Microstructure tailoring of filler loaded preceramic polymer systems offers a high potential for property improvement of Si-based ceramics and composites. Advancements in manufacturing of bulk materials by controlling microstructure evolution during thermal induced polymer-ceramic transforma-tion and polymer-filler reactions will be presented. Rate controlled pyrolysis, multilayer gradient laminate design and surface modification by gas solid reaction are demonstrated to yield ceramic components of high fractional density and superior mechanical properties. Emerging fields of applications are presented.