comment about LOD only depth issue

Thanks Acuadragon100!

api/build.gradle

@@ -2,48 +2,63 @@ import com.github.jengelman.gradle.plugins.shadow.tasks.ShadowJar
 
 plugins {
     id "java"
-
-    id "com.github.johnrengelman.shadow" version '8.1.1' apply false
+    id "com.gradleup.shadow"
 }
 
-
-shadowJar {
-    // required for basic shadowJar setup
-    configurations = [project.configurations.shadow]
+repositories {
+    mavenCentral()
 }
 
-task addSourcesToCompiledJar(type: ShadowJar) {
+tasks.withType(JavaCompile).configureEach {
+    options.release = 8
+    options.encoding = "UTF-8"
+}
+
+configurations {
+    testImplementation.extendsFrom compileOnly
+}
+
+dependencies {
+    compileOnly "org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-api:${rootProject.log4j_version}"
+    testImplementation "junit:junit:4.13"
+}
+
+java {
+    withSourcesJar()
+}
+
+task createReleaseApiJar(type: ShadowJar) {
+
+    mustRunAfter sourcesJar
+    dependsOn shadowJar
     
-    def sourceJarPath = "build/libs/DistantHorizons-api-${rootProject.versionStr}-sources.jar"
-    def secondJarFile = file(sourceJarPath)
+    // the compiled "-all" jar is used since it's available at the time this task is run 
+    def compiledJarPath = "build/libs/DistantHorizonsApi-${rootProject.api_version}-all.jar"
+    def compiledJarFile = file(compiledJarPath)
     
     // doFirst is so these only run when the task is actually executed
     doFirst {
-        System.out.println("Adding source files from: \n" +
-                "[" + sourceJarPath + "] to compiled API jar: \n" +
-                "[" + shadowJar.archivePath + "]")
+        System.out.println("Adding class files from: \n" +
+                "[" + compiledJarPath + "] to source API jar: \n" +
+                "[" + shadowJar.archiveFile.get().asFile + "]")
         
         // Validate the input JAR file
-        if (!secondJarFile.exists()) {
-            throw new GradleException("Second JAR file not found: [${secondJarFile}]")
+        if (!compiledJarFile.exists()) {
+            throw new GradleException("Compiled JAR file not found: [${compiledJarFile}]")
         }
     }
     
-    // Set the name of the combined JAR file
-    archiveFileName.set("DistantHorizonsApi-${rootProject.api_version}.jar")
-    
-    // Set the destination directory for the combined JAR file
-    destinationDirectory = file('build/libs/merged/')
+    archiveFileName.set("DistantHorizonsApi-${rootProject.api_version}-combined.jar") // jar name
+    destinationDirectory = file('build/libs/') // jar location
     
     // Set the input JAR files to be combined
     from sourceSets.main.allJava
     from {
-        configurations.shadow.collect { it.isDirectory() ? it : zipTree(it) }
+        project.configurations.shadow.collect { it.isDirectory() ? it : zipTree(it) }
     }
     
-    // set the jars to merge
-    from shadowJar.archivePath
-    from secondJarFile
+    // add the class files
+    from zipTree(compiledJarFile)
     
     // alternative method to Include the source files in the combined JAR
     // and/or see which files are being included
@@ -77,6 +92,13 @@ task addSourcesToCompiledJar(type: ShadowJar) {
     }
     
 }
+// always create a combined jar for easy deployment
+assemble.dependsOn(createReleaseApiJar)
+
+shadowJar {
+    // required for basic shadowJar setup
+    configurations = [project.configurations.shadow]
+}
 
 javadoc {
     options {
@@ -87,3 +109,17 @@ javadoc {
         addStringOption('Xdoclint:all,-missing', '-quiet')
     }
 }
+
+// set the jar name
+def configureJar = { task ->
+    // outputs in the format:
+    // "DistantHorizonsApi-6.0.0.jar"
+    // "DistantHorizonsApi-6.0.0-sources.jar"
+    task.archiveBaseName = rootProject.api_name
+    task.archiveVersion = rootProject.api_version
+}
+configureJar(tasks.named("jar").get())
+configureJar(tasks.named("sourcesJar").get())
+configureJar(tasks.named("shadowJar").get())
+
+

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.java

@@ -35,29 +35,12 @@ public enum EDhApiGpuUploadMethod
 	/** Picks the best option based on the GPU the user has. */
 	AUTO(false, false),
 	
-	// commented out since it isn't currently in use
-	//BUFFER_STORAGE_MAPPING(true, true),
-	
 	/** Fast rendering, no stuttering. */
 	BUFFER_STORAGE(false, true),
 	
 	/** Fast rendering but may stutter when uploading. */
 	SUB_DATA(false, false),
 	
-	///** Don't upload, only should be used for debugging */
-	//@Deprecated
-	//NONE(false, false),
-	
-	/**
-	 * May end up storing buffers in System memory. <br>
-	 * Fast rending if in GPU memory, slow if in system memory, <br>
-	 * but won't stutter when uploading.
-	 * 
-	 * @deprecated not currently supported
-	 */
-	@Deprecated
-	BUFFER_MAPPING(true, false),
-	
 	/** Fast rendering but may stutter when uploading. */
 	DATA(false, false);
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/EDhApiRenderingApi.java

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
+
+/**
+ * VULKAN, <br>
+ * OPEN_GL, <br>
+ *
+ * @see EDhApiRenderingEngine
+ * 
+ * @since API 7.0.0
+ * @version 2026-3-10
+ */
+public enum EDhApiRenderingApi
+{
+	VULKAN,
+	OPEN_GL;
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/EDhApiRenderingEngine.java

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
+
+/**
+ * AUTO, <br>
+ * OPEN_GL, <br>
+ * BLAZE_3D, <br><br>
+ *
+ * @see EDhApiRenderingApi
+ * 
+ * @since API 7.0.0
+ * @version 2026-3-10
+ */
+public enum EDhApiRenderingEngine
+{
+	AUTO,
+	OPEN_GL,
+	BLAZE_3D;
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/EDhApiVerticalQuality.java

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ public enum EDhApiVerticalQuality
 	
 	
 	
-	public int calculateMaxVerticalData(byte dataDetail)
+	public int calculateMaxNumberOfVerticalSlicesAtDetailLevel(byte dataDetail)
 	{
 		// for detail levels lower than what the enum defines, use the lowest quality item
 		int index = MathUtil.clamp(0, dataDetail, this.maxVerticalData.length - 1);

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/rendering/EDhApiDebugRendering.java

@@ -43,11 +43,7 @@ public enum EDhApiDebugRendering
 	SHOW_BLOCK_MATERIAL,
 	
 	/** Only draw overlapping LOD quads. */
-	SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS,
-	
-	/** LOD colors are based on renderSource flags. */
-	SHOW_RENDER_SOURCE_FLAG;
-	
+	SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS;
 	
 	public static EDhApiDebugRendering next(EDhApiDebugRendering type)
 	{
@@ -60,7 +56,7 @@ public enum EDhApiDebugRendering
 			case SHOW_BLOCK_MATERIAL:
 				return SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS;
 			case SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS:
-				return SHOW_RENDER_SOURCE_FLAG;
+				return OFF;
 			default:
 				return OFF;
 		}
@@ -71,8 +67,6 @@ public enum EDhApiDebugRendering
 		switch (type)
 		{
 			case OFF:
-				return SHOW_RENDER_SOURCE_FLAG;
-			case SHOW_RENDER_SOURCE_FLAG:
 				return SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS;
 			case SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS:
 				return SHOW_DETAIL;

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/rendering/EDhApiRendererMode.java

@@ -20,17 +20,17 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
 
 /**
- * Default <br>
- * Debug <br>
- * Disabled <br>
+ * DEFAULT <br>
+ * DEBUG_TRIANGLE <br>
+ * DISABLED <br>
  *
  * @since API 2.0.0
- * @version 2024-4-6
+ * @version 2026-03-23
  */
 public enum EDhApiRendererMode
 {
 	DEFAULT,
-	DEBUG,
+	DEBUG_TRIANGLE,
 	DISABLED;
 	
 	
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ public enum EDhApiRendererMode
 		switch (type)
 		{
 			case DEFAULT:
-				return DEBUG;
-			case DEBUG:
+				return DEBUG_TRIANGLE;
+			case DEBUG_TRIANGLE:
 				return DISABLED;
 			default:
 				return DEFAULT;
@@ -55,10 +55,10 @@ public enum EDhApiRendererMode
 		{
 			case DEFAULT:
 				return DISABLED;
-			case DEBUG:
+			case DEBUG_TRIANGLE:
 				return DEFAULT;
 			default:
-				return DEBUG;
+				return DEBUG_TRIANGLE;
 		}
 	}
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/rendering/EDhApiTransparency.java

@@ -21,25 +21,13 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
 
 /**
  * DISABLED,					<br>
- * FAKE,						<br>
  * COMPLETE,					<br>
  * 
  * @since API 2.0.0
- * @version 2024-4-6
+ * @version 2026-05-19
  */
 public enum EDhApiTransparency
 {
-	DISABLED(false, false),
-	FAKE(true, true),
-	COMPLETE(true, false);
-	
-	public final boolean transparencyEnabled;
-	public final boolean fakeTransparencyEnabled;
-	
-	EDhApiTransparency(boolean transparencyEnabled, boolean fakeTransparencyEnabled)
-	{
-		this.transparencyEnabled = transparencyEnabled;
-		this.fakeTransparencyEnabled = fakeTransparencyEnabled;
-	}
-	
+	DISABLED,
+	COMPLETE;
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/IDhApiUnsafeWrapper.java

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+
 /**
  * Implemented by wrappers so developers can
  * access the underlying Minecraft object(s).
@@ -38,7 +40,11 @@ public interface IDhApiUnsafeWrapper
 	 * In order to cast this object to something usable, you may want
 	 * to use <code>obj.getClass()</code> when in your IDE
 	 * in order to determine what object this method returns for
-	 * the specific version of Minecraft you are developing for.
+	 * the specific version of Minecraft you are developing for. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * Note:<br>
+	 * This method may return null in some cases, IE {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}
+	 * when it is wrapping air.
 	 */
 	Object getWrappedMcObject();
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/block/IDhApiBlockStateWrapper.java

@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiBlockMaterial;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.IDhApiUnsafeWrapper;
 
 /**
- * A Minecraft version independent way of handling Blocks.
+ * A Minecraft version independent way of handling Blocks. <br><br>
+ * 
+ * Note: the wrapped object (IE the object returned by {@link IDhApiUnsafeWrapper#getWrappedMcObject}) 
+ * will be null if this object is wrapping air.
  *
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2023-6-11
@@ -39,6 +42,12 @@ public interface IDhApiBlockStateWrapper extends IDhApiUnsafeWrapper
 	/** @since API 1.0.0 */
 	boolean isLiquid();
 	
+	/**
+	 * Returns a value between 0 (fully transparent) and 16 (fully opaque).
+	 * @since 6.1.0 
+	 */
+	int getOpacity();
+	
 	/**
 	 * Returns the full serialized form of the given block
 	 * as defined by DH's serialization methods.

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/config/client/IDhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig.java

@@ -23,10 +23,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.IDhApiConfigGroup;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.IDhApiConfigValue;
 
 /**
- * Distant Horizons' fog configuration. <br><br>
+ * Distant Horizons' SSAO configuration. <br><br>
  *
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2022-9-6
+ * @version 2026-02-05
  * @since API 1.0.0
  */
 public interface IDhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
@@ -34,32 +34,4 @@ public interface IDhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	/** Determines if Ambient Occlusion is rendered */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> enabled();
 	
-	/** 
-	 * Determines how many points in space are sampled for the occlusion test. 
-	 * Higher numbers will improve quality and reduce banding, but will increase GPU load. 
-	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> sampleCount();
-	
-	/** Determines the radius Screen Space Ambient Occlusion is applied, measured in blocks. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> radius();
-	
-	/** Determines how dark the Screen Space Ambient Occlusion effect will be. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> strength();
-	
-	/** Increasing the value can reduce banding at the cost of reducing the strength of the effect. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> bias();
-	
-	/** 
-	 * Determines how dark the occlusion shadows can be. <br> 
-	 * 0 = totally black at the corners <br>
-	 * 1 = no shadow
-	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> minLight();
-	
-	/**
-	 * The radius, measured in pixels, that blurring is calculated. <br>
-	 * Higher numbers will reduce banding at the cost of GPU performance.
-	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> blurRadius();
-	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/config/client/IDhApiFarFogConfig.java

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public interface IDhApiFarFogConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	 * 0.0 = fog starts at the camera <br>
 	 * 1.0 = fog starts at the edge of the fake chunk render distance <br>
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogStartDistance();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogStartDistance();
 	
 	/**
 	 * Defines where the fog ends as a percent of the radius
@@ -54,18 +54,18 @@ public interface IDhApiFarFogConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	 * 0.0 = fog ends at the camera <br>
 	 * 1.0 = fog ends at the edge of the fake chunk render distance <br>
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogEndDistance();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogEndDistance();
 	
 	/** Defines how opaque the fog is at its thinnest point. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogMinThickness();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogMinThickness();
 	
 	/** Defines how opaque the fog is at its thickest point. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogMaxThickness();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogMaxThickness();
 	
 	/** Defines how the fog changes in thickness. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff> farFogFalloff();
 	
 	/** Defines the fog density. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogDensity();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogDensity();
 	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/config/client/IDhApiGraphicsConfig.java

@@ -85,6 +85,18 @@ public interface IDhApiGraphicsConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	/** Modifies the quadratic function fake chunks use for horizontal quality drop-off. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiHorizontalQuality> horizontalQuality();
 	
+	/** 
+	 * If true DH will try to use the camera position when
+	 * determining LOD quality drop-off. <br>
+	 * If false DH will use the player's position.
+	 * <br><br>
+	 * Enabling helps free-cam mods render correctly. <br>
+	 * Disabling helps multi-camera mods render correctly (ie Immersive Portals or camera mods).
+	 * 
+	 * @since API 7.0.0
+	 */
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> useCameraPositionForQualityDropOff();
+	
 	IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiTransparency> transparency();
 	
 	/** Defines what blocks won't be rendered as LODs. */
@@ -124,19 +136,19 @@ public interface IDhApiGraphicsConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	 * 
 	 * @since API 2.0.0
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> overdrawPreventionRadius();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> overdrawPreventionRadius();
 	
 	/**
 	 * Modifies how bright fake chunks are. <br>
 	 * This is done when generating the vertex data and is applied before any shaders.
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> brightnessMultiplier();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> brightnessMultiplier();
 	
 	/**
 	 * Modifies how saturated fake chunks are. <br>
 	 * This is done when generating the vertex data and is applied before any shaders.
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> saturationMultiplier();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> saturationMultiplier();
 	
 	/** Defines if Distant Horizons should attempt to cull fake chunk cave geometry. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> caveCullingEnabled();
@@ -150,12 +162,6 @@ public interface IDhApiGraphicsConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	/** If enabled vanilla chunk rendering is disabled and only fake chunks are rendered. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> lodOnlyMode();
 	
-	/**
-	 * Setting this to a non-zero number will modify vanilla Minecraft's LOD Bias,
-	 * increasing how quickly its textures fade away.
-	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> lodBias();
-	
 	/**
 	 * Determines how LODs should be shaded.
 	 *

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/config/client/IDhApiHeightFogConfig.java

@@ -52,24 +52,24 @@ public interface IDhApiHeightFogConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	 * Defines the height fog's base height if {@link IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogDirection()}
 	 * is set to use a specific height.
 	 */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogBaseHeight();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogBaseHeight();
 	
 	/** Defines the height fog's starting height as a percent of the world height. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogStartingHeightPercent();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogStartingHeightPercent();
 	
 	/** Defines the height fog's ending height as a percent of the world height. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogEndingHeightPercent();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogEndingHeightPercent();
 	
 	/** Defines how opaque the height fog is at its thinnest point. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogMinThickness();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogMinThickness();
 	
 	/** Defines how opaque the height fog is at its thickest point. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogMaxThickness();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogMaxThickness();
 	
 	/** Defines how the height fog changes in thickness. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff> heightFogFalloff();
 	
 	/** Defines the height fog's density. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogDensity();
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogDensity();
 	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/config/client/IDhApiNoiseTextureConfig.java

@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ public interface IDhApiNoiseTextureConfig extends IDhApiConfigGroup
 	/** Defines how many steps of noise should be applied. */
 	IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> noiseSteps();
 	
-	/** Defines how intense the noise will be. */
-	IDhApiConfigValue<Double> noiseIntensity();
+	/** Defines how intense the noise will be, between 0.0 and 1.0. */
+	IDhApiConfigValue<Float> noiseIntensity();
 	
 	/**
 	 * Defines how far should the noise texture render before it fades away. (in blocks) <br>

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/data/IDhApiTerrainDataCache.java

@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.data;
 
 /**
- * Can be used to drastically speed up repeat read operations in {@link IDhApiTerrainDataRepo}.
- *
+ * Can be used to drastically speed up repeat read operations in {@link IDhApiTerrainDataRepo}. <br><br>
+ * 
+ * Once you are done with this cache, closing it will free up any objects
+ * the cache is holding. This can reduce Garbage Collector overhead and reduce stuttering.
+ * 
  * @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2024-7-14
+ * @version 2026-1-29
  * @since API 3.0.0
  */
-public interface IDhApiTerrainDataCache // TODO should this be AutoClosable?
+public interface IDhApiTerrainDataCache extends AutoCloseable
 {
 	/**
 	 * Removes any data that's currently stored in this cache.
@@ -21,4 +24,10 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataCache // TODO should this be AutoClosable?
 	 */
 	void clear();
 	
+	// override without an exception
+	@Override
+	void close();
+	
+	
+	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/data/IDhApiTerrainDataRepo.java

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.DhApiTerrainDataPoint;
  * @see IDhApiTerrainDataCache
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2023-6-22
+ * @version 2026-02-03
  * @since API 1.0.0
  */
 public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
@@ -42,24 +42,17 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
 	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper, int, int, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ) { return this.getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(levelWrapper, blockPosX, blockPosY, blockPosZ, null); }
 	/** 
 	 * Returns the terrain datapoint at the given block position, at/or containing the given Y position. 
 	 * @since API 3.0.0
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache);
-	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#getColumnDataAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper, int, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> getColumnDataAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ) { return this.getColumnDataAtBlockPos(levelWrapper, blockPosX, blockPosZ, null); }
 	/** 
 	 * Returns every datapoint in the column located at the given block X and Z position top to bottom. 
 	 * @since API 3.0.0 
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> getColumnDataAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache);
 	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper, int, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ) { return this.getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(levelWrapper, chunkPosX, chunkPosZ, null); }
 	/**
 	 * Returns every datapoint in the given chunk's X and Z position. <br><br>
 	 *
@@ -71,8 +64,6 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache);
 	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper, int, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int regionPosX, int regionPosZ) { return this.getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(levelWrapper, regionPosX, regionPosZ, null); }
 	/**
 	 * Returns every datapoint in the given region's X and Z position. <br><br>
 	 *
@@ -84,8 +75,6 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int regionPosX, int regionPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache);
 	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#getAllTerrainDataAtDetailLevelAndPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper, byte, int, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, byte detailLevel, int posX, int posZ) { return this.getAllTerrainDataAtDetailLevelAndPos(levelWrapper, detailLevel, posX, posZ, null); }
 	/**
 	 * Returns every datapoint in the column located at the given detail level and X/Z position. <br>
 	 * This can be used to return terrain data for non-standard sizes (IE 2x2 blocks or 2x2 chunks).
@@ -101,21 +90,6 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	
 	
 	
-	/** @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo#raycast(IDhApiLevelWrapper, double, double, double, float, float, float, int, IDhApiTerrainDataCache) */
-	default DhApiResult<DhApiRaycastResult> raycast(
-			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper,
-			double rayOriginX, double rayOriginY, double rayOriginZ,
-			float rayDirectionX, float rayDirectionY, float rayDirectionZ,
-			int maxRayBlockLength)
-	{
-		return this.raycast(
-				levelWrapper,
-				rayOriginX, rayOriginY, rayOriginZ,
-				rayDirectionX, rayDirectionY, rayDirectionZ,
-				maxRayBlockLength,
-				null);
-	}
-	
 	/**
 	 * Returns the datapoint and position of the LOD
 	 * at the end of the given ray. <br><br>

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/events/IDhApiEventInjector.java

@@ -40,8 +40,7 @@ public interface IDhApiEventInjector extends IDependencyInjector<IDhApiEvent>
 	 * @return true if the handler was unbound, false if the handler wasn't bound.
 	 * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the implementation object doesn't implement the interface
 	 */
-	// Note to self: Don't try adding a generic type to IDhApiEvent, the constructor won't accept it
-	// TODO why are we removing the class instead of an instance?
+	// Note to DH Devs: Don't try adding a generic type to IDhApiEvent, the constructor won't accept it
 	boolean unbind(Class<? extends IDhApiEvent> dependencyInterface, Class<? extends IDhApiEvent> dependencyClassToRemove) throws IllegalArgumentException;
 	
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/override/rendering/IDhApiFramebuffer.java

@@ -19,9 +19,21 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.rendering;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.IDhApiOverrideable;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderProxy;
 
 /**
+ * <b>Note: </b><br>
+ * This is only used if Distant Horizons' 
+ * {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi()} returns {@link EDhApiRenderingEngine#OPEN_GL}
+ * and {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()} returns true.
+ * ie this is only used when DH is doing native OpenGL rendering,
+ * if DH is using Blaze3D this interface will be ignored.
+ * 
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi()
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()
+ * 
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2024-1-24
  * @since API 2.0.0

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/override/rendering/IDhApiGenericObjectShaderProgram.java

@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.rendering;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.IDhApiOverrideable;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3d;
@@ -27,7 +29,16 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBox;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading;
 
 /**
+ * <b>Note: </b><br>
+ * This is only used if Distant Horizons' 
+ * {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi()} returns {@link EDhApiRenderingEngine#OPEN_GL}
+ * and {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()} returns true.
+ * ie this is only used when DH is doing native OpenGL rendering,
+ * if DH is using Blaze3D this interface will be ignored.
+ *
  * @see IDhApiShaderProgram
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi() 
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2024-7-11

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/override/rendering/IDhApiShaderProgram.java

@@ -19,12 +19,23 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.rendering;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.IDhApiOverrideable;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3f;
 
 /**
+ * <b>Note: </b><br>
+ * This is only used if Distant Horizons' 
+ * {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi()} returns {@link EDhApiRenderingEngine#OPEN_GL}
+ * and {@link IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()} returns true.
+ * ie this is only used when DH is doing native OpenGL rendering,
+ * if DH is using Blaze3D this interface will be ignored.
+ *
  * @see IDhApiGenericObjectShaderProgram
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#getRenderingApi()
+ * @see IDhApiRenderProxy#isNativeRenderer()
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2024-1-24

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/override/worldGenerator/IDhApiWorldGenerator.java

@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ public interface IDhApiWorldGenerator extends Closeable, IDhApiOverrideable
 	 *
 	 * After the {@link IDhApiWorldGenerator} has been generated, it should be passed into the
 	 * resultConsumer's {@link Consumer#accept(Object)} method.
-	 * Note: if air blocks aren't included in the with the {@link DhApiChunk} with proper lighting, lower detail levels will appear as black/unlit.
+	 * Note: if air blocks aren't included in the {@link IDhApiFullDataSource} with proper lighting, lower detail levels will appear as black/unlit.
 	 *
 	 * @implNote the default implementation of this method throws an {@link UnsupportedOperationException},
 	 * and must be overridden when {@link #getReturnType()} returns {@link EDhApiWorldGeneratorReturnType#API_CHUNKS}.

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/render/IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory.java

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBox;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindable;
 
 import java.util.List;
 
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ import java.util.List;
  * @version 2024-7-3
  * @since API 3.0.0
  */
-public interface IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory
+public interface IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory extends IBindable
 {
 	/**
 	 * Creates a {@link IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup} from for the given {@link DhApiRenderableBox}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/render/IDhApiRenderProxy.java

@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingEngine;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiAfterDhInitEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.DhApiResult;
 
 
@@ -44,6 +47,33 @@ public interface IDhApiRenderProxy
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<Boolean> clearRenderDataCache();
 	
+	/**
+	 * Returns which specific {@link EDhApiRenderingApi}
+	 * Distant Horizons will use for rendering. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * @throws IllegalStateException if no renderer has been bound yet, 
+	 *      wait till after {@link DhApiAfterDhInitEvent} has been fired
+	 * 
+	 * @see DhApiAfterDhInitEvent
+	 * @since API 7.0.0
+	 */
+	EDhApiRenderingApi getRenderingApi() throws IllegalStateException;
+	/**
+	 * Returns true if the current renderer
+	 * is calling the base rendering API's method calls. <br>
+	 * ie GL.drawArrays() for OpenGL. <Br><br>
+	 *
+	 * If DH is using a rendering interpretation layer like Blaze3D (Mojang's rendering API) 
+	 * this will return false.
+	 *
+	 * @throws IllegalStateException if no renderer has been bound yet, 
+	 *      wait till after {@link DhApiAfterDhInitEvent} has been fired
+	 *
+	 * @see DhApiAfterDhInitEvent
+	 * @since API 7.0.0
+	 */
+	boolean isNativeRenderer() throws IllegalStateException;
+	
 	
 	
 	//=======================//
@@ -51,14 +81,16 @@ public interface IDhApiRenderProxy
 	//=======================//
 	
 	/**
-	 * Returns the name of Distant Horizons' depth texture. <br>
-	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet.
+	 * Returns the OpenGL name of Distant Horizons' depth texture. <br>
+	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet
+	 * or a rendering API other than OpenGL is in use.
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<Integer> getDhDepthTextureId();
 	
 	/**
-	 * Returns the name of Distant Horizons' color texture. <br>
-	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet.
+	 * Returns the OpenGL name of Distant Horizons' color texture. <br>
+	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet
+	 * or a rendering API other than OpenGL is in use
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<Integer> getDhColorTextureId();
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/render/IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup.java

@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ public interface IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup extends List<DhApiRenderableBox>
 	 * This is a good place to change the origin or notify of any box changes. 
 	 */
 	void setPreRenderFunc(Consumer<DhApiRenderParam> renderEventParam);
-	void setPostRenderFunc(Consumer<DhApiRenderParam> renderEventParam); // TODO name?
+	void setPostRenderFunc(Consumer<DhApiRenderParam> renderEventParam);
 	
 	/**
 	 * If a cube's color, position, or other property is changed this method

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/interfaces/world/IDhApiLevelWrapper.java

@@ -21,8 +21,14 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.IDhApiUnsafeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiLevelType;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiCustomRenderRegister;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.DhApiResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.IDhApiFullDataSource;
 
+import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.File;
 
 /**
@@ -90,6 +96,26 @@ public interface IDhApiLevelWrapper extends IDhApiUnsafeWrapper
 	 */
 	File getDhSaveFolder();
 	
+	/**
+	 * Returns the color DH would use for the given block/biome
+	 * pair at the given world position before any API color overrides
+	 * are considered. <br>
+	 * API color overrides are ignored to prevent infinite
+	 * loops if this event is triggered inside said API override.
+	 * <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * Returns {@link DhApiResult#success} = false if {@link IDhApiLevelWrapper#getLevelType()} returns a {@link EDhApiLevelType#SERVER_LEVEL}
+	 * (server levels have no concept of textures or colors).
+	 * 
+	 * @see DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent
+	 * @since API 7.0.0
+	 */
+	DhApiResult<Color> getBlockColorPreApi(
+		IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper,
+		IDhApiBiomeWrapper biomeWrapper,
+		int blockWorldPosX, int blockWorldPosY, int blockWorldPosZ,
+		IDhApiFullDataSource dataSource);
+	
 	
 	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBeforeBufferRenderEvent.java

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3f;
 
 /**
  * Called before Distant Horizons starts rendering a buffer. <br>
- * This event cannot be cancelled, use {@link DhApiBeforeRenderEvent} if you want to cancel rendering.
+ * This event cannot be canceled, use {@link DhApiBeforeRenderEvent} if you want to cancel rendering.
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2023-1-31
@@ -59,23 +59,25 @@ public abstract class DhApiBeforeBufferRenderEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiB
 		 * Measured in blocks.
 		 * Should be applied to the model view matrix to move the buffer into its proper place. 
 		 */
-		public final DhApiVec3f modelPos;
+		public DhApiVec3f modelPos;
 		
 		
-		public EventParam(DhApiRenderParam parent, DhApiVec3f modelPos)
+		
+		public EventParam() { }
+		
+		public void update(DhApiRenderParam parent, DhApiVec3f modelPos)
 		{
-			super(parent);
+			super.update(parent);
 			this.modelPos = modelPos;
 		}
 		
 		
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
 		@Override
-		public EventParam copy()
-		{
-			return new EventParam(
-					this, this.modelPos.copy()
-			);
-		}
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
 	}
 	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBeforeColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent.java

@@ -31,7 +31,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhAp
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2025-6-9
  * @since API 4.1.0
+ * @deprecated Only used for the legacy OpenGL renderer <Br>
+ *             Using {@link DhApiAfterColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent} instead is recommended.
  */
+@Deprecated
 public abstract class DhApiBeforeColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiTextureCreatedParam>
 {
 	/** Fired before Distant Horizons creates. */

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.java

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world.IDhApiLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiCancelableEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiCancelableEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiFogRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiMutableFogRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.IDhApiFullDataSource;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
+
+/**
+ * Fired before DH renders its fog.
+ * Canceling this event disables fog for that frame.
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-05-20
+ * @since API 7.0.0
+ */
+public abstract class DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent implements IDhApiCancelableEvent<DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam>
+{
+	/** Fired before fog is generated. */
+	public abstract void beforeRender(DhApiCancelableEventParam<DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam> event);
+	
+	
+	//=========================//
+	// internal DH API methods //
+	//=========================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public final void fireEvent(DhApiCancelableEventParam<DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam> event) { this.beforeRender(event); }
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// parameter object //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public static class EventParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+	{
+		private DhApiRenderParam renderParam;
+		private DhApiFogRenderParam originalFogRenderParam;
+		private DhApiMutableFogRenderParam fogRenderParam;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		//region
+		
+		public EventParam() {}
+		
+		public void update(DhApiRenderParam renderParam, DhApiFogRenderParam fogRenderParam)
+		{
+			this.renderParam = renderParam;
+			this.originalFogRenderParam = fogRenderParam;
+			this.fogRenderParam = new DhApiMutableFogRenderParam(fogRenderParam);
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// getters/setters //
+		//=================//
+		//region
+		
+		public DhApiRenderParam getRenderParam() { return this.renderParam; }
+		
+		/** immutable, stores what DH would do without API intervention so API users have a reference point */
+		public DhApiFogRenderParam getOriginalFogRenderParam() { return this.originalFogRenderParam; }
+		/** mutable, can be modified by API users */
+		public DhApiMutableFogRenderParam getFogRenderParam() { return this.fogRenderParam; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//==========================//
+		// base api event overrides //
+		//==========================//
+		//region
+		
+		/**
+		 * Returns the same instance of this event.
+		 * Copying this event isn't supported
+		 * since the internal parameters must be mutated
+		 * by API users in order to be tracked by DH's internal
+		 * logic.
+		 */
+		@Override
+		public DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		@Override
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+	}
+	
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBeforeGenericObjectRenderEvent.java

@@ -54,44 +54,45 @@ public abstract class DhApiBeforeGenericObjectRenderEvent implements IDhApiCance
 	
 	public static class EventParam extends DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 	{
-		public final long boxGroupId;
-		public final String resourceLocationNamespace;
-		public final String resourceLocationPath;
+		public long boxGroupId;
+		public String resourceLocationNamespace;
+		public String resourceLocationPath;
 		
 		
-		public EventParam(
-				DhApiRenderParam renderParam,
-				IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup
-			) 
+		
+		//==============//
+		// constructors //
+		//==============//
+		//region
+		
+		public EventParam() { }
+		
+		/** internal DH method */
+		public void update(DhApiRenderParam renderParam, IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup)
 		{
-			super(renderParam); 
+			super.update(renderParam);
 			
 			this.boxGroupId = boxGroup.getId();
 			this.resourceLocationNamespace = boxGroup.getResourceLocationNamespace();
 			this.resourceLocationPath = boxGroup.getResourceLocationPath();
 		}
-		public EventParam(
-				DhApiRenderParam renderParam,
-				long boxGroupId, String resourceLocationNamespace, String resourceLocationPath
-			)
-		{
-			super(renderParam);
-			
-			this.boxGroupId = boxGroupId;
-			this.resourceLocationNamespace = resourceLocationNamespace;
-			this.resourceLocationPath = resourceLocationPath;
-		}
+		
+		//endregion
 		
 		
 		
+		//================//
+		// base overrides //
+		//================//
+		//region
+		
 		@Override
-		public EventParam copy()
-		{
-			return new EventParam(
-				this, 
-				this.boxGroupId, this.resourceLocationNamespace, this.resourceLocationPath
-			);
-		}
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
 	}
 	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent.java

