Function or Structure

[Frank_G]

The more i play KSP the more complex my constructions get. I recently built a shell for an inline cargo tank out of large radiator panels f.e... i see constructions here on the forums, using undeployed solar panels as "equipment boxes", retracted landing gear, air intakes and wings as part of a custom hull design and so on. This all looks quite nice, but in most cases, noone wants the function, as some of them wont allow it, to use KSP inputs as they were intended (or you just dont like it, like in my example... i dont want my cargo protection hull to heat up...).

An option to select between "functional" and "structural" could solve this. "Functional" would allow for intended use of the part, while "structural" removes all functionality from that specific part, being nothing more than a good looking part of a complex vessel (and by this, saving processing time and memory).

Do we need this at all? Do we want such thing to be stock, or would that be something for a mod? What do you think?

[Violent Jeb]

i'd imagine there is a small part mod that will satisfy your construction needs.

For Vanilla Construction, I believe there is already Structural beams and other parts for building.
If you decide to go out of the box, and use parts for their unintended purpose, it should be somewhat easy to clone the part and tweak the settings on your own game.

Note the "in your own game" - For me personally it makes no sense to have a utility for disabling heat on certain parts only (F12 menu can just disable the whole thing if i need), or a duplicate set of parts.

So i'd say no, it is not widely needed, but i'm sure a mod already exists with parts to help build complex structures..I do like the ability to save processing time, but i believe by definition making complex objects is going to increase processing and memory regardless (and there are already mods dedicated to this as well)

 

[John FX]

I also would say no. I agree with the poster above when they say it would be easy enough to clone the part and remove function from it then name it something identifiable for your own game.