I think doing the mod sections you are able to do and showing progress there will go a long way.  Steampunk as an art genre is very popular and I wouldn't be surprised at all if some modelers show up to contribute.  Getting Sins modelers might be a bit tougher--to do the conversions and hardpoints and sizing--but the actual models are quite possible.

I don't do the XSI, particles, and texturing  (the hard stuff)  but I might be willing to do a model or two for this--looks fun.

Here's a steampunkish airship I did for a different very low poly game:

Yeah--be careful there.  A lot of Steampunk is on Deviant Art (I think one or two of your pics even) and them folks don't take kindly to thievery.

Most modders here are like me--limited skills and not so helpful in the ubertechnical department --or are part of their own epic creative vision and not so inclined to contribute to someone else's.

If I could do the advancedmodeling, I'd actually help quite often in that area. Just don't have the patience to assemble skills with multiple semi-working programs that require warez, ridiculous amounts of cash or constant renewing and uninstalling of trial versions.

I'd offer to help on the abilities, etc. but it's just tedious to debug all the possible errors--especially with particles and botched meshes, etc.

Good luck attracting maybe one good modder--that would be all you need to start.

Depending on the program modeling isn't all that hard. You just need to have enough experience to know when to drop a line of thinking and start up with another approach to making a model. Anyone can make a model, but only a few can make a model better, and that's by dedication and learning the program you want to work with.

It's a good start--working on what you can.  Some suggestions would be to decide some standards so you don't end up with a Frankenstein's lab of bizzare things.  Also take into account that poly counts of models will shoot up pretty fast if you actually build all the frills and edges a lot of steampunk art wants.

I'd suggest come up with some rationales for what's there.  Give each faction some sort of "propulsive theory" to design engines around as an example.  This let's you make consistent ships:

Perhaps Tech relies on explosive propulsion as in Jules Verne's, "From Earth to the Moon"--giant canons and explosive blasts to get into orbit and maneuver.  Bright pulsing flares and smoke coulds could be the exhaust.  Tech would use good old chemical explosive canons for weapons.

The Advent could rely on another sort of propulsive technology...sailing ship canvas or insect like and fairy wing like solar sails.  Glittering, gold dust-like particle trails could be their exhaust. The Advent could use steam powered weapons and gem powered lasers.

The Vasari could rely on a Tesla reminiscent  aether drive generating power from strange chemical-electric forces using giant batteries.  Electric arcs and sparks could be their exhaust.  Weapons could be shot by giant magnets.

These are just off the top of my head ideas but if you can flesh out concepts like this you give ship designers common standards to incorporate into their designs and make them flow a little better in design and be more consistent.

On your website you need a general discussion thread so people can introduce themselves and talk out concepts. I didn't think you intended to pirate anything just wanted to give you a heads up that a lot of Deviant Artists are really on the warpath nowadays about their work being lifted all the time and steampunk is a big theme there.  great for inspiration though.  I have models of the entire Irken Armada from Invader Zim that were gifted to me by a Deviant Artist but I spent time getting to know him and asking permission for them first.

Modeling is hard--I do it when I feel inspired and "in the mood" and it's hard when I am not.  I am not much of an "epic" modeler but I can whip out a decent one now and then. Particles and all are hard because the software doesn't all work for me on my machine.

I'll try to make a few things if I can get the feel for it.  Sounds fun.

Power surge to make them explode or disable systems, power drain to slow them down to become easy targets, heat transfer to shut off their steam and make them shut down and die...  That should probably be a cap ship's ultimate ability if it's a one shot kill type deal.

Could have a reverse polarity special attack on certain ships that sends out shrapnel in all directions upon death that damages all things nearby, and by extension an increase in power to suck other ships closer to them like magnetism for the strike craft, or even as in debris vortex to help collect parts for repairs.

I assume this means they are going to have mangled (well more so then the usual steampunk designs) human ships or will they have their own unique identity?  Also what about the militia if any are planned?

Let's see, if I were going for design themes, based on your descriptions, I'd go with things like this:

Humans: Bright colored ships (meaning you see lots of chrome and bronze and polished surfaces), sleeker designs, multiple modes of propulsion across the fleet (fans on some, flapping wings on others), if particles aren't a concern, lots of moving parts and ostentatious, superfluous piping and design.  Real clean and fast, fresh out of the car wash and flying down the highway.  Weapons don't pack a punch, they can't take as many hits (weak hulls), but their little devices (abilities) as you put it, can be used to exploit the others weaknesses to give them the edge they need to win.  Maybe have them use magnetic field generators to shield them from enemy fire. (Lots of shielding.)

SubHumans: Design could be similar to human, however with less flair, so to speak, since they probably built and tested the prototypes for the humans just in case the design was bad, no humans would have been killed in any accidents.  They would naturally have less to work with and would go with function over form.  As their sight is different and they're workers at the core of their being, color is less important to them.  Their ships could have a darker, dirtier look to them like they were built in coal mines.  More mechanical than lighter then air, and thus able to take quite a few more hits.  (Probably also due to the fact they built up safety systems over the years to protect themselves from all of the 'testing accidents'.)  More dependent on stronger hulls then shielding if any shielding at all.  Maybe make a ship whose ability is to provide shields, or a planet defense structure that grants shielding to ships so those playing defense get it, but those on the attack in enemy territory don't.

MadTechnoBots: Another function over form style, however with the Texan bigger is better mentality.  (Besides, it would have to be to house all of them large batteries for their propulsion systems and special abilities.)  A lot more weapon points, more powerful weapons, slower movement because of the bulkier designs.  The most mechanical looking of the bunch for the obvious reasons.  Middle of the road hull and shields.  They can often times be outrun, however if they catch you, they'll punish you in several painful ways.  If you let them build their fleet up, then you deserve the ass kicking coming your way.  Their drawback is that they have few special abilities, and since they are robots after all, personal safety isn't any concern, so ship repairs on the fly aren't available. (No hull regeneration.  Repairs can be made with a repair ship that has no offensive capability, or by island side repair stations.)

Pirates: Mix of designs, dirty with piping, spinning gears and steam jets spewing out all over the place due to poor construction and maintenance practices, but also loaded with weapons from all three other factions.  "A gun for every situation." style.  Smoky exhaust trails, and prone to breakdowns (via auto-used abilities) which can be lessened via research.  (Basically, a self affecting ability that shuts down weapons and engines, shields and regeneration if any, all at once, or individually with their own timed abilities, and research would increase the cooldown times of the abilities and lessen the duration giving off the appearance that they're getting their collective $#!t together as the game progresses.  This is of course, is only doable if they are non playable as a player could just turn the ability off.)

Militia: Depending on their need, you could probably get away with just reusing the pirate ships since independent colonies wouldn't have the resources of an ever expanding empire, thus they'd be forced to scavenge or buy from the black market.  Could also borrow one or two designs from the others as well just for variation.

I like the idea and it's very possible to do.  Finding people with the ability to do it masterfully is the only issue.  I can slap stuff together, but lack of skill and lack of effort to learn how to do it right would make it look crappy as hell.    I'm like you guys, I'm an expert in all things of the Galaxy, GameInfo, String, and Window folders, but not of the Texture, Mesh, and Particle folders.

Be sure to have a "Zombie Island City of the Dead". Gothic and Steampunk are mutually complimentary.

That's a lot closer.  Looks a bit like a WWI observation balloon.

Actually, "WWI barrage balloon" is a step in the right direction.

perhaps you could look to lenardo da-vinci for ideas regarding the propeller shaping.

harpo

What model format are you using?