@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world.IDhApiLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.IDhApiFullDataSource;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
+
+/**
+ * Performance note: this event will be fired millions of times on concurrent threads, 
+ * make it thread safe and as fast as possible. <br> 
+ * (If every LOD block goes through this event, On a 512 render distance world, 
+ * at the medium quality preset, it will be triggered around 40,000,000 times.)
+ * <Br><Br>
+ * 
+ * This event is fired when DH needs to convert a {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}
+ * into a color for rendering. This event is fired after DH attempts to determine
+ * the color itself (using the base color, tinting, etc.). <Br>
+ * Using this event will override the tinting config for this block
+ * unless you re-implement that logic yourself.
+ * <Br><Br>
+ * 
+ * This event will only trigger for {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}s that have been registered
+ * via {@link DhApiBlockStateWrapperCreatedEvent.EventParam#setAllowApiColorOverride(boolean)}.
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-05-18
+ * @since API 6.0.0
+ * @see IDhApiBlockStateWrapper
+ */
+public abstract class DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent.EventParam>
+{
+	public abstract void onBlockColorOverridden(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event);
+	
+	
+	
+	//=========================//
+	// internal DH API methods //
+	//=========================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public final void fireEvent(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event) { this.onBlockColorOverridden(event); }
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// parameter object //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public static class EventParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+	{
+		private IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
+		private IDhApiFullDataSource dataSource;
+		private IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper = null;
+		private IDhApiBiomeWrapper biomeWrapper = null;
+		private int colorAsInt = -1;
+		private int blockPosX = 0, blockPosY = 0, blockPosZ = 0;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		//region
+		
+		public EventParam() {}
+		
+		public void update(
+			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper,
+			IDhApiFullDataSource dataSource,
+			IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper,
+			IDhApiBiomeWrapper biomeWrapper,
+			int colorAsInt,
+			int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ)
+		{
+			this.levelWrapper = levelWrapper;
+			this.dataSource = dataSource;
+			this.blockStateWrapper = blockStateWrapper;
+			this.biomeWrapper = biomeWrapper;
+			this.colorAsInt = colorAsInt;
+			
+			this.blockPosX = blockPosX;
+			this.blockPosY = blockPosY;
+			this.blockPosZ = blockPosZ;
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// getters/setters //
+		//=================//
+		//region
+		
+		public IDhApiBlockStateWrapper getBlockStateWrapper() { return this.blockStateWrapper; }
+		/** @since API 7.0.0 */
+		public IDhApiBiomeWrapper getBiomeWrapper() { return this.biomeWrapper; }
+		
+		/** the level DH is resolving this block's color in. */
+		public IDhApiLevelWrapper getLevelWrapper() { return this.levelWrapper; }
+		/** 
+		 * The DH datasource that contains this block's position. Can be used to access adjacent
+		 * {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}'s and {@link IDhApiBiomeWrapper}'s for adjacent aware tinting.
+		 * @since API 7.0.0
+		 */
+		public IDhApiFullDataSource getDataSource() { return this.dataSource; }
+		
+		public int getColorAsInt() { return this.colorAsInt; }
+		public int getAlpha() { return ColorUtil.getAlpha(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getRed() { return ColorUtil.getRed(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getGreen() { return ColorUtil.getGreen(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getBlue() { return ColorUtil.getBlue(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) throws IllegalArgumentException { this.setColor(this.getAlpha(), red, green, blue); }
+		/** 
+		 * Note: when if you set a partially transparent alpha channel the underlying {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper#getOpacity()}
+		 * method should also return a non-opaque value.
+		 * Otherwise LODs may behave incorrectly.
+		 */
+		public void setColor(int alpha, int red, int green, int blue) throws IllegalArgumentException
+		{
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("alpha", alpha);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("red", red);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("green", green);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("blue", blue);
+			
+			this.colorAsInt = ColorUtil.argbToInt(alpha, red, green, blue);
+		}
+		
+		/** @return the block's X value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosX() { return blockPosX; }
+		/** @return the block's Y value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosY() { return blockPosY; }
+		/** @return the block's Z value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosZ() { return blockPosZ; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//==========================//
+		// base api event overrides //
+		//==========================//
+		//region
+		
+		/** 
+		 * Returns the same instance of this event.
+		 * Copying this event isn't supported
+		 * since the internal parameters must be mutated
+		 * by API users in order to be tracked by DH's internal
+		 * logic.
+		 */
+		@Override
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+	}
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiBlockStateWrapperCreatedEvent.java

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiBlockMaterial;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiEventParam;
+
+/**
+ * Can be used to modify {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}'s as they're created.
+ * This can be helpful for modded blocks that are mis-categorized by DH's base logic. <br><br>
+ *
+ * Note: this is only fired once per {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} that is created
+ * and those {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} will only be created once per JVM session.
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-04-14
+ * @since API 6.0.0
+ * @see IDhApiBlockStateWrapper
+ */
+public abstract class DhApiBlockStateWrapperCreatedEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiBlockStateWrapperCreatedEvent.EventParam>
+{
+	public abstract void blockStateWrapperCreated(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event);
+	
+	
+	//=========================//
+	// internal DH API methods //
+	//=========================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public final void fireEvent(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event) { this.blockStateWrapperCreated(event); }
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// parameter object //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public static class EventParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+	{
+		/** 
+		 * A copy of the wrapper that will be created. <Br>
+		 * Note: modifying this object won't change anything
+		 * a new wrapper will be created after this event finishes.
+		 */
+		private final IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper;
+		
+		private boolean overridesSet = false;
+		private EDhApiBlockMaterial blockMaterial = null;
+		private Integer opacity = null;
+		private Boolean allowApiColorOverride = null;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		
+		public EventParam(IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper) { this.blockStateWrapper = blockStateWrapper; }
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// getters/setters //
+		//=================//
+		
+		public IDhApiBlockStateWrapper getBlockStateWrapper() { return this.blockStateWrapper; }
+		
+		/** if set this will override the value currently set in the given {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} */
+		public void setBlockMaterial(EDhApiBlockMaterial blockMaterial) 
+		{
+			this.blockMaterial = blockMaterial; 
+			this.overridesSet = true;
+		}
+		public EDhApiBlockMaterial getBlockMaterial() { return this.blockMaterial; }
+		
+		/** if set this will override the value currently set in the given {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} */
+		public void setOpacity(int opacity) 
+		{
+			this.opacity = opacity;
+			this.overridesSet = true;
+		}
+		public Integer getOpacity() { return this.opacity; }
+		
+		/** if set to true this {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} will trigger {@link DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent} */
+		public void setAllowApiColorOverride(boolean allowApiColorOverride) 
+		{
+			this.allowApiColorOverride = allowApiColorOverride;
+			this.overridesSet = true;
+		}
+		public Boolean getAllowApiColorOverride() { return this.allowApiColorOverride; }
+		
+		/** If true then one or more options for this block were set to be changed */
+		public boolean getOverridesSet() { return this.overridesSet; }
+		
+		
+		
+		/** 
+		 * Returns the same instance of this event.
+		 * Copying this event isn't supported
+		 * since the internal parameters must be mutated
+		 * by API users in order to be tracked by DH's internal
+		 * logic.
+		 */
+		@Override
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
+	}
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiChunkModifiedEvent.java

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhAp
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2023-6-23
  * @see IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
+ * @see DhApiChunkProcessingEvent
  * @since API 1.0.0
  */
 public abstract class DhApiChunkModifiedEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiChunkModifiedEvent.EventParam>

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.java

@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhAp
  *
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2025-09-29
+ * @see DhApiChunkModifiedEvent
  * @since API 4.1.0
  */
 public abstract class DhApiChunkProcessingEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.EventParam>

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/abstractEvents/DhApiColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent.java

@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhAp
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2024-3-2
  * @since API 2.0.0
- * @deprecated Replaced by {@link DhApiBeforeColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent} since this event's name isn't obvious when it fires.
+ * @deprecated Only used for the legacy OpenGL renderer <Br>
+ *              Replaced by {@link DhApiBeforeColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent} since this event's name isn't obvious when it fires.
+ *              Using {@link DhApiAfterColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent} instead is recommended
  */
 @Deprecated // internal notes: this method must be kept around due to Iris using it and we don't want to break old Iris support
 public abstract class DhApiColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiColorDepthTextureCreatedEvent.EventParam>

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/sharedParameterObjects/DhApiFogRenderParam.java

@@ -0,0 +1,202 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiFogFalloff;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiHeightFogDirection;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiHeightFogMixMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiFarFogConfig;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiFogConfig;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiHeightFogConfig;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
+
+import java.awt.*;
+
+/**
+ * Contains all the information needed to render Distant Horizons' fog.
+ * 
+ * @see IDhApiFogConfig
+ * @see IDhApiFarFogConfig
+ * @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-05-20
+ * @since API 7.0.0
+ */
+public class DhApiFogRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+{
+	protected Color fogColor;
+	public Color getFogColor() { return this.fogColor; }
+	
+	// far fog //
+	//region
+	
+	protected EDhApiFogFalloff farFogFalloff;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogFalloff() */
+	public EDhApiFogFalloff getFarFogFalloff() { return this.farFogFalloff; }
+	
+	protected float farFogStartPercent;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogStartDistance() */
+	public float getFarFogStartPercent() { return this.farFogStartPercent; }
+	
+	protected float farFogEndPercent;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogEndDistance() */
+	public float getFarFogEndPercent() { return this.farFogEndPercent; }
+	
+	protected float farFogMinThickness;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogMinThickness() */
+	public float getFarFogMinThickness() { return this.farFogMinThickness; }
+	
+	protected float farFogMaxThickness;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogMaxThickness() */
+	public float getFarFogMaxThickness() { return this.farFogMaxThickness; }
+	
+	protected float farFogDensity;
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogDensity() */
+	public float getFarFogDensity() { return this.farFogDensity; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	// height fog //
+	//region
+	
+	protected EDhApiFogFalloff heightFogFalloff;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogFalloff() */
+	public EDhApiFogFalloff getHeightFogFalloff() { return this.heightFogFalloff; }
+	
+	protected EDhApiHeightFogMixMode heightFogMixingMode;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMixMode() */
+	public EDhApiHeightFogMixMode getHeightFogMixingMode() { return this.heightFogMixingMode; }
+	
+	protected EDhApiHeightFogDirection heightFogDirection;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogDirection() */
+	public EDhApiHeightFogDirection getHeightFogDirection() { return this.heightFogDirection; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogBaseHeight;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogBaseHeight() */
+	public float getHeightFogBaseHeight() { return this.heightFogBaseHeight; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogStartPercent;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogStartingHeightPercent() */
+	public float getHeightFogStartPercent() { return this.heightFogStartPercent; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogEndPercent;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogEndingHeightPercent() */
+	public float getHeightFogEndPercent() { return this.heightFogEndPercent; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogMinThickness;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMinThickness() */
+	public float getHeightFogMinThickness() { return this.heightFogMinThickness; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogMaxThickness;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMaxThickness() */
+	public float getHeightFogMaxThickness() { return this.heightFogMaxThickness; }
+	
+	protected float heightFogDensity;
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogDensity() */
+	public float getHeightFogDensity() { return this.heightFogDensity; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//==============//
+	// constructors //
+	//==============//
+	//region
+	
+	public DhApiFogRenderParam(DhApiFogRenderParam parent)
+	{
+		this(
+			parent.fogColor,
+			
+			// far fog
+			parent.farFogFalloff,
+			parent.farFogStartPercent, parent.farFogEndPercent,
+			parent.farFogMinThickness, parent.farFogEndPercent,
+			parent.farFogDensity,
+			
+			// height fog
+			parent.heightFogFalloff,
+			parent.heightFogMixingMode, parent.heightFogDirection,
+			parent.heightFogBaseHeight,
+			parent.heightFogStartPercent, parent.heightFogEndPercent,
+			parent.heightFogMinThickness, parent.heightFogMaxThickness,
+			parent.heightFogDensity
+		);
+	}
+	public DhApiFogRenderParam(
+		Color fogColor,
+		
+		// far fog
+		EDhApiFogFalloff farFogFalloff,
+		float farFogStartPercent, float farFogEndPercent,
+		float farFogMinThickness, float farFogMaxThickness,
+		float farFogDensity,
+		
+		// height fog
+		EDhApiFogFalloff heightFogFalloff,
+		EDhApiHeightFogMixMode heightFogMixingMode, EDhApiHeightFogDirection heightFogDirection,
+		float heightFogBaseHeight,
+		float heightFogStartPercent, float heightFogEndPercent,
+		float heightFogMinThickness, float heightFogMaxThickness,
+		float heightFogDensity
+	)
+	{
+		this.fogColor = fogColor;
+		
+		// far fog
+		this.farFogFalloff = farFogFalloff;
+		this.farFogStartPercent = farFogStartPercent;
+		this.farFogEndPercent = farFogEndPercent;
+		this.farFogMinThickness = farFogMinThickness;
+		this.farFogMaxThickness = farFogMaxThickness;
+		this.farFogDensity = farFogDensity;
+		
+		// height fog
+		this.heightFogFalloff = heightFogFalloff;
+		this.heightFogMixingMode = heightFogMixingMode;
+		this.heightFogDirection = heightFogDirection;
+		this.heightFogBaseHeight = heightFogBaseHeight;
+		this.heightFogStartPercent = heightFogStartPercent;
+		this.heightFogEndPercent = heightFogEndPercent;
+		this.heightFogMinThickness = heightFogMinThickness;
+		this.heightFogMaxThickness = heightFogMaxThickness;
+		this.heightFogDensity = heightFogDensity;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override
+	public DhApiFogRenderParam copy() { return new DhApiFogRenderParam(this); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/sharedParameterObjects/DhApiMutableFogRenderParam.java

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiFogFalloff;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiHeightFogDirection;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiHeightFogMixMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiFarFogConfig;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiFogConfig;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiHeightFogConfig;
+
+import java.awt.*;
+
+/**
+ * A mutable version of {@link DhApiFogRenderParam} to allow
+ * API modification of DH's fog rendering.
+ *
+ * @see IDhApiFogConfig
+ * @see IDhApiFarFogConfig
+ * @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig
+ * @see DhApiFogRenderParam
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-05-20
+ * @since API 7.0.0
+ */
+public class DhApiMutableFogRenderParam extends DhApiFogRenderParam
+{
+	public void setFogColor(Color fogColor) { this.fogColor = fogColor; }
+	
+	// far fog //
+	//region
+	
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogFalloff() */
+	public void setFarFogFalloff(EDhApiFogFalloff farFogFalloff) { this.farFogFalloff = farFogFalloff; }
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogStartDistance() */
+	public void setFarFogStartPercent(float farFogStartPercent) { this.farFogStartPercent = farFogStartPercent; }
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogEndDistance() */
+	public void setFarFogEndPercent(float farFogEndPercent) { this.farFogEndPercent = farFogEndPercent; }
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogMinThickness() */
+	public void setFarFogMinThickness(float farFogMinThickness) { this.farFogMinThickness = farFogMinThickness; }
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogMaxThickness() */
+	public void setFarFogMaxThickness(float farFogMaxThickness) { this.farFogMaxThickness = farFogMaxThickness; }
+	/** @see IDhApiFarFogConfig#farFogDensity() */
+	public void setFarFogDensity(float farFogDensity) { this.farFogDensity = farFogDensity; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	// height fog //
+	//region
+	
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogFalloff() */
+	public void setHeightFogFalloff(EDhApiFogFalloff heightFogFalloff) { this.heightFogFalloff = heightFogFalloff; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMixMode() */
+	public void setHeightFogMixingMode(EDhApiHeightFogMixMode heightFogMixingMode) { this.heightFogMixingMode = heightFogMixingMode; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogDirection() */
+	public void setHeightFogDirection(EDhApiHeightFogDirection heightFogDirection) { this.heightFogDirection = heightFogDirection; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogBaseHeight() */
+	public void setHeightFogBaseHeight(float heightFogBaseHeight) { this.heightFogBaseHeight = heightFogBaseHeight; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogStartingHeightPercent() */
+	public void setHeightFogStartPercent(float heightFogStartPercent) { this.heightFogStartPercent = heightFogStartPercent; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogEndingHeightPercent() */
+	public void setHeightFogEndPercent(float heightFogEnd) { this.heightFogEndPercent = heightFogEnd; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMinThickness() */
+	public void setHeightFogMinThickness(float heightFogMinThickness) { this.heightFogMinThickness = heightFogMinThickness; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogMaxThickness() */
+	public void setHeightFogMaxThickness(float heightFogMaxThickness) { this.heightFogMaxThickness = heightFogMaxThickness; }
+	/** @see IDhApiHeightFogConfig#heightFogDensity() */
+	public void setHeightFogDensity(float heightFogDensity) { this.heightFogDensity = heightFogDensity; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//==============//
+	// constructors //
+	//==============//
+	//region
+	
+	public DhApiMutableFogRenderParam(DhApiFogRenderParam parent)
+	{ super(parent); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override
+	public DhApiMutableFogRenderParam copy() { return new DhApiMutableFogRenderParam(this); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/sharedParameterObjects/DhApiRenderParam.java

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world.IDhApiLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiWorldLoadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
 
@@ -27,64 +29,82 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
  * Contains information relevant to Distant Horizons and Minecraft rendering.
  *
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2024-1-31
+ * @version 2025-12-23
  * @since API 1.0.0
  */
 public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 {
 	/** Indicates what render pass DH is currently rendering */
-	public final EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
+	public EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
 	
 	/** Indicates how far into this tick the frame is. */
-	public final float partialTicks;
+	public float partialTicks;
 	
 	/**
 	 * Indicates DH's near clip plane, measured in blocks. 
 	 * Note: this may change based on time, player speed, and other factors. 
 	 */
-	public final float nearClipPlane;
+	public float nearClipPlane;
 	/**
 	 * Indicates DH's far clip plane, measured in blocks. 
 	 * Note: this may change based on time, player speed, and other factors. 
 	 */
-	public final float farClipPlane;
+	public float farClipPlane;
 	
 	/** The projection matrix Minecraft is using to render this frame. */
-	public final DhApiMat4f mcProjectionMatrix;
+	public final DhApiMat4f mcProjectionMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
 	/** The model view matrix Minecraft is using to render this frame. */
-	public final DhApiMat4f mcModelViewMatrix;
+	public final DhApiMat4f mcModelViewMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
+	public final DhApiMat4f mcInverseMvmProjectionMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
 	
 	/** The projection matrix Distant Horizons is using to render this frame. */
-	public final DhApiMat4f dhProjectionMatrix;
+	public final DhApiMat4f dhProjectionMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
 	/** The model view matrix Distant Horizons is using to render this frame. */
-	public final DhApiMat4f dhModelViewMatrix;
+	public final DhApiMat4f dhModelViewMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
+	/** combination of the MVM and projection matrices */
+	public final DhApiMat4f dhMvmProjMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
+	public final DhApiMat4f dhInverseMvmProjectionMatrix = new DhApiMat4f();
 	
-	public final int worldYOffset;
+	public int worldYOffset;
+	
+	/**
+	 * The level currently being rendered.
+	 * 
+	 * @since API 5.1.0 
+	 */
+	public IDhApiLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
-	public DhApiRenderParam(DhApiRenderParam parent)
+	public DhApiRenderParam() {}
+	
+	/** Internal DH method */
+	public void update(DhApiRenderParam param) 
 	{
-		this(
-				parent.renderPass,
-				parent.partialTicks,
-				parent.nearClipPlane, parent.farClipPlane,
-				parent.mcProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.mcModelViewMatrix.copy(),
-				parent.dhProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.dhModelViewMatrix.copy(),
-				parent.worldYOffset
+		this.update(
+			param.renderPass,
+			param.partialTicks,
+			param.nearClipPlane, param.farClipPlane,
+			param.mcProjectionMatrix, param.mcModelViewMatrix,
+			param.dhProjectionMatrix, param.mcModelViewMatrix, 
+			param.worldYOffset,
+			param.clientLevelWrapper
 		);
 	}
-	public DhApiRenderParam(
+	/** Internal DH method */
+	public void update(
 			EDhApiRenderPass renderPass,
 			float newPartialTicks,
 			float nearClipPlane, float farClipPlane,
 			DhApiMat4f newMcProjectionMatrix, DhApiMat4f newMcModelViewMatrix,
 			DhApiMat4f newDhProjectionMatrix, DhApiMat4f newDhModelViewMatrix,
-			int worldYOffset
+			int worldYOffset,
+			IDhApiLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper
 		)
 	{
 		this.renderPass = renderPass;
@@ -94,24 +114,51 @@ public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 		this.farClipPlane = farClipPlane;
 		this.nearClipPlane = nearClipPlane;
 		
-		this.mcProjectionMatrix = newMcProjectionMatrix;
-		this.mcModelViewMatrix = newMcModelViewMatrix;
+		// mc matricies
+		{
+			this.mcProjectionMatrix.set(newMcProjectionMatrix);
+			this.mcModelViewMatrix.set(newMcModelViewMatrix);
+			
+			// inverse mvm Proj
+			this.mcInverseMvmProjectionMatrix.set(newMcProjectionMatrix);
+			this.mcInverseMvmProjectionMatrix.invert();
+		}
 		
-		this.dhProjectionMatrix = newDhProjectionMatrix;
-		this.dhModelViewMatrix = newDhModelViewMatrix;
+		// dh matricies
+		{
+			this.dhProjectionMatrix.set(newDhProjectionMatrix);
+			this.dhModelViewMatrix.set(newDhModelViewMatrix);
+			
+			// proj
+			this.dhMvmProjMatrix.set(this.dhProjectionMatrix);
+			this.dhMvmProjMatrix.multiply(this.dhModelViewMatrix);
+			
+			// inverse mvm Proj
+			this.dhInverseMvmProjectionMatrix.set(this.dhMvmProjMatrix);
+			this.dhInverseMvmProjectionMatrix.invert();
+		}
 		
 		this.worldYOffset = worldYOffset;
+		this.clientLevelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
 		
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public DhApiRenderParam copy() { return new DhApiRenderParam(this); }
+	public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+	
+	@Override
+	public DhApiRenderParam copy() { return this; }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/objects/DhApiResult.java

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public class DhApiResult<T>
 	
 	
 	
-	// these constructors are private because the create... methods below are easier to understand
+	// these constructors are private because the create methods below are easier to understand
 	private DhApiResult(boolean success, String message) { this(success, message, null); }
 	private DhApiResult(boolean success, String message, T payload)
 	{

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/objects/math/DhApiMat4f.java

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.util.IDhApiCopyable;
 
+import java.nio.FloatBuffer;
+
 /**
  * An (almost) exact copy of Minecraft's 1.16.5
  * implementation of a 4x4 float matrix. <br><br>
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.util.IDhApiCopyable;
  * </code>
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2024-6-30
+ * @version 2026-05-22
  */
 public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 {
@@ -62,6 +64,7 @@ public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	public DhApiMat4f() { /* all values are 0 */ }
 	
@@ -71,14 +74,17 @@ public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 		this.m01 = sourceMatrix.m01;
 		this.m02 = sourceMatrix.m02;
 		this.m03 = sourceMatrix.m03;
+		
 		this.m10 = sourceMatrix.m10;
 		this.m11 = sourceMatrix.m11;
 		this.m12 = sourceMatrix.m12;
 		this.m13 = sourceMatrix.m13;
+		
 		this.m20 = sourceMatrix.m20;
 		this.m21 = sourceMatrix.m21;
 		this.m22 = sourceMatrix.m22;
 		this.m23 = sourceMatrix.m23;
+		
 		this.m30 = sourceMatrix.m30;
 		this.m31 = sourceMatrix.m31;
 		this.m32 = sourceMatrix.m32;
@@ -109,12 +115,74 @@ public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 		this.m33 = values[15];
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// methods //
 	//=========//
+	//region
+	
+	/** Returns the values of this matrix in row major order (AKA rows then columns) */
+	public float[] getValuesAsArray()
+	{
+		float[] array = new float[16];
+		this.putValuesInArray(array);
+		return array;
+	}
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Returns the values of this matrix in row major order (AKA rows then columns) 
+	 * @since API 7.0.0
+	 */
+	public void putValuesInArray(float[] array)
+	{
+		array[0] = this.m00;
+		array[1] = this.m01;
+		array[2] = this.m02;
+		array[3] = this.m03;
+		
+		array[4] = this.m10;
+		array[5] = this.m11;
+		array[6] = this.m12;
+		array[7] = this.m13;
+		
+		array[8] = this.m20;
+		array[9] = this.m21;
+		array[10] = this.m22;
+		array[11] = this.m23;
+		
+		array[12] = this.m30;
+		array[13] = this.m31;
+		array[14] = this.m32;
+		array[15] = this.m33;
+	}
+	
+	
+	/** @since API 7.0.0 */
+	public void set(DhApiMat4f mat)
+	{
+		this.m00 = mat.m00;
+		this.m01 = mat.m01;
+		this.m02 = mat.m02;
+		this.m03 = mat.m03;
+		
+		this.m10 = mat.m10;
+		this.m11 = mat.m11;
+		this.m12 = mat.m12;
+		this.m13 = mat.m13;
+		
+		this.m20 = mat.m20;
+		this.m21 = mat.m21;
+		this.m22 = mat.m22;
+		this.m23 = mat.m23;
+		
+		this.m30 = mat.m30;
+		this.m31 = mat.m31;
+		this.m32 = mat.m32;
+		this.m33 = mat.m33;
+	}
 	
 	public void setIdentity()
 	{
@@ -279,47 +347,14 @@ public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 		this.m33 *= scalar;
 	}
 	
-	
-	
-	
-	//==================//
-	// Distant Horizons //
-	//      methods     //
-	//==================//
-	
-	private static int getArrayIndex(int xIndex, int zIndex) { return (zIndex * 4) + xIndex; }
-	
-	/** Returns the values of this matrix in row major order (AKA rows then columns) */
-	public float[] getValuesAsArray()
-	{
-		return new float[]{
-				this.m00,
-				this.m01,
-				this.m02,
-				this.m03,
-				
-				this.m10,
-				this.m11,
-				this.m12,
-				this.m13,
-				
-				this.m20,
-				this.m21,
-				this.m22,
-				this.m23,
-				
-				this.m30,
-				this.m31,
-				this.m32,
-				this.m33,
-		};
-	}
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public boolean equals(Object obj)
@@ -388,4 +423,8 @@ public class DhApiMat4f implements IDhApiCopyable
 	@Override
 	public DhApiMat4f copy() { return new DhApiMat4f(this); }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 }

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/objects/render/DhApiRenderableBox.java

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ public class DhApiRenderableBox
 	public DhApiVec3d maxPos;
 	
 	public Color color;
+	/** @see EDhApiBlockMaterial */
 	public byte material;
 	
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/coreapi/DependencyInjection/DependencyInjector.java

@@ -35,7 +35,19 @@ import java.util.Map;
  */
 public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDependencyInjector<BindableType> // Note to self: Don't try adding a generic type to IDhApiEvent, the constructor won't accept it
 {
-	protected final Map<Class<? extends BindableType>, ArrayList<BindableType>> dependencies = new HashMap<>();
+	/** 
+	 * empty list is to reduce GC pressure slightly in the common path
+	 * that {@link DependencyInjector#getInternalLogic(Class, boolean)} is called
+	 * when nothing has been bound.
+	 */
+	private static final ArrayList<?> EMPTY_GET_ALL_LIST = new ArrayList<>();
+	static
+	{
+		EMPTY_GET_ALL_LIST.add(null);
+	}
+	
+	
+	protected final HashMap<Class<? extends BindableType>, ArrayList<BindableType>> dependencies = new HashMap<>();
 	
 	/** Internal class reference to BindableType since we can't get it any other way. */
 	protected final Class<? extends BindableType> bindableInterface;
@@ -43,9 +55,11 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 	protected final boolean allowDuplicateBindings;
 	
 	
+	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	public DependencyInjector(Class<BindableType> newBindableInterface, boolean newAllowDuplicateBindings)
 	{
@@ -53,11 +67,14 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 		this.allowDuplicateBindings = newAllowDuplicateBindings;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// binding //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public void bind(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface, BindableType dependencyImplementation) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
@@ -69,6 +86,11 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 			throw new IllegalStateException("The dependency [" + dependencyInterface.getSimpleName() + "] has already been bound.");
 		}
 		
+		if (dependencyImplementation == null)
+		{
+			throw new NullPointerException("Can't bind null to ["+dependencyInterface.getSimpleName()+"]");
+		}
+		
 		
 		// make sure the given dependency implements the necessary interfaces
 		boolean implementsInterface = this.checkIfClassImplements(dependencyImplementation.getClass(), dependencyInterface) ||
@@ -131,13 +153,27 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 	@Override
 	public boolean checkIfClassExtends(Class<?> classToTest, Class<?> extensionToLookFor) { return extensionToLookFor.isAssignableFrom(classToTest); }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===========//
 	// unbinding //
 	//===========//
+	//region
+	
+	public void replaceBinding(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface, BindableType dependencyImplementation) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		this.unbindAll(dependencyInterface);
+		this.bind(dependencyInterface, dependencyImplementation);
+	}
+	
+	public void unbindAll(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		// remove the dependency if present
+		this.dependencies.remove(dependencyInterface);
+	}
 	
-	// TODO having a bindOrReplace method would probably be better since it wouldn't have the possiblity of having nothing bound
 	public void unbind(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface, BindableType dependencyImplementation) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
 	{
 		// check if this object is bound
@@ -174,30 +210,27 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 		this.dependencies.remove(dependencyInterface);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	@Override
 	public <T extends BindableType> T get(Class<T> interfaceClass) throws ClassCastException
-	{
-		return (T) this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, false).get(0);
-	}
+	{ return (T) this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, false).get(0); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public <T extends BindableType> ArrayList<T> getAll(Class<T> interfaceClass) throws ClassCastException
-	{
-		return this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, false);
-	}
+	{ return this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, false); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public <T extends BindableType> T get(Class<T> interfaceClass, boolean allowIncompleteDependencies) throws ClassCastException
-	{
-		return (T) this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, allowIncompleteDependencies).get(0);
-	}
+	{ return (T) this.getInternalLogic(interfaceClass, allowIncompleteDependencies).get(0); }
 	
 	/**
 	 * Always returns a list of size 1 or greater,
@@ -225,11 +258,10 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 		
 		
 		// return an empty list to prevent null pointers
-		ArrayList<T> emptyList = new ArrayList<T>();
-		emptyList.add(null);
-		return emptyList;
+		return (ArrayList<T>)EMPTY_GET_ALL_LIST;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	/** Removes all bound dependencies. */

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/coreapi/ModInfo.java

@@ -31,26 +31,31 @@ public final class ModInfo
 	public static final String DEDICATED_SERVER_INITIAL_PATH = "dedicated_server_initial";
 	
 	/** Incremented every time any packets are added, changed or removed, with a few exceptions. */
-	public static final int PROTOCOL_VERSION = 13;
-	public static final String WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH = "message";
+	public static final int PROTOCOL_VERSION = 15;
+
+	/** 
+	 * The full plugin channel name (RESOURCE_NAMESPACE:WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH) 
+	 * must be 20 characters or fewer for compatibility with MC 1.13 and older. 
+	 */
+	public static final String WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH = "msg";
 	
 	/** The internal mod name */
 	public static final String NAME = "DistantHorizons";
 	/** Human-readable version of NAME */
 	public static final String READABLE_NAME = "Distant Horizons";
-	public static final String VERSION = "2.4.0-b";
+	public static final String VERSION = "3.0.4-b-dev";
 	/** Returns true if the current build is an unstable developer build, false otherwise. */
 	public static final boolean IS_DEV_BUILD = VERSION.toLowerCase().contains("dev");
 	
 	/** This version should only be updated when breaking changes are introduced to the DH API */
-	public static final int API_MAJOR_VERSION = 5;
+	public static final int API_MAJOR_VERSION = 7;
 	/** This version should be updated whenever new methods are added to the DH API */
 	public static final int API_MINOR_VERSION = 0;
 	/** This version should be updated whenever non-breaking fixes are added to the DH API */
 	public static final int API_PATCH_VERSION = 0;
 	
 	/** If the config file has an older version it'll be re-created from scratch. */
-	public static final int CONFIG_FILE_VERSION = 3;
+	public static final int CONFIG_FILE_VERSION = 4;
 	
 	/** All DH owned threads should start with this string to allow for easier debugging and profiling. */
 	public static final String THREAD_NAME_PREFIX = "DH-";

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/coreapi/util/ColorUtil.java

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util;
 
 import java.awt.*;
 
@@ -89,6 +89,16 @@ public class ColorUtil
 	/** @param newBlue should be a value between 0 and 255 */
 	public static int setBlue(int color, int newBlue) { return (getAlpha(color) << 24) | (getRed(color) << 16) | (getGreen(color) << 8) | newBlue; }
 	
+	/** @throws IllegalArgumentException if the given int value is out of the range 0 - 255 (exclusive) */
+	public static void throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange(String colorName, int value) throws IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		if (value < 0
+			|| value > 255)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("["+colorName+"] with the value ["+value+"] is out of the expected range 0 - 255 (exclusive).");
+		}
+	}
+	
 	
 	
 	public static int applyShade(int color, int shade)

core/build.gradle

@@ -1,18 +1,23 @@
 plugins {
     id "java"
-    id "com.github.johnrengelman.shadow" version '8.1.1' apply false // Set this to true if you're using the standalone Core project
+    id "com.gradleup.shadow"
 }
 
-apply plugin: "application"
+repositories {
+    mavenCentral()
+    maven { url "https://repo.enonic.com/public/" }
+}
 
-application {
-    mainClass.set("com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.JarMain")
+tasks.withType(JavaCompile).configureEach {
+    options.release = 8
+    options.encoding = "UTF-8"
 }
 
 configurations {
     shadowedArtifact // Used by DH to specify that we want to implement the shadowed core JAR file instead of the regular JAR file
     shade
     implementation.extendsFrom shade
+    testImplementation.extendsFrom compileOnly
 }
 
 OperatingSystem os = org.gradle.nativeplatform.platform.internal.DefaultNativePlatform.currentOperatingSystem;
@@ -20,36 +25,45 @@ OperatingSystem os = org.gradle.nativeplatform.platform.internal.DefaultNativePl
 // Set the OS lwjgl is using to the current os
 project.ext.lwjglNatives = "natives-" + os.toFamilyName()
 
