Wow...nice to see the responses.

I stumbled onto SCP the day of my first post...I've been in the Freespace "Dark Ages" apparently. These models are gonna start rocking out with some detail now that I've got some polygon room. Even so, I had always planned on the models that you see in those posts to be in the second LOD. Haven't put my higher-poly models in yet due to my computer's limitations. That is, I'm using a Compaq Presario 7000 from 2001 with 256MB RAM, 1.7 GHz processor and a GeForce 5200FX. Needless to say, my frame rate drops like a fat kid in dodgeball every time I look at a high poly model or high res nebula, let alone an entire fleet battle!!!
As far as FS2 being "old and out-dated," I've never and will never say that; Freespace 2 has withstood the test of time, and is IMO the
truest game in the entire genre. VIVA FS2!!!

BTW, it's 63 ships now.

I did this project single-handedly for several reasons, the first being that I knew no one (locally) who did this kind of work. Secondly, I love a challenge. It took me four years to find free versions of programs, learn how to use them with no tutorials or help files, figure out what worked and what didn't in the TBL file manipulation, and teach myself how to model. Since I started there has been a wealth of Freespace modding information right under my nose, but until recently all I had was dial-up and a slow computer, so endlessly browsing the internet to find said info wasn't even a thought. In the last 6 months I've downloaded and read every bit of info I could from this website and about a dozen others. If I can get a handle on how to use this new info, this mod will go from "neat idea" to "freaking awesome."
All in all I'd appreciate any advice you guys have. This year has been difficult for me. I'm in college trying to graduate, I work a full-time job, my friends back home keep trying to get me to play World of Warcraft, and I have a girlfriend. And on top of all that I'm still trying to crank this mod out. It's become my obsession, so rest assured more work will soon come to light on this.
Once again, thanks for the response and the welcome. I look forward to your future comments

-Devrous