Starbase Modding

You only need one mesh for a starbase, its just they have the option to change meshes with upgrades if you want (I.e. the extra weapon emplacements on the TEC starbase with weapon upgrades). Can't really say anything else without knowing what you're trying to do.

I think that pretty much answered the question.  So in game, they have a mesh for each combination of meshes based on the upgrade done?

Basically I'm adding the Tech construction ability and some Psi and Phase abilities in a single starbase.  I'm assuming I can just take the specific mesh points already in the various meshes to find the right ones.

I'm thinking the starbase issue that made it shoot for a bit then stop might have to do with banks of weapons and the meshpoints not being there.

Pretty much.

As long the mesh points are on each mesh that might possibly have the upgrade, yes. But if you have a lot of different upgrades that change meshes that can get complicated very quickly.

I'd like to avoid multiple meshes anyway.  Absolutely no need for me.  That's a ridiculous amount of meshes in the vanilla.  Seems like some memory could be freed up by using single models--though I guess they aren't that much really.

StarBasePhase-TradeWeapon2.mesh
StarBasePsi-TradeCultureWeapon2.mesh
StarBaseTech-TradeWeapon2.mesh

These are the fully upgraded starbases with all hardpoints and stuff.

for 7DS, we use only a single mesh in the entity file instead of the multiple ones in the Vanilla file.

MeshNameInfoCount 1
MeshNameInfo
    meshName "StarBaseTech-TradeWeapon2"
    criteriaType "None"
meshNameIncreasedEffectName ""
meshNameDecreasedEffectName ""

Cool--thanks Semaz.