-dependencies { // All of these dependencies are in Vanilla Minecraft, but we need to depend on it as we arent importing Minecraft in the core
-    // Imports most of lwjgl's libraries (well, only the ones that we need)
-    implementation platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}") // TODO: Use Minecraft's version for lwjgl_version (which changes in nearly every version) instead of a hard defined version for all versions
+dependencies {
+    // API project dependency
+    implementation project(":api")
 
-    // REMEMBER: Dont shadow stuff here, these are just the libs that are included in Minecraft so that the core can use
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-openal"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-opengl"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-openal::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-opengl::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd::$lwjglNatives"
+    // MC-provided libraries (available at runtime via Minecraft)
+    compileOnly platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}")
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd"
+    testRuntimeOnly platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}")
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd::$lwjglNatives"
 
-    // FIXME for some reason this line doesn't actually shade in the library
-//    shade "it.unimi.dsi:fastutil:${rootProject.fastutil_version}" // Add our own fastutil version
+    compileOnly("org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-api:${rootProject.log4j_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-core:${rootProject.log4j_version}")
+    compileOnly("it.unimi.dsi:fastutil:${rootProject.fastutil_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.joml:joml:${rootProject.joml_version}")
+    compileOnly("io.netty:netty-buffer:${rootProject.netty_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.jetbrains:annotations:16.0.2")
+    compileOnly("com.google.code.findbugs:jsr305:3.0.2")
+    compileOnly("com.google.guava:guava:31.1-jre")
 
+    // DH's bundled libraries (shadowed + relocated in loader jars)
+    implementation("com.github.luben:zstd-jni:${rootProject.zstd_version}")
+    implementation("org.lz4:lz4-java:${rootProject.lz4_version}")
+    implementation("org.tukaani:xz:${rootProject.xz_version}")
+    implementation("org.xerial:sqlite-jdbc:${rootProject.sqlite_jdbc_version}")
+    implementation("com.electronwill.night-config:toml:${rootProject.nightconfig_version}")
+    implementation("com.electronwill.night-config:json:${rootProject.nightconfig_version}")
 
-    // Some other dependencies
-    implementation("org.jetbrains:annotations:16.0.2")
-    implementation("com.google.code.findbugs:jsr305:3.0.2")
-    implementation("com.google.common:google-collect:0.5")
-    implementation("com.google.guava:guava:31.1-jre")
-    
+    // JUnit (core tests only)
+    compileOnly("junit:junit:4.13")
+    compileOnly("org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter:5.8.2")
+    compileOnly("org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter-engine:5.8.2")
 }
 
 artifacts {

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/Initializer.java

@@ -20,36 +20,49 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core;
 
 import com.github.luben.zstd.ZstdOutputStream;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBeforeRenderEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericRenderObjectFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DatabaseUpdater;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.external.methods.config.DhApiConfig;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.external.methods.data.DhApiTerrainDataRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.DhApiRenderProxy;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import net.jpountz.lz4.LZ4FrameOutputStream;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.sqlite.SQLiteJDBCLoader;
-import org.sqlite.util.OSInfo;
 import org.tukaani.xz.XZOutputStream;
 
-import java.awt.*;
-import java.io.File;
+import java.lang.management.GarbageCollectorMXBean;
+import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory;
+import java.util.List;
 
 /** Handles first time Core setup. */
 public class Initializer
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	
-	public static void init()
+	
+	
+	public static void preConfigInit()
 	{
+		//============================//
+		// check referenced libraries //
+		//============================//
+		//region
+		
+		LOGGER.info("Running library validation...");
+		
 		// confirm that all referenced libraries are available to use
 		try
 		{
@@ -57,6 +70,17 @@ public class Initializer
 			// will throw an error (not an exception)
 			Class<?> lz4Compressor = LZ4FrameOutputStream.class;
 			Class<?> zstdCompressor = ZstdOutputStream.class;
+			
+			{
+				byte[] testCompressByteArray = new byte[1024];
+				for (int i = 0; i < testCompressByteArray.length; i++)
+				{
+					testCompressByteArray[i] = (byte) (i % 126);
+				}
+				byte[] compressedBytes = com.github.luben.zstd.Zstd.compress(testCompressByteArray);
+				com.github.luben.zstd.Zstd.decompress(compressedBytes);
+			}
+			
 			Class<?> lzmaCompressor = XZOutputStream.class;
 			//Class<?> networking = ByteBuf.class;
 			Class<?> config = com.electronwill.nightconfig.core.Config.class;
@@ -73,12 +97,18 @@ public class Initializer
 		}
 		catch (Throwable e)
 		{
-			LOGGER.fatal("Critical programmer error: One or more libraries aren't present. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-			// throwing here should crash the game, notifying the developer that something is wrong
-			throw new RuntimeException(e);
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Distant Horizons critical setup error: One or more libraries are either in-accessible, corrupted, or overwritten by another mod. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
 		}
 		
-		// confirm the resource directory is present
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//==========================//
+		// check resource directory //
+		//==========================//
+		//region
+		
 		try
 		{
 			int scriptCount = DatabaseUpdater.getAutoUpdateScriptCount();
@@ -89,10 +119,18 @@ public class Initializer
 		}
 		catch (Exception e)
 		{
-			LOGGER.fatal("Critical programmer error: Can't read SQL Scripts resource folder is either missing or malformed. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].");
-			throw new RuntimeException(e);
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Critical programmer error: Can't read SQL Scripts resource folder is either missing or malformed. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
 		}
 		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//===========================//
+		// Java AWT Headless setting // 
+		//===========================//
+		//region
+		
 		// This code has been disabled since it can cause Mac
 		// to lock up and refuse the load (there's a bug with Java.awt texture loading)
 		//if (MC_CLIENT != null)
@@ -109,18 +147,103 @@ public class Initializer
 		//	}
 		//}
 		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//===================//
+		// API delayed setup //
+		//===================//
+		//region
+		
 		// link Core's config to the API
 		DhApi.Delayed.configs = DhApiConfig.INSTANCE;
 		DhApi.Delayed.terrainRepo = DhApiTerrainDataRepo.INSTANCE;
 		DhApi.Delayed.worldProxy = DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE;
 		DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy = DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE;
-		DhApi.Delayed.customRenderObjectFactory = GenericRenderObjectFactory.INSTANCE;
 		DhApi.Delayed.wrapperFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
 		if (DhApi.Delayed.wrapperFactory == null)
 		{
-			LOGGER.error("Programmer Error: No ["+IWrapperFactory.class.getSimpleName()+"] assigned to the DhApi.");
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Programmer Error: No ["+IWrapperFactory.class.getSimpleName()+"] assigned to the DhApi.", new Exception());
 		}
 		
+		DhApi.Delayed.customRenderObjectFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory.class);
+		if (DhApi.Delayed.customRenderObjectFactory == null)
+		{
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Programmer Error: No ["+IDhApiCustomRenderObjectFactory.class.getSimpleName()+"] assigned to the DhApi.", new Exception());
+		}
+		
+		DhApi.events.bind(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE);
+		
+		//endregion
+		
 	}
 	
+	/** fired after DH's config has been set up */
+	public static void postConfigInit()
+	{
+		
+		
+		//==============================//
+		// G1 Garbage collector warning //
+		//==============================//
+		//region
+		
+		// log a warning if G1GC is being used
+		// (this garbage collector is known to cause stuttering)
+		{
+			boolean g1GcInUse = false;
+			
+			StringBuilder garbageCollectorNames = new StringBuilder();
+			List<GarbageCollectorMXBean> gcMxBeans = ManagementFactory.getGarbageCollectorMXBeans();
+			for (GarbageCollectorMXBean gcMxBean : gcMxBeans)
+			{
+				if (!garbageCollectorNames.toString().isEmpty())
+				{
+					garbageCollectorNames.append(", ");
+				}
+				garbageCollectorNames.append(gcMxBean.getName());
+				
+				// "G1 Young Generation" // "G1 Concurrent GC" // "G1 Old Generation"
+				if (gcMxBean.getName().toLowerCase().contains("g1 "))
+				{
+					g1GcInUse = true;
+				}
+			}
+			LOGGER.info("Garbage collectors: ["+garbageCollectorNames+"]");
+			
+			
+			if (g1GcInUse)
+			{
+				String warningMessageHeader = "Distant Horizons: G1 Garbage collector detected.";
+				String warningMessageBody = 
+					"This can cause FPS stuttering. \n" +
+					"It's recommended to use a concurrent garbage collector \n" +
+					"like ZGC (Java 21+) or Shenandoah (Java 8 through 17) \n" +
+					"for a smoother experience."
+					;
+				
+				if (Config.Common.Logging.Warning.logGarbageCollectorWarning.get())
+				{
+					LOGGER.warn(
+						warningMessageHeader + "\n" +
+						warningMessageBody +
+						"");
+				}
+				
+				if (Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showGarbageCollectorWarning.get())
+				{
+					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(
+						MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE + warningMessageHeader + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+						warningMessageBody +
+						"");
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+	}
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig.java

@@ -35,30 +35,6 @@ public class DhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig implements IDhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> enabled()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.enableSsao); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> sampleCount()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Integer, Integer>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.sampleCount); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> radius()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.radius); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> strength()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.strength); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> bias()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.bias); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> minLight()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.minLight); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> blurRadius()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Integer, Integer>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.blurRadius); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao); }
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiDebuggingConfig.java

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public class DhApiDebuggingConfig implements IDhApiDebuggingConfig
 	
 	
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiDebugRendering> debugRendering()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiDebugRendering, EDhApiDebugRendering>(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiDebugRendering, EDhApiDebugRendering>(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors); }
 	
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> debugKeybindings()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.enableDebugKeybindings); }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiFarFogConfig.java

@@ -34,27 +34,27 @@ public class DhApiFarFogConfig implements IDhApiFarFogConfig
 	
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogStartDistance()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogStart); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogStartDistance()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogStart); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogEndDistance()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogEnd); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogEndDistance()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogEnd); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogMinThickness()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMin); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogMinThickness()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMin); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogMaxThickness()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMax); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogMaxThickness()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMax); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff> farFogFalloff()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff, EDhApiFogFalloff>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogFalloff); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> farFogDensity()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogDensity); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> farFogDensity()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogDensity); }
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiFogConfig.java

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.config.client.IDhApiHeightFogCo
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.api.DhApiConfigValue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.api.converters.ApiFogDrawModeConverter;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.api.converters.InvertedBoolConverter;
 
 public class DhApiFogConfig implements IDhApiFogConfig
 {
@@ -67,7 +68,7 @@ public class DhApiFogConfig implements IDhApiFogConfig
 	@Override
 	@Deprecated
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> disableVanillaFog()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.disableVanillaFog); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableVanillaFog, new InvertedBoolConverter()); }
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> enableVanillaFog()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableVanillaFog); }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiGraphicsConfig.java

@@ -85,17 +85,21 @@ public class DhApiGraphicsConfig implements IDhApiGraphicsConfig
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiHorizontalQuality> horizontalQuality()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiHorizontalQuality, EDhApiHorizontalQuality>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.horizontalQuality); }
 	
+	@Override
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> useCameraPositionForQualityDropOff()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.useCameraPositionForQualityDropOff); }
+	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiTransparency> transparency()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiTransparency, EDhApiTransparency>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid> blocksToAvoid()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid, EDhApiBlocksToAvoid>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.blocksToIgnore); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid, EDhApiBlocksToAvoid>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.blocksToIgnore); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> tintWithAvoidedBlocks()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.tintWithAvoidedBlocks); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.tintWithAvoidedBlocks); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> getBiomeBlending()
@@ -108,16 +112,16 @@ public class DhApiGraphicsConfig implements IDhApiGraphicsConfig
 	//===========================//
 
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> overdrawPreventionRadius()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.overdrawPrevention); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> overdrawPreventionRadius()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.overdrawPrevention); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> brightnessMultiplier()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.brightnessMultiplier); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> brightnessMultiplier()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.brightnessMultiplier); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> saturationMultiplier()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.saturationMultiplier); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> saturationMultiplier()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.saturationMultiplier); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> caveCullingEnabled()
@@ -135,10 +139,6 @@ public class DhApiGraphicsConfig implements IDhApiGraphicsConfig
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> lodOnlyMode()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode); }
 	
-	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> lodBias()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodBias); }
-	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiLodShading> lodShading()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiLodShading, EDhApiLodShading>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodShading); }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiHeightFogConfig.java

@@ -44,31 +44,31 @@ public class DhApiHeightFogConfig implements IDhApiHeightFogConfig
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiHeightFogDirection, EDhApiHeightFogDirection>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogDirection); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogBaseHeight()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogBaseHeight); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogBaseHeight()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogBaseHeight); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogStartingHeightPercent()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogStart); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogStartingHeightPercent()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogStart); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogEndingHeightPercent()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogEnd); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogEndingHeightPercent()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogEnd); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogMinThickness()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMin); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogMinThickness()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMin); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogMaxThickness()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMax); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogMaxThickness()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMax); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff> heightFogFalloff()
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<EDhApiFogFalloff, EDhApiFogFalloff>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogFalloff); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> heightFogDensity()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogDensity); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> heightFogDensity()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogDensity); }
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/config/client/DhApiNoiseTextureConfig.java

@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ public class DhApiNoiseTextureConfig implements IDhApiNoiseTextureConfig
 	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Integer, Integer>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseSteps); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiConfigValue<Double> noiseIntensity()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Double, Double>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseIntensity); }
+	public IDhApiConfigValue<Float> noiseIntensity()
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Float, Float>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseIntensity); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Integer> noiseDropoff()

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/data/DhApiTerrainDataCache.java

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import java.lang.ref.SoftReference;
 public class DhApiTerrainDataCache implements IDhApiTerrainDataCache
 {
 	private final Object modificationLock = new Object();
-	private Long2ReferenceOpenHashMap<SoftReference<FullDataSourceV2>> posToFullDataRef = new Long2ReferenceOpenHashMap<>();
+	private final Long2ReferenceOpenHashMap<SoftReference<FullDataSourceV2>> posToFullDataRef = new Long2ReferenceOpenHashMap<>();
 	
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataCache implements IDhApiTerrainDataCache
 	//==================//
 	// internal methods //
 	//==================//
+	//region
 	
 	public void add(long pos, FullDataSourceV2 dataSource)
 	{
@@ -48,11 +49,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataCache implements IDhApiTerrainDataCache
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// API methods //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override 
 	public void clear()
@@ -82,6 +86,23 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataCache implements IDhApiTerrainDataCache
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+ 	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override 
+	public void close() { this.clear(); }
+	
+	@Override 
+	public String toString() { return "Size: " + this.posToFullDataRef.size(); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/external/methods/data/DhApiTerrainDataRepo.java

@@ -32,22 +32,22 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSour
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhLodPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.DebugRenderer;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.DhApiTerrainDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.FullDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RayCastUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3i;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3i;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -66,53 +66,62 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer DEBUG_RENDERER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.class);
+	
 	// debugging values
 	private static volatile boolean debugThreadRunning = false;
 	private static DhApiTerrainDataCache debugDataCache = new DhApiTerrainDataCache();
-	private static DhApiVec3i currentDebugVec3i = new Vec3i();
+	private static DhApiVec3i currentDebugVec3i = new DhVec3i();
 	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	private DhApiTerrainDataRepo()
 	{
 		
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// Getter Methods //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
-	{ return getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), blockPosY, dataCache); }
+	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getSingleDataPointAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	{ return getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), blockPosY, dataCache); }
 	@Override
-	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> getColumnDataAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
-	{ return getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), null, dataCache); }
+	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> getColumnDataAtBlockPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	{ return getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), null, dataCache); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
-	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.CHUNK_DETAIL_LEVEL, chunkPosX, chunkPosZ), dataCache); }
+	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtChunkPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.CHUNK_DETAIL_LEVEL, chunkPosX, chunkPosZ), dataCache); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int regionPosX, int regionPosZ, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
-	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.REGION_DETAIL_LEVEL, regionPosX, regionPosZ), dataCache); }
+	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtRegionPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, int regionPosX, int regionPosZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.REGION_DETAIL_LEVEL, regionPosX, regionPosZ), dataCache); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtDetailLevelAndPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, byte detailLevel, int posX, int posZ, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
-	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(detailLevel, posX, posZ), dataCache); }
+	public DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getAllTerrainDataAtDetailLevelAndPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, byte detailLevel, int posX, int posZ, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	{ return getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(detailLevel, posX, posZ), dataCache); }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	// private getters //
+	//region
 	
 	/** Returns a single API terrain datapoint that contains the given Y block position */
-	private static DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, DhLodPos requestedColumnPos, Integer blockYPos, @Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+	private static DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, long requestedColumnPos, Integer blockYPos, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
 	{
 		DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> result = getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, requestedColumnPos, blockYPos, dataCache);
 		if (result.success && result.payload.length > 0)
@@ -126,7 +135,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	}
 	
 	/**
-	 * Returns all the block columns represented by the given {@link DhLodPos}. <br>
+	 * Returns all the block columns represented by the given {@link DhSectionPos}. <br>
 	 * IE, A position with the detail level: <br>
 	 * 0 (block): will return a 1x1 matrix of data. (don't do this, we have a specific method for that.) <br>
 	 * 1 (2 blocks): will return a 2x2 matrix of data. <br>
@@ -135,11 +144,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 * will stop and return the in progress data if any errors are encountered.
 	 */
 	private static DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(
-			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, DhLodPos requestedAreaPos, 
-			@Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
+			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, long requestedAreaPos, 
+			IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
 	{
-		DhLodPos startingBlockPos = requestedAreaPos.getCornerLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL);
-		int widthOfAreaInBlocks = BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(requestedAreaPos.detailLevel);
+		byte requestedDetailLevel = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(requestedAreaPos);
+		long startingBlockPos = DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL,
+			DhSectionPos.getX(requestedAreaPos) * BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(requestedDetailLevel - LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL),
+			DhSectionPos.getZ(requestedAreaPos) * BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(requestedDetailLevel - LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL));
+		int widthOfAreaInBlocks = BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(requestedDetailLevel);
 		
 		DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][] returnArray = new DhApiTerrainDataPoint[widthOfAreaInBlocks][widthOfAreaInBlocks][];
 		int dataColumnsReturned = 0;
@@ -149,7 +161,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		{
 			for (int z = 0; z < widthOfAreaInBlocks; z++)
 			{
-				DhLodPos blockColumnPos = new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, startingBlockPos.x + x, startingBlockPos.z + z);
+				long blockColumnPos = DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, DhSectionPos.getX(startingBlockPos) + x, DhSectionPos.getZ(startingBlockPos) + z);
 				DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> result = getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, blockColumnPos, null, dataCache);
 				if (result.success)
 				{
@@ -175,8 +187,8 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 */
 	private static DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> getTerrainDataColumnArray(
 			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, 
-			DhLodPos requestedColumnPos, Integer nullableBlockYPos, 
-			@Nullable IDhApiTerrainDataCache apiDataCache)
+			long requestedColumnPos, Integer nullableBlockYPos, 
+			IDhApiTerrainDataCache apiDataCache)
 	{
 		//============//
 		// validation //
@@ -197,9 +209,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		ILevelWrapper coreLevelWrapper = (ILevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
 		
 		
-		// the data cache can be null, but must be our own implementation
-		if (apiDataCache != null
-			&& !(apiDataCache instanceof DhApiTerrainDataCache))
+		// require a data cache to prevent horrible performance (especially on ray-casts)
+		if (apiDataCache == null)
+		{
+			return DhApiResult.createFail("Missing [" + IDhApiTerrainDataCache.class.getSimpleName() + "], if a cache isn't provided your repo operations will be significantly slower.");
+		}
+		
+		// the data cache must be our own implementation
+		if (!(apiDataCache instanceof DhApiTerrainDataCache))
 		{
 			return DhApiResult.createFail("Unsupported [" + IDhApiTerrainDataCache.class.getSimpleName() + "] implementation, only the core class [" + DhApiTerrainDataCache.class.getSimpleName() + "] is a valid parameter.");
 		}
@@ -213,12 +230,12 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		}
 		
 		// get the detail levels for this request
-		byte requestedDetailLevel = requestedColumnPos.detailLevel;
+		byte requestedDetailLevel = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(requestedColumnPos);
 		byte sectionDetailLevel = (byte) (requestedDetailLevel + DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
 		
 		// get the positions for this request
-		long sectionPos = requestedColumnPos.getSectionPosWithSectionDetailLevel(sectionDetailLevel);
-		DhLodPos relativePos = requestedColumnPos.getDhSectionRelativePositionForDetailLevel();
+		long sectionPos = DhSectionPos.convertToDetailLevel(requestedColumnPos, sectionDetailLevel);
+		long relativePos = DhSectionPos.getDhSectionRelativePositionForDetailLevel(requestedColumnPos, DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(requestedColumnPos));
 		
 		
 		
@@ -258,7 +275,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 			//===============================//
 			
 			FullDataPointIdMap mapping = dataSource.mapping;
-			LongArrayList dataColumn = dataSource.getColumnAtRelPos(relativePos.x, relativePos.z);
+			LongArrayList dataColumn = dataSource.getColumnAtRelPos(DhSectionPos.getX(relativePos), DhSectionPos.getZ(relativePos));
 			if (dataColumn != null)
 			{
 				int dataColumnIndexCount = dataColumn.size();
@@ -330,11 +347,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//====================//
 	// raycasting methods //
 	//====================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public DhApiResult<DhApiRaycastResult> raycast(
@@ -346,8 +366,8 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 			IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
 	{
 		return this.raycastLodData(levelWrapper, 
-				new Vec3d(rayOriginX, rayOriginY, rayOriginZ), 
-				new Vec3f(rayDirectionX, rayDirectionY, rayDirectionZ), 
+				new DhVec3d(rayOriginX, rayOriginY, rayOriginZ), 
+				new DhVec3f(rayDirectionX, rayDirectionY, rayDirectionZ), 
 				maxRayBlockLength, dataCache);
 	}
 	
@@ -359,7 +379,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 */
 	private DhApiResult<DhApiRaycastResult> raycastLodData(
 			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, 
-			Vec3d rayOrigin, Vec3f rayDirection, 
+			DhVec3d rayOrigin, DhVec3f rayDirection, 
 			int maxRayBlockLength,
 			@Nullable
 			IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
@@ -376,9 +396,9 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		int currentLength = 0;
 		
 		// the exact position of this step
-		Vec3d exactPos = new Vec3d(rayOrigin.x, rayOrigin.y, rayOrigin.z);
+		DhVec3d exactPos = new DhVec3d(rayOrigin.x, rayOrigin.y, rayOrigin.z);
 		// the block position for this step
-		Vec3i blockPos = new Vec3i((int) Math.round(rayOrigin.x), (int) Math.round(rayOrigin.y), (int) Math.round(rayOrigin.z));
+		DhVec3i blockPos = new DhVec3i((int) Math.round(rayOrigin.x), (int) Math.round(rayOrigin.y), (int) Math.round(rayOrigin.z));
 		
 		DhApiRaycastResult closetFoundDataPoint = null;
 		
@@ -388,8 +408,8 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 				&& currentLength <= maxRayBlockLength)
 		{
 			// get the LOD columns around this position
-			ArrayList<Vec3i> columnPositions = getIntersectingColumnsAtPosition(blockPos, rayDirection);
-			for (Vec3i columnPos : columnPositions)
+			ArrayList<DhVec3i> columnPositions = getIntersectingColumnsAtPosition(blockPos, rayDirection);
+			for (DhVec3i columnPos : columnPositions)
 			{
 				// check each column
 				DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> result = this.getColumnDataAtBlockPos(levelWrapper, columnPos.x, columnPos.z, dataCache);
@@ -406,7 +426,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 					if (dataPoint.blockStateWrapper != null && !dataPoint.blockStateWrapper.isAir())
 					{
 						// does this LOD contain the given Y position?
-						Vec3i dataPointPos = new Vec3i(columnPos.x, dataPoint.bottomYBlockPos, columnPos.z);
+						DhVec3i dataPointPos = new DhVec3i(columnPos.x, dataPoint.bottomYBlockPos, columnPos.z);
 						if (exactPos.y >= dataPoint.bottomYBlockPos 
 							&& exactPos.y <= dataPoint.topYBlockPos)
 						{
@@ -459,15 +479,15 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	 *
 	 * Used to make sure the raycast step doesn't accidentally walk over any adjacent data.
 	 */
-	private static ArrayList<Vec3i> getIntersectingColumnsAtPosition(Vec3i rayEndingPos, Vec3f rayDirection)
+	private static ArrayList<DhVec3i> getIntersectingColumnsAtPosition(DhVec3i rayEndingPos, DhVec3f rayDirection)
 	{
-		ArrayList<Vec3i> returnList = new ArrayList<>(9);
+		ArrayList<DhVec3i> returnList = new ArrayList<>(9);
 		
 		for (int x = -1; x <= 1; x++)
 		{
 			for (int z = -1; z <= 1; z++)
 			{
-				Vec3i pos = new Vec3i(rayEndingPos.x + x, rayEndingPos.y, rayEndingPos.z + z);
+				DhVec3i pos = new DhVec3i(rayEndingPos.x + x, rayEndingPos.y, rayEndingPos.z + z);
 				
 				// check if this column is intersected by the ray
 				if (RayCastUtil.rayIntersectsSquare(rayEndingPos.x, rayEndingPos.z, rayDirection.x, rayDirection.z, pos.x, pos.z, 1))
@@ -480,11 +500,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		return returnList;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// setter methods //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public DhApiResult<Void> overwriteChunkDataAsync(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, Object[] chunkObjectArray) throws ClassCastException
@@ -508,26 +531,32 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		
 		// this will throw a cast exception if the chunk object array isn't correct
 		IChunkWrapper chunk = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class).createChunkWrapper(chunkObjectArray);
-		SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, dhLevel.getLevelWrapper(), true, true);
+		SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, dhLevel.getLevelWrapper());
 		
 		
 		return DhApiResult.createSuccess();
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// API helpers //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiTerrainDataCache createSoftCache() { return new DhApiTerrainDataCache(); }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// debug methods //
 	//===============//
+	//region
 	
 	/**
 	 * This method is here for debugging the repo and isn't intended for normal use.
@@ -541,10 +570,10 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 			Thread thread = new Thread(() -> {
 				try
 				{
-					DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> single = getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), blockPosY, debugDataCache);
-					DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> column = getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), null, debugDataCache);
+					DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint> single = getTerrainDataAtBlockYPos(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), blockPosY, debugDataCache);
+					DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[]> column = getTerrainDataColumnArray(levelWrapper, DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ), null, debugDataCache);
 					
-					DhLodPos chunkPos = new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ).convertToDetailLevel(LodUtil.CHUNK_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+					long chunkPos = DhSectionPos.encodeContaining(LodUtil.CHUNK_DETAIL_LEVEL, new DhChunkPos(blockPosX, blockPosZ));
 					DhApiResult<DhApiTerrainDataPoint[][][]> area = getTerrainDataOverAreaForPositionDetailLevel(levelWrapper, chunkPos, debugDataCache);
 					
 					
@@ -580,9 +609,9 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 					if (rayCast.success 
 						&& rayCast.payload != null)
 					{
-						DebugRenderer.makeParticle(
-							new DebugRenderer.BoxParticle(
-								new DebugRenderer.Box(
+						DEBUG_RENDERER.makeParticle(
+							new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.BoxParticle(
+								new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.Box(
 									DhSectionPos.encode((byte) 0, rayCast.payload.pos.x, rayCast.payload.pos.z), 
 										rayCast.payload.dataPoint.bottomYBlockPos, 
 										rayCast.payload.dataPoint.topYBlockPos, 
@@ -608,5 +637,8 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/ClientPluginChannelApi.java

@@ -9,14 +9,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLProxy;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.Objects;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 /**
  * This class is used to manage the level keys.
@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IKeyedClientLevelManager KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IKeyedClientLevelManager.class);
 	
-	private final Consumer<IServerKeyedClientLevel> levelLoadHandler;
-	private final Consumer<IClientLevelWrapper> levelUnloadHandler;
-	
 	@Nullable
 	public NetworkSession networkSession;
 	
@@ -42,10 +39,8 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 	
-	public ClientPluginChannelApi(Consumer<IServerKeyedClientLevel> levelLoadHandler, Consumer<IClientLevelWrapper> levelUnloadHandler)
+	public ClientPluginChannelApi()
 	{
-		this.levelLoadHandler = levelLoadHandler;
-		this.levelUnloadHandler = levelUnloadHandler;
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -88,38 +83,27 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Server sent invalid level key.");
 		}
 		
-		LOGGER.info("Server level key received: [" + msg.levelKey + "].");
+		LOGGER.info("Level init received for [" + msg.dimensionResourceLocation + "]: server key [" + msg.serverKey + "], level key [" + msg.levelKey + "]");
 		
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("ClientPluginChannelApi onLevelInitMessage", () -> 
 		{
 			IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = MC.getWrappedClientLevel(true);
-			IServerKeyedClientLevel existingKeyedClientLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.getServerKeyedLevel();
-
-			if (existingKeyedClientLevel != null)
-			{
-				if (!existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey().equals(msg.levelKey))
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Unloading previous level with key: [" + existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey() + "].");
-					this.levelUnloadHandler.accept(existingKeyedClientLevel);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Level key matches the previous level key, ignoring the message.");
-				}
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("Unloading non-keyed level: [" + clientLevel.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-				this.levelUnloadHandler.accept(clientLevel);
-			}
+			IServerKeyedClientLevel existingKeyedClientLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.getServerKeyedLevel(clientLevel);
 			
 			if (existingKeyedClientLevel == null
-					|| !existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerKey().equals(msg.serverKey)
-					|| !existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey().equals(msg.levelKey))
+				|| !existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerKey().equals(msg.serverKey)
+				|| !existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey().equals(msg.levelKey))
 			{
 				LOGGER.info("Loading level with key: [" + msg.levelKey + "].");
-				IServerKeyedClientLevel keyedLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.setServerKeyedLevel(clientLevel, msg.serverKey, msg.levelKey);
-				this.levelLoadHandler.accept(keyedLevel);
+				
+				IServerKeyedClientLevel keyedLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.setServerKeyedLevel(clientLevel, msg.dimensionResourceLocation, msg.serverKey, msg.levelKey);
+				
+				if (keyedLevel != null) {
+					AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
+					if (world != null) {
+						world.getOrLoadLevel(keyedLevel);
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		});
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/ServerApi.java

@@ -19,13 +19,10 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelLoadEvent;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.MessageRegistry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
@@ -77,20 +74,18 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public void serverLevelLoadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)
+	public void serverLevelLoadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
 	{
-		LOGGER.debug("Server Level " + level + " loading");
+		LOGGER.debug("Server Level " + levelWrapper + " loading");
 		
 		AbstractDhWorld serverWorld = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
-			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(level);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(level));
+			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
 		}
 	}
 	public void serverLevelUnloadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)
@@ -101,19 +96,16 @@ public class ServerApi
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
 			serverWorld.unloadLevel(level);
-			SharedApi.INSTANCE.clearQueuedChunkUpdates();
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(level));
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//=======================//
 	// chunk modified events //
 	//=======================//
 	
-	public void serverChunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, false, false); }
-	public void serverChunkSaveEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, true, false); }
+	public void serverChunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level); }
+	public void serverChunkSaveEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level); }
 	
 	
 	
@@ -123,7 +115,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	
 	public void serverPlayerJoinEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -137,7 +129,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	public void serverPlayerDisconnectEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -151,7 +143,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	public void serverPlayerLevelChangeEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player, IServerLevelWrapper originLevel, IServerLevelWrapper destinationLevel)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -171,7 +163,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	 */
 	public void pluginMessageReceived(IServerPlayerWrapper player, @NotNull AbstractNetworkMessage message)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/SharedApi.java

@@ -24,26 +24,22 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiWorldUn
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.Initializer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateData;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateQueueManager;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.WorldChunkUpdateManager;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.DebugRenderer;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.AbstractDhRepo;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
@@ -62,82 +58,81 @@ public class SharedApi
 	/** will be null on the server-side */
 	@Nullable
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
-	/** will be null on the server-side */
-	@Nullable
-	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
-	private static final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
 	
-	public static final ChunkUpdateQueueManager CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER = new ChunkUpdateQueueManager();
-	/** 
-	 * how many chunks can be queued for updating per thread + player (in multiplayer), 
-	 * used to prevent updates from infinitely pilling up if the user flies around extremely fast 
-	 */
-	public static final int MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER = 1_000;
-	
-	/** how many milliseconds must pass before an overloaded message can be sent in chat or the log */
-	public static final int MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE = 30_000;
+	public static final WorldChunkUpdateManager WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER = WorldChunkUpdateManager.INSTANCE; // local fariable for quick access
 	
 	
 	@Nullable
 	private static AbstractDhWorld currentWorld;
-	private static int lastWorldGenTickDelta = 0;
+	private static final Object worldLockObject = new Object();
 	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	private SharedApi() { }
-	public static void init() { Initializer.init(); }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// world methods //
 	//===============//
+	//region
 	
 	public static EWorldEnvironment getEnvironment() { return (currentWorld == null) ? null : currentWorld.environment; }
 	
 	public static void setDhWorld(AbstractDhWorld newWorld)
 	{
-		AbstractDhWorld oldWorld = currentWorld;
-		if (oldWorld != null)
+		synchronized (worldLockObject)
 		{
-			oldWorld.close();
-		}
-		currentWorld = newWorld;
-		
-		// starting and stopping the DataRenderTransformer is necessary to prevent attempting to
-		// access the MC level at inappropriate times, which can cause exceptions
-		if (currentWorld != null)
-		{
-			ThreadPoolUtil.setupThreadPools();
-			
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldLoadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldLoadEvent.EventParam());
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			ThreadPoolUtil.shutdownThreadPools();
-			DebugRenderer.clearRenderables();
-			
-			if (MC_RENDER != null)
+			AbstractDhWorld oldWorld = currentWorld;
+			if (oldWorld != null)
 			{
-				MC_RENDER.clearTargetFrameBuffer();
+				oldWorld.close();
 			}
+			currentWorld = newWorld;
 			
