Please at least ask danman about incorporating 7DS elements into your mods, we're still in development of 2.0 and would like playtesters/betatesters to not "borrow" elements that we still have in testing for their own work -even if you on your own take something and modify it for your use. That said, if Danman gives you permission, give Danman some mad props.
By all means however, feel free to assist us in our work @ http://sri-corp.com/Forum/index.php so that all can benefit alike.
Other than "Damaged" textures, there aren't any ways to damage ships from the start. Besides, once the ships repair back to full shield/hull, why would they look damaged?
Yes, you are right about supporting 7DS first, and asking permission for your own use. As to your question about why would a ship still look damaged when the shields, hull, armor go back up to full? It is really only cosmetic, to "look" old, to reflect the point that this ship has been out there fighting for the last 50 years. 
But i wonder if there would be a way to have the shields and hull, armor reduce permanently by xx value over time? Like say, after a heavy game, my hull has lost 10 or 20 points permanently? Hmmm..... If that were the case then that in-game ship would resemble a "real" ship in the sense that i could only use it so long before i would have to replace it. But it is an interesting idea.
-Teal
