Yes, but now they have the blue-print system. With a little bit of modding it can do it for you
The idea above was to allow for cosmetic as well as upgrade paths. As to the naming scheme, I would have the blue-print system set the naming scheme itself. Not saying it was perfect, but I know a certain sequence of ships that I want so I would like to be able to create that same sequence again if I so desire. If you have another sequence, it would be interesting to create multiple paths of ships. This is far to complicated in general, but they have a rough outline in their blue-print system right now. The type D battleships or the type L battleships and such. Not saying it is perfect, but it can be done.
Rand, it would be nice to allow the overwrite feature as well. The process is a little excessive at the moment, but then again we don't have to worry about names when we save the ships.
Your Star Trek style ships all look good. Could you try to do some Klingon ships with the Drengin parts / style?
I rarely use ships that come with the game except at the start of the game as soon as I get medium hulls I start cranking out my custom ships. I am working on my own tiny and small scale Star Trek fighter designs so I will eventually abandon all ships that come with the game. Thing is I know absolutely nothing about modding.
As for Klingon ship designs I did a few in the Alpha 2 stage. I have not done any since. When I get around to playing Dregin Empire I will indeed make all ships as Klingon designs.