-			// shouldn't be necessary, but if we missed closing one of the connections this should make sure they're all closed
-			AbstractDhRepo.closeAllConnections();
-			// needs to be closed on world shutdown to clear out un-processed chunks
-			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.clear();
-			
-			// recommend that the garbage collector cleans up any objects from the old world and thread pools
-			System.gc();
-			
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.EventParam());
-			
-			// fired after the unload event so API users can't change the read-only for any new worlds
-			DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.setReadOnly(false, false);
+			// starting and stopping the DataRenderTransformer is necessary to prevent attempting to
+			// access the MC level at inappropriate times, which can cause exceptions
+			if (currentWorld != null)
+			{
+				ThreadPoolUtil.setupThreadPools();
+				
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldLoadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldLoadEvent.EventParam());
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				ThreadPoolUtil.shutdownThreadPools();
+				
+				// delayed get because SharedApi will be created before the singleton has been bound 
+				AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer debugWireframeRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.class);
+				debugWireframeRenderer.clearRenderables();
+				
+				if (MC_RENDER != null)
+				{
+					MC_RENDER.clearTargetFrameBuffer();
+				}
+				
+				// shouldn't be necessary, but if we missed closing one of the connections this should make sure they're all closed
+				AbstractDhRepo.closeAllConnections();
+				// needs to be closed on world shutdown to clear out un-processed chunks
+				WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.clear();
+				
+				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.clearDebugStats();
+				
+				// recommend that the garbage collector cleans up any objects from the old world and thread pools
+				System.gc();
+				
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.EventParam());
+				
+				// fired after the unload event so API users can't change the read-only for any new worlds
+				DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.setReadOnly(false, false);
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -152,44 +147,48 @@ public class SharedApi
 	@Nullable
 	public static IDhServerWorld tryGetDhServerWorld() { return (currentWorld instanceof IDhServerWorld) ? (IDhServerWorld) currentWorld : null; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// chunk update //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	/** 
 	 * Used to prevent getting a full chunk from MC if it isn't necessary. <br>
 	 * This is important since asking MC for a chunk is slow and may block the render thread.
 	 */
-	public static boolean isChunkAtBlockPosAlreadyUpdating(int blockPosX, int blockPosZ)
-	{ return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(new DhBlockPos2D(blockPosX, blockPosZ))); }
-	
-	public static boolean isChunkAtChunkPosAlreadyUpdating(int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ)
-	{ return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(chunkPosX, chunkPosZ)); }
-	
-	/** 
-	 * This is often fired when unloading a level.
-	 * This is done to prevent overloading the system when
-	 * rapidly changing dimensions.
-	 * (IE prevent DH from infinitely allocating memory 
-	 */
-	public void clearQueuedChunkUpdates() { CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.clear(); }
-	
-	public int getQueuedChunkUpdateCount() { return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.getQueuedCount(); }
-	
-	
-	
-	/** handles both block place and break events */
-	public void chunkBlockChangedEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, false); }
-	public void chunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, true); }
-	
-	//public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, canGetNeighboringChunks, false); }
-	public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks, boolean newlyLoaded)
+	public static boolean isChunkAtBlockPosAlreadyUpdating(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ)
 	{
-		//========================//
-		// world and level checks //
-		//========================//
+		ChunkUpdateQueueManager manager = WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.getByLevelWrapper(levelWrapper);
+		if (manager == null)
+		{
+			return true;
+		}
+		
+		return manager.contains(new DhChunkPos(new DhBlockPos2D(blockPosX, blockPosZ))); 
+	}
+	
+	public static boolean isChunkAtChunkPosAlreadyUpdating(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ)
+	{
+		ChunkUpdateQueueManager manager = WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.getByLevelWrapper(levelWrapper);
+		if (manager == null)
+		{
+			return true;
+		}
+		
+		return manager.contains(new DhChunkPos(chunkPosX, chunkPosZ)); 
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper)
+	{
+		//===================//
+		// validation checks //
+		//===================//
 		
 		if (chunkWrapper == null)
 		{
@@ -200,38 +199,38 @@ public class SharedApi
 		AbstractDhWorld dhWorld = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
 		if (dhWorld == null)
 		{
-			if (level instanceof IClientLevelWrapper)
+			if (levelWrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper)
 			{
 				// If the client world isn't loaded yet, keep track of which chunks were loaded so we can use them later.
 				// This may happen if the client world and client level load events happen out of order
-				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) level;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.put(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
 			}
 			
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		// ignore updates if the world is read-only
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		
 		// only continue if the level is loaded
-		IDhLevel dhLevel = dhWorld.getLevel(level);
+		IDhLevel dhLevel = dhWorld.getLevel(levelWrapper);
 		if (dhLevel == null)
 		{
-			if (level instanceof IClientLevelWrapper)
+			if (levelWrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper)
 			{
 				// the client level isn't loaded yet
-				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) level;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.put(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
 			}
 			
 			return;
 		}
 		
+		// ignore chunk updates if the network should handle them
 		if (dhLevel instanceof DhClientLevel)
 		{
 			if (!((DhClientLevel) dhLevel).shouldProcessChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
@@ -240,292 +239,67 @@ public class SharedApi
 			}
 		}
 		
-		// shoudln't normally happen, but just in case
-		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
+		// ignore chunk updates for non-rendered levels
+		String dimName = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().getDimensionName();
+		if (IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(dimName))
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		ChunkUpdateQueueManager chunkManager = WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.getByLevelWrapper(levelWrapper);
+		// ignore the wrong level wrapper type or
+		// if the chunk is already queued for handling
+		if (chunkManager == null 
+			|| chunkManager.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
 		{
-			// TODO this will prevent some LODs from updating across dimensions if multiple levels are loaded
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		
-		
-		//===============================//
-		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
-		//===============================//
-		
-		if (!canGetNeighboringChunks)
-		{
-			// only update the center chunk
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, null, dhLevel, false);
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighboringChunkList = getNeighborChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
-		
-		if (newlyLoaded)
-		{
-			// this means this chunkWrapper is a newly loaded chunk 
-			// which may be missing some neighboring chunk data
-			// because it is bordering the render distance
-			// thus, only the chunks neighboring this chunkWrapper will get updated
-			// because those are more likely to have their full neighboring chunk data
-			//TODO this does not prevent those neighboring chunks from updating
-			// this newly loaded chunk that were just skipped
-			// leading to occasional lighting issues
-			for (IChunkWrapper neighboringChunk : neighboringChunkList)
-			{
-				if (neighboringChunk == chunkWrapper)
-				{
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				this.applyChunkUpdate(neighboringChunk, level, true, false);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			// if not all neighboring chunk data is available, do not try to update
-			if (neighboringChunkList.size() < 9)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			// update the center with any existing neighbour chunks. 
-			// this is done so lighting changes are propagated correctly
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, neighboringChunkList, dhLevel, true);
-		}
-	}
-	private static ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> getNeighborChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
-	{
-		// get the neighboring chunk list
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
-		for (int xOffset = -1; xOffset <= 1; xOffset++)
-		{
-			for (int zOffset = -1; zOffset <= 1; zOffset++)
-			{
-				if (xOffset == 0 && zOffset == 0)
-				{
-					// center chunk
-					neighborChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					// neighboring chunk 
-					DhChunkPos neighborPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
-					IChunkWrapper neighborChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(neighborPos);
-					if (neighborChunk != null)
-					{
-						neighborChunkList.add(neighborChunk);
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		return neighborChunkList;
+		queueChunkUpdate(chunkManager, chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
 	}
 	
-	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks)
+	private static void queueChunkUpdate(ChunkUpdateQueueManager chunkManager, IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
 	{
-				
 		// return if the chunk is already queued
-		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
+		if (chunkManager.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
 		{
 			return;
 		}
-			
+		
 		
 		// add chunk update data to preUpdate queue
-		ChunkUpdateData updateData = new ChunkUpdateData(chunkWrapper, neighborChunkList, dhLevel, canGetNeighboringChunks);
-		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToPreUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), updateData);
+		ChunkUpdateData updateData = new ChunkUpdateData(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
+		chunkManager.addItemToPreUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), updateData);
 		
 		
-		// queue updates up to the number of CPU cores allocated for the job
-		// (this prevents doing extra work queuing tasks that may not be necessary)
-		// and makes sure the chunks closest to the player are updated first
-		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
-		if (executor != null && executor.getQueueSize() < executor.getPoolSize())
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueue);
-			}
-			catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
-			{
-				// the executor was shut down, it should be back up shortly and able to accept new jobs
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-	private static void processQueue()
-	{
-		// update the center & max size of the queue manager
-		int maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
-		if (MC_CLIENT != null && MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
-		{
-			// Local worlds & multiplayer
-			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.setCenter(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerChunkPos());
-			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer() ? 1 : MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			// Dedicated servers
-			// Also includes spawn chunks since they're likely to be intentionally utilized with updates
-			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = 1 + MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
-		}
-		
-		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize = MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER
-				* Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get()
-				* maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
-		
-		
-		
-		//===============================//
-		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
-		//===============================//
-		
-		// process preUpdate queue
-		processQueuedChunkPreUpdate();
-		
-		// process update queue
-		processQueuedChunkUpdate();
-		
 		// queue the next position if there are still positions to process
 		AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
-		if (executor != null && !CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.isEmpty())
+		if (executor != null)
 		{
 			try
 			{
-				executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueue);
+				executor.execute(WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER::processEachQueue);
 			}
 			catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
 			{
 				// the executor was shut down, it should be back up shortly and able to accept new jobs
 			}
 		}
-		
 	}
 	
-	private static void processQueuedChunkPreUpdate()
-	{
-		ChunkUpdateData preUpdateData = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.preUpdateQueue.popClosest();
-		if (preUpdateData == null)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		IDhLevel dhLevel = preUpdateData.dhLevel;
-		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = preUpdateData.chunkWrapper;
-		boolean canGetNeighboringChunks = preUpdateData.canGetNeighboringChunks;
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = preUpdateData.neighborChunkList;
-		
-		try
-		{
-			// check if this chunk has been converted into an LOD already
-			boolean checkChunkHash = !Config.Common.LodBuilding.disableUnchangedChunkCheck.get();
-			if (checkChunkHash)
-			{
-				int oldChunkHash = dhLevel.getChunkHash(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()); // shouldn't happen on the render thread since it may take a few moments to run
-				int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
-				
-				boolean hasNewChunkHash = (oldChunkHash != newChunkHash);
-				if (!hasNewChunkHash)
-				{
-					// do not update the chunk if the hash is the same
-					return;
-				}
-				
-				// if this chunk will update and can get neighbors
-				// then queue neighboring chunks to update as well
-				// neighboring chunk will get added directly to the update queue
-				// so they won't queue further chunk updates
-				if (neighborChunkList != null 
-					&& !neighborChunkList.isEmpty())
-				{
-					for (IChunkWrapper adjacentChunk : neighborChunkList)
-					{
-						// pulling a new chunkWrapper is necessary to prevent concurrent modification on the existing chunkWrappers
-						IChunkWrapper newCenterChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(adjacentChunk.getChunkPos());
-						if (newCenterChunk != null)
-						{
-							ChunkUpdateData newUpdateData;
-							if (canGetNeighboringChunks)
-							{
-								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, getNeighborChunkListForChunk(newCenterChunk, dhLevel), dhLevel, true);
-							}
-							else
-							{
-								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, null, dhLevel, false);
-							}
-							
-							CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(newCenterChunk.getChunkPos(), newUpdateData);
-						}
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			
-			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), preUpdateData);
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when pre-updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
-		}
-	}
-	
-	private static void processQueuedChunkUpdate()
-	{
-		//LOGGER.trace(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + " " + executor.getActiveCount() + " / " + executor.getQueue().size() + " - " + executor.getCompletedTaskCount());
-		
-		ChunkUpdateData updateData = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.updateQueue.popClosest();
-		if (updateData == null)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = updateData.chunkWrapper;
-		IDhLevel dhLevel = updateData.dhLevel;
-		ILevelWrapper levelWrapper = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper();
-		// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
-		@Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = updateData.neighborChunkList; 
-		
-		// a non-null list is needed for the lighting engine
-		if (nearbyChunkList == null)
-		{
-			nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<IChunkWrapper>();
-			nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-		}
-		
-		try
-		{
-			// sky lighting is populated later at the data source level
-			DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, levelWrapper.hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT);
-			
-			dhLevel.updateBeaconBeamsForChunk(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList);
-			
-			int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
-			dhLevel.updateChunkAsync(chunkWrapper, newChunkHash);
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
-		}
-	}
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// F3 Menu //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
-	public String getDebugMenuString()
-	{
-		String preUpdatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.preUpdateQueue.getQueuedCount());
-		String updatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.updateQueue.getQueuedCount());
-		String queuedCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.getQueuedCount());
-		
-		String maxUpdateCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize);
-		
-		return "Queued chunk updates: "+"( "+preUpdatingCountStr+" + "+updatingCountStr+" )  [ "+queuedCountStr+" / "+maxUpdateCountStr+" ]";
-	}
+	public ArrayList<String> getDebugMenuString() { return WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.getDebugMenuString(); }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/chunkUpdating/ChunkPosQueue.java

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
@@ -105,6 +106,7 @@ public class ChunkPosQueue
 		this.furthestQueue.remove(closest);
 		return this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(closest);
 	}
+	@Nullable
 	public ChunkUpdateData popFurthest()
 	{
 		if (this.furthestQueue.isEmpty())

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/chunkUpdating/ChunkUpdateData.java

@@ -9,18 +9,13 @@ import java.util.ArrayList;
 public class ChunkUpdateData
 {
 	public IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper;
-	@Nullable
-	public ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList;
 	public IDhLevel dhLevel;
-	public boolean canGetNeighboringChunks;
 	
 	
 	
-	public ChunkUpdateData(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean canGetNeighborChunks)
+	public ChunkUpdateData(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
 	{
 		this.chunkWrapper = chunkWrapper;
-		this.neighborChunkList = neighborChunkList;
 		this.dhLevel = dhLevel;
-		this.canGetNeighboringChunks = canGetNeighborChunks;
 	}
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/chunkUpdating/ChunkUpdateQueueManager.java

@@ -1,35 +1,79 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
 
+import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.EWorldEnvironment;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.Set;
-import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.*;
 
+
+/**
+ * @see WorldChunkUpdateManager
+ */
 public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
+	
+	/**
+	 * how many chunks can be queued for updating per thread + player (in multiplayer), 
+	 * used to prevent updates from infinitely pilling up if the user flies around extremely fast 
+	 */
+	public static final int MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER = 1_000;
+	
+	/** how many milliseconds must pass before an overloaded message can be sent in chat or the log */
+	public static final int MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE = 30_000;
+	
+	
+	
+	private final Set<DhChunkPos> ignoredChunkPosSet = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
+	private static long lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = 0;
+	
+	
+	
 	
 	public final ChunkPosQueue updateQueue;
 	public final ChunkPosQueue preUpdateQueue;
-	public final Set<DhChunkPos> ignoredChunkPosSet = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
 	
+	public final ConcurrentMap<DhChunkPos, IChunkWrapper> queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos = CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
+		.expireAfterWrite(20, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
+		.<DhChunkPos, IChunkWrapper>build()
+		.asMap();
+	
+	/** dynamically changes based on the number of threads currently available */
 	public int maxSize = 500;
 	
-	private static long lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = 0;
+	/** used to prevent flickering */
+	public long lastMsTimeShownActiveInF3Screen = System.currentTimeMillis();
 	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	public ChunkUpdateQueueManager()
 	{
@@ -37,11 +81,14 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		this.preUpdateQueue = new ChunkPosQueue();
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==================//
 	// list/set methods //
 	//==================//
+	//region
 	
 	public boolean contains(DhChunkPos pos) 
 	{ 
@@ -57,7 +104,8 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		this.ignoredChunkPosSet.clear();
 	}
 	public int getQueuedCount() { return this.updateQueue.getQueuedCount() + this.preUpdateQueue.getQueuedCount(); }
-	public boolean isEmpty()
+	
+	public boolean updateQueuesEmpty()
 	{
 		return this.updateQueue.isEmpty()
 				&& this.preUpdateQueue.isEmpty();
@@ -68,22 +116,27 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 	 * If there are no more slots, replaces the item furthest from the center in the update queue.
 	 */
 	public void addItemToPreUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{ this.addItemToQueue(pos, updateData, this.preUpdateQueue); }
+	
+	public void addItemToUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{ this.addItemToQueue(pos, updateData, this.updateQueue); }
+	
+	private void addItemToQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData, ChunkPosQueue queue)
 	{
 		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
 		
 		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
 		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
 		{
-			if (!this.updateQueue.isEmpty())
+			ChunkUpdateData removedData = queue.popFurthest();
+			if (removedData != null)
 			{
-				this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.preUpdateQueue.popFurthest();
+				this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.remove(removedData.chunkWrapper.getChunkPos());
 			}
 		}
-		this.preUpdateQueue.addItem(pos, updateData);
+		
+		queue.addItem(pos,updateData);
+		this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.putIfAbsent(pos, updateData.chunkWrapper);
 		
 		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
 		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
@@ -92,37 +145,19 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		}
 	}
 	
-	public void addItemToUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
-	{
-		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
-		
-		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
-		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
-		{
-			this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
-		}
-		
-		this.updateQueue.addItem(pos,updateData);
-		
-		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
-		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
-		{
-			this.sendOverloadMessage();
-		}
-	}
 	
 	private void sendOverloadMessage()
 	{
 		// limit how often an overloaded message can be sent
 		long msBetweenLastLog = System.currentTimeMillis() - lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime;
-		if (msBetweenLastLog >= SharedApi.MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE)
+		if (msBetweenLastLog >= MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE)
 		{
 			lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 			
-			String message = "\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + "\u00A7r" +
+			String message = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING +
 					"\nThis may result in holes in your LODs. " +
 					"\nFix: move through the world slower, decrease your vanilla render distance, slow down your world pre-generator (IE Chunky), or increase the Distant Horizons' CPU thread counts. " +
-					"\nMax queue count [" + SharedApi.CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize + "] ([" + SharedApi.MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER + "] per thread+players).";
+					"\nMax queue count [" + this.maxSize + "] ([" + MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER + "] per thread+players).";
 			
 			boolean showWarningInChat = Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showUpdateQueueOverloadedChatWarning.get();
 			if (showWarningInChat)
@@ -140,20 +175,200 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		}
 	}
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Tries to return a cloned chunk wrapper from memory.
+	 * Returns null if no chunk is available.
+	 * <br><br>
+	 * This is done instead of accessing the MC level since
+	 * accessing the level often requires running on the render or server
+	 * thread, which causes stuttering.
+	 */
+	@Nullable
+	public IChunkWrapper tryGetChunk(DhChunkPos pos)
+	{
+		IChunkWrapper existingWrapper = this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.get(pos);
+		if (existingWrapper == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+	
+		return existingWrapper.copy();
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// ignores //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public void addPosToIgnore(DhChunkPos chunkPos) { this.ignoredChunkPosSet.add(chunkPos); }
 	public void removePosToIgnore(DhChunkPos chunkPos) { this.ignoredChunkPosSet.remove(chunkPos); }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//===================//
+	// update processing //
+	//===================//
+	//region
+	
+	public void processQueue()
+	{
+		// update the center & max size of the queue manager
+		int maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
+		if (MC_CLIENT != null && MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
+		{
+			// Local worlds & multiplayer
+			this.setCenter(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerChunkPos());
+			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer() ? 1 : MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// Dedicated servers
+			// Also includes spawn chunks since they're likely to be intentionally utilized with updates
+			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = 1 + MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
+		}
+		
+		this.maxSize = MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER
+			* Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get()
+			* maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
+		
+		
+		
+		//===============================//
+		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
+		//===============================//
+		
+		this.processQueuedChunkPreUpdate();
+		this.processQueuedChunkUpdate();
+		
+		// queue the next position if there are still positions to process
+		AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
+		if (executor != null && !this.updateQueuesEmpty())
+		{
+			try
+			{
+				executor.execute(this::processQueue);
+			}
+			catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
+			{
+				// the executor was shut down, it should be back up shortly and able to accept new jobs
+			}
+		}
+		
+	}
+	
+	private void processQueuedChunkPreUpdate()
+	{
+		ChunkUpdateData preUpdateData = this.preUpdateQueue.popClosest();
+		if (preUpdateData == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		IDhLevel dhLevel = preUpdateData.dhLevel;
+		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = preUpdateData.chunkWrapper;
+		chunkWrapper.createDhHeightMaps();
+		
+		try
+		{
+			// check if this chunk has been converted into an LOD already
+			boolean checkChunkHash = !Config.Common.LodBuilding.disableUnchangedChunkCheck.get();
+			if (checkChunkHash)
+			{
+				int oldChunkHash = dhLevel.getChunkHash(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()); // shouldn't happen on the render thread since it may take a few moments to run
+				int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
+				
+				boolean hasNewChunkHash = (oldChunkHash != newChunkHash);
+				if (!hasNewChunkHash)
+				{
+					// do not update the chunk if the hash is the same
+					return;
+				}
+			}
+			
+			this.addItemToUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), preUpdateData);
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when pre-updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	private void processQueuedChunkUpdate()
+	{
+		ChunkUpdateData updateData = this.updateQueue.popClosest();
+		if (updateData == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = updateData.chunkWrapper;
+		IDhLevel dhLevel = updateData.dhLevel;
+		ILevelWrapper levelWrapper = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper();
+		
+		// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList  = this.tryGetNeighborChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper);
+		
+		
+		
+		try
+		{
+			// sky lighting is populated later at the data source level
+			DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, levelWrapper.hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT);
+			
+			dhLevel.updateBeaconBeamsForChunk(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList);
+			
+			int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
+			dhLevel.updateChunkAsync(chunkWrapper, newChunkHash);
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
+		}
+		
+		this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.remove(updateData.chunkWrapper.getChunkPos());
+	}
+	private ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> tryGetNeighborChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper)
+	{
+		// get the neighboring chunk list
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
+		for (int xOffset = -1; xOffset <= 1; xOffset++)
+		{
+			for (int zOffset = -1; zOffset <= 1; zOffset++)
+			{
+				if (xOffset == 0 && zOffset == 0)
+				{
+					// center chunk
+					neighborChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					// neighboring chunk 
+					DhChunkPos neighborPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
+					IChunkWrapper neighborChunk = this.tryGetChunk(neighborPos);
+					if (neighborChunk != null)
+					{
+						neighborChunkList.add(neighborChunk);
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return neighborChunkList;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==================//
 	// position methods //
 	//==================//
+	//region
 	
 	public void setCenter(DhChunkPos newCenter)
 	{
@@ -161,5 +376,33 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		this.preUpdateQueue.setCenter(newCenter);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=========//
+	// F3 Menu //
+	//=========//
+	//region
+	
+	public String getDebugMenuString()
+	{
+		String y = MinecraftTextFormat.YELLOW;
+		String o = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE;
+		String cf = MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING;
+		
+		
+		String preUpdatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(this.preUpdateQueue.getQueuedCount());
+		String updatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(this.updateQueue.getQueuedCount());
+		String queuedCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(this.getQueuedCount());
+		
+		String maxUpdateCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(this.maxSize);
+		
+		return "Queued chunk updates: "+"("+y+preUpdatingCountStr+cf+" + "+o+updatingCountStr+cf+") ["+queuedCountStr+"/"+maxUpdateCountStr+"]";
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/chunkUpdating/WorldChunkUpdateManager.java

@@ -0,0 +1,190 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.EWorldEnvironment;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
+
+/**
+ * Holds all the {@link ChunkUpdateQueueManager} for a loaded world.
+ * Different queues are needed for each level to prevent
+ * chunks from bleeding between levels (IE a nether chunk applied to the overworld).
+ * 
+ * @see ChunkUpdateQueueManager
+ */
+public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
+{
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	/** singleton since we only expect to have one world loaded at a time */
+	public static final WorldChunkUpdateManager INSTANCE = new WorldChunkUpdateManager();
+	
+	public static final Set<String> LOGGED_GET_ERROR_MESSAGES = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<String, Boolean>());
+	
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Queues are only removed during world shutdown.
+	 * The assumption is that there will be a limited number of {@link ILevelWrapper}'s
+	 * for a given world.
+	 */
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<ILevelWrapper, ChunkUpdateQueueManager> updateQueueByLevelWrapper = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	private WorldChunkUpdateManager() {  }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=================//
+	// manager methods //
+	//=================//
+	//region
+	
+	/**
+	 * @return null if the world is unloaded or the given level wrapper is the wrong type 
+	 */
+	@Nullable
+	public ChunkUpdateQueueManager getByLevelWrapper(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper)
+	{
+		AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
+		if (world == null)
+		{
+			// world isn't loaded, no warnings need to be logged
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		// we only want to load chunks for certain level wrappers
+		// this is done specifically on a local-server to prevent
+		// loading both the server and client level wrappers
+		if (world.environment == EWorldEnvironment.CLIENT_ONLY
+			// when connected to a server we should only ever load client wrappers anyway
+			// but this check confirms it
+			&& !(levelWrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper))
+		{
+			// how did we get a server level wrapper on the client?
+			// this shouldn't happen, but just in case
+			return null;
+		}
+		else if (
+			(world.environment == EWorldEnvironment.SERVER_ONLY
+			|| world.environment == EWorldEnvironment.CLIENT_SERVER)
+				// when hosting a server we only care about the server wrappers
+				&& !(levelWrapper instanceof IServerLevelWrapper))
+		{
+			// ignore client updates on the server
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		
+		ChunkUpdateQueueManager queueManager = this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.get(levelWrapper);
+		if (queueManager != null)
+		{
+			return queueManager;
+		}
+		
+		return this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.compute(levelWrapper,
+			(ILevelWrapper newLevelWrapper, ChunkUpdateQueueManager oldQueueManager) ->
+			{
+				if (oldQueueManager != null)
+				{
+					return oldQueueManager;
+				}
+				
+				oldQueueManager = new ChunkUpdateQueueManager();
+				return oldQueueManager;
+			});
+	}
+	
+	public void processEachQueue()
+	{
+		this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.forEach(
+			(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, ChunkUpdateQueueManager updateManager) -> 
+		{
+			updateManager.processQueue();
+		});
+	}
+	
+	public int getTotalQueuedCount()
+	{
+		AtomicInteger queueCountRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+		
+		this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.forEach(
+			(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, ChunkUpdateQueueManager updateManager) ->
+			{
+				queueCountRef.addAndGet(updateManager.getQueuedCount());
+			});
+		
+		return queueCountRef.get();
+	}
+	
+	public void clear() { this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.clear(); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=========//
+	// F3 Menu //
+	//=========//
+	//region
+	
+	public ArrayList<String> getDebugMenuString()
+	{
+		ArrayList<String> stringList = new ArrayList<>();
+		stringList.add("");// placeholder for the total count
+		
+		// add each queue to the list
+		AtomicInteger totalQueueCountRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+		AtomicInteger activeQueueCountRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+		this.updateQueueByLevelWrapper.forEach(
+			(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, ChunkUpdateQueueManager updateManager) ->
+			{
+				// is this queue active?
+				if (!updateManager.updateQueuesEmpty())
+				{
+					updateManager.lastMsTimeShownActiveInF3Screen = System.currentTimeMillis();
+					activeQueueCountRef.incrementAndGet();
+				}
+				
+				// show this queue if it hasn't been empty long enough
+				// (done to prevent flickering on the F3 screen when the queue rapidly fills/empties)
+				long timeSinceQueueLastShownActiveMs = System.currentTimeMillis() - updateManager.lastMsTimeShownActiveInF3Screen;
+				if (timeSinceQueueLastShownActiveMs < 4_000)
+				{
+					stringList.add(levelWrapper.getDimensionName() + ": " + updateManager.getDebugMenuString());
+				}
+				
+				totalQueueCountRef.incrementAndGet();
+			});
+		
+		// replace the first line with the number of total/active queues
+		// (helpful if we need to diagnose a leak due to a massive number of queue level wrappers)
+		stringList.set(0, "Chunk Update Queues: "+activeQueueCountRef.get()+"/"+totalQueueCountRef.get());
+		
+		return stringList;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/rendering/DhRenderState.java

@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhMat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 
 /**
@@ -11,11 +12,34 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapp
  */
 public class DhRenderState
 {
-	public Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
-	public Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
-	public float frameTime = -1;
+	public DhMat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
+	public DhMat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
+	/** 
+	 * percentage of time into the current client tick. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * Can be converted to a millisecond frametime 
+	 * (IE time between frames in milliseconds) using the formula: <br>
+	 * <code>
+	 * (partialTickTime/20*1000)
+	 * </code> <br>
+	 * IE 60 FPS = 16.6 MS <br>
+	 * 
+	 * @link https://fpstoms.com/
+	 * @see IMinecraftRenderWrapper#getPartialTickTime()
+	 */
+	public float partialTickTime = -1; 
 	public IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = null;
 	
+	/**
+	 * This will generally be true if the player is: <br>
+	 * - blinded <br>
+	 * - under lava/water <br>
+	 * <br>
+	 * In those cases some rendering logic may need to be changed
+	 * to look correct.
+	 */
+	public boolean vanillaFogEnabled = false;
+	
 	
 	
 	//========//
@@ -38,7 +62,7 @@ public class DhRenderState
 			errorReasons += "no Projection Matrix, ";
 		}
 		
-		if (this.frameTime == -1)
+		if (this.partialTickTime == -1)
 		{
 			errorReasons += "no Frame Time, ";
 		}
@@ -51,13 +75,6 @@ public class DhRenderState
 		return errorReasons;
 	}
 	
-	public boolean canRender()
-	{
-		// separated variable to allow for easy checking with the debugger
-		String errorReasons = this.unableToRenderBecause();
-		return errorReasons.isEmpty();
-	}
-	
 	public void canRenderOrThrow() throws IllegalStateException
 	{
 		String errorReasons = this.unableToRenderBecause();

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/ConfigHandler.java

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public class ConfigHandler
 	 * <br> {@link String}
 	 * <br> 
 	 * <br> // Below, "T" should be a value from above
-	 * <br> // Note: This is not checked, so we trust that you are doing the right thing (TODO: Check it)
+	 * <br> // Note: This is not checked, so we trust that you are doing the right thing
 	 * <br> List<T>
 	 * <br> ArrayList<T>
 	 * <br> Map<String, T>
@@ -261,7 +261,6 @@ public class ConfigHandler
 			if (ConfigUIComment.class.isAssignableFrom(entry.getClass())
 				&& ((ConfigUIComment)entry).parentConfigPath != null)
 			{
-				// TODO this could potentially add the same item multiple times
 				entryPrefix = "distanthorizons.config." + ((ConfigUIComment)entry).parentConfigPath;
 			}
 			

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/api/DhApiConfigValue.java

@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@ public class DhApiConfigValue<coreType, apiType> implements IDhApiConfigValue<ap
 	private final IConverter<coreType, apiType> configConverter;
 	
 	
+	
+	//==============//
+ 	// constructors //
+	//==============//
+	//region
+	
 	/**
 	 * This constructor should only be called internally. <br>
 	 * There is no reason for API users to create this object. <br><br>
@@ -69,11 +75,29 @@ public class DhApiConfigValue<coreType, apiType> implements IDhApiConfigValue<ap
 		this.configConverter = newConverter;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
 	
-	public apiType getValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.get()); }
-	public apiType getTrueValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getTrueValue()); }
-	public apiType getApiValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getApiValue()); }
 	
+	
+	//===========//
+ 	// overrides //
+	//===========//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override public apiType getValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.get()); }
+	@Override public apiType getTrueValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getTrueValue()); }
+	@Override public apiType getApiValue() 
+	{
+		// if no API value is set, this should return null
+		if (this.configBase.getApiValue() == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getApiValue()); 
+	}
+	
+	@Override
 	public boolean setValue(apiType newValue)
 	{
 		if (this.configBase.getAllowApiOverride())
@@ -87,12 +111,12 @@ public class DhApiConfigValue<coreType, apiType> implements IDhApiConfigValue<ap
 		}
 	}
 	
+	@Override
 	public boolean clearValue()
 	{
 		if (this.configBase.getAllowApiOverride())
 		{
 			// no converter should be used here since null objects may need to be handled differently
-			// TODO the API should just have a bool to keep track of whether the API value is in use instead of using NULL
 			this.configBase.setApiValue(null);
 			return true;
 		}
@@ -102,13 +126,15 @@ public class DhApiConfigValue<coreType, apiType> implements IDhApiConfigValue<ap
 		}
 	}
 	
+	@Override
 	public boolean getCanBeOverrodeByApi() { return this.configBase.getAllowApiOverride(); }
 	
-	public apiType getDefaultValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getDefaultValue()); }
-	public apiType getMaxValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getMax()); }
-	public apiType getMinValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getMin()); }
+	@Override public apiType getDefaultValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getDefaultValue()); }
+	@Override public apiType getMaxValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getMax()); }
+	@Override public apiType getMinValue() { return this.configConverter.convertToApiType(this.configBase.getMin()); }
 	
 	
+	@Override
 	public void addChangeListener(Consumer<apiType> onValueChangeFunc) 
 	{
 		this.configBase.addValueChangeListener((coreValue) -> 
@@ -118,4 +144,6 @@ public class DhApiConfigValue<coreType, apiType> implements IDhApiConfigValue<ap
 		}); 
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/api/converters/InvertedBoolConverter.java

@@ -17,35 +17,27 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.api.converters;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRendererMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.config.IConverter;
 
