SM create conventional starting conditions?

[White Owl (OP)]

I find I really enjoy the conventional starts, since I like building up from the very beginning.  But this frequently leaves me badly handicapped vs.  most normally generated races.  I'm looking for ways to not exactly cheat. . .  just level the playing field a little bit at the start of a new game.

Is it possible to SM mode a scientist in, so I at least can start with one guy for each necessary field? If so, how?

How can I add a commercial shipyard at the start?

[Erik L]

With SM active, go to the Shipyard Management tab of the Economics screen. On the middle right, next to the shipyard tasks, is a button which allows you to toggle the box on the edge. Then you can add a new shipyard of the appropriate size and slips.

For a conventional start, don't generate any NPRs until a few years in. They start at your level, except in a pre-TN condition. Then you are severely handicapped for a while.

[White Owl (OP)]

That's very helpful, thanks.   

Immediately after starting this thread, I discovered the "replace all" button on the Leaders screen.  With a little bit of experimentation, I see how to repeatedly generate new batches of scientists until I get a good starting mix.  Ain't no sense in starting out with three Biology/Genetics dudes and no Power/Propulsion.

[Hawkeye]

You can also start with, say 500 million people. The generated NPRs will be based on that. Then up your population/conventional industry to, perhaps 750 million. Also remember to up the mineral count on earth, to account for all those factories/mines/yards, you start out with in a TN start.