
No Man's Sky is a fantasy science-fiction game set in an infinite, procedurally generated universe. Players have long wanted the ability to paint their starships, and while there used to be no way to do this in-game, the Orbital update, released on March 27, 2024, has revolutionized ship customization. Now, players can personalize their ship's colors and add decals to make their ships unique. To access the customization options, players need to unlock the Starship Outfitter by completing initial missions in the game. Once unlocked, the Ship Customizer can be accessed at any space station, where players can swap out core body parts, wings, boosters, and nose cones, as well as customize colors and decals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Customization options | Paint and decals, body parts, technology upgrades |
| Customization tools | Ship Customizer, Starship Outfitter, scrapping ships, trading |
| Customization process | Collecting ship parts, modifying function and appearance with salvageable modules and in-game mechanisms |
| Available colors | Primary, secondary, and accent colors in matte or metallic |
| Workarounds | Hunting down a system with a ship in the desired color, using a save editor |
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What You'll Learn

Ship painting limitations in No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky is a fantasy science-fiction game set in an infinite, procedurally-generated universe. While the game offers a lot of customization options for players, there are some limitations when it comes to painting ships. Here are some of the key limitations:
Lack of In-Game Ship Painting Options: One of the biggest limitations in No Man's Sky is the absence of an in-game mechanic to paint ships. Players cannot directly change the colour or paint job of their existing ships. This restriction often leads players to resort to other methods or workarounds to achieve their desired ship aesthetics.
Limited Colour Options: The colour options for ships in No Man's Sky are limited. While players can hunt for ships with specific colours, the variety of colours available in the game is insufficient to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. This limitation results in a challenging and time-consuming process of finding a ship with the perfect colour combination.
Customisation Restrictions: No Man's Sky imposes restrictions on customising the appearance of ships. Players are unable to change the shape or outer components of their ships. This limitation extends to the paint job, as players cannot modify the paint or apply a new coat of paint to their existing ships.
Workarounds and Bugs: Some players have resorted to using save editors or modding tools to change the colour of their ships. However, these workarounds are not officially supported by the game and may require technical knowledge. Additionally, there have been reports of bugs associated with ship painting, where players lose their custom paint jobs after a few days due to game glitches.
Ship Hunting Aspect: The absence of ship painting options in No Man's Sky is defended by some players who appreciate the ship hunting aspect of the game. They argue that the excitement of finding a gorgeous ship with the desired colour and model keeps them engaged and invested in the gameplay.
It is important to note that while these limitations exist, the developers of No Man's Sky have introduced ship customization through a ship builder feature. This allows players to build custom ships with their chosen parts and colours before finalizing the build. However, the lack of direct ship painting options remains a notable constraint within the game.
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Workarounds to customise ship colours
While there is no in-game way to paint your starship in No Man's Sky, players have found workarounds to customise their ship colours. Here are some methods you can try:
Save Editing
One popular method is to use a save editor, such as the one created by Goatfungus. First, buy a ship of the same model as your current ship but in a different colour. Then, use the save editor to swap the seeds of the two ships. This will give your original ship the colour of the new ship without affecting its slots and installed tech. You can find a guide on how to do this at https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/NoMansSky:Reference_Guides/TEXTURES/Ship_Coloring.
Hunting for Ships
Another option is to spend time hunting down a system that has a ship with colours close to what you want. This method can be time-consuming and may not always yield the exact colours you desire.
Manual Colour Customisation
If you are building a new ship, you may have the option to customise its colours. During the assembly process, you may be given the choice to select primary, secondary, and accent colours in matte or metallic finishes. However, this option may not be available for all ships.
Appearance Modifier
By using the Appearance Modifier in the game, you can manually recolour your items by adding Palette and Colour sections to override current ship colours. The palette reference depends on the type of ship, and not all ships will use all of the available references. Be careful when modifying these values, as incorrect changes may have unintended consequences on the game's visuals.
It is important to note that these workarounds may involve modifying game files or using third-party tools, which may not be supported or endorsed by the game developers. Always exercise caution and back up your game files before making any changes.