 /**
- * NEVER, 	<br>
- * DYNAMIC, <br>
- * ALWAYS	<br> <br>
- *
- * This represents how far the LODs should overlap with
- * the vanilla Minecraft terrain.
+ * Used to support deprecated config options that may be identical
+ * in implementation but with the On/Off values flipped.
  *
  * @author James Seibel
- * @since API 2.0.0
- * @version 2024-4-6
+ * @version 2025-12-22
  */
-@Deprecated // not currently in use, if the config this enum represents is re-implemented, the deprecated flag can be removed
-public enum EDhApiVanillaOverdraw
+public class InvertedBoolConverter implements IConverter<Boolean, Boolean>
 {
-	/**
-	 * Don't draw LODs where a minecraft chunk could be.
-	 * Use Overdraw Offset to tweak the border thickness.
-	 */
-	NEVER,
 	
-	/**
-	 * Draw LODs over the farther minecraft chunks.
-	 * Dynamically decides the border thickness
-	 */
-	DYNAMIC,
+	@Override 
+	public Boolean convertToCoreType(Boolean core)
+	{ return !core; }
 	
-	/** Draw LODs over all minecraft chunks. */
-	ALWAYS,
-}
+	@Override 
+	public Boolean convertToApiType(Boolean api)
+	{ return !api; }
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
+
+import java.util.Timer;
+import java.util.TimerTask;
+
+public abstract class AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
+{
+	public static final long DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_IN_MS = 2_000L;
+	
+	/** how long to wait in milliseconds before applying the config changes */
+	private final long timeoutInMs;
+	private Timer timer;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	public AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler(long timeoutInMs) { this.timeoutInMs = timeoutInMs; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// abstract methods //
+	//==================//
+	//region
+	
+	public abstract void onConfigTimeout();
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//========//
+	// events //
+	//========//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override
+	public void onConfigValueSet()
+	{
+		if (this.timeoutInMs > 0)
+		{
+			this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout();
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			this.onConfigTimeout();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** Calling this method multiple times will reset the timer */
+	private synchronized void refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout() // synchronized to prevent potential threading issues when adding/removing the timer
+	{
+		// stop the previous timer if one exists
+		if (this.timer != null)
+		{
+			this.timer.cancel();
+		}
+		
+		// create a new timer task
+		TimerTask timerTask = new TimerTask()
+		{
+			public void run()
+			{
+				AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler.this.onConfigTimeout();
+			}
+		};
+		this.timer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("AbstractDelayedConfigTimer");
+		this.timer.schedule(timerTask, this.timeoutInMs);
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBeforeRenderEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiCancelableEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
+
+public class IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler extends DhApiBeforeRenderEvent implements IConfigListener
+{
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	public static IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler INSTANCE = new IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler();
+	
+	private String[] dimensionNames = null;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+ 	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	/** private since we only ever need one handler at a time */
+	private IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler() { }
+	
+	
+	
+	//=================//
+	// config handling //
+	//=================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public void onConfigValueSet()
+	{
+		String ignoredDimensionCsvString = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.ignoredDimensionCsv.get();
+		if (ignoredDimensionCsvString == null 
+			|| ignoredDimensionCsvString.isEmpty())
+		{
+			LOGGER.info("Dimension ignoring disabled, DH will render all dimensions.");
+			this.dimensionNames = null;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			try
+			{
+				this.dimensionNames = ignoredDimensionCsvString.split(",");
+				LOGGER.info("DH set to ignore dimensions: ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", this.dimensionNames)+"].");
+			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Failed to separate ignored dimensions from CSV string, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				this.dimensionNames = null;
+			}
+		}
+		
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//===================//
+	// external handling //
+	//===================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public void beforeRender(DhApiCancelableEventParam<DhApiRenderParam> event)
+	{
+		String dimName = event.value.clientLevelWrapper.getDimensionName();
+		if (IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(dimName))
+		{
+			event.cancelEvent();
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableVanillaFog.setApiValue(true);
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.vanillaFadeMode.setApiValue(EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode.NONE);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableVanillaFog.setApiValue(null);
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.vanillaFadeMode.setApiValue(null);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public boolean dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(String dimName)
+	{
+		if (this.dimensionNames == null 
+			|| this.dimensionNames.length == 0)
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		for (int i = 0; i < this.dimensionNames.length; i++)
+		{
+			String dimNameToIgnore = this.dimensionNames[i];
+			if (dimName.equalsIgnoreCase(dimNameToIgnore))
+			{
+				return true;
+			}
+		}
+		
+		return false;
+	}
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.java

@@ -27,72 +27,36 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
 import java.util.Timer;
 import java.util.TimerTask;
 
-public class ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
+public class ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler extends AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler
 {
 	/** 
 	 * should be used for user facing UI options
 	 * this allows the user a second to click through options before they're applied
 	 */
-	public static ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler DELAYED_INSTANCE = new ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(2_000L);
+	public static ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler DELAYED_INSTANCE = new ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_IN_MS);
 	/** should be used for debug options so their change can be seen instantly */
 	public static ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler INSTANT_INSTANCE = new ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(0);
 	
-	/** how long to wait in milliseconds before applying the config changes */
-	private final long timeoutInMs;
-	private Timer cacheClearingTimer;
-	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
-	public ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(long timeoutInMs)
-	{
-		this.timeoutInMs = timeoutInMs;
-	}
+	public ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(long timeoutInMs) { super(timeoutInMs); }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//========//
 	// events //
 	//========//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public void onConfigValueSet()
-	{ 
-		if (this.timeoutInMs > 0)
-		{
-			this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout();
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			clearRenderDataCache();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	/** Calling this method multiple times will reset the timer */
-	private synchronized void refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout() // synchronized to prevent potential threading issues when adding/removing the timer
-	{
-		// stop the previous timer if one exists
-		if (this.cacheClearingTimer != null)
-		{
-			this.cacheClearingTimer.cancel();
-		}
-		
-		// create a new timer task
-		TimerTask timerTask = new TimerTask()
-		{
-			public void run()
-			{
-				clearRenderDataCache();
-			}
-		};
-		this.cacheClearingTimer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("RenderCacheClearConfigTimer");
-		this.cacheClearingTimer.schedule(timerTask, this.timeoutInMs);
-	}
-	
-	private static void clearRenderDataCache()
+	public void onConfigTimeout()
 	{
 		IDhApiRenderProxy renderProxy = DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy;
 		if (renderProxy != null)
@@ -101,5 +65,8 @@ public class ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBeforeRenderEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiCancelableEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
+
+import java.util.Timer;
+
+public class RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler extends AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler
+{
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	public static RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler INSTANCE = new RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler();
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+ 	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	/** private since we only ever need one handler at a time */
+	private RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler() { super(AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_IN_MS); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=================//
+	// config handling //
+	//=================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override
+	public void onConfigTimeout()
+	{
+		IWrapperFactory wrapperFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
+		if (wrapperFactory != null)
+		{
+			wrapperFactory.resetCachedIgnoredBlocksSets();
+			DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler.java

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ public class WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
 {
 	public static WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler INSTANCE = new WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler();
 	
-	private static final int MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE = 50; 
+	public static final int MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE = 50; 
 	
 	
 	/** private since we only ever need one handler at a time */
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ public class WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
 			// shouldn't update the UI, otherwise we may end up fighting the user
 			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.set(MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE);
 		}
+		else if (curveRatio < 0 && curveRatio > -MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE)
+		{
+			// same as above, but in the negative direction
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.set(-MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE);
+		}
 		
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/eventHandlers/presets/RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler.java

@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public class RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler extends AbstractPresetConfigE
 				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.HIGH, EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE);
 				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.EXTREME, EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE);
 			}});
-	private final ConfigPresetOptions<EDhApiQualityPreset, Boolean> ssaoEnabled = new ConfigPresetOptions<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.enableSsao,
+	private final ConfigPresetOptions<EDhApiQualityPreset, Boolean> ssaoEnabled = new ConfigPresetOptions<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao,
 			new HashMap<EDhApiQualityPreset, Boolean>()
 			{{
 				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.MINIMUM, false);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/file/ConfigFileHandler.java

@@ -241,8 +241,8 @@ public class ConfigFileHandler
 		}
 		else if (entry.getTrueValue() == null)
 		{
-			// TODO when can this happen?
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("BlockBiomeWrapperPair [" + entry.getNameAndCategory() + "] is null, this may be a problem with [" + ModInfo.NAME + "]. Please contact the authors.");
+			// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("ConfigEntry [" + entry.getNameAndCategory() + "] is null, how did this happen?");
 		}
 		
 		workConfig.set(entry.getNameAndCategory(), ConfigTypeConverters.attemptToConvertToString(entry.getType(), entry.getTrueValue()));
@@ -360,7 +360,8 @@ public class ConfigFileHandler
 		{
 			LOGGER.error("File creation failed at ["+this.configPath+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
 			
-			// TODO is there a reason this is lazily gotten?
+			// delayed MC getter since this object may be created before
+			// the singleton has been bound
 			IMinecraftClientWrapper mc = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 			mc.crashMinecraft("Loading file and resetting config file failed at path [" + this.configPath + "]. Please check the file is ok and you have the permissions", e);
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/gui/EmbeddedFrameUtil.java

@@ -1,196 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.gui;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.EPlatform;
-import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
-import org.lwjgl.system.jawt.JAWT;
-import org.lwjgl.system.macosx.*;
-
-import java.awt.*;
-import java.lang.reflect.*;
-import java.util.regex.*;
-
-import static org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFWNativeCocoa.*;
-import static org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFWNativeWin32.*;
-import static org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFWNativeX11.*;
-import static org.lwjgl.system.JNI.*;
-import static org.lwjgl.system.jawt.JAWTFunctions.*;
-import static org.lwjgl.system.macosx.ObjCRuntime.*;
-
-// Some of the code is from https://github.com/LWJGL/lwjgl3/blob/master/modules/samples/src/test/java/org/lwjgl/demo/system/jawt/EmbeddedFrameUtil.java
-// which is licensed under https://www.lwjgl.org/license
-
-/**
- * Some utils for embedding awt and swing items into lwjgl windows
- *
- * @author Ran
- * @author coolGi
- */
-public final class EmbeddedFrameUtil
-{
-	
-	private static final int JAVA_VERSION;
-	
-	private static final JAWT awt;
-	
-	static
-	{
-		Pattern p = Pattern.compile("^(?:1[.])?([1-9][0-9]*)[.-]");
-		Matcher m = p.matcher(System.getProperty("java.version"));
-		
-		if (!m.find())
-		{
-			throw new IllegalStateException("Failed to parse java.version");
-		}
-		
-		JAVA_VERSION = Integer.parseInt(m.group(1));
-		
-		awt = JAWT.calloc();
-		awt.version(JAVA_VERSION < 9 ? JAWT_VERSION_1_4 : JAWT_VERSION_9);
-		if (!JAWT_GetAWT(awt))
-		{
-			throw new RuntimeException("GetAWT failed");
-		}
-	}
-	
-	private static String getEmbeddedFrameImpl()
-	{
-		switch (EPlatform.get())
-		{
-			case LINUX:
-				return "sun.awt.X11.XEmbeddedFrame";
-			case WINDOWS:
-				return "sun.awt.windows.WEmbeddedFrame";
-			case MACOS:
-				return "sun.lwawt.macosx.CViewEmbeddedFrame";
-			default:
-				throw new IllegalStateException();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	private static long getEmbeddedFrameHandle(long window)
-	{
-		switch (EPlatform.get())
-		{
-			case LINUX:
-				return glfwGetX11Window(window);
-			case WINDOWS:
-				return glfwGetWin32Window(window);
-			case MACOS:
-				long objc_msgSend = ObjCRuntime.getLibrary().getFunctionAddress("objc_msgSend");
-				return invokePPP(glfwGetCocoaWindow(window), sel_getUid("contentView"), objc_msgSend);
-			default:
-				throw new IllegalStateException();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public static Frame embeddedFrameCreate(long window)
-	{
-		if (JAVA_VERSION < 9)
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-				Class<? extends Frame> EmdeddedFrame = (Class<? extends Frame>) Class.forName(getEmbeddedFrameImpl());
-				Constructor<? extends Frame> c = EmdeddedFrame.getConstructor(long.class);
-				
-				return c.newInstance(getEmbeddedFrameHandle(window));
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				throw new RuntimeException(e);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			return nJAWT_CreateEmbeddedFrame(getEmbeddedFrameHandle(window), awt.CreateEmbeddedFrame());
-		}
-	}
-	
-	static void embeddedFrameSynthesizeWindowActivation(Frame embeddedFrame, boolean doActivate)
-	{
-		if (JAVA_VERSION < 9)
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				embeddedFrame
-						.getClass()
-						.getMethod("synthesizeWindowActivation", boolean.class)
-						.invoke(embeddedFrame, doActivate);
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				throw new RuntimeException(e);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			JAWT_SynthesizeWindowActivation(embeddedFrame, doActivate, awt.SynthesizeWindowActivation());
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public static void embeddedFrameSetBounds(Frame embeddedFrame, int x, int y, int width, int height)
-	{
-		if (JAVA_VERSION < 9)
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				Method setLocationPrivate = embeddedFrame
-						.getClass()
-						.getSuperclass()
-						.getDeclaredMethod("setBoundsPrivate", int.class, int.class, int.class, int.class);
-				setLocationPrivate.setAccessible(true);
-				setLocationPrivate.invoke(embeddedFrame, x, y, width, height);
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				throw new RuntimeException(e);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			JAWT_SetBounds(embeddedFrame, x, y, width, height, awt.SetBounds());
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	public static void hideFrame(@NotNull Frame embeddedFrame)
-	{
-		embeddedFrame.setVisible(false);
-		embeddedFrameSynthesizeWindowActivation(embeddedFrame, false);
-	}
-	
-	public static void showFrame(@NotNull Frame embeddedFrame)
-	{
-		embeddedFrameSynthesizeWindowActivation(embeddedFrame, true);
-		embeddedFrame.setVisible(true);
-	}
-	public static void placeAtCenter(Frame embeddedFrame, int windowWidth, int windowHeight, int frameWidth, int frameHeight, float scale)
-	{
-		float scaleFactor = (100.0F - scale) / 100.0F;
-		float newWidth = frameWidth * scaleFactor;
-		float newHeight = frameHeight * scaleFactor;
-		float newX = (windowWidth - newWidth) / 2F;
-		float newY = (windowHeight - newHeight) / 2F;
-		embeddedFrameSetBounds(embeddedFrame, Math.round(newX), Math.round(newY), Math.round(newWidth), Math.round(newHeight));
-	}
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/gui/JavaScreenHandlerScreen.java

@@ -1,164 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.gui;
-
-import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
-
-import javax.swing.*;
-import java.awt.*;
-import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
-import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
-import java.awt.event.KeyListener;
-
-/**
- *
- */
-public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
-{
-	public static Frame frame;
-	public static boolean firstRun = true;
-	public final Component jComponent;
-	
-	
-	
-	static
-	{
-		// Note: this code can cause Mac
-		// to lock up and refuse the load (there's a bug with Java.awt texture loading)
-		
-		// Needs to be called before any Swing code is called, otherwise
-		// Swing will get stuck thinking it's headless
-		System.setProperty("java.awt.headless", "false");
-	}
-	
-	public JavaScreenHandlerScreen(@NotNull Component component)
-	{
-		this.jComponent = component;
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void init()
-	{
-		if (firstRun)
-		{
-			frame = EmbeddedFrameUtil.embeddedFrameCreate(this.minecraftWindow); // Don't call this multiple times
-		}
-		
-		frame.add(this.jComponent);
-		frame.setBackground(new Color(0, 125, 155));
-		
-		JavaScreenHandlerScreen thiss = this;
-		
-		frame.addKeyListener(new KeyListener() 
-		{
-			@Override
-			public void keyPressed(KeyEvent keyEvent)
-			{
-				System.out.println("Key pressed code=" + keyEvent.getKeyCode() + ", char=" + keyEvent.getKeyChar());
-				if (keyEvent.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_ESCAPE)
-				{
-					thiss.close = true;
-				}
-			}
-			
-			@Override
-			public void keyTyped(KeyEvent keyEvent) { }
-			@Override
-			public void keyReleased(KeyEvent keyEvent) { }
-		});
-		
-		if (firstRun)
-		{
-			EmbeddedFrameUtil.embeddedFrameSetBounds(frame, 0, 0, this.width, this.height);
-			firstRun = false;
-		}
-		
-		EmbeddedFrameUtil.showFrame(frame);
-	}
-	
-	/** A testing/debug screen */
-	public static class ExampleScreen extends JComponent
-	{
-		public ExampleScreen()
-		{
-			this.setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
-			this.setBackground(new Color(255, 0, 0)); // doesn't appear to be used
-			
-			GridBagConstraints helloWorldConstraints = new GridBagConstraints();
-			helloWorldConstraints.weightx = 0.5;
-			helloWorldConstraints.gridx = 0;
-			helloWorldConstraints.gridy = 0;
-			//helloWorldConstraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
-			this.add(new JLabel("Hello World!"), helloWorldConstraints);
-			
-			
-			GridBagConstraints buttonConstraints = new GridBagConstraints();
-			buttonConstraints.weightx = 0.5;
-			buttonConstraints.gridx = 0;
-			buttonConstraints.gridy = 1;
-			//buttonConstraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
-			JButton button = new JButton();
-			button.setBackground(Color.GREEN);
-			button.setFocusable(false); // otherwise we can't use escape to leave
-			button.setAction(new ExampleButtonEventHandler("Button text"));
-			this.add(button, buttonConstraints);
-		}
-		
-		private class ExampleButtonEventHandler extends AbstractAction
-		{
-			public ExampleButtonEventHandler(String text)
-			{
-				super(text);
-				//this.putValue(SHORT_DESCRIPTION, text);
-				//this.putValue(MNEMONIC_KEY, text);
-			}
-			
-			@Override
-			public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
-			{
-				System.out.println("button pressed");
-			}
-		}
-		
-	}
-	
-	
-	@Override
-	public void render(float delta)
-	{
-		// TODO: Make screen only update on this being called
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void onResize()
-	{
-		EmbeddedFrameUtil.embeddedFrameSetBounds(frame, 0, 0, this.width, this.height);
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void onClose()
-	{
-		frame.remove(this.jComponent);
-		EmbeddedFrameUtil.hideFrame(frame);
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/types/AbstractConfigBase.java

@@ -52,11 +52,17 @@ public abstract class AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	protected AbstractConfigBase(EConfigEntryAppearance appearance, T defaultValue)
 	{
 		this.defaultValue = defaultValue;
+		if (this.defaultValue == null)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("defaultValue cannot be null");
+		}
+		
 		this.value = defaultValue;
 		this.appearance = appearance;
 		
 		Class<?> defaultValueClass = defaultValue.getClass();
 		this.isFloatingPointNumber = (defaultValueClass == Double.class || defaultValueClass == Float.class);
+		
 	}
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/types/ConfigEntry.java

@@ -55,11 +55,22 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	@Nullable
 	private T apiValue;
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Will be null if un-set. <br> <br>
+	 * 
+	 * Some options aren't supported on all Minecraft versions,
+	 * in those cases this value will be set to override the 
+	 * config file option.
+	 */
+	@Nullable
+	private T mcVersionOverrideValue;
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	private ConfigEntry(
 			EConfigEntryAppearance appearance, 
@@ -78,11 +89,14 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		this.listenerList = listenerList;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==========================//
 	// property getters/setters //
 	//==========================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** the string used when entering the config into the command line or chat */
 	public String getChatCommandName() { return this.chatCommandName; }
@@ -100,16 +114,22 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	public T getMax() { return this.max; }
 	public void setMax(T newMax) { this.max = newMax; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// value setters //
 	//===============//
+	//region
 	
 	public void setApiValue(T newApiValue)
 	{
 		this.apiValue = newApiValue;
-		this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onConfigValueSet);
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onConfigValueSet);
+		}
 	}
 	
 	public boolean apiIsOverriding() 
@@ -117,7 +137,14 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		return this.allowApiOverride 
 				&& this.apiValue != null; 
 	}
-		
+	
+	/** setting to null will allow the config to be used normally */
+	public void setMcVersionOverrideValue(@Nullable T value)
+	{ this.mcVersionOverrideValue = value; }
+	
+	public boolean mcVersionOverridePresent()
+	{ return this.mcVersionOverrideValue != null; }
+	
 	/** 
 	 * Should only be used when loading the config from file. <Br>
 	 * Sets the value without informing the rest of the code (ie, it doesn't call listeners, or saving the value to file).
@@ -129,7 +156,11 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	public void setWithoutSaving(T newValue)
 	{
 		super.set(newValue);
-		this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onConfigValueSet);
+		
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onConfigValueSet);
+		}
 	}
 	@Override
 	public void set(T newValue)
@@ -141,23 +172,40 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	public void uiSetWithoutSaving(T newValue)
 	{
 		this.setWithoutSaving(newValue);
-		this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onUiModify);
+		
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onUiModify);
+		}
 	}
 	public void uiSet(T newValue)
 	{
 		this.set(newValue);
-		this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onUiModify);
+		
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.forEach(IConfigListener::onUiModify);
+		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// value getters //
 	//===============//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public T get()
 	{
+		// always use the MC version specific option if defined
+		if (this.mcVersionOverrideValue != null)
+		{
+			return this.mcVersionOverrideValue;
+		}
+		
 		if (this.allowApiOverride 
 			&& this.apiValue != null)
 		{
@@ -174,11 +222,14 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	@Nullable
 	public T getApiValue() { return this.apiValue; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===========//
 	// listeners //
 	//===========//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Fired whenever the config value changes to a new value. */
 	public void addValueChangeListener(Consumer<T> onValueChangeFunc)
@@ -187,26 +238,38 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		this.addListener(changeListener);
 	}
 	/** Fired whenever the config value is updated, including when the value doesn't change (IE when the UI changes state or the config is reloaded). */
-	public void addListener(IConfigListener newListener) { this.listenerList.add(newListener); }
-	
-	//public void removeValueChangeListener(Consumer<T> onValueChangeFunc) { } // not currently implemented
-	public void removeListener(IConfigListener oldListener) { this.listenerList.remove(oldListener); }
-	
-	public void clearListeners() { this.listenerList.clear(); }
-	public ArrayList<IConfigListener> getListeners() { return this.listenerList; }
-	/** Replaces the listener list */
-	public void setListeners(ArrayList<IConfigListener> newListeners)
+	public void addListener(IConfigListener newListener) 
 	{
-		this.listenerList.clear();
-		this.listenerList.addAll(newListeners);
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.add(newListener);
+		}
 	}
-	public void setListeners(IConfigListener... newListeners) { this.listenerList.addAll(Arrays.asList(newListeners)); }
+	
+	public void removeListener(IConfigListener oldListener) 
+	{
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.remove(oldListener);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public void clearListeners() 
+	{
+		synchronized (this.listenerList)
+		{
+			this.listenerList.clear();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//====================//
 	// min/max validation //
 	//====================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Checks if this config's current value is valid */
 	public EConfigValidity getValidity() { return this.getValidity(this.value, this.min, this.max); }
@@ -257,22 +320,31 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// file handling //
 	//===============//
+	//region
 	
 	/** This should normally not be called since set() automatically calls this */
 	public void save() { ConfigHandler.INSTANCE.configFileHandler.saveEntry(this); }
 	/** This should normally not be called except for special circumstances */
 	public void load() { ConfigHandler.INSTANCE.configFileHandler.loadEntry(this); }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override 
+	public String toString() { return this.name + ": [" + this.get() + "]"; }
 	
 	public boolean equals(AbstractConfigBase<?> obj) 
 	{
@@ -294,11 +366,14 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// builder //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public static class Builder<T> extends AbstractConfigBase.Builder<T, Builder<T>>
 	{
@@ -397,4 +472,8 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/BlockBiomeWrapperPair.java

@@ -2,11 +2,9 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.FullDataPointIdMap;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.DataCorruptedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 
@@ -121,9 +119,9 @@ public class BlockBiomeWrapperPair
 	
 	
 	
-	//=================//
-	// (de)serializing //
-	//=================//
+	//=============//
+	// serializing //
+	//=============//
 	
 	public String serialize() 
 	{
@@ -135,17 +133,6 @@ public class BlockBiomeWrapperPair
 		return this.serialString;
 	}
 	
-	public static BlockBiomeWrapperPair deserialize(String str, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) throws DataCorruptedException
-	{
-		int separatorIndex = str.indexOf(FullDataPointIdMap.BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING);
-		if (separatorIndex == -1)
-		{
-			throw new DataCorruptedException("Failed to deserialize BiomeBlockStateEntry ["+str+"], unable to find separator.");
-		}
-		
-		IBiomeWrapper biome = WRAPPER_FACTORY.deserializeBiomeWrapperOrGetDefault(str.substring(0, separatorIndex), levelWrapper);
-		IBlockStateWrapper blockState = WRAPPER_FACTORY.deserializeBlockStateWrapperOrGetDefault(str.substring(separatorIndex+FullDataPointIdMap.BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING.length()), levelWrapper);
-		return BlockBiomeWrapperPair.get(blockState, biome);
-	}
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/fullData/FullDataPointIdMap.java

@@ -20,37 +20,42 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.BlockBiomeWrapperPair;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.StringPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.DataCorruptedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.dataStreams.DhDataInputStream;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.dataStreams.DhDataOutputStream;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.chars.CharArrayList;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.io.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 
 /**
- * WARNING: This is not THREAD-SAFE! <br><br>
- * 
- * Used to map a numerical IDs to a Biome/BlockState pair. <br><br>
- * 
- * TODO the serializing of this map might be really big
- *  since it stringifies every block and biome name, which is quite bulky.
- *  It might be worth while to have a biome and block ID that then both get mapped
- *  to the data point ID to reduce file size.
- *  And/or it would be good to dynamically remove IDs that aren't currently in use.
+ * Used to map a numerical IDs to a Biome/BlockState pair. <br>
+ * Note: This is not thread safe. <br>
  * 
  * @author Leetom
  */
 public class FullDataPointIdMap
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
+	
+	public static final PhantomArrayListPool ARRAY_LIST_POOL = new PhantomArrayListPool("IdMap");
+	
 	/**
 	 * Should only be enabled when debugging.
 	 * Has the system check if any duplicate Entries were read/written
@@ -75,14 +80,18 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	public FullDataPointIdMap(long pos) { this.pos = pos; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	/** @see FullDataPointIdMap#getEntry(int) */
 	public IBiomeWrapper getBiomeWrapper(int id) throws IndexOutOfBoundsException { return this.getEntry(id).biome; }
@@ -113,11 +122,14 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 	
 	public long getPos() { return this.pos; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// setters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	/**
 	 * If an entry with the given values already exists nothing will
@@ -215,11 +227,14 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 		this.cachedHashCode = 0;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// serializing //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Serializes all contained entries into the given stream, formatted in UTF */
 	public void serialize(DhDataOutputStream outputStream) throws IOException
@@ -249,8 +264,9 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 		}
 	}
 	
-	/** Creates a new IdBiomeBlockStateMap from the given UTF formatted stream */
-	public static FullDataPointIdMap deserialize(DhDataInputStream inputStream, long pos, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) throws IOException, InterruptedException, DataCorruptedException
+	/** Clears and populates the given {@link FullDataPointIdMap} from the given UTF formatted stream */
+	public static void deserialize(@NotNull FullDataPointIdMap map, DhDataInputStream inputStream, long pos, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) 
+		throws IOException, InterruptedException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		int entityCount = inputStream.readInt();
 		if (entityCount < 0)
@@ -258,52 +274,140 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 			throw new DataCorruptedException("FullDataPointIdMap deserialize entry count should have a number greater than or equal to 0, returned value ["+entityCount+"].");
 		}
 		
+		// clearing the old values is necessary so we can re-use the same map multiple times
+		map.clear(pos);
 		
 		// only used when debugging
 		HashMap<String, BlockBiomeWrapperPair> dataPointEntryBySerialization = new HashMap<>();
 		
-		FullDataPointIdMap newMap = new FullDataPointIdMap(pos);
-		for (int i = 0; i < entityCount; i++)
+		try(PhantomArrayListCheckout checkout = ARRAY_LIST_POOL.checkoutArrays(0, 0, 0, 3))
 		{
-			// necessary to prevent issues with deserializing objects after the level has been closed
-			if (Thread.interrupted())
+			for (int i = 0; i < entityCount; i++)
 			{
-				throw new InterruptedException("[" + FullDataPointIdMap.class.getSimpleName() + "] deserializing interrupted.");
-			}
-			
-			
-			String entryString = inputStream.readUTF();
-			BlockBiomeWrapperPair newPair = BlockBiomeWrapperPair.deserialize(entryString, levelWrapper);
-			newMap.blockBiomePairList.add(newPair);
-			
-			if (RUN_SERIALIZATION_DUPLICATE_VALIDATION)
-			{
-				if (dataPointEntryBySerialization.containsKey(entryString))
+				// necessary to prevent issues with deserializing objects after the level has been closed
+				if (Thread.interrupted())
 				{
-					LOGGER.error("Duplicate deserialized entry found with serial: " + entryString);
+					throw new InterruptedException("[" + FullDataPointIdMap.class.getSimpleName() + "] deserializing interrupted.");
 				}
-				if (dataPointEntryBySerialization.containsValue(newPair))
+				
+				int length = inputStream.readUnsignedShort();
+				
+				CharArrayList fullCharList = checkout.getCharArray(0, length);
+				CharArrayList biomeCharList = checkout.getCharArray(1, length);
+				CharArrayList blockCharList = checkout.getCharArray(2, length);
+				
+				// parse the full UTF string
+				for (int stringIndex = 0; stringIndex < length; stringIndex++)
 				{
-					LOGGER.error("Duplicate deserialized entry found with value: " + newPair.serialize());
+					byte b = inputStream.readByte();
+					char c = (char) (b & 0xFF);
+					fullCharList.set(stringIndex, c);
+				}
+				splitCharArray(fullCharList, biomeCharList, blockCharList);
+				
+				String biomeString = StringPool.INSTANCE.getPooledString(biomeCharList);
+				IBiomeWrapper biome = WRAPPER_FACTORY.deserializeBiomeWrapperOrGetDefault(biomeString, levelWrapper);
+				
+				String blockStateString = StringPool.INSTANCE.getPooledString(blockCharList);
+				IBlockStateWrapper blockState = WRAPPER_FACTORY.deserializeBlockStateWrapperOrGetDefault(blockStateString, levelWrapper);
+				
+				BlockBiomeWrapperPair newPair = BlockBiomeWrapperPair.get(blockState, biome);
+				map.blockBiomePairList.add(newPair);
+				
+				
+				if (RUN_SERIALIZATION_DUPLICATE_VALIDATION)
+				{
+					String entryString = StringPool.INSTANCE.getPooledString(fullCharList); 
+					if (dataPointEntryBySerialization.containsKey(entryString))
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Duplicate deserialized entry found with serial: " + entryString);
+					}
+					if (dataPointEntryBySerialization.containsValue(newPair))
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Duplicate deserialized entry found with value: " + newPair.serialize());
+					}
+					dataPointEntryBySerialization.put(entryString, newPair);
 				}
-				dataPointEntryBySerialization.put(entryString, newPair);
 			}
 		}
 		
-		if (newMap.size() != entityCount)
+		if (map.size() != entityCount)
 		{
 			// if the mappings are out of sync then the LODs will render incorrectly due to IDs being wrong
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("ID maps failed to deserialize for pos: ["+ DhSectionPos.toString(pos)+"], incorrect entity count. Expected count ["+entityCount+"], actual count ["+newMap.size()+"]");
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("ID maps failed to deserialize for pos: ["+ DhSectionPos.toString(pos)+"], incorrect entity count. Expected count ["+entityCount+"], actual count ["+map.size()+"]");
+		}
+	}
+	/**
+	 * Splits up the given input {@link CharArrayList} into the
+	 * necessary biome and blockstate lists based on the location of
+	 * {@link FullDataPointIdMap#BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING}
+	 */
+	private static void splitCharArray(
+		CharArrayList input,
+		CharArrayList biomeString, CharArrayList blockString) throws DataCorruptedException
+	{
+		boolean separatorFound = false;
+		
+		int foundStartIndex = -1;
+		int separatorIndex = 0;
+		for (int inputIndex = 0; inputIndex < input.size(); inputIndex++)
+		{
+			char ch = input.getChar(inputIndex);
+			if (ch == FullDataPointIdMap.BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING.charAt(separatorIndex))
+			{
+				if (!separatorFound)
+				{
+					foundStartIndex = inputIndex;
+				}
+				separatorFound = true;
+				separatorIndex++;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				separatorFound = false;
+				foundStartIndex = -1;
+				separatorIndex = 0;
+			}
+			
+			if (separatorFound
+				&& separatorIndex == FullDataPointIdMap.BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING.length())
+			{
+				break;
+			}
 		}
 		
-		return newMap;
+		
+		if (foundStartIndex == -1)
+		{
+			throw new DataCorruptedException("Failed to deserialize BiomeBlockStateEntry ["+input.toString()+"], unable to find separator.");
+		}
+		
+		biomeString.clear();
+		for (int i = 0; i < foundStartIndex; i++)
+		{
+			biomeString.push(input.getChar(i));
+		}
+		
+		blockString.clear();
+		for (int i = foundStartIndex + FullDataPointIdMap.BLOCK_STATE_SEPARATOR_STRING.length();
+			i < input.size();
+			i++)
+		{
+			blockString.push(input.getChar(i));
+		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===========//
 	// overrides //
 	//===========//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override 
+	public String toString() { return DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos) + " size: " + this.blockBiomePairList.size(); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public boolean equals(Object other)
@@ -339,6 +443,8 @@ public class FullDataPointIdMap
 		this.cachedHashCode = result;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/fullData/sources/FullDataSourceV1.java

@@ -166,8 +166,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV1
 		this.setDataPoints(dataPoints);
 		
