Hey, I’m new to modding this game and i am super lost in what i need to do. I can make my images and stuff, but how the text files and such work and what text files are needed. I’m just wondering if someone could post a template that could help in modding. Any help would really be nice, not to mention it would help other newbies.
i’m too lazy to provide instructions myself. 
but you can get instructions from looking around the modding forum. like, a bunch of the threads. good luck! 
BTW it’s actually really easy, but the complicated instructions are hard to give. D:
I also just started modding this game (currently working on a Light Cruiser design). It’s actually pretty straight forward.
Here’s what you need:
\data\bitmaps\ships<race><ship class name>
-> ship_name.dds
-> ship_name_damaged.dds
-> ship_name_hulk.dds
\data\hulls<race name>
-> ship_name.txt
The text file describes everything about the ship. Best way to start modding one is to copy/paste an existing ship and change the values as appropriate. It’s pretty straight forward.
This thread explains the process in a lot more detail:
thank you for your help