How can i improve my building skills?

[Bearsh]

I'd like to know how i can build structures and cool ships like these:

Yeah thanks any tips welcome!

[Taki117]

you can use WASDQE to rotate parts, as well as shift+WASDQE to rotate in 5 degree steps.

[M4ck]

You should also try Editor Extensions plugin and SelectRoot. The first one adds more symmetry options, larger workspace and other useful tweaks, the second lets you change the root part by lshift+lctrl + left clicking on a part - this enables building some clever joints using radial hardpoints etc.

[MrAnonymous]

are those pods on the second pic?

[cantab]

It looks to me like all three are using mod parts, so bear that in mind.

IIRC there's a thread with construction techniques. But a few hints and tips:

Build in the spaceplane hangar if you want bilateral symmetry, in the VAB if you want radial symmetry. You can save a subassembly in one and load it in the other, letting you combine things.

The Cubic Octagonal Strut is godly. You can basically attach anything to anything at any angle with it. And it's massless and dragless so won't throw your ship off balance.

The debug menu can be opened in the VAB/SPH (Alt+F12, or Right Shift+F12 for Linux players) and allows you to enable part clipping. This lets you freely put parts intersecting each other, giving you more design freedom.

When you aren't part clipping, sometimes it takes a few goes to get a part in place. Trying different orders can help.

Remember you can use parts for purposes they weren't intended for. A classic example is clipping the tail connectors into the bottom of a fuel tank and mounting engines on them, which gives an elegant five-engine cluster.

[700NitroXpress]

Look at reference images of what others have done or some cool sci fi concept art and try to adapt those designs into your own style. You'll find cool and useful combinations the more you build. Try rotating things at different angles and don't be afraid to build big.

[Pecan]

Practice. Either:

a) use huge, over-powered parts from SLS and mods.

learn about ISP, deltaV and TWR and how to maximise them.