 		
-		FullDataPointIdMap mapping = this.readIdMappings(inputStream, level.getLevelWrapper());
-		this.setIdMapping(mapping);
+		this.readIdMappings(this.mapping, inputStream, level.getLevelWrapper());
 		
 	}
 	
@@ -347,7 +346,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV1
 		outputStream.writeInt(DATA_GUARD_BYTE);
 		this.mapping.serialize(outputStream);
 	}
-	public FullDataPointIdMap readIdMappings(DhDataInputStream inputStream, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) throws IOException, InterruptedException, DataCorruptedException
+	public void readIdMappings(FullDataPointIdMap map, DhDataInputStream inputStream, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) throws IOException, InterruptedException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		int guardByte = inputStream.readInt();
 		if (guardByte != DATA_GUARD_BYTE)
@@ -355,9 +354,8 @@ public class FullDataSourceV1
 			throw new IOException("Invalid data content end guard for ID mapping");
 		}
 		
-		return FullDataPointIdMap.deserialize(inputStream, this.pos, levelWrapper);
+		FullDataPointIdMap.deserialize(map, inputStream, this.pos, levelWrapper);
 	}
-	public void setIdMapping(FullDataPointIdMap mappings) { this.mapping.mergeAndReturnRemappedEntityIds(mappings); }
 	
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/fullData/sources/FullDataSourceV2.java

@@ -31,10 +31,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhLodPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.util.FullDataMinMaxPosUtil;
@@ -44,6 +43,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.bytes.ByteArrayList;
+import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.ints.Int2IntOpenHashMap;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.ints.IntArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	/** how many chunks wide this datasource is at detail level 0. */
 	public static final int NUMB_OF_CHUNKS_WIDE = WIDTH / LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH;
 	
-	public static final PhantomArrayListPool ARRAY_LIST_POOL = new PhantomArrayListPool("FullDataV2");
+	private static final PhantomArrayListPool ARRAY_LIST_POOL = new PhantomArrayListPool("FullDataV2");
+	
+	private static final ThreadLocal<FullDataPointIdMap> DATA_MAP_FOR_REMAPPING_REF = ThreadLocal.withInitial(() -> new FullDataPointIdMap(DhSectionPos.encode((byte)0, 0, 0)));
 	
 	
 	
@@ -121,13 +123,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	public Boolean applyToChildren = null;
 	
 	/** should only be used by methods exposed via the DH API */
-	private boolean runApiChunkValidation = false;
+	private boolean runApiSetterValidation = false;
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromChunk(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper) { return LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(levelWrapper, chunkWrapper); }
 	
@@ -202,8 +205,9 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	
 	public static FullDataSourceV2 createEmpty(long pos)
 	{
+		FullDataPointIdMap map = new FullDataPointIdMap(pos);
 		return new FullDataSourceV2(
-				pos, new FullDataPointIdMap(pos),
+				pos, map,
 				// data points, genSteps, and columnCompression are all null since
 				// nothing has been generated yet.
 				// Using the default value of all 0's is adequate
@@ -221,7 +225,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 			byte @Nullable [] columnGenerationSteps, byte @Nullable [] columnWorldCompressionMode,
 			boolean empty)
 	{
-		super(ARRAY_LIST_POOL, 2, 0, WIDTH * WIDTH);
+		super(ARRAY_LIST_POOL, 2, 0, WIDTH * WIDTH, 0);
 		
 		LodUtil.assertTrue(data == null || data.length == WIDTH * WIDTH);
 		
@@ -273,11 +277,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public LongArrayList getColumnAtRelPos(int relX, int relZ) throws IndexOutOfBoundsException 
 	{ return this.dataPoints[relativePosToIndex(relX, relZ)]; }
@@ -300,16 +307,11 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	 */
 	public long getDataPointAtBlockPos(int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ, int levelMinY)
 	{
-		DhLodPos requestedPos = new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ);
+		long requestedPos = DhSectionPos.encode(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPosX, blockPosZ);
 		
 		// stop if the requested blockPos is outside this datasource
 		{
-			// get the detail levels for this request
-			byte requestedDetailLevel = requestedPos.detailLevel;
-			byte requestedSectionDetailLevel = (byte) (requestedDetailLevel + DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
-	
-			// get the positions for this request
-			long sectionPos = requestedPos.getSectionPosWithSectionDetailLevel(requestedSectionDetailLevel);
+			long sectionPos =  DhSectionPos.encodeContaining(DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL, new DhBlockPos(blockPosX, blockPosY, blockPosZ));
 			if (!DhSectionPos.contains(this.pos, sectionPos))
 			{
 				return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
@@ -319,10 +321,10 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		
 		// get the relative data source position
 		byte requestDetailLevel = (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
-		DhLodPos relativePos = requestedPos.getDhSectionRelativePositionForDetailLevel(requestDetailLevel);
+		long relativePos = DhSectionPos.getDhSectionRelativePositionForDetailLevel(requestedPos, requestDetailLevel);
 		
 		// get the data column
-		LongArrayList dataColumn = this.getColumnAtRelPos(relativePos.x, relativePos.z);
+		LongArrayList dataColumn = this.getColumnAtRelPos(DhSectionPos.getX(relativePos), DhSectionPos.getZ(relativePos));
 		if (dataColumn == null)
 		{
 			return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
@@ -360,11 +362,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==========//
 	// updating //
 	//==========//
+	//region
 	
 	public boolean updateFromDataSource(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource)
 	{
@@ -438,6 +443,8 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 		
 		
+		// needed to prevent infinite mapped ID growth
+		this.removeUnusedIdsAndRemap();
 		
 		
 		
@@ -675,13 +682,13 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		
 		return dataChanged;
 	}
+	
 	/** 
 	 * The minimum value is used because we don't want to accidentally record that
 	 * something was generated when it wasn't.
 	 */
 	private static byte determineMinWorldGenStepForTwoByTwoColumn(ByteArrayList columnGenerationSteps, int relX, int relZ)
 	{
-		// TODO merge similar logic with determineHighestWorldCompressionForTwoByTwoColumn
 		byte minWorldGenStepValue = Byte.MAX_VALUE;
 		for (int x = 0; x < 2; x++)
 		{
@@ -700,7 +707,6 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	 */
 	private static byte determineHighestWorldCompressionForTwoByTwoColumn(ByteArrayList columnCompressionMode, int relX, int relZ)
 	{
-		// TODO merge similar logic with determineMinWorldGenStepForTwoByTwoColumn
 		byte minWorldGenStepValue = Byte.MIN_VALUE;
 		for (int x = 0; x < 2; x++)
 		{
@@ -776,7 +782,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 			return newColumnList;
 		}
 		
-		// sort the transitions from bottom to top // TODO
+		// sort the transitions from bottom to top
 		yTransitions.sort(null);
 		
 		// create index trackers for each column, 
@@ -1128,11 +1134,76 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		return dataChanged;
 	}
 	
+	/**
+	 * Should be run at the end of {@link FullDataSourceV2#updateFromDataSource}
+	 * so the {@link FullDataPointIdMap} will only contain ID's that are actively in use. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * This prevents the {@link FullDataPointIdMap} from growing infinitely when merged.
+	 * 
+	 * @see FullDataPointIdMap#mergeAndReturnRemappedEntityIds(FullDataPointIdMap) 
+	 */
+	private void removeUnusedIdsAndRemap()
+	{
+		Int2IntOpenHashMap newIdByOldId = new Int2IntOpenHashMap();
+		FullDataPointIdMap newMap = DATA_MAP_FOR_REMAPPING_REF.get();
+		newMap.clear(this.pos);
+		
+		
+		// find all the IDs that are currently in use
+		for (int x = 0; x < WIDTH; x++)
+		{
+			for (int z = 0; z < WIDTH; z++)
+			{
+				int index = relativePosToIndex(x, z);
+				LongArrayList dataColumn = this.dataPoints[index];
+				for (int i = 0; i < dataColumn.size(); i++)
+				{
+					long dataPoint = dataColumn.getLong(i);
+					int oldId = FullDataPointUtil.getId(dataPoint);
+					
+					int newId = newMap.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(
+						this.mapping.getBiomeWrapper(oldId),
+						this.mapping.getBlockStateWrapper(oldId));
+					
+					newIdByOldId.put(oldId, newId);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		
+		
+		// replace the old entries to remove any unneeded ones
+		this.mapping.clear(this.pos);
+		this.mapping.addAll(newMap);
+		
+		
+		// remap the data
+		for (int x = 0; x < WIDTH; x++)
+		{
+			for (int z = 0; z < WIDTH; z++)
+			{
+				int index = relativePosToIndex(x, z);
+				LongArrayList dataColumn = this.dataPoints[index];
+				for (int i = 0; i < dataColumn.size(); i++)
+				{
+					long oldDataPoint = dataColumn.getLong(i);
+					int oldId = FullDataPointUtil.getId(oldDataPoint);
+					
+					int newId = newIdByOldId.get(oldId);
+					long newDataPoint = FullDataPointUtil.setId(oldDataPoint, newId);
+					dataColumn.set(i, newDataPoint);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===================//
 	// adjacent clearing //
 	//===================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Removes any non-adjacent data from the given direction. */
 	public void clearAllNonAdjData(EDhDirection direction)
@@ -1161,10 +1232,13 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	//================//
 	// helper methods //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** 
 	 * Usually this should just be used internally, but there may be instances
@@ -1256,11 +1330,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=====================//
 	// setters and getters //
 	//=====================//
+	//region
 	
 	public long getPos() { return this.pos; }
 	
@@ -1290,13 +1367,16 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// API methods //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
-	public void setRunApiChunkValidation(boolean runValidation) { this.runApiChunkValidation = runValidation; }
+	public void setRunApiSetterValidation(boolean runValidation) { this.runApiSetterValidation = runValidation; }
 	
 	@Override
 	public int getWidthInDataColumns() { return WIDTH; }
@@ -1308,14 +1388,13 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		try
 		{
 			LodDataBuilder.putListInTopDownOrder(columnDataPoints);
-			if (this.runApiChunkValidation)
+			if (this.runApiSetterValidation)
 			{
 				LodDataBuilder.validateOrThrowApiDataColumn(columnDataPoints);
 			}
 			
 			LongArrayList packedDataPoints = LodDataBuilder.convertApiDataPointListToPackedLongArray(columnDataPoints, this, 0, true);
 			
-			// TODO there should be an "unknown" compression and generation step, or be defined via the datapoints
 			this.setSingleColumn(packedDataPoints, relX, relZ, EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.SURFACE, EDhApiWorldCompressionMode.MERGE_SAME_BLOCKS);
 			
 			return columnDataPoints;
@@ -1343,20 +1422,26 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		return apiList;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//============//
 	// unit tests //
 	//============//
+	//region
 	
 	public PhantomArrayListCheckout getPhantomArrayCheckoutForUnitTesting()
 	{ return this.pooledArraysCheckout; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public String toString() { return DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos); }
@@ -1403,6 +1488,8 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/ColumnRenderSource.java

@@ -19,13 +19,12 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiVerticalQuality;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnQuadView;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -46,15 +45,16 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 	
 	
 	
-	/** will be zero if an empty data source was created */
-	public int verticalDataCount;
+	/** 
+	 * will be zero if an empty data source was created 
+	 * @see EDhApiVerticalQuality#calculateMaxNumberOfVerticalSlicesAtDetailLevel(byte) 
+	 */
+	public int maxVerticalSliceCount;
 	public long pos;
 	public int yOffset;
 	
 	public final LongArrayList renderDataContainer;
 	
-	public final DebugSourceFlag[] debugSourceFlags;
-	
 	private boolean isEmpty = true;
 	
 	
@@ -62,64 +62,67 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
-	public static ColumnRenderSource createEmpty(long pos, int maxVerticalSize, int yOffset)
-	{ return new ColumnRenderSource(pos, maxVerticalSize, yOffset); }
+	public static ColumnRenderSource createEmpty(long pos, int maxVertSliceCount, int yOffset)
+	{ return new ColumnRenderSource(pos, maxVertSliceCount, yOffset); }
 	/**
 	 * Creates an empty ColumnRenderSource.
 	 *
 	 * @param pos the relative position of the container
-	 * @param maxVerticalSize the maximum vertical size of the container
+	 * @param maxVertSliceCount the maximum vertical size of the container
 	 */
-	private ColumnRenderSource(long pos, int maxVerticalSize, int yOffset)
+	private ColumnRenderSource(long pos, int maxVertSliceCount, int yOffset)
 	{
-		super(ARRAY_LIST_POOL, 0, 0, 1);
+		super(ARRAY_LIST_POOL, 0, 0, 1, 0);
 		
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.yOffset = yOffset;
 		
-		this.verticalDataCount = maxVerticalSize;
+		this.maxVerticalSliceCount = maxVertSliceCount;
 		
-		this.renderDataContainer = this.pooledArraysCheckout.getLongArray(0, WIDTH * WIDTH * this.verticalDataCount);
-		
-		this.debugSourceFlags = new DebugSourceFlag[WIDTH * WIDTH];
+		this.renderDataContainer = this.pooledArraysCheckout.getLongArray(0, WIDTH * WIDTH * this.maxVerticalSliceCount);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//========================//
 	// datapoint manipulation //
 	//========================//
+	//region
 	
-	public long getDataPoint(int posX, int posZ, int verticalIndex) { return this.renderDataContainer.getLong(posX * WIDTH * this.verticalDataCount + posZ * this.verticalDataCount + verticalIndex); }
+	public long getDataPoint(int posX, int posZ, int verticalIndex) { return this.renderDataContainer.getLong(posX * WIDTH * this.maxVerticalSliceCount + posZ * this.maxVerticalSliceCount + verticalIndex); }
 	
-	public ColumnArrayView getVerticalDataPointView(int posX, int posZ)
+	public void populateColumnView(ColumnRenderView view, int posX, int posZ) throws IllegalArgumentException
 	{
-		int offset = posX * WIDTH * this.verticalDataCount + posZ * this.verticalDataCount;
+		int offset = posX * WIDTH * this.maxVerticalSliceCount + posZ * this.maxVerticalSliceCount;
 		
 		// don't allow returning views that are outside this render source's bounds
 		if (offset >= this.renderDataContainer.size())
 		{
-			return null;
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Column View offset ["+offset+"] greater than parent render data container ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"] size ["+this.renderDataContainer.size()+"].");
 		}
 		else if (posX < 0 || posX >= WIDTH
 				|| posZ < 0 || posZ >= WIDTH)
 		{
-			return null;
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Column View pos outside valid range ["+posX+","+posZ+"].");
 		}
 		
-		return new ColumnArrayView(this.renderDataContainer, this.verticalDataCount,
-				offset, this.verticalDataCount);
+		view.populate(
+			this.renderDataContainer, this.maxVerticalSliceCount,
+			offset, this.maxVerticalSliceCount);
 	}
 	
-	public ColumnQuadView getFullQuadView() { return this.getQuadViewOverRange(0, 0, WIDTH, WIDTH); }
-	public ColumnQuadView getQuadViewOverRange(int quadX, int quadZ, int quadXSize, int quadZSize) { return new ColumnQuadView(this.renderDataContainer, WIDTH, this.verticalDataCount, quadX, quadZ, quadXSize, quadZSize); }
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=====================//
 	// data helper methods //
 	//=====================//
+	//region
 	
 	public Long getPos() { return this.pos; }
 	public Long getKey() { return this.pos; }
@@ -137,18 +140,20 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		
-		for (int x = 0; x < WIDTH; x++)
+		try (ColumnRenderView columnView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled())
 		{
-			for (int z = 0; z < WIDTH; z++)
+			for (int x = 0; x < WIDTH; x++)
 			{
-				ColumnArrayView columnArrayView = this.getVerticalDataPointView(x,z);
-				for (int i = 0; i < columnArrayView.size; i++)
+				for (int z = 0; z < WIDTH; z++)
 				{
-					long dataPoint = columnArrayView.get(i);
-					if (!RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(dataPoint))
+					this.populateColumnView(columnView, x, z);
+					for (int i = 0; i < columnView.size; i++)
 					{
-						return true;
+						long dataPoint = columnView.get(i);
+						if (!RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(dataPoint))
+						{
+							return true;
+						}
 					}
 				}
 			}
@@ -157,31 +162,14 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 		return false;
 	}
 	
-	
-	
-	//=======//
-	// debug //
-	//=======//
-	
-	/** Sets the debug flag for the given area */
-	public void fillDebugFlag(int xStart, int zStart, int xWidth, int zWidth, DebugSourceFlag flag)
-	{
-		for (int x = xStart; x < xStart + xWidth; x++)
-		{
-			for (int z = zStart; z < zStart + zWidth; z++)
-			{
-				this.debugSourceFlags[x * WIDTH + z] = flag;
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public DebugSourceFlag debugGetFlag(int ox, int oz) { return this.debugSourceFlags[ox * WIDTH + oz]; }
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public String toString()
@@ -199,11 +187,11 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 		{
 			for (int x = 0; x < size; x++)
 			{
-				for (int y = 0; y < this.verticalDataCount; y++)
+				for (int y = 0; y < this.maxVerticalSliceCount; y++)
 				{
 					//Converting the dataToHex
 					stringBuilder.append(Long.toHexString(this.getDataPoint(x, z, y)));
-					if (y != this.verticalDataCount - 1)
+					if (y != this.maxVerticalSliceCount - 1)
 						stringBuilder.append(SUBDATA_DELIMITER);
 				}
 				
@@ -217,21 +205,8 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 		return stringBuilder.toString();
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
-	//==============//
-	// helper enums //
-	//==============//
-	
-	public enum DebugSourceFlag
-	{
-		FULL(ColorUtil.BLUE),
-		DIRECT(ColorUtil.WHITE),
-		FILE(ColorUtil.BROWN);
-		
-		public final int color;
-		
-		DebugSourceFlag(int color) { this.color = color; }
-	}
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/BufferQuad.java

@@ -41,104 +41,102 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 	public static final int MAX_QUAD_WIDTH_FOR_EARTH_CURVATURE = LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH;
 	
 	
-	public final short x;
-	public final short y;
-	public final short z;
+	public short x;
+	public short y;
+	public short z;
 	
 	public short widthEastWest;
 	/** This is both North/South and Up/Down since the merging logic is the same either way */
-	public short widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+	public short widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 	
-	public final int color;
+	public int color;
 	/** used by the Iris shader mod to determine how each LOD should be rendered */
-	public final byte irisBlockMaterialId;
+	public byte irisBlockMaterialId;
 	
-	public final byte skyLight;
-	public final byte blockLight;
-	public final EDhDirection direction;
+	public byte skyLight;
+	public byte blockLight;
+	public EDhDirection direction;
 	
 	public boolean hasError = false;
 	
+	// Pre-computed sort keys to avoid recomputing on every comparison
+	// Slight increase in memory for reduction in cpu usage
+	public long sortKeyEastWest;
+	public long sortKeyNorthSouth;
 	
 	
-	BufferQuad(
-			short x, short y, short z, short widthEastWest, short widthNorthSouthOrUpDown,
-			int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blockLight,
-			EDhDirection direction)
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	public BufferQuad() {}
+	
+	public void set(short x, short y, short z, short widthEastWest, short widthNorthSouthOrHeight,
+		int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blockLight,
+		EDhDirection direction)
 	{
-		if (widthEastWest == 0 || widthNorthSouthOrUpDown == 0)
+		if (widthEastWest == 0 || widthNorthSouthOrHeight == 0)
+		{
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Size 0 quad!");
-		if (widthEastWest < 0 || widthNorthSouthOrUpDown < 0)
+		}
+		
+		if (widthEastWest < 0 || widthNorthSouthOrHeight < 0)
+		{
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Negative sized quad!");
+		}
 		
 		this.x = x;
 		this.y = y;
 		this.z = z;
 		this.widthEastWest = widthEastWest;
-		this.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown = widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+		this.widthNorthSouthOrHeight = widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 		this.color = color;
 		this.irisBlockMaterialId = irisBlockMaterialId;
 		this.skyLight = skylight;
 		this.blockLight = blockLight;
 		this.direction = direction;
+		this.sortKeyEastWest = computeSortKey(direction, true);
+		this.sortKeyNorthSouth = computeSortKey(direction, false);
 	}
-	
-	
-	
-	/** a rough but fast calculation */
-	double calculateDistance(double relativeX, double relativeY, double relativeZ)
+	private long computeSortKey(EDhDirection dir, boolean eastWest)
 	{
-		return Math.pow(relativeX - this.x, 2) + Math.pow(relativeY - this.y, 2) + Math.pow(relativeZ - this.z, 2);
+		if (eastWest)
+		{
+			switch (dir.axis)
+			{
+				case X: return (long) x << 48 | (long) y << 32 | (long) z << 16;
+				case Y: return (long) y << 48 | (long) z << 32 | (long) x << 16;
+				case Z: return (long) z << 48 | (long) y << 32 | (long) x << 16;
+				default: throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + dir.axis + "].");
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			switch (dir.axis)
+			{
+				case X: return (long) x << 48 | (long) z << 32 | (long) y << 16;
+				case Y: return (long) y << 48 | (long) x << 32 | (long) z << 16;
+				case Z: return (long) z << 48 | (long) x << 32 | (long) y << 16;
+				default: throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + dir.axis + "].");
+			}
+		}
 	}
 	
-	/** compares this quad's position to the given quad */
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	/** compares this quad's position to the given quad using pre-computed sort keys */
 	public int compare(BufferQuad quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum compareDirection)
 	{
 		if (this.direction != quad.direction)
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("The other quad is not in the same direction: " + quad.direction + " vs " + this.direction);
 		
-		if (compareDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
-		{
-			switch (this.direction.axis)
-			{
-				case X:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.x, this.y, this.z, quad.x, quad.y, quad.z);
-				case Y:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.y, this.z, this.x, quad.y, quad.z, quad.x);
-				case Z:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.z, this.y, this.x, quad.z, quad.y, quad.x);
-				
-				default:
-					throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + this.direction.axis + "].");
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			switch (this.direction.axis)
-			{
-				case X:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.x, this.z, this.y, quad.x, quad.z, quad.y);
-				case Y:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.y, this.x, this.z, quad.y, quad.x, quad.z);
-				case Z:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.z, this.x, this.y, quad.z, quad.x, quad.y);
-				
-				default:
-					throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + this.direction.axis + "].");
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	/**
-	 * Compares two 3D points A and B. <br>
-	 * The X, Y, and Z coordinates can be passed into parameters 0, 1, and 2 in any order
-	 * provided they are in the same order for both A and B. <br>
-	 * With the 0th parameter being the most significant when comparing.
-	 */
-	private static int threeDimensionalCompare(short a0, short a1, short a2, short b0, short b1, short b2)
-	{
-		long a = (long) a0 << 48 | (long) a1 << 32 | (long) a2 << 16;
-		long b = (long) b0 << 48 | (long) b1 << 32 | (long) b2 << 16;
-		return Long.compare(a, b);
+		return compareDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest
+			? Long.compare(this.sortKeyEastWest, quad.sortKeyEastWest)
+			: Long.compare(this.sortKeyNorthSouth, quad.sortKeyNorthSouth);
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -150,11 +148,15 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 	public boolean tryMerge(BufferQuad quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum mergeDirection)
 	{
 		if (quad.hasError || this.hasError)
+		{
 			return false;
+		}
 		
 		// only merge quads that are in the same direction
 		if (this.direction != quad.direction)
+		{
 			return false;
+		}
 		
 		// make sure these quads share the same perpendicular axis
 		if ((mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest && this.y != quad.y)
@@ -171,7 +173,6 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		short otherParallelCompareStartPos;
 		switch (this.direction.axis)
 		{
-			default: // shouldn't normally happen, just here to make the compiler happy
 			case X:
 				if (mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
 				{
@@ -228,6 +229,9 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 					otherParallelCompareStartPos = quad.z;
 				}
 				break;
+			
+			default: // shouldn't normally happen, just here to make the compiler happy
+				throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unsupported axis: ["+this.direction.axis+"]");
 		}
 		
 		// get the width of this quad in the relevant axis
@@ -238,17 +242,17 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		if (mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
 		{
 			thisPerpendicularCompareWidth = this.widthEastWest;
-			thisParallelCompareWidth = this.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+			thisParallelCompareWidth = this.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 			
 			otherPerpendicularCompareWidth = quad.widthEastWest;
-			otherParallelCompareWidth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+			otherParallelCompareWidth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			thisPerpendicularCompareWidth = this.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+			thisPerpendicularCompareWidth = this.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 			thisParallelCompareWidth = this.widthEastWest;
 			
-			otherPerpendicularCompareWidth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+			otherPerpendicularCompareWidth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 			otherParallelCompareWidth = quad.widthEastWest;
 		}
 		
@@ -318,7 +322,7 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		// merge the two quads
 		if (mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.NorthSouthOrUpDown)
 		{
-			this.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown += quad.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+			this.widthNorthSouthOrHeight += quad.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 		}
 		else // if (mergeDirection == MergeDirection.EastWest)
 		{
@@ -329,4 +333,6 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		return true;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/ColumnBox.java

@@ -19,16 +19,18 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiTransparency;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
@@ -52,23 +54,28 @@ public class ColumnBox
 	
 	public static void addBoxQuadsToBuilder(
 			LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
-			short width, short yHeight,
+			short blockWidth, short yHeight,
 			short minX, short minY, short minZ,
 			int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skyLight, byte blockLight,
-			long topData, long bottomData, ColumnArrayView[] adjData, boolean[] isAdjDataSameDetailLevel)
+			long topData, long bottomData, ColumnRenderView[] adjData, boolean[] isAdjDataSameDetailLevel)
 	{
 		//================//
 		// variable setup //
 		//================//
 		
-		short maxX = (short) (minX + width);
+		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper();
+		if (clientLevelWrapper == null)
+		{
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("addBoxQuadsToBuilder getClientLevelWrapper should always succeed");
+		}
+		
+		short maxX = (short) (minX + blockWidth);
 		short maxY = (short) (minY + yHeight);
-		short maxZ = (short) (minZ + width);
+		short maxZ = (short) (minZ + blockWidth);
 		byte skyLightTop = skyLight;
 		byte skyLightBot = RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(bottomData) ? RenderDataPointUtil.getLightSky(bottomData) : 0;
 		
-		boolean transparencyEnabled = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled;
-		boolean fakeOceanFloor = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().fakeTransparencyEnabled;
+		boolean transparencyEnabled = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get() == EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE;
 		
 		boolean isTransparent = ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255 && transparencyEnabled;
 		boolean overVoid = !RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(bottomData);
@@ -93,24 +100,6 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		}
 		
 		
-		// fake ocean transparency
-		if (transparencyEnabled && fakeOceanFloor)
-		{
-			if (!isTransparent && isTopTransparent && RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(topData))
-			{
-				skyLightTop = (byte) MathUtil.clamp(0, 15 - (RenderDataPointUtil.getYMax(topData) - minY), 15);
-				yHeight = (short) (RenderDataPointUtil.getYMax(topData) - minY - 1);
-			}
-			else if (isTransparent && !isBottomTransparent && RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(bottomData))
-			{
-				minY = (short) (minY + yHeight - 1);
-				yHeight = 1;
-			}
-			
-			maxY = (short) (minY + yHeight);
-		}
-		
-		
 		
 		//==========================//
 		// add top and bottom faces //
@@ -123,7 +112,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isTopTransparent;
 			if (!skipTop)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, blockWidth, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -134,7 +123,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isBottomTransparent;
 			if (!skipBottom)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, blockWidth, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -146,7 +135,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		
 		// NORTH face
 		{
-			ColumnArrayView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.NORTH.compassIndex];
+			ColumnRenderView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.NORTH.compassIndex];
 			boolean adjSameDetailLevel = isAdjDataSameDetailLevel[EDhDirection.NORTH.compassIndex];
 			// if the adjacent column is null that generally means the adjacent area hasn't been generated yet
 			if (adjCol == null)
@@ -157,23 +146,23 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					builder.addQuadAdj(
 							EDhDirection.NORTH, 
 							minX, minY, minZ, 
-							width, yHeight, 
+							blockWidth, yHeight, 
 							color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
 				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, 
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.NORTH, 
-						minX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
+						minX, minY, minZ, blockWidth, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
 		// SOUTH face
 		{
-			ColumnArrayView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.SOUTH.compassIndex];
+			ColumnRenderView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.SOUTH.compassIndex];
 			boolean adjSameDetailLevel = isAdjDataSameDetailLevel[EDhDirection.SOUTH.compassIndex];
 			if (adjCol == null)
 			{
@@ -182,23 +171,23 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					builder.addQuadAdj(
 							EDhDirection.SOUTH, 
 							minX, minY, maxZ, 
-							width, yHeight, 
+							blockWidth, yHeight, 
 							color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
 				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.SOUTH,
-						minX, minY, maxZ, width, yHeight,
+						minX, minY, maxZ, blockWidth, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
 		// WEST face
 		{
-			ColumnArrayView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.WEST.compassIndex];
+			ColumnRenderView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.WEST.compassIndex];
 			boolean adjSameDetailLevel = isAdjDataSameDetailLevel[EDhDirection.WEST.compassIndex];
 			if (adjCol == null)
 			{
@@ -207,23 +196,23 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					builder.addQuadAdj(
 							EDhDirection.WEST, 
 							minX, minY, minZ, 
-							width, yHeight, 
+							blockWidth, yHeight, 
 							color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
 				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.WEST, 
-						minX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
+						minX, minY, minZ, blockWidth, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
 		// EAST face
 		{
-			ColumnArrayView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.EAST.compassIndex];
+			ColumnRenderView adjCol = adjData[EDhDirection.EAST.compassIndex];
 			boolean adjSameDetailLevel = isAdjDataSameDetailLevel[EDhDirection.EAST.compassIndex];
 			if (adjCol == null)
 			{
@@ -232,25 +221,25 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					builder.addQuadAdj(
 							EDhDirection.EAST, 
 							maxX, minY, minZ, 
-							width, yHeight, 
+							blockWidth, yHeight, 
 							color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
 				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.EAST, 
-						maxX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
+						maxX, minY, minZ, blockWidth, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	
 	private static void makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-		LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout,
-		@NotNull ColumnArrayView adjColumnView, boolean adjacentIsSameDetailLevel, int caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection direction,
-		short x, short yMin, short z, short horizontalWidth, short ySize,
+		LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper,
+		@NotNull ColumnRenderView adjColumnView, boolean adjacentIsSameDetailLevel, int caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection direction,
+		short x, short yMin, short z, short horizontalBlockWidth, short ySize,
 		int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte blockLight)
 	{
 		// pooled arrays
@@ -264,12 +253,12 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// no adjacent data //
 		//==================//
 		
-		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(direction));
+		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(direction));
 		
 		if (adjColumnView.size == 0
 			|| RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(adjColumnView.get(0)))
 		{
-			builder.addQuadAdj(direction, x, yMin, z, horizontalWidth, ySize, color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
+			builder.addQuadAdj(direction, x, yMin, z, horizontalBlockWidth, ySize, color, irisBlockMaterialId, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT, blockLight);
 			return;
 		}
 		
@@ -279,12 +268,12 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// determine face visibility/light //
 		//=================================//
 		
-		boolean transparencyEnabled = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled;
+		boolean transparencyEnabled = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get() == EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE;
 		boolean inputTransparent = ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255 && transparencyEnabled;
 		short yMax = (short) (yMin + ySize);
 		
 		
-		int adjCount = adjColumnView.size();
+		int adjCount = adjColumnView.size;
 		
 		// Start with the entire range at max light
 		segments.add(YSegmentUtil.encode(yMin, yMax, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT));
@@ -321,18 +310,34 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			if (!adjTransparent)
 			{
 				// Adjacent is opaque
-				boolean adjacentCoversThis =
-					!adjacentIsSameDetailLevel
-						&& RenderDataPointUtil.getYMax(adjPoint) >= caveCullingMaxY
-						&&
-						(
-							(x == 0 && direction == EDhDirection.WEST)
-							|| (z == 0 && direction == EDhDirection.NORTH)
-							|| (x == 256 && direction == EDhDirection.EAST)
-							|| (z == 256 && direction == EDhDirection.SOUTH)
-						);
 				
-				lightToApply = adjacentCoversThis ? adjSkyLight : SKYLIGHT_COVERED;
+				// The following logic is done to provide a little bit of overdraw to
+				// prevent holes when low detail LODs are replaced by higher-detail ones
+				// when moving.
+				// If not done higher quality LODs can cause holes due to not 
+				// covering the whole face like the lower detail LODs they replaced,
+				// while still culling most LODs that are covered by other blocks.
+				
+				boolean onBorder = 
+					(direction == EDhDirection.WEST && x == 0)
+					|| (direction == EDhDirection.NORTH && z == 0)
+					|| (direction == EDhDirection.EAST && x == ((horizontalBlockWidth) * (ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH)))
+					|| (direction == EDhDirection.SOUTH && z == ((horizontalBlockWidth) * (ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH)));
+				
+				boolean isLit =
+					RenderDataPointUtil.getLightSky(adjPoint) != LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT
+					|| RenderDataPointUtil.getLightBlock(adjPoint) != LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
+				
+				// render the face if...
+				boolean useAdjLighting =
+					// we're on the border... (holes can only happen on LOD borders since faces inside an LOD will always be the same detail level)
+					onBorder
+					// ...this face has some sort of lighting... (0 light generally means the face is covered by other blocks)
+					&& isLit
+					// ...and is above the culling height
+					&& RenderDataPointUtil.getYMax(adjPoint) >= caveCullingMaxY;
+				
+				lightToApply = useAdjLighting ? adjSkyLight : SKYLIGHT_COVERED;
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -342,13 +347,24 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			
 			
 			// Apply light to the range [adjMinY, adjMaxY)
-			applyLightToRange(segments, newSegments, adjMinY, adjMaxY, lightToApply);
+			applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(segments, newSegments, adjMinY, adjMaxY, lightToApply);
+			{
+				// swap references so we can use the newly populated segments
+				LongArrayList temp = segments;
+				segments = newSegments;
+				newSegments = temp;
+			}
 			
