparagus staging.

[@jimmye3027]

Thank you. I have spent over 1,200 hours in this game and never thought about using wheels and solid booster engines like that!

[@janrafflewski5468]

The torque thrust thing comes in really handy :D

[@lachdenan9875]

Yeah. I never paid attention to that, either.

[@sandercohen5543]

Especially for building spaceplanes, since engine housings attached to the wings of an aircraft can often be slightly misaligned.

[@sixstringedthing]

That moment when you watch a ShadowZone vid for the first time after playing KSP for several hundred hours and realise that the biggest, most impressive, multi-hundred ton rocket that you've managed to build so far is really only a booster rocket for one of SZ's massive epic creations. 8( Great video mate, I knew most of the keyboard shortcuts and had figured out some of your tips for myself - I'm the kind of person who likes reading wikis and experimenting with editor options when I'm not actually "playing" KSP - but it certainly inspires me to go and build bigger, better creations! Subscribed. :)

[@Ghost_III.]

I stopped playing for like half a year bc i didnt know how to do this! Thank You SO SO MUCH!

[@hugh-martinrouxhughy7419]

I played without Kerbal engineer for so long... since deciding to just suck it up and install it, KSP is much more convenient and honestly, I'd recommend that everyone just gets it. You'll explore so much better

[@eternalreign2313]

I didn't know about the middle mouse button for moving the camera around for the longest time which made building things in the SPH that much more painful, and it was a game changer when I finally discovered it xD. Before I always had to move the plane around to get just the right camera angle.

[@t.wongmee]

INSTALL KERBAL ENGINEER REDUX Me: I’ll guess I have to eyeball it......#consolekspplayer

[@Taricus]

I started as a console player and now on PC I don't use kerbal engineer. You'll be fine :P You'll be even better than the people who are overly mod dependent to help them fly a mission.

[@Amazing-Czahorb]

Yes I agree why does KZbin's say to install that mod

[@rickharper4533]

Taricus not using kerbal engineer redux does not make you better at the game. Saying it does is like saying not using symmetry mode while building your crafts and placing every single part separately makes you better at KSP. It doesn’t, just like symmetry mode, kerbal engineer just makes it faster to build crafts so you can use your time better.

[@lord_morp8824]

Damn, I feel that

[@Chris_Cross]

Me: Guess I'll die...

[@Remaggib]

Very well done, after a thousand hours (just on steam version, nevermind the ckan starts) I only now learned some keyboard shortcuts. I always forget to look them up after watching ksp videos lol

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

Jake aka Remaggib It took me 3 years just to learn how to use the time warp keybinds.

[@algodude8713]

I have tried to figure out decrease radial symmetry for over a year and now you tell me! Thanks!

[@josephhaas7413]

You seriously have some dope ass spacecraft! I just started myself and I hope I can get to your level sooner rather than later

[@alexlandherr]

Great tip, I’ve been playing for 2 years and I’m still learning.

[@Steve211Ucdhihifvshi]

My basic tip for making any aircraft.... Hack a stability control module thru the part file to have insane power. Put one at the front and back of the craft maybe the middle haha and anything flys

[@sixstringedthing]

My basic tip for aircraft... copy stuff that's been proven to work IRL :) If you can get the proportions and positions of things basically right it will usually fly pretty well after a bit of tweaking, especially if it's a fairly simple design. If it doesn't work, adding a couple extra engines usually fixes it well enough to take off. Landing, on the other hand....

[@buchholzphoto27]

Not sure if this has been discussed in any previous comments, but I would love to build my own seaplane SSTO to act as a surface-to-orbit shuttle for a future Laythe colony. Perhaps some discussion/explanation of buoyancy and water drag would help me greatly? Thanks!

[@aqe435xs5]

buchholzphoto I am no KSP pro but I would try using empty fuel tanks for buoyant pontoons. Matt Lowne made a good video on a laythe SSTO seaplane so check that out. Hope that helps!

[@Fireheart318]

I had no idea about pressing Space to reset rotation! Thanks!

[@nicovorster2738]

Fantastically done mate! heaps of useful and very applicable info. Rock on

[@EvolvedSungod]

With good enough fuel pumps, engines in front of CoM can make for a VERY easy take-off and flight. Landing is a bit tougher that way IMO though.

[@species8472cze]

1800 hours in KSP, well over 600 in RSS/RO and i didnt know you can press F to change the direction while offsetting. Thank you!

[@that1saltynoob568]

The vab uses scroll wheel as up/down because it is for rockets which are launched from the launchpad vertically. On the other hand, the spaceplane hangar uses it as zoom because most things you build in there are not very tall and are launched from the runway.

[@valentin5043]

i thought i knew all the key hiddens binding (even the [alt]+ A ,Z,E,Q,S,D in flight), but i learn a lot of things, thank you

[@shadeslayer7153]

what do [alt] A Z E Q S D do?

