ShipShaper controls rely on a blend of mouse-driven node manipulation in the design editor and keyboard inputs or telegraph dials when sailing in sandbox mode. Developed solo by Tomas Sala, the game allows players to shape hulls, attach modular naval components, and test buoyancy in dynamic water.
While the shipbuilding suite avoids traditional 3D modeling key grids, specific inputs are required to adjust sails, delete misplaced components, manage propulsion, and manipulate environmental weather.
ShipShaper Editor Controls and Shortcuts
Building in ShipShaper is primarily designed around mouse actions and contextual dials rather than extensive keyboard layouts. Players manipulate organic hull nodes by clicking and dragging directly on the vessel. Parts and props snap to designated surface areas such as gundecks, superstructures, and centerlines.
| Action | Input / Control | Context & Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Shape Hull / Move Parts | Left Mouse Button (LMB) Drag | Pulls hull curves, places props, and adjusts node positions. |
| Cycle / Select Parts | Mouse Scroll Wheel | Scrolls through available contextual items or variations. |
| Camera Orbit | Right Mouse Button (RMB) Drag | Rotates the view around the ship model in the designer. |
| Delete Component | Delete Key (DEL) | Removes the selected part immediately. |
| Alternate Delete Method | Hold LMB | Holding LMB on an item until it blinks/deletes, or click the cross icon next to the color button. |
| Undo Action | Ctrl + Z | Reverts the most recent placement, node pull, or color change. |
| Redo Action | Redo UI Button | Restores an action reversed by the undo command. |
| Adjust Sliders | LMB Drag on Sliders | Modifies decking spacing, rivet details, planking, and prop variations (e.g., lamp styles or gun mounts). |
| Edge Scrolling | Automatic Mouse Pan | Disabled in the editor in recent updates to prevent camera drift while clicking floor buttons; active in world mode. |
Copy and paste shortcuts (Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V) are currently not supported in the editor. The developer noted that because base hull meshes are calculated symmetrically across the centerline to save performance on high-triangle models, props on the hull are tied to specific pair placements and mirroring rules rather than arbitrary clipboard cloning.
Sailing and World Mode Sandbox Controls
Once a design is placed into the water, ShipShaper shifts to an interactive simulation testing buoyancy, propulsion, and weight distribution. Players can command vessels either through keyboard shortcuts or direct mouse interaction with interactive telegraphs on the user interface.
| Control Function | Input Method | Gameplay Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Steering | W, A, S, D Keys | Controls rudder angle and primary movement direction. |
| Camera Panning | Arrow Keys | Pans the camera view across the open water in sandbox mode. |
| Engine Power Telegraph | UI Dial / Mouse Click | Sets propulsion steps: Stop, Half Speed, Full Steam Ahead, or Astern. |
| Rigging & Sail Setting | UI Dial / Mouse Click | Toggles between Full Sail, Fighting Sails, Storm Rigging, and Furled (no sail). |
| Rudder Steering | UI Rudder Dial / Mouse | Adjusts quarter-rudder increments, with rudder delay influenced by inertia. |
| Submarine Dive | "Dive" UI Button | Only appears if diving rudders are attached to the hull; submerges the vessel. |
Sailing speeds and turning behavior directly reflect your ship's engineering. Adding paddle wheels, steam boilers, build pumps, or engine parts boosts relative horsepower. Conversely, placing heavy turret guns too far off-center or making a stern too low can cause the ship to list, take on water, or capsize under full physics mode.
The three primary sail settings serve distinct roles:
- Full Sail: Deploys all canvas for maximum cruising speed in favorable wind conditions.
- Fighting Sails: Furls lower courses so deck guns have unobstructed clearance, running the vessel at roughly two-thirds speed.
- Storm Rigging: Reduces sail surface to jibs and storm canvas, giving you minimal headway to navigate rough swells without flipping over.
Environment and Compass View Controls
In view mode, environmental conditions are managed through an interactive nautical compass placed directly on the water surface. Clicking and dragging specific handles on this dial changes the testing conditions for your ship.
- Time of Day: Drag the inner radial dial on the compass to transition between daytime, sunset, and nighttime lighting.
- Location Setting: Use the up and down arrow indicators on the dial to switch water locations.
- Wind Direction & Wave Strength: Click, rotate, and stretch the outer compass arrow. Rotating sets the wind angle, while extending the arrow increases wave height and wind velocity.
- Storm Mode: Click the center button on the compass to trigger an active storm, testing whether your ship's freeboard and buoyancy calculations can withstand crashing waves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remap keybindings in ShipShaper?
There is currently no in-game menu for custom keybind configuration or resolution sliders. Developer Tomas Sala has stated that Early Access development is focused on rapid mechanics and content additions, with language automatically detected via Steam settings and inputs hardcoded to default mouse and keyboard mappings.
How do you delete an item if the Delete key does not respond?
You can remove any placed prop by holding down the Left Mouse Button directly over the object until it blinks and deletes. Alternatively, you can click the cross button located immediately to the right of the color button in the interface.
Why do some ships capsize immediately when testing controls in the water?
Under ShipShaper's full physics system, items have calculated weights and buoyancy volumes. Heavy deck guns and armor plates placed high or asymmetrical from the centerline shift the center of gravity. You can stabilize a listing ship by broadening the hull, adjusting ballast, or attaching stabilizing lee boards and diving rudders.
Does ShipShaper support controller or gamepad navigation?
Gamepad and controller inputs are not officially supported in the current version. The software relies entirely on mouse controls, basic keyboard navigation (W, A, S, D, arrow keys), and standard editing shortcuts (Ctrl + Z, DEL).