 			// Fill overhang area [adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY) with adjSkyLight
 			short adjAboveMinY = RenderDataPointUtil.getYMin(adjAbovePoint);
 			if (adjMaxY < adjAboveMinY)
 			{
-				applyLightToRange(segments, newSegments, adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY, adjSkyLight);
+				applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(segments, newSegments, adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY, adjSkyLight);
+				{
+					LongArrayList temp = segments;
+					segments = newSegments;
+					newSegments = temp;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -364,7 +380,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			long segment = segments.getLong(i);
 			tryAddVerticalFaceWithSkyLightToBuilder(
 				builder, direction,
-				x, z, horizontalWidth,
+				x, z, horizontalBlockWidth,
 				color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight,
 				YSegmentUtil.getSkyLight(segment), inputTransparent, YSegmentUtil.getEndY(segment), YSegmentUtil.getStartY(segment)
 			);
@@ -374,10 +390,11 @@ public class ColumnBox
 	/**
 	 * Apply the new light value over the given y range,
 	 * splitting segments as needed
+	 * and putting the new segments into "newSegments"
 	 * <p>
 	 * source: claude.ai
 	 */
-	private static void applyLightToRange(
+	private static void applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(
 			LongArrayList segments, LongArrayList newSegments, 
 			short rangeStart, short rangeEnd, 
 			byte newLight)
@@ -420,9 +437,6 @@ public class ColumnBox
 				newSegments.add(YSegmentUtil.encode(rangeEnd, endY, skyLight));
 			}
 		}
-		
-		segments.clear();
-		segments.addAll(newSegments);
 	}
 	
 	private static void tryAddVerticalFaceWithSkyLightToBuilder(

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.java

@@ -27,15 +27,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLProxy;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 
@@ -56,26 +55,6 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 	// vbo building //
 	//==============//
 	
-	/** @link adjData should be null for adjacent sections that cross detail level boundaries */
-	public static CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadBuffersAsync(
-			IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
-			long pos,
-			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder
-		)
-	{
-		DhBlockPos minBlockPos = new DhBlockPos(DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos), clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(), DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos));
-		LodBufferContainer bufferContainer = new LodBufferContainer(pos, minBlockPos);
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = bufferContainer.makeAndUploadBuffersAsync(quadBuilder);
-		uploadFuture.whenComplete((uploadedBuffer, exception) -> 
-		{
-			// clean up if not uploaded
-			if (uploadedBuffer != null && !uploadedBuffer.buffersUploaded)
-			{
-				uploadedBuffer.close();
-			}
-		});
-		return uploadFuture;
-	}
 	public static void makeLodRenderData(
 			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder, ColumnRenderSource renderSource, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
 			ColumnRenderSource[] adjRegions, boolean[] isSameDetailLevel)
@@ -108,24 +87,36 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 		//===================//
 		
 		// pooled arrays for ColumnBox use
-		try (PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout = ARRAY_LIST_POOL.checkoutArrays(0, 0, 2))
+		try (PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout = ARRAY_LIST_POOL.checkoutLongArrays(2);
+			ColumnRenderView columnRenderData = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			ColumnRenderView northAdjView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			ColumnRenderView southAdjView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			ColumnRenderView eastAdjView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			ColumnRenderView westAdjView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled())
 		{
+			ColumnRenderView[] adjColumnViews = new ColumnRenderView[EDhDirection.CARDINAL_COMPASS.length];
+			adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.NORTH.compassIndex] = northAdjView;
+			adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.SOUTH.compassIndex] = southAdjView;
+			adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.EAST.compassIndex] = eastAdjView;
+			adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.WEST.compassIndex] = westAdjView;
+			
+			
 			byte thisDetailLevel = renderSource.getDataDetailLevel();
 			for (int relX = 0; relX < ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH; relX++)
 			{
 				for (int relZ = 0; relZ < ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH; relZ++)
 				{
-					// ignore empty/null columns
-					ColumnArrayView columnRenderData = renderSource.getVerticalDataPointView(relX, relZ);
-					if (columnRenderData.size() == 0
-							|| !RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(columnRenderData.get(0))
-							|| RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(columnRenderData.get(0)))
+					renderSource.populateColumnView(columnRenderData, relX, relZ);
+					
+					// ignore empty columns
+					if (columnRenderData.size == 0
+						|| !RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(columnRenderData.get(0))
+						|| RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(columnRenderData.get(0)))
 					{
 						continue;
 					}
 					
 					
-					
 					//=============//
 					// debug limit //
 					//=============//
@@ -152,7 +143,12 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 					// get adjacent render data columns //
 					//==================================//
 					
-					ColumnArrayView[] adjColumnViews = new ColumnArrayView[EDhDirection.CARDINAL_COMPASS.length];
+					// clear the old data so we can handle if one of the adjacent columns is missing/empty
+					adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.NORTH.compassIndex].clear();
+					adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.SOUTH.compassIndex].clear();
+					adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.EAST.compassIndex].clear();
+					adjColumnViews[EDhDirection.WEST.compassIndex].clear();
+					
 					for (EDhDirection direction : EDhDirection.CARDINAL_COMPASS)
 					{
 						try
@@ -160,8 +156,8 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 							int xAdj = relX + direction.normal.x;
 							int zAdj = relZ + direction.normal.z;
 							boolean isCrossRenderSourceBoundary =
-									(xAdj < 0 || xAdj >= ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH) ||
-											(zAdj < 0 || zAdj >= ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH);
+								(xAdj < 0 || xAdj >= ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH)
+								|| (zAdj < 0 || zAdj >= ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH);
 							
 							ColumnRenderSource adjRenderSource;
 							byte adjDetailLevel;
@@ -230,7 +226,7 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 								LodUtil.assertNotReach("Mismatch between adjacent detail level ["+adjDetailLevel+"] and this render source's detail level ["+thisDetailLevel+"]. Detail levels should be adj >= this.");
 							}
 							
-							adjColumnViews[direction.compassIndex] = adjRenderSource.getVerticalDataPointView(xAdj, zAdj);
+							adjRenderSource.populateColumnView(adjColumnViews[direction.compassIndex], xAdj, zAdj);
 						}
 						catch (RuntimeException e)
 						{
@@ -244,16 +240,14 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 					// build this render column //
 					//==========================//
 					
-					ColumnRenderSource.DebugSourceFlag debugSourceFlag = renderSource.debugGetFlag(relX, relZ);
-					
-					for (int i = 0; i < columnRenderData.size(); i++)
+					for (int i = 0; i < columnRenderData.size; i++)
 					{
 						// can be uncommented to limit which vertical LOD is generated
 						if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.ColumnBuilderDebugging.columnBuilderDebugEnable.get())
 						{
 							int wantedColumnIndex = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.ColumnBuilderDebugging.columnBuilderDebugColumnIndex.get();
 							if (wantedColumnIndex >= 0
-									&& i != wantedColumnIndex)
+								&& i != wantedColumnIndex)
 							{
 								continue;
 							}
@@ -263,22 +257,21 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 						// If the data is not render-able (Void or non-existing) we stop since there is
 						// no data left in this position
 						if (RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(data)
-								|| !RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(data))
+							|| !RenderDataPointUtil.doesDataPointExist(data))
 						{
 							break;
 						}
 						
 						long topDataPoint = (i - 1) >= 0 ? columnRenderData.get(i - 1) : RenderDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA;
-						long bottomDataPoint = (i + 1) < columnRenderData.size() ? columnRenderData.get(i + 1) : RenderDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA;
+						long bottomDataPoint = (i + 1) < columnRenderData.size ? columnRenderData.get(i + 1) : RenderDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA;
 						
 						addRenderDataPointToBuilder(
-								clientLevel, phantomArrayCheckout,
-								data, topDataPoint, bottomDataPoint,
-								adjColumnViews, isSameDetailLevel,
-								thisDetailLevel, relX, relZ,
-								quadBuilder, debugSourceFlag);
+							clientLevel, phantomArrayCheckout,
+							data, topDataPoint, bottomDataPoint,
+							adjColumnViews, isSameDetailLevel,
+							thisDetailLevel, relX, relZ,
+							quadBuilder);
 					}
-					
 				}// for z
 			}// for x
 		}// phantom checkout
@@ -288,9 +281,9 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 	private static void addRenderDataPointToBuilder(
 			IDhClientLevel clientLevel, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout,
 			long renderData, long topRenderData, long bottomRenderData, 
-			ColumnArrayView[] adjColumnViews, boolean[] isSameDetailLevel,
+			ColumnRenderView[] adjColumnViews, boolean[] isSameDetailLevel,
 			byte detailLevel, int renderSourceOffsetPosX, int renderSourceOffsetPosZ, 
-			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder, ColumnRenderSource.DebugSourceFlag debugSource)
+			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder)
 	{
 		long sectionPos = DhSectionPos.encode(detailLevel, renderSourceOffsetPosX, renderSourceOffsetPosZ);
 		
@@ -315,13 +308,13 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 		
 		int color;
 		boolean fullBright = false;
-		EDhApiDebugRendering debugging = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get();
+		EDhApiDebugRendering debugging = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get();
 		switch (debugging)
 		{
 			case OFF:
 			{
-				float saturationMultiplier = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.saturationMultiplier.get().floatValue();
-				float brightnessMultiplier = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.brightnessMultiplier.get().floatValue();
+				float saturationMultiplier = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.saturationMultiplier.get();
+				float brightnessMultiplier = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.brightnessMultiplier.get();
 				if (saturationMultiplier == 1.0 && brightnessMultiplier == 1.0)
 				{
 					color = RenderDataPointUtil.getColor(renderData);
@@ -407,12 +400,6 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 				fullBright = true;
 				break;
 			}
-			case SHOW_RENDER_SOURCE_FLAG:
-			{
-				color = debugSource == null ? ColorUtil.RED : debugSource.color;
-				fullBright = true;
-				break;
-			}
 			default:
 				throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unknown debug mode: " + debugging);
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/IndexBufferBuilder.java

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
+
+import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
+import java.nio.ByteOrder;
+
+public class IndexBufferBuilder
+{
+	
+	
+	//==========//
+	// building //
+	//==========//
+	//region
+	
+	public static ByteBuffer createBuffer(int quadCount)
+	{
+		int indexCount = quadCount * 6; // 2 triangles per quad
+		ByteBuffer buffer = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(indexCount * Integer.BYTES);
+		buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
+		buildBufferInt(quadCount, buffer);
+		
+		return buffer;
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferByte(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 1));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 2));
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 2));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 3));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex));
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferShort(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 1));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 2));
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 2));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 3));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex));
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferInt(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 1);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 2);
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 2);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 3);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex);
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/LodBufferContainer.java

@@ -19,15 +19,19 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLProxy;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.buffer.GLVertexBuffer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.StatsMap;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGpuUploadMethod;
-import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.objects.ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.objects.IVertexBufferWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -42,12 +46,8 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
-	/** number of bytes a single quad takes */
-	public static final int QUADS_BYTE_SIZE = LodUtil.LOD_VERTEX_FORMAT.getByteSize() * 4;
-	/** how big a single VBO can be in bytes */
-	public static final int MAX_VBO_BYTE_SIZE = 10 * 1024 * 1024; // 10 MB
-	public static final int MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER = MAX_VBO_BYTE_SIZE / QUADS_BYTE_SIZE;
-	public static final int FULL_SIZED_BUFFER = MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER * QUADS_BYTE_SIZE;
+	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
+	private static final AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition RENDER_DEF = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition.class);
 	
 	
 	/** the position closest to minimum X/Z infinity and the level's lowest Y */
@@ -56,117 +56,186 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	public boolean buffersUploaded = false;
 	
-	public GLVertexBuffer[] vbos;
-	public GLVertexBuffer[] vbosTransparent;
+	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboOpaqueWrappers;
+	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboTransparentWrappers;
 	
-	private CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = null;
+	public ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper uniformContainer = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createLodContainerUniformWrapper();
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
-	public LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
+	private LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
 	{
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.minCornerBlockPos = minCornerBlockPos;
-		this.vbos = new GLVertexBuffer[0];
-		this.vbosTransparent = new GLVertexBuffer[0];
+		this.vboOpaqueWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
+		this.vboTransparentWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==================//
 	// buffer uploading //
 	//==================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Should be run on a DH thread. */
-	public synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> makeAndUploadBuffersAsync(LodQuadBuilder builder)
+	public static CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(
+		long pos, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers
+	)
 	{
-		// separate variable to prevent race condition when checking null
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = this.uploadFuture;
-		if (future != null)
-		{
-			// upload already in process
-			return future;
-		}
-		
 		// new upload needed
-		future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-		this.uploadFuture = future;
+		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
 		
 		
 		
-		// make the buffers
-		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers = builder.makeOpaqueVertexBuffers();
-		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers = builder.makeTransparentVertexBuffers();
+		//================//
+		// create buffers //
+		//================//
+		//region
 		
-		this.vbos = resizeBuffer(this.vbos, opaqueBuffers.size());
-		this.vbosTransparent = resizeBuffer(this.vbosTransparent, transparentBuffers.size());
+		DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos = new DhBlockPos(
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos),
+			clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(),
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos));
+		LodBufferContainer bufferContainer = new LodBufferContainer(pos, minCornerBlockPos);
+		
+		// update arrays to contain buffers
+		bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers.size());
+		bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers.size());
+		
+		// create CPU index buffers if needed.
+		// Mac requires separate IBO objects for each VBO when using OpenGL,
+		// all other OS's can share a single IBO for quicker loading times
+		boolean useSingleIbo = RENDER_DEF.useSingleIbo();
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(opaqueBuffers);
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(transparentBuffers);
+		
+		//endregion
 		
 		
-		// upload on MC's render thread
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		
+		//=============//
+		// create VBOs //
+		//=============//
+		//region	
+		
+		CompletableFuture<Void> createFuture = new CompletableFuture<Void>();
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Setup", () ->
 		{
 			try
 			{
 				// skip this event if requested
-				if (Thread.interrupted() 
-					|| this.uploadFuture.isCancelled())
+				if (Thread.interrupted()
+					|| future.isCancelled())
 				{
 					throw new InterruptedException();
 				}
 				
-				EDhApiGpuUploadMethod gpuUploadMethod = GLProxy.getInstance().getGpuUploadMethod();
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers);
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers);
 				
-				// upload on the render thread
-				uploadBuffersDirect(this.vbos, opaqueBuffers, gpuUploadMethod);
-				uploadBuffersDirect(this.vbosTransparent, transparentBuffers, gpuUploadMethod);
-				this.buffersUploaded = true;
-				
-				// success
-				this.uploadFuture.complete(this);
-				this.uploadFuture = null;
-			}
-			catch (InterruptedException ignore) 
-			{
-				this.uploadFuture.complete(this);
-				this.uploadFuture = null;
+				createFuture.complete(null);
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffer ["+this.minCornerBlockPos +"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-				
-				this.uploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
-				this.uploadFuture = null;
-			}
-			finally
-			{
-				// all the buffers must be manually freed to prevent memory leaks
-				
-				for (ByteBuffer buffer : opaqueBuffers)
+				if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
 				{
-					MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
-				}
-				
-				for (ByteBuffer buffer : transparentBuffers)
-				{
-					MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating buffers for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(bufferContainer.pos)+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
 				}
+
+				bufferContainer.close();
+				createFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
 			}
 		});
 		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//====================//
+		// upload VBOs to GPU //
+		//====================//
+		//region
+		
+		createFuture.exceptionally((Throwable e) ->
+		{
+			// create VBOs failed //
+			if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating buffer [" + bufferContainer.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+			}
+			
+			bufferContainer.close();
+			future.completeExceptionally(e);
+			return null;
+		});
+		createFuture.thenRun(() ->
+		{
+			CompletableFuture<Void> opaqueFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers, opaqueIndexBuffers);
+			CompletableFuture<Void> transparentFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers, transparentIndexBuffers);
+			CompletableFuture<Void> uploadFuture = CompletableFuture.allOf(opaqueFuture, transparentFuture);
+			uploadFuture.exceptionally((Throwable e) ->
+			{
+				// upload failed //
+				if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffer [" + bufferContainer.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
+				
+				bufferContainer.close();
+				future.completeExceptionally(e);
+				return null;
+			});
+			uploadFuture.thenRun(() ->
+			{
+				// upload success //
+				bufferContainer.buffersUploaded = true;
+				future.complete(bufferContainer);
+			});
+		});
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
 		return future;
 	}
-	private static GLVertexBuffer[] resizeBuffer(GLVertexBuffer[] vbos, int newSize)
+	
+	
+	private ArrayList<ByteBuffer> createIndexBuffers(ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
+	{
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> indexBuffers = new ArrayList<>();
+		
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
+		{
+			ByteBuffer buffer = vertexBuffers.get(i);
+			int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
+			int maxVertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+			int quadCount = (maxVertexCount / 4);
+			ByteBuffer indexBuffer = IndexBufferBuilder.createBuffer(quadCount);
+			indexBuffers.add(indexBuffer);
+		}
+		
+		return indexBuffers;
+	}
+	
+	private static IVertexBufferWrapper[] resizeWrapperArray(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbos, int newSize)
 	{
 		if (vbos.length == newSize)
 		{
 			return vbos;
 		}
 		
-		GLVertexBuffer[] newVbos = new GLVertexBuffer[newSize];
+		IVertexBufferWrapper[] newVbos = new IVertexBufferWrapper[newSize];
 		System.arraycopy(vbos, 0, newVbos, 0, Math.min(vbos.length, newSize));
 		if (newSize < vbos.length)
 		{
@@ -180,109 +249,188 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		}
 		return newVbos;
 	}
-	private static void uploadBuffersDirect(
-			GLVertexBuffer[] vbos, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> byteBuffers, 
-			EDhApiGpuUploadMethod uploadMethod) throws InterruptedException
+	
+	private static void createBufferWrappers(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
 	{
-		int vboIndex = 0;
-		for (int i = 0; i < byteBuffers.size(); i++)
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
 		{
-			if (vboIndex >= vbos.length)
+			if (i >= vboWrappers.length)
+			{
+				throw new RuntimeException("Too many vertex buffers!!");
+			}
+			
+			if (vboWrappers[i] == null)
+			{
+				vboWrappers[i] = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createVboWrapper("distantHorizons:TerrainRenderer");
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** Index buffers should be null if {@link AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition#useSingleIbo()} returns true. */
+	private static CompletableFuture<Void> uploadBuffersAsync(
+		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> parentFuture,
+		IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, 
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers, @Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> indexBuffers
+		)
+	{
+		ArrayList<CompletableFuture<Void>> uploadFutureList = new ArrayList<>();
+		int vboIndex = 0;
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
+		{
+			if (vboIndex >= vboWrappers.length)
 			{
 				throw new RuntimeException("Too many vertex buffers!!");
 			}
 			
 			
-			// get or create the VBO
-			if (vbos[vboIndex] == null)
-			{
-				vbos[vboIndex] = new GLVertexBuffer(uploadMethod.useBufferStorage);
-			}
-			GLVertexBuffer vbo = vbos[vboIndex];
+			
+			// final variables for use in lambdas //
+			
+			final IVertexBufferWrapper finalVboWrapper = vboWrappers[vboIndex];
+			
+			final ByteBuffer finalVertexBuffer = vertexBuffers.get(vboIndex);
+			// index buffers are optional
+			@Nullable final ByteBuffer finalIndexBuffer = (indexBuffers != null) ? indexBuffers.get(vboIndex) : null;
+			
+			final int finalVertexCount = vertexByteBufferToVertexCount(finalVertexBuffer);
 			
 			
-			ByteBuffer buffer = byteBuffers.get(i);
-			int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
 			
-			try
+			//===============//
+			// vertex upload //
+			//===============//
+			//region
+			
+			CompletableFuture<Void> vertexUploadFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+			uploadFutureList.add(vertexUploadFuture);
+			
+			
+			final StackTraceElement[] stackTraceElements = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
+			RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer VBO Upload", () ->
 			{
-				vbo.bind();
-				vbo.uploadBuffer(buffer, size / LodUtil.LOD_VERTEX_FORMAT.getByteSize(), uploadMethod, FULL_SIZED_BUFFER);
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
+				try
+				{
+					// skip this event if requested
+					if (Thread.interrupted()
+						|| parentFuture.isCancelled())
+					{
+						throw new InterruptedException();
+					}
+					
+					finalVboWrapper.uploadVertexBuffer(finalVertexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
+					vertexUploadFuture.complete(null);
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					vertexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
+				}
+			});
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//==============//
+			// index upload //
+			//==============//
+			//region
+			
+			if (finalIndexBuffer != null)
 			{
-				vbos[vboIndex] = null;
-				vbo.close();
-				LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				CompletableFuture<Void> indexUploadFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+				uploadFutureList.add(indexUploadFuture);
+				
+				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer IBO Upload", () ->
+				{
+					try
+					{
+						// skip this event if requested
+						if (Thread.interrupted()
+							|| parentFuture.isCancelled())
+						{
+							throw new InterruptedException();
+						}
+						
+						finalVboWrapper.uploadIndexBuffer(finalIndexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
+						indexUploadFuture.complete(null);
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						finalVboWrapper.close();
+						indexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
+					}
+				});
 			}
+			//endregion
+			
+			
 			
 			vboIndex++;
 		}
 		
-		if (vboIndex < vbos.length)
+		if (vboIndex < vboWrappers.length)
 		{
 			throw new RuntimeException("Too few vertex buffers!!");
 		}
+		
+		
+		
+		// merge futures //
+		
+		CompletableFuture<?>[] futureArray = new CompletableFuture[uploadFutureList.size()];
+		for (int i = 0; i < uploadFutureList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			futureArray[i] = uploadFutureList.get(i);
+		}
+		return CompletableFuture.allOf(futureArray);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// helper methods //
 	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	private static int vertexByteBufferToVertexCount(ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
+		int vertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+		return vertexCount;
+	}
 	
 	/** can be used when debugging */
-	public boolean hasNonNullVbos() { return this.vbos != null || this.vbosTransparent != null; }
+	public boolean hasNonNullVbos() { return this.vboOpaqueWrappers != null || this.vboTransparentWrappers != null; }
 	
 	/** can be used when debugging */
 	public int vboBufferCount() 
 	{
 		int count = 0;
 		
-		if (this.vbos != null)
+		if (this.vboOpaqueWrappers != null)
 		{
-			count += this.vbos.length;
+			count += this.vboOpaqueWrappers.length;
 		}
 		
-		if (this.vbosTransparent != null)
+		if (this.vboTransparentWrappers != null)
 		{
-			count += this.vbosTransparent.length;
+			count += this.vboTransparentWrappers.length;
 		}
 		
 		return count;
 	}
 	
-	public boolean uploadInProgress() { return this.uploadFuture != null; }
-	
-	public void debugDumpStats(StatsMap statsMap)
-	{
-		statsMap.incStat("RenderBuffers");
-		statsMap.incStat("SimpleRenderBuffers");
-		for (GLVertexBuffer vertexBuffer : vbos)
-		{
-			if (vertexBuffer != null)
-			{
-				statsMap.incStat("VBOs");
-				if (vertexBuffer.getSize() == FULL_SIZED_BUFFER)
-				{
-					statsMap.incStat("FullsizedVBOs");
-				}
-				
-				if (vertexBuffer.getSize() == 0)
-				{
-					GLProxy.LOGGER.warn("VBO with size 0");
-				}
-				statsMap.incBytesStat("TotalUsage", vertexBuffer.getSize());
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	/**
 	 * This method is called when object is no longer in use.
@@ -295,24 +443,33 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	{
 		this.buffersUploaded = false;
 		
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Close", () -> 
 		{
-			for (GLVertexBuffer buffer : this.vbos)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.destroyAsync();
-				}
-			}
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboOpaqueWrappers);
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboTransparentWrappers);
 			
-			for (GLVertexBuffer buffer : this.vbosTransparent)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.destroyAsync();
-				}
-			}
+			this.uniformContainer.close();
 		});
 	}
 	
+	private static void tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(@Nullable IVertexBufferWrapper[] bufferWrappers)
+	{
+		if (bufferWrappers != null)
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < bufferWrappers.length; i++)
+			{
+				IVertexBufferWrapper buffer = bufferWrappers[i];
+				bufferWrappers[i] = null;
+				if (buffer != null)
+				{
+					buffer.close();
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/bufferBuilding/LodQuadBuilder.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
+import java.nio.ByteOrder;
 import java.util.*;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGrassSideRendering;
@@ -30,83 +31,97 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
-import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
 
 /**
  * Used to create the quads before they are converted to render-able buffers. <br><br>
  *
  * Note: the magic number 6 you see throughout this method represents the number of sides on a cube.
  */
-public class LodQuadBuilder
+public class LodQuadBuilder implements AutoCloseable
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
+	/** ThreadLocal is the simplest way to allow each LOD loading thread to have their own builder */
+	private static final ThreadLocal<LodQuadBuilder> THREAD_LOCAL = ThreadLocal.withInitial(LodQuadBuilder::new);
+	
+	/** the number of bytes for a single vertex */
+	public static final int BYTES_PER_VERTEX = 16;
+	public static final int BYTES_PER_QUAD = BYTES_PER_VERTEX * 4;
+	
+	public static final int[][][] DIRECTION_VERTEX_IBO_QUAD = new int[][][]
+	//region
+		{
+			// X,Z //
+			{ // UP
+				{1, 0}, // 0
+				{1, 1}, // 1
+				{0, 1}, // 2
+				{0, 0}, // 3
+			},
+			{ // DOWN
+				{0, 0}, // 0
+				{0, 1}, // 1
+				{1, 1}, // 2
+				{1, 0}, // 3
+			},
+			
+			// X,Y //
+			{ // NORTH
+				{0, 0}, // 0
+				{0, 1}, // 1
+				{1, 1}, // 2
+				
+				{1, 0}, // 3
+			},
+			{ // SOUTH
+				{1, 0}, // 0
+				{1, 1}, // 1
+				{0, 1}, // 2
+				
+				{0, 0}, // 3
+			},
+			
+			// Z,Y //
+			{ // WEST
+				{0, 0}, // 0
+				{1, 0}, // 1
+				{1, 1}, // 2
+				
+				{0, 1}, // 3
+			},
+			{ // EAST
+				{0, 1}, // 0
+				{1, 1}, // 1
+				{1, 0}, // 2
+				
+				{0, 0}, // 3
+			},
+		};
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	private final ArrayList<BufferQuad>[] opaqueQuads = (ArrayList<BufferQuad>[]) new ArrayList[6];
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	private final ArrayList<BufferQuad>[] transparentQuads = (ArrayList<BufferQuad>[]) new ArrayList[6];
 	
-	private final boolean doTransparency;
-	private final IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
+	/** 
+	 * Caching the BufferQuad objects reduces overhead slightly. <br>
+	 * Caching is handled per builder (vs globally in {@link BufferQuad} itself) 
+	 * to prevent concurrency overhead.
+	 */
+	private final ArrayList<BufferQuad> bufferQuadCacheList = new ArrayList<>();
 	
-	private final EDhApiDebugRendering debugRenderingMode;
-	private final EDhApiGrassSideRendering grassSideRenderingMode;
+	private boolean doTransparency;
+	private IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
 	
-	
-	public static final int[][][] DIRECTION_VERTEX_IBO_QUAD = new int[][][]
-			{
-					// X,Z //
-					{ // UP
-							{1, 0}, // 0
-							{1, 1}, // 1
-							{0, 1}, // 2
-							{0, 0}, // 3
-					},
-					{ // DOWN
-							{0, 0}, // 0
-							{0, 1}, // 1
-							{1, 1}, // 2
-							{1, 0}, // 3
-					},
-					
-					// X,Y //
-					{ // NORTH
-							{0, 0}, // 0
-							{0, 1}, // 1
-							{1, 1}, // 2
-							
-							{1, 0}, // 3
-					},
-					{ // SOUTH
-							{1, 0}, // 0
-							{1, 1}, // 1
-							{0, 1}, // 2
-							
-							{0, 0}, // 3
-					},
-					
-					// Z,Y //
-					{ // WEST
-							{0, 0}, // 0
-							{1, 0}, // 1
-							{1, 1}, // 2
-							
-							{0, 1}, // 3
-					},
-					{ // EAST
-							{0, 1}, // 0
-							{1, 1}, // 1
-							{1, 0}, // 2
-							
-							{0, 0}, // 3
-					},
-			};
+	private EDhApiDebugRendering debugRenderingMode;
+	private EDhApiGrassSideRendering grassSideRenderingMode;
 	
 	private int premergeCount = 0;
 	
@@ -115,33 +130,48 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
-	public LodQuadBuilder(boolean doTransparency, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper)
+	private LodQuadBuilder() 
 	{
-		this.doTransparency = doTransparency;
 		for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++)
 		{
 			this.opaqueQuads[i] = new ArrayList<>();
 			this.transparentQuads[i] = new ArrayList<>();
 		}
+	}
+	
+	public static LodQuadBuilder getBuilder(boolean doTransparency, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper)
+	{
+		LodQuadBuilder builder = THREAD_LOCAL.get();
+		builder.set(doTransparency, clientLevelWrapper);
+		return builder;
+	}
+	private void set(boolean doTransparency, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper)
+	{
+		this.doTransparency = doTransparency;
 		
 		this.clientLevelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
 		
-		this.debugRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get();
+		this.debugRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get();
 		this.grassSideRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.grassSideRendering.get();
 		
+		this.premergeCount = 0;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===========//
 	// add quads //
 	//===========//
+	//region
 	
 	public void addQuadAdj(
 			EDhDirection dir, 
 			short x, short y, short z,
-			short widthEastWest, short widthNorthSouthOrUpDown,
+			short width, short height,
 			int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skyLight, byte blockLight)
 	{
 		if (dir == EDhDirection.DOWN)
@@ -160,7 +190,8 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 			quadList = this.opaqueQuads[dir.ordinal()]; 
 		}
 		
-		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(x, y, z, widthEastWest, widthNorthSouthOrUpDown, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skyLight, blockLight, dir);
+		BufferQuad quad = this.getOrCreateBufferQuad();
+		quad.set(x, y, z, width, height, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skyLight, blockLight, dir);
 		if (!quadList.isEmpty()
 			&& (
 				quadList.get(quadList.size() - 1).tryMerge(quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
@@ -175,32 +206,37 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	}
 	
 	// XZ
-	public void addQuadUp(short minX, short maxY, short minZ, short widthEastWest, short widthNorthSouthOrUpDown, int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight) // TODO argument names are wrong
+	public void addQuadUp(short minX, short maxY, short minZ, short blockWidth, int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight)
 	{
 		boolean isTransparent = (this.doTransparency && ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255);
 		ArrayList<BufferQuad> quadList = isTransparent 
 				? this.transparentQuads[EDhDirection.UP.ordinal()] 
 				: this.opaqueQuads[EDhDirection.UP.ordinal()];
 		
-		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(minX, maxY, minZ, widthEastWest, widthNorthSouthOrUpDown, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.UP);
+		BufferQuad quad = this.getOrCreateBufferQuad();
+		quad.set(minX, maxY, minZ, blockWidth, blockWidth, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.UP);
 		quadList.add(quad);
 	}
 	
-	public void addQuadDown(short x, short y, short z, short width, short wz, int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight)
+	public void addQuadDown(short x, short y, short z, short blockWidth, int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight)
 	{
 		ArrayList<BufferQuad> quadArray = (this.doTransparency && ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255)
 				? this.transparentQuads[EDhDirection.DOWN.ordinal()]
 				: this.opaqueQuads[EDhDirection.DOWN.ordinal()];
 		
-		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(x, y, z, width, wz, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.DOWN);
+		BufferQuad quad = this.getOrCreateBufferQuad();
+		quad.set(x, y, z, blockWidth, blockWidth, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.DOWN);
 		quadArray.add(quad);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// data finalizing //
 	//=================//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Uses Greedy meshing to merge this builder's Quads. */
 	public void mergeQuads()
@@ -269,11 +305,14 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		return mergeCount;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// buffer setup //
 	//==============//
+	//region
 	
 	public ArrayList<ByteBuffer> makeOpaqueVertexBuffers() { return this.makeVertexBuffers(this.opaqueQuads); }
 	public ArrayList<ByteBuffer> makeTransparentVertexBuffers() { return this.makeVertexBuffers(this.transparentQuads); }
@@ -295,9 +334,11 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 			{
 				// if this is the first iteration or the buffer is full, 
 				// create a new buffer
-				if (buffer == null || !buffer.hasRemaining())
+				if (buffer == null 
+					|| buffer.remaining() < BYTES_PER_QUAD)
 				{
-					buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(LodBufferContainer.FULL_SIZED_BUFFER);
+					buffer = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(getMaxBufferByteSize());
+					buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
 					byteBufferList.add(buffer);
 				}
 				