[@Ivan.V.Petrov]

When I started to play KSP, I launch lots of crafts, build ssto, make a successful docking by engines, but then somebody told me about SAS... After all, that was not a bad practice :D

[@baflabies]

This was perfect for a returning player. So much to remeber!:) thx!

[@TigerDan04]

This was incredibly helpful! THANK YOU, SO MUCH!!! Appreciate ya, dude! Alright, see ya on Kerbin!

[@joekalipso]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you sir

[@odie9733]

Even the smallest thing are made awesome with your voice :D

[@captainjirk9564]

Wow, I kept having the problem about not having enough Dv to be able to reach my destination. I haven't gone anywhere but the moon yet, but when I did it was always by the skin of my teeth. I also kept trying to get into orbit by flying west, which for some reason I thought that it would be easier. I think I thought this because long distance flights IRL usually fly west so their destination will rotate towards them while they fly, saving time and fuel. I also for some reason thought you could only attach 2 solid fuel boosters to your escape stage... lol. Thanks for these tips!

[@antonoresten2594]

1:06 oh. my. god. That will help me so much. Thank you, ShadowZone, thank you.

[@Stand_Tall]

that moment when you realise you cant even dock in orbit and he talks about heading to mars?

[@nolimo2593]

I think Mars is easier than docking in orbit.

[@daviddavis]

@Alpha Centauri I am horrible at docking but can get to duna easily

[@eyemastervideo]

Thanks, those plugins were exactly what i needed. I was always guessing if my rockets will bring me to Duna or Dres or whatever.

[@tedcameron9438]

Hi... In relation to the reversal of the controls between the VAB and the SPH, I think you need to reorient your mindset when entering the different buildings. The controls haven't been reversed, the view and your relation to the craft has. If you have rocket in VAB and use mouse wheel you go from top to bottom and bottom to top. If your in the SPH and you have the same rocket it will be laid down and if you place your view at the "bottom" of the rocket facing towards the "top" end if you scroll the mouse wheel you STILL go from the top to bottom and back again :~) Thanks for the "F" key, was the one thing I couldn't find :~)

[@Strothy2]

The thing about Kerbal is you start, get frustrated you don't get into orbit, stop playing for a day, and then you are back... it just does not stop

[@kaivanscoy9526]

Your voice sounds so nice and friendly.

[@spaceshipmania5476]

Thanks for the info, i've been building bigger ships for a while now and since i've never had so much fun with KSP! Your ships are very inspiring! Never had i thought of making an interieur in my ships:p Keep it up!

[@quintinkrivacek9800]

I swear I've watched this before but I just learned so much

[@roizak6718]

"if u see what ur doing u are more likely to know what ur doing" this one got me xD

[@stealthpelt1]

If you hit caps lock while in flight, the controls are a little softer, meaning you won't accidentally pull a 15g turn with your space plane because you lightly tapped s Really helpful for high-speed flight and SSTO's

[@urses0019]

Nice workaround the first basics tipps would be perfect at "Gameplay Questions" and pinned up! +Rep

[@69glenjamin]

Thanks Shadow, I just learnt something. the local and absolute modes for offset and rotation. Your videos are so cool and make me laugh. Your a damn good Kerbal player :) Love your accent. Cheers from Melb, Aus. :)

[@Dio9898]

Thanks SZ that was really helpful ! Now I know what the re-root is for xD

[@brianriley5108]

I like Kerbal Alarm Clock and Navball Docking Alignment Indicator. Also, Kerbal Engineer for All is useful.

[@brumby92]

Excellent! My tip would be to get Editor Extensions Redux. It allows all parts to be surface attached, so you don't have to use the cubic struts. And so much more! I like the built in autostrut tool. Oh yeah! Use autostrut! That's my other tip

[@alexc3504]

The ship at 0:13 looks like the tempest from Mass Effect Andromeda. Nice!

[@ShadowZone]

That's because it is ;) There's an entire video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inLKq2uGic2doMU

[@alexc3504]

ShadowZone it looks really good man! Keep on rocking.

[@d.thieud.1056]

We now have rotors so no more need for bearings, (in most cases) yaaaay and KER is mostly integrated into stock now

[@TheMartieno]

HIGHWAY TO THE SHADOWZONE

[@aggrenox312]

nice video, especially the building and camera controls are good to know :D

[@ShadowZone]

+aggrenox312 you're welcome!

[@EvolvedSungod]

Center of lift should always be behind the center of mass, even in rockets. You just don't want COL too far behind COM in a plane since it's harder to control or take off the further back it goes.

[@szeperator1649]

Use this mod forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/121386-131-wasd-editor-camera-continued/ for the most intuitive movement in the editor. It the most essential mod in my opinion. It's just the standart FPS controls

[@Enceos]

Szeperator, I can’t play without the WASD editor camera mod. It’s definitely one of the must have mods for this game.

[@sixstringedthing]

Sounds like a useful mod, thanks.