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Using the No Man's Sky Save Editor
While there is no way to paint a starship in No Man's Sky, players have found a way to customise their ship's colour by using the No Man's Sky Save Editor (NMSSE) by Goatfungus. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the No Man's Sky Save Editor to change your ship's colour:
Step 1: Buy a ship of the same model in a different colour
Firstly, you will need to purchase a ship that is the same model as your current ship but has a different colour. This step is necessary because the seed of the ship, which contains the colour information, will be swapped with your current ship's seed.
Step 2: Use the Save Editor to swap seeds
Next, you will use the No Man's Sky Save Editor to swap the seeds of the two ships. The save editor allows you to edit your save file, which acts as an override for the game. By swapping the seeds, you are essentially telling the game to use the colour information from the other ship's seed for your current ship.
Step 3: Enjoy your new paint job
Once you have swapped the seeds, your current ship will now have the colour of the other ship you purchased. All the slots and tech you have installed on your current ship will remain the same, only the colour will change.
It is important to note that this method of changing your ship's colour is only visible to you as it is stored locally. Other players will still see your ship with the default seed colouring. Additionally, this process may not work in multiplayer mode.
The No Man's Sky Save Editor by Goatfungus offers various other features beyond ship colour customisation. You can use it to organise and manage inventories, add or clone items and technology, repair and refill items, resize inventories, and even edit the raw JSON of your save file if you are an advanced user. Always remember to backup your save files before making any changes to avoid potential data loss.
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The Orbital update: new ways to customise ships
The Orbital update for No Man's Sky has brought exciting changes, finally allowing players to customise their starships in new ways. This update is a response to community requests, offering a range of tools and options for modifying ships to match individual preferences and playstyles. The customisation options are not just cosmetic, as they also impact gameplay, giving players the ability to personalise their adventures in the vast No Man's Sky universe.
The ship customisation process allows players to modify both the function and appearance of their starships using salvageable modules and in-game mechanisms. To embark on this journey, players must unlock the Starship Outfitter by completing a few initial missions. Once unlocked, the Starship Outfitter can be accessed at any space station's landing pad.
Players can acquire ship parts by scrapping unwanted ships at the Starship Outfitting Terminal and exchanging units with other players or trading posts. These parts can then be used to rebuild a unique ship. Additionally, players can choose specific parts for their starships and customise colours and decals to make their ships truly one-of-a-kind.
Prior to the Orbital update, players had limited options for changing the colour of their ships. They could either hunt for ships with their desired colours or use third-party software to edit save files, which was a cumbersome process that many players wanted to avoid. Now, with the Orbital update, players can easily customise their ships' colours and parts directly in the game, making their ships truly their own.
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Acquiring ship parts for customisation
As of the Orbital update, No Man's Sky players can finally create their own custom ships. To acquire ship parts for customisation, you can either purchase them or obtain them for free.
One way to get free ship parts is by scrapping or salvaging ships that you do not use. You can head to any Space Station and use the Starship Outfitting Terminal, usually found at the back of the station on the left side. When interacting with the Terminal, select "Begin Salvage Analysis" to determine what can be salvaged from your current ship. You will only be able to salvage one customization module from each ship, and the ship will be destroyed in the process, so make sure you are okay with losing it forever.
Another way to get free ship parts is by searching for crashed ships. You will need a minimum of five Navigation Data, which can be obtained at Minor Settlements, Trade Terminals, Trading Outposts, or by interacting with Save Beacons found randomly on planet surfaces. Once you have enough Navigation Data, go to the Cartographer at the Space Station and buy the Planetary Chart: Emergency Cartographic Data, which will reveal the locations of crashed ships.
If you would rather purchase ship parts, you can buy reactors of any tier from the Ship Technology Merchant at any Space Station in exchange for Nanites. After obtaining a reactor core and other necessary parts like wings, an engine, and a fuselage, you can head to the Starship Fabricator to build a new ship.
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Frequently asked questions
With the Orbital update, No Man's Sky now allows players to customise their ships' colours and decals. You can find the Ship Customiser at every space station, usually near where you scrap your ships.
Before the Orbital update, there was no way to paint your ship in-game. Players had to either hunt down a ship with their desired colour or use a save editor to change the colour.
First, buy a ship of the same model in a different colour. Then, use a save editor like No Man's Sky Save Editor by Goatfungus to swap the seeds.




















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