Starbases

Build constructors, send them to starbase and then you can add modules. Most modules have to be researched first.

Ahh, simple! 

Thank you.

Bryce

Got a mining base set up...does it send back the stuff im mining by itself?

Yes, provided it has something in it's zone of control in can mine, like Duranthium or Antimatter.

Yeah, have two of those resources either side of it.

If I wanted to extend the grey dotted line zone, it I place a starbase on the edge does it push this boundary out (so I can colonise planets outside this grey boundary)

Haven't tried it yet, I know in GCII you could increase your ship range with starbases, best bet is either to colonize a planet or research life support.

Thats a good idea. 

Cheers for your help.

Yes, you can extend the range with starbases. You can also colonize planets, research techs (some offer passive bonuses), and add life support modules to your ships. All the old trick still seem to work.

However, my philosophy is that if you need things like starbases or life support modules to extend your range, then you are probably fighting a opponent too far away. Adding range modules to your ships will need you to sacrifice some other feature, maybe like firepower or speed. Building starbases runs the risk that they might get blown up, thereby stopping the advance of your fleets.

Life support currently stinks in GCIII, starbases are the easiest and cheapest way to attack an opponent who is too far away. The AI does like to attack starbases, so be sure to defend them.