[@angiegamez8600]

I would recommend MechJeb to everyone, you can use the maneuver planner module to see what types of maneuvers are available to you, how to do them, and how much deltaV is required.

[@Graylien_]

Just want to say I would love to see you take on RSS-RO. That is a series I would watch!

[@spsanders69]

Thank you very much for this video. I just started playing this game along with my son and I am absolutely in love with the game. I have my science tree about up to 90 point mark. Do you have any videos that discusses good paths to take down the science tree? Some amazing ships you have shown here and glad I found your channel. Definitely a new Sub. I appreciate the information!

[@ShadowZone]

Welcome! Glad I was able to provide something useful for you. Regarding the tech tree: I prefer trying to get to as much science experiments as I can early on which in turn enables me to gain more science points per mission. Apart from that, I suggest you just go with your personal preferences and have fun with the game :)

[@spsanders69]

@@ShadowZone Thanks yeah I am up to the 90 point portion of the science branch. Now, with 120 points to spend I am trying to decide on the Heavy Rocketry to get the bigger engines, or the Landing which gives me better landing struts. Or go with the 3 person capsule, but think I should wait on that. Though haven't got the 45 point aviation yet to start making planes. I have yet to get a smooth landing on the Mun. The one time I did, the thing tilted over and fell on its side. LoL. Luckily I had the science bay that has the doors you can flip open, which lifted the return rocket up to about a 35º angle for a second before dropping and then I hit the thrusters before it dropped to get off the surface, LOL. Son got a kick out of that. I did get to plant my flag, now working on a return trip to land and collect science at the locations on the surface they want. Does your Kerbal have a limited distance they can go? Going through your career mode videos now. So glad I finally got this game. Wish I did sooner. I know we are late to it, but loving it. So much fun.

[@rockeestar4629]

God fucking bless you holy shit I've been spending 30 min trying to find a shortcut

[@johannson1980]

Thank you, I'm a noob at KSP, and this should help. I'm not installing mods since KSP is slow for me already.

[@divegabe]

Damn, those octagonal struts is the answer to all my problems!!! Btw I love the normal large rectangular struts as landing legs, especially for early career. Lands a 40ton lander at 20 m/s easy on Kerbin without damage, perfect for my skills. Doesnt look good though so not applicable to you :D Thanks man.

[@tombrogden5503]

played ksp for a long while, some tips in your vid i didnt know, thanks

[@euxim]

WTF! Great ship design man.. Realy Cool.. thx for the vid. Didnt know some tips!!

[@Garidoes1]

Damn, I didn’t know about the Re-Root. Thanks!!

[@1WheelUp]

I have over 600 hours in ksp and I still didn't know a few of these things haha :D good video

[@Novasky2007]

Quick mental dV calculation. N's 3rd law. Equal and opposite. What you need to get there you need to stop. Plus or Minus gravity assist.

[@das_shaggey1797]

This helped me a lot Thanks

[@d.thieud.1056]

I have over 500 hours but some of these where till useful to me, thanks a lot

[@frgv4060]

Very good thanks. But the real problem is always parts, performance, memory and erratical behavior (specially after switching to some big base or station) until you restart the game... which takes quite a time. I use tweak scale to minimize parts and keep things going.

[@cristiang.acosta9939]

I'm kind of a rookie here, but this video is video is my personal jesus crist! I've been trying vertical take-off like for ever. And the number to see if the thing was satable was right there in front of my nose!! damn!!

[@page041]

Great video, thanks!

[@rowangallagher4579]

If love some help with advanced structures like box wings, and maybe some more on VTOLs and how to troubleshoot

[@SectorCTestLabs]

1:09 I didn't know you can do that thanks!

[@nilsdock]

you forgot the trick to toggle pitch, yaw and roll on your RCS. if the RCS only controls translation the rotation can be handled by the reaction wheels. this technique will prevent accidental translation from the pitch, yaw and roll. and the craft will be extremely stable even with asymmetric RCS placement.

[@falafeldurum2095]

I learned all this stuff by messing around with KSP for about 1 year and sometimes pressing random keys to learn something new ;)

[@finnishgang6140]

Thanks it helped a lot

[@supahfly_uk]

Awesome tutorial subbed

[@koldfizzion3762]

Great video thank you.

[@leonc9915]

Excellent vid

[@memolano100]

Great video!

[@christovisser233]

SZ, Should also mention a staple mod you use: Docking Port Alignment Indicator

[@ShadowZone]

+Christo Visser I don't use if for building stuff though, and that was what this video was about ;)

[@majorphysics3669]

I think the camera controls aren’t unified because your more likely to go up down in vab, it side to side and zoom in sph.

[@calsteed8188]

This man would be perfect for AsMr

[@serg3y]

I wonder how many times keyboard menus and mapping have been requested.. it's rocket science.

[@6shnuggle6]

Pull off a part, press CTRL+Z will undo but you will also still have that same part on hand as a copy. :D