@@ -319,7 +360,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	{
 		int[][] quadBase = DIRECTION_VERTEX_IBO_QUAD[quad.direction.ordinal()];
 		short widthEastWest = quad.widthEastWest;
-		short widthNorthSouth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrUpDown;
+		short widthNorthSouth = quad.widthNorthSouthOrHeight;
 		byte normalIndex = (byte) quad.direction.ordinal();
 		EDhDirection.Axis axis = quad.direction.axis;
 		for (int i = 0; i < quadBase.length; i++)
@@ -372,15 +413,15 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 						if (quad.direction.axis.isHorizontal() || quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
 						{
 							if (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.AS_DIRT
-									// if we want the color to fade, only apply the dirt color to the bottom vertices
-									|| (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.FADE_TO_DIRT && quadBase[i][1] == 0)
-									// always render the bottom as dirt
-									|| quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
+								// if we want the color to fade, only apply the dirt color to the bottom vertices
+								|| (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.FADE_TO_DIRT && quadBase[i][1] == 0)
+								// always render the bottom as dirt
+								|| quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
 							{
 								// for horizontal and bottom faces of grass blocks, use the  dirt color to
 								// prevent green cliff walls
 								color = this.clientLevelWrapper.getDirtBlockColor();
-								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(quad.direction));
+								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, this.clientLevelWrapper.getShade(quad.direction));
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -399,31 +440,33 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	}
 	private void putVertex(ByteBuffer bb, short x, short y, short z, int color, byte normalIndex, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight, int mx, int my, int mz)
 	{
-		skylight %= 16;
-		blocklight %= 16;
-		
 		bb.putShort(x);
 		bb.putShort(y);
 		bb.putShort(z);
 		
 		short meta = 0;
-		meta |= (skylight | (blocklight << 4));
-		byte mirco = 0;
-		// mirco offset which is a xyz 2bit value
-		// 0b00 = no offset
-		// 0b01 = positive offset
-		// 0b11 = negative offset
-		// format is: 0b00zzyyxx
-		if (mx != 0) mirco |= mx > 0 ? 0b01 : 0b11;
-		if (my != 0) mirco |= my > 0 ? 0b0100 : 0b1100;
-		if (mz != 0) mirco |= mz > 0 ? 0b010000 : 0b110000;
-		meta |= mirco << 8;
-		
+		{
+			skylight %= 16;
+			blocklight %= 16;
+			meta |= (short) (skylight | (blocklight << 4));
+			
+			byte mircoOffset = 0;
+			// mirco offset which is a xyz 2bit value
+			// 0b00 = no offset
+			// 0b01 = positive offset
+			// 0b11 = negative offset
+			// format is: 0b00zzyyxx
+			if (mx != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (mx > 0 ? 0b01 : 0b11); }
+			if (my != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (my > 0 ? 0b0100 : 0b1100); }
+			if (mz != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (mz > 0 ? 0b010000 : 0b110000); }
+			meta |= (short) (mircoOffset << 8);
+		}
 		bb.putShort(meta);
+		
 		byte r = (byte) ColorUtil.getRed(color);
 		byte g = (byte) ColorUtil.getGreen(color);
 		byte b = (byte) ColorUtil.getBlue(color);
-		byte a = this.doTransparency ? (byte) ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) : (byte) 255; // TODO should this be called here or happen somewhere else?
+		byte a = this.doTransparency ? (byte) ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) : (byte) 255;
 		bb.put(r);
 		bb.put(g);
 		bb.put(b);
@@ -435,11 +478,14 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		bb.putShort((short) 0); // padding to make sure the vertex format as a whole is a multiple of 4
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public int getCurrentOpaqueQuadsCount()
 	{
@@ -467,17 +513,96 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		return i;
 	}
 	
-	/** Returns how many GpuBuffers will be needed to render opaque quads in this builder. */
-	public int getCurrentNeededOpaqueVertexBufferCount() { return MathUtil.ceilDiv(this.getCurrentOpaqueQuadsCount(), LodBufferContainer.MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER); }
-	/** Returns how many GpuBuffers will be needed to render transparent quads in this builder. */
-	public int getCurrentNeededTransparentVertexBufferCount()
+	private static int maxBufferByteSize = -1;
+	/** 
+	 * The max number of bytes we allow for a single Vertex buffer.
+	 * If an LOD has more data than this it will be split
+	 * up into multiple buffers.
+	 */
+	public static int getMaxBufferByteSize()
 	{
-		if (!this.doTransparency)
+		if (maxBufferByteSize != -1)
 		{
-			return 0;
+			return maxBufferByteSize;
 		}
 		
-		return MathUtil.ceilDiv(this.getCurrentTransparentQuadsCount(), LodBufferContainer.MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER);
+		// 2 MB
+		// note: this is relatively small (10 MB was the previous max) to reduce stuttering
+		// during the upload process by having smaller upload steps
+		int maxVboByteSize = 2 * 1024 * 1024; 
+		
+		int maxQuadsPerBuffer = maxVboByteSize / BYTES_PER_QUAD;
+		// integer truncation to remove decimal component
+		int fullSizedBuffer = maxQuadsPerBuffer * BYTES_PER_QUAD;
+		
+		maxBufferByteSize = fullSizedBuffer;
+		
+		return fullSizedBuffer;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=====================//
+	// buffer quad pooling //
+	//=====================//
+	//region
+	
+	private BufferQuad getOrCreateBufferQuad()
+	{
+		// start from the back of the list so we don't have
+		// to move the array around
+		int index = bufferQuadCacheList.size() - 1;
+		if (index < 0)
+		{
+			// cache empty, create a new object
+			return new BufferQuad();
+		}
+		
+		BufferQuad quad = bufferQuadCacheList.remove(index);
+		if (quad != null) // shouldn't happen, but just in case
+		{
+			return quad;
+		}
+		
+		return new BufferQuad();
+	}
+	
+	private static void returnQuadsToCache(ArrayList<BufferQuad> quadCache, ArrayList<BufferQuad>[] quadsToReturn)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadsToReturn.length; i++)
+		{
+			// manual add and loop to reduce GC pressure due to addAll() doing unnecessary
+			// array copies
+			for (int j = 0; j < quadsToReturn[i].size(); j++)
+			{
+				quadCache.add(quadsToReturn[i].get(j));
+			}
+			
+			quadsToReturn[i].clear();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	// can be used/closed multiple times
+	@Override 
+	public void close()
+	{
+		returnQuadsToCache(this.bufferQuadCacheList, this.opaqueQuads);
+		returnQuadsToCache(this.bufferQuadCacheList, this.transparentQuads);
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/columnViews/ColumnArrayView.java

@@ -1,241 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews;
-
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
-import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
-
-import java.util.Arrays;
-import java.util.ConcurrentModificationException;
-
-public final class ColumnArrayView implements IColumnDataView
-{
-	public final LongArrayList data;
-	
-	/** 
-	 * How many data points are currently being represented by this view. <br>
-	 * Will be equal to or less than {@link ColumnArrayView#verticalSize}.
-	 */
-	public final int size;
-	/** 
-	 * Vertical size in data points. <Br>
-	 * Can be 0 if this column was created for an empty data source.
-	 */
-	public final int verticalSize;
-	
-	/**
-	 * Where the relative starting index is in the {@link ColumnArrayView#data} array
-	 * if this view is representing part of a {@link ColumnRenderSource}.
-	 */
-	public final int offset;
-	
-	
-	
-	//=============//
-	// constructor //
-	//=============//
-	
-	/** @throws IllegalArgumentException if the offset is greater than the data's size */
-	public ColumnArrayView(LongArrayList data, int size, int offset, int verticalSize) throws IllegalArgumentException
-	{
-		this.data = data;
-		this.size = size;
-		this.offset = offset;
-		this.verticalSize = verticalSize;
-		
-		if (this.data.size() < this.offset)
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("data size ["+this.data.size()+"] is shorter than offset ["+this.offset+"].");
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//=====================//
-	// getters and setters //
-	//=====================//
-	
-	@Override
-	public long get(int index) 
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			return this.data.getLong(index + this.offset);
-		}
-		catch (IndexOutOfBoundsException e)
-		{
-			// we can fairly confidently say this is a concurrent exception over an actual
-			// index out of bounds, since we're generally iterating over the whole
-			// array any time we use this getter.
-			throw new ConcurrentModificationException("Potential concurrent modification detected. Make sure the parent ColumnRenderSource isn't being closed before the ColumnArrayView processing is complete.", e);
-		}
-	}
-	public void set(int index, long value) { data.set(index + offset, value); }
-	
-	@Override
-	public int size() { return size; }
-	@Override
-	public int verticalSize() { return verticalSize; }
-	
-	@Override
-	public int dataCount() { return (this.verticalSize != 0) ? (this.size / this.verticalSize) : 0; } // TODO what does the divide by mean?
-	
-	@Override
-	public ColumnArrayView subView(int dataIndexStart, int dataCount)
-	{ return new ColumnArrayView(data, dataCount * verticalSize, offset + dataIndexStart * verticalSize, verticalSize); }
-	
-	public void fill(long value) { Arrays.fill(data.elements(), offset, offset + size, value); }
-	
-	public void copyFrom(IColumnDataView source) { copyFrom(source, 0); }
-	public void copyFrom(IColumnDataView source, int outputDataIndexOffset)
-	{
-		if (source.verticalSize() > verticalSize)
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("source verticalSize must be <= self's verticalSize to copy");
-		}
-		else if (source.dataCount() + outputDataIndexOffset > dataCount())
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("dataIndexStart + source.dataCount() must be <= self.dataCount() to copy");
-		}
-		else if (source.verticalSize() != verticalSize)
-		{
-			for (int i = 0; i < source.dataCount(); i++)
-			{
-				int outputOffset = offset + outputDataIndexOffset * verticalSize + i * verticalSize;
-				source.subView(i, 1).copyTo(data.elements(), outputOffset, source.verticalSize());
-				Arrays.fill(data.elements(), outputOffset + source.verticalSize(),
-						outputOffset + verticalSize, 0);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			source.copyTo(data.elements(), offset + outputDataIndexOffset * verticalSize, source.size());
-		}
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void copyTo(long[] target, int offset, int size) { System.arraycopy(data.elements(), this.offset, target, offset, size); }
-	
-	public boolean mergeWith(ColumnArrayView source, boolean override)
-	{
-		if (size != source.size)
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot merge views of different sizes");
-		}
-		if (verticalSize != source.verticalSize)
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot merge views of different vertical sizes");
-		}
-		boolean anyChange = false;
-		for (int o = 0; o < (source.size() * verticalSize); o += verticalSize)
-		{
-			if (override)
-			{
-				if (RenderDataPointUtil.compareDatapointPriority(source.get(o), get(o)) >= 0)
-				{
-					anyChange = true;
-					System.arraycopy(source.data, source.offset + o, data, offset + o, verticalSize);
-				}
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				if (RenderDataPointUtil.compareDatapointPriority(source.get(o), get(o)) > 0)
-				{
-					anyChange = true;
-					System.arraycopy(source.data, source.offset + o, data, offset + o, verticalSize);
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		return anyChange;
-	}
-	
-	public void changeVerticalSizeFrom(IColumnDataView source)
-	{
-		if (this.dataCount() != source.dataCount())
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot copy and resize to views with different dataCounts");
-		}
-		
-		if (this.verticalSize >= source.verticalSize())
-		{
-			this.copyFrom(source);
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			for (int i = 0; i < this.dataCount(); i++)
-			{
-				RenderDataPointUtil.mergeMultiData(source.subView(i, 1), this.subView(i, 1));
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// base overrides //
-	//================//
-	
-	@Override
-	public String toString()
-	{
-		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
-		sb.append("S:").append(this.size);
-		sb.append(" V:").append(this.verticalSize);
-		sb.append(" O:").append(this.offset);
-		
-		sb.append(" [");
-		for (int i = 0; i < this.size; i++)
-		{
-			sb.append(RenderDataPointUtil.toString(this.data.getLong(this.offset + i)));
-			if (i < this.size - 1)
-			{
-				sb.append(",\n");
-			}
-		}
-		sb.append("]");
-		
-		return sb.toString();
-	}
-	
-	
-	public int getDataHash() { return arrayHash(this.data, this.offset, this.size); }
-	private static int arrayHash(LongArrayList a, int offset, int length)
-	{
-		if (a == null)
-		{
-			return 0;
-		}
-		
-		int result = 1;
-		int end = offset + length;
-		for (int i = offset; i < end; i++)
-		{
-			long element = a.getLong(i);
-			int elementHash = (int) (element ^ (element >>> 32));
-			result = 31 * result + elementHash;
-		}
-		return result;
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/columnViews/ColumnQuadView.java

@@ -1,143 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews;
-
-import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
-
-public class ColumnQuadView implements IColumnDataView
-{
-	private final LongArrayList data;
-	private final int perColumnOffset; // per column (of columns of data) offset in longs
-	private final int xSize; // x size in datapoints
-	private final int zSize; // x size in datapoints
-	private final int offset; // offset in longs
-	private final int vertSize; // vertical size in longs
-	
-	public ColumnQuadView(LongArrayList data, int dataZWidth, int dataVertSize, int viewXOffset, int viewZOffset, int xSize, int zSize)
-	{
-		if (viewXOffset + xSize > (data.size() / (dataZWidth * dataVertSize)) || viewZOffset + zSize > dataZWidth)
-		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("View is out of bounds");
-		}
-		
-		this.data = data;
-		this.xSize = xSize;
-		this.zSize = zSize;
-		this.vertSize = dataVertSize;
-		this.perColumnOffset = dataZWidth * dataVertSize;
-		this.offset = viewXOffset * perColumnOffset + viewZOffset * dataVertSize;
-	}
-	private ColumnQuadView(LongArrayList data, int perColumnOffset, int offset, int vertSize, int xSize, int zSize)
-	{
-		this.data = data;
-		this.perColumnOffset = perColumnOffset;
-		this.offset = offset;
-		this.vertSize = vertSize;
-		this.xSize = xSize;
-		this.zSize = zSize;
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public long get(int index)
-	{
-		int x = index / perColumnOffset;
-		int z = (index % perColumnOffset) / vertSize;
-		int v = index % vertSize;
-		return get(x, z, v);
-	}
-	
-	public long get(int x, int z, int v)
-	{
-		return data.getLong(offset + x * perColumnOffset + z * vertSize + v);
-	}
-	
-	public long set(int x, int z, int v, long value)
-	{
-		return data.set(offset + x * perColumnOffset + z * vertSize + v, value);
-	}
-	
-	public ColumnArrayView get(int x, int z)
-	{
-		return new ColumnArrayView(data, vertSize, offset + x * perColumnOffset + z * vertSize, vertSize);
-	}
-	
-	public ColumnArrayView getRow(int x)
-	{
-		return new ColumnArrayView(data, zSize * vertSize, offset + x * perColumnOffset, vertSize);
-	}
-	
-	public void set(int x, int z, IColumnDataView singleColumn)
-	{
-		if (singleColumn.verticalSize() != vertSize) throw new IllegalArgumentException("Vertical size of singleColumn must be equal to vertSize");
-		if (singleColumn.dataCount() != 1) throw new IllegalArgumentException("SingleColumn must contain exactly one data point");
-		singleColumn.copyTo(data.elements(), offset + x * perColumnOffset + z * vertSize, singleColumn.size());
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public int size()
-	{
-		return xSize * zSize * vertSize;
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public int verticalSize()
-	{
-		return vertSize;
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public int dataCount()
-	{
-		return xSize * zSize;
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public IColumnDataView subView(int dataIndexStart, int dataCount)
-	{
-		if (dataCount != 1) throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Fixme: subView for QUadView only support one data point!");
-		int x = dataIndexStart / xSize;
-		int z = dataIndexStart % xSize;
-		return new ColumnArrayView(data, vertSize * dataCount, offset + x * perColumnOffset + z * vertSize, vertSize);
-	}
-	
-	public ColumnQuadView subView(int xOffset, int zOffset, int xSize, int zSize)
-	{
-		if (xOffset + xSize > this.xSize || zOffset + zSize > this.zSize) throw new IllegalArgumentException("SubView is out of bounds");
-		return new ColumnQuadView(data, perColumnOffset, offset + xOffset * perColumnOffset + zOffset * vertSize, vertSize, xSize, zSize);
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void copyTo(long[] target, int offset, int size)
-	{
-		if (size != this.size() && size > zSize * vertSize) throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Not supported yet");
-		if (size <= xSize * vertSize)
-		{
-			System.arraycopy(data, this.offset, target, offset, size);
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			for (int x = 0; x < xSize; x++)
-			{
-				System.arraycopy(data, this.offset + x * perColumnOffset, target, offset + x * xSize * vertSize, xSize * vertSize);
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/columnViews/ColumnRenderView.java

@@ -0,0 +1,309 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews;
+
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiVerticalQuality;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointReducingList;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
+import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
+
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.ConcurrentModificationException;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentLinkedQueue;
+
+/**
+ * Maps to part of a {@link ColumnRenderSource} for easier handling.
+ * 
+ * @see ColumnRenderSource
+ */
+public final class ColumnRenderView implements AutoCloseable
+{
+	private static final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<ColumnRenderView> POOL = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+	
+	
+	public LongArrayList data;
+	
+	/** 
+	 * How many data points are currently being represented by this view. <br>
+	 * Will be equal to or less than {@link ColumnRenderView#maxVerticalSliceCount}.
+	 */
+	public int size;
+	/** 
+	 * Vertical size in data points. <Br>
+	 * Can be 0 if this column was created for an empty data source.
+	 * @see EDhApiVerticalQuality#calculateMaxNumberOfVerticalSlicesAtDetailLevel(byte)
+	 */
+	public int maxVerticalSliceCount;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Where the relative starting index is in the {@link ColumnRenderView#data} array
+	 * if this view is representing part of a {@link ColumnRenderSource}.
+	 */
+	public int offset;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	private ColumnRenderView() { }
+	
+	/** 
+	 * returns an un-populated view. <br>
+	 * {@link ColumnRenderView#populate(LongArrayList, int, int, int)} must be called before the
+	 * view can be used.s
+	 */
+	public static ColumnRenderView getPooled() { return getPooled(null, 0, 0, 0); }
+	public static ColumnRenderView getPooled(LongArrayList data, int size, int offset, int maxVerticalSliceCount) throws IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		// try getting an existing pooled object first
+		ColumnRenderView view = POOL.poll();
+		if (view == null)
+		{
+			// no pooled object 
+			view = new ColumnRenderView();
+		}
+		
+		// data will be null if the object will be populated at a later date
+		if (data != null)
+		{
+			view.populate(data, size, offset, maxVerticalSliceCount);
+		}
+		
+		return view;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Mutates this object so the necessary data is visible.  
+	 * @throws IllegalArgumentException if the offset is greater than the data's size 
+	 */
+	public void populate(LongArrayList data, int size, int offset, int maxVerticalSliceCount) throws IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		this.data = data;
+		this.size = size;
+		this.offset = offset;
+		this.maxVerticalSliceCount = maxVerticalSliceCount;
+		
+		if (this.data.size() < this.offset)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("data size ["+this.data.size()+"] is shorter than offset ["+this.offset+"].");
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public void clear()
+	{
+		this.data = null;
+		this.size = 0;
+		this.offset = 0;
+		this.maxVerticalSliceCount = 0;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//=====================//
+	// getters and setters //
+	//=====================//
+	//region
+	
+	public long get(int index) 
+	{
+		try
+		{
+			return this.data.getLong(index + this.offset);
+		}
+		catch (IndexOutOfBoundsException e)
+		{
+			// we can fairly confidently say this is a concurrent exception over an actual
+			// index out of bounds, since we're generally iterating over the whole
+			// array any time we use this getter.
+			throw new ConcurrentModificationException("Potential concurrent modification detected. Make sure the parent ColumnRenderSource isn't being closed before the ColumnRenderView processing is complete.", e);
+		}
+	}
+	public void set(int index, long value) { this.data.set(index + this.offset, value); }
+	
+	public void fill(long value) { Arrays.fill(this.data.elements(), this.offset, this.offset + this.size, value); }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	//=========//
+	// subview //
+	//=========//
+	//region
+	
+	/** should be called in a try-finally block for automatic cleanup */
+	public ColumnRenderView subView(int dataIndexStart, int dataCount)
+	{
+		return ColumnRenderView.getPooled(
+			this.data,
+			dataCount * this.maxVerticalSliceCount,
+			this.offset + dataIndexStart * this.maxVerticalSliceCount,
+			this.maxVerticalSliceCount);
+	}
+	
+	
+	/** can be used to determine sub-view starting indexes */
+	public int subViewCount() { return (this.maxVerticalSliceCount != 0) ? (this.size / this.maxVerticalSliceCount) : 0; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//======================//
+	// change vertical size //
+	//======================//
+	//region
+	
+	public void changeVerticalSizeFrom(ColumnRenderView source, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList)
+	{
+		if (this.subViewCount() != source.subViewCount())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Cannot copy and resize to views with different dataCounts");
+		}
+		
+		if (this.maxVerticalSliceCount >= source.maxVerticalSliceCount)
+		{
+			this.copyFrom(source, 0);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < this.subViewCount(); i++)
+			{
+				try(ColumnRenderView sourceSubView = source.subView(i, 1);
+					ColumnRenderView thisSubView = this.subView(i, 1))
+				{
+					mergeMultiData(sourceSubView, reducingList, thisSubView);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	private void copyFrom(ColumnRenderView source, int outputDataIndexOffset)
+	{
+		if (source.maxVerticalSliceCount > this.maxVerticalSliceCount)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("source verticalSize must be <= self's verticalSize to copy");
+		}
+		else if (source.subViewCount() + outputDataIndexOffset > this.subViewCount())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("dataIndexStart + source.dataCount() must be <= self.dataCount() to copy");
+		}
+		else if (source.maxVerticalSliceCount != this.maxVerticalSliceCount)
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < source.subViewCount(); i++)
+			{
+				int outputOffset = this.offset + (outputDataIndexOffset * this.maxVerticalSliceCount) + (i * this.maxVerticalSliceCount);
+				try(ColumnRenderView subView = source.subView(i, 1))
+				{
+					subView.copyTo(this.data.elements(), outputOffset, source.maxVerticalSliceCount);
+					Arrays.fill(this.data.elements(),
+						outputOffset + source.maxVerticalSliceCount,
+						outputOffset + this.maxVerticalSliceCount,
+						0);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			source.copyTo(this.data.elements(), this.offset + outputDataIndexOffset * this.maxVerticalSliceCount, source.size);
+		}
+	}
+	private void copyTo(long[] target, int offset, int size) { System.arraycopy(this.data.elements(), this.offset, target, offset, size); }
+	/**
+	 * This method merge column of multiple data together
+	 *
+	 * @param sourceData one or more columns of data
+	 * @param output one column of space for the result to be written to
+	 */
+	private static void mergeMultiData(ColumnRenderView sourceData, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList, ColumnRenderView output)
+	{
+		int target = output.maxVerticalSliceCount;
+		if (target <= 0)
+		{
+			// I expect this to never be the case,
+			// but RenderDataPointReducingList handles it sanely,
+			// so I might as well handle it sanely here too.
+			output.fill(RenderDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA);
+		}
+		else if (target == 1)
+		{
+			output.set(0, RenderDataPointReducingList.reduceToOne(sourceData));
+			for (int index = 1, size = output.size; index < size; index++)
+			{
+				output.set(index, RenderDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA);
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			reducingList.populate(sourceData);
+			reducingList.reduce(output.maxVerticalSliceCount);
+			reducingList.copyTo(output);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	@Override
+	public String toString()
+	{
+		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
+		sb.append("S:").append(this.size);
+		sb.append(" V:").append(this.maxVerticalSliceCount);
+		sb.append(" O:").append(this.offset);
+		
+		sb.append(" [");
+		for (int i = 0; i < this.size; i++)
+		{
+			sb.append(RenderDataPointUtil.toString(this.data.getLong(this.offset + i)));
+			if (i < this.size - 1)
+			{
+				sb.append(",\n");
+			}
+		}
+		sb.append("]");
+		
+		return sb.toString();
+	}
+	
+	@Override
+	public void close() 
+	{
+		// no validation is done to make sure this object is only added to the pool once
+		// please only use this object in a try-finally so the close is handled implicitly
+		POOL.add(this); 
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/render/columnViews/IColumnDataView.java

@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews;
-
-import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongIterator;
-
-import java.util.Iterator;
-
-public interface IColumnDataView
-{
-	long get(int index);
-	
-	// FIXME probably horizontal size in blocks?
-	int size();
-	
-	default LongIterator iterator()
-	{
-		return new LongIterator()
-		{
-			private int index = 0;
-			private final int size = IColumnDataView.this.size();
-			
-			@Override
-			public boolean hasNext() { return this.index < this.size; }
-			
-			@Override
-			public long nextLong() { return IColumnDataView.this.get(this.index++); }
-			
-		};
-	}
-	
-	// FIXME measured in blocks?
-	int verticalSize();
-	
-	// FIXME how many datapoints in this LOD?
-	int dataCount();
-	
-	IColumnDataView subView(int dataIndexStart, int dataCount);
-	
-	void copyTo(long[] target, int offset, int count);
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/transformers/FullDataToRenderDataTransformer.java

@@ -24,22 +24,24 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.FullDataPointIdMap;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPosMutable;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongOpenHashSet;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.objects.ObjectOpenHashSet;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.HashSet;
@@ -108,11 +110,11 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
  		final long pos = fullDataSource.getPos();
 		final byte dataDetail = fullDataSource.getDataDetailLevel();
 		
-		final int vertSize = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.verticalQuality.get().calculateMaxVerticalData(fullDataSource.getDataDetailLevel());
+		final int maxVertSliceCount = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.verticalQuality.get().calculateMaxNumberOfVerticalSlicesAtDetailLevel(fullDataSource.getDataDetailLevel());
 		
 		
 		
-		final ColumnRenderSource columnSource = ColumnRenderSource.createEmpty(pos, vertSize, levelWrapper.getMinHeight());
+		final ColumnRenderSource columnSource = ColumnRenderSource.createEmpty(pos, maxVertSliceCount, levelWrapper.getMinHeight());
 		if (fullDataSource.isEmpty)
 		{
 			return columnSource;
@@ -122,32 +124,41 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		int baseX = DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos);
 		int baseZ = DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos);
 		
-		for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
+		try(ColumnRenderView columnArrayView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout = ARRAY_LIST_POOL.checkoutLongArrays(1);
+			ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
+			RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList = new RenderDataPointReducingList())
 		{
-			for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
+			DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable();
+			for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
 			{
-				ColumnArrayView columnArrayView = columnSource.getVerticalDataPointView(x, z);
-				LongArrayList dataColumn = fullDataSource.getColumnAtRelPos(x, z);
-				
-				updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
-						levelWrapper, fullDataSource, 
-						// bitshift is to account for LODs with a detail level greater than 0 so the block pos is correct
-						baseX + BitShiftUtil.pow(x,dataDetail), baseZ + BitShiftUtil.pow(z,dataDetail), 
-						columnArrayView, dataColumn);
+				for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
+				{
+					columnSource.populateColumnView(columnArrayView, x, z);
+					LongArrayList dataColumn = fullDataSource.getColumnAtRelPos(x, z);
+					
+					updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
+						levelWrapper, fullDataSource,
+						// bit shift is to account for LODs with a detail level greater than 0 so the block pos is correct
+						baseX + BitShiftUtil.pow(x, dataDetail), baseZ + BitShiftUtil.pow(z, dataDetail),
+						columnArrayView, dataColumn,
+						// pooled references so we don't need to re-allocate/get them 4000 times per render source
+						phantomCheckout, tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList, mutableBlockPos);
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		
-		columnSource.fillDebugFlag(0, 0, ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH, ColumnRenderSource.WIDTH, ColumnRenderSource.DebugSourceFlag.FULL);
-		
 		return columnSource;
 	}
 	
-	/** Updates the given {@link ColumnArrayView} to match the incoming Full data {@link LongArrayList} */
+	/** Updates the given {@link ColumnRenderView} to match the incoming Full data {@link LongArrayList} */
 	public static void updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
 			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper,
 			FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource, int blockX, int blockZ, 
-			ColumnArrayView columnArrayView, 
-			LongArrayList fullDataColumn)
+			ColumnRenderView columnArrayView, 
+			LongArrayList fullDataColumn,
+			// pooled references
+			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout, ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList, DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos)
 	{
 		// we can't do anything if the full data is missing or empty
 		if (fullDataColumn == null 
@@ -157,44 +168,40 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		}
 		
 		int fullDataLength = fullDataColumn.size();
-		if (fullDataLength <= columnArrayView.verticalSize())
+		if (fullDataLength <= columnArrayView.maxVerticalSliceCount)
 		{
 			// Directly use the arrayView since it fits.
-			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn, mutableBlockPos);
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			PhantomArrayListCheckout checkout = ARRAY_LIST_POOL.checkoutArrays(0, 0, 1);
-			LongArrayList dataArrayList = checkout.getLongArray(0, fullDataLength);
+			LongArrayList dataArrayList = phantomCheckout.getLongArray(0, fullDataLength);
 			
-			try
-			{
-				// expand the ColumnArrayView to fit the new larger max vertical size
-				ColumnArrayView newColumnArrayView = new ColumnArrayView(dataArrayList, fullDataLength, 0, fullDataLength);
-				setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, newColumnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
-				
-				columnArrayView.changeVerticalSizeFrom(newColumnArrayView);
-			}
-			finally
-			{
-				ARRAY_LIST_POOL.returnCheckout(checkout);
-			}
+			// expand the ColumnArrayView to fit the new larger max vertical size
+			tempExpandingColumnView.populate(dataArrayList, fullDataLength, 0, fullDataLength);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, tempExpandingColumnView, fullDataColumn, mutableBlockPos);
+			
+			columnArrayView.changeVerticalSizeFrom(tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList);
 		}
 	}
 	private static void setRenderColumnView(
 			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource,
 			int blockX, int blockZ,
-			ColumnArrayView renderColumnData, LongArrayList fullColumnData)
+			ColumnRenderView renderColumnData, LongArrayList fullColumnData, DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos)
 	{
 		//===============//
 		// config values //
 		//===============//
 		
-		boolean ignoreNonCollidingBlocks = (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.blocksToIgnore.get() == EDhApiBlocksToAvoid.NON_COLLIDING);
-		boolean colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.tintWithAvoidedBlocks.get();
+		boolean ignoreNonCollidingBlocks = (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.blocksToIgnore.get() == EDhApiBlocksToAvoid.NON_COLLIDING);
+		boolean colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.tintWithAvoidedBlocks.get();
+		
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> waterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> waterSurfaceReplacementBlocks = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterSurfaceReplacementBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final IBlockStateWrapper water = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterBlockStateWrapper(levelWrapper);
 		
-		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(levelWrapper);
-		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(levelWrapper);
 		
 		// build snow block cache if needed
 		if (snowLayerBlockStates == null)
@@ -222,6 +229,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		int colorToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
 		int lastColor = 0;
 		int lastBottom = -10_000;
+		IBlockStateWrapper lastBlock = null;
 		
 		int skylightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
 		int blocklightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
@@ -235,7 +243,8 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		
 		FullDataPointIdMap fullDataMapping = fullDataSource.mapping;
 		
-		DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable(blockX, 0, blockZ);
+		mutableBlockPos.setX(blockX);
+		mutableBlockPos.setZ(blockZ);
 		
 		// goes from the top down
 		for (int fullDataIndex = 0; fullDataIndex < fullColumnData.size(); fullDataIndex++)
@@ -282,19 +291,29 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			// cave culling check //
 			//====================//
 			
+			if (waterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks.contains(block)
+				&& (lastBlock == null || lastBlock.isAir()))
+			{
+				block = water;
+			}
+			
 			boolean ignoreBlock = blockStatesToIgnore.contains(block);
-			boolean caveBlock = caveBlockStatesToIgnore.contains(block); // TODO caves should also ignore transparent/non-solid blocks (IE grass and plants) wthout each being defined
-			if (caveBlock)
+			boolean caveBlock = caveBlockStatesToIgnore.contains(block);
+			if (caveBlock
+				// caves also ignore transparent/non-solid blocks (IE grass and plants) without each being defined
+				|| !block.isSolid()
+				|| block.isLiquid()
+				|| block.getOpacity() < LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE)
 			{
 				if (caveCullingEnabled
-						// assume this data point is underground if it has no sky-light
-						&& skyLight == LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT
-						// ignore caves above a certain height to prevent floating islands from having walls underneath them
-						&& topY < caveCullingMaxY
-						// cave culling shouldn't happen when at the top of the world
-						&& renderDataIndex != 0 && fullDataIndex != 0
-						// cave culling can't happen when at the bottom of the world
-						&& (fullDataIndex + 1) < fullColumnData.size())
+					// assume this data point is underground if it has no sky-light
+					&& skyLight == LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT
+					// ignore caves above a certain height to prevent floating islands from having walls underneath them
+					&& topY < caveCullingMaxY
+					// cave culling shouldn't happen when at the top of the world
+					&& renderDataIndex != 0 && fullDataIndex != 0
+					// cave culling can't happen when at the bottom of the world
+					&& (fullDataIndex + 1) < fullColumnData.size())
 				{
 					// we need to get the next sky/block lights because
 					// the air block here will always have a light of 0/0 due to only the top of the LOD's light being saved.
@@ -302,7 +321,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 					int nextSkyLight = FullDataPointUtil.getSkyLight(nextFullData);
 					
 					if (nextSkyLight == LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT
-							&& ColorUtil.getAlpha(lastColor) == 255)
+						&& ColorUtil.getAlpha(lastColor) == 255)
 					{
 						// replace the previous block with new bottom
 						long columnData = renderColumnData.get(renderDataIndex - 1);
@@ -323,6 +342,9 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			else if (ignoreBlock)
 			{
 				// this is an ignored block, but shouldn't be merged like a cave block
+				
+				// applying this sky light to the next block should prevent black spots for opaque covering blocks 
+				skylightToApplyToNextBlock = skyLight;
 				continue;
 			}
 			
@@ -338,35 +360,68 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				&& !block.isLiquid()
 				&& block.getOpacity() != LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE;
 			
-			// merge snow into the block below it
-			if (snowLayerBlockStates.contains(block))
+			// handle height reduction
+			boolean isSnowLayer = snowLayerBlockStates.contains(block);
+			boolean isWaterSurfaceReplacement = waterSurfaceReplacementBlocks.contains(block);
+			if (isSnowLayer || isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
 			{
-				// sometimes a snow datapoint will be multiple blocks tall,
+				if (isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
+				{
+					// replace the block with water
+					block = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterBlockStateWrapper(levelWrapper);
+				}
+				
+				// sometimes a datapoint will be multiple blocks tall,
 				// in that case we just want to drop the top by 1
 				blockHeight -= 1;
 				if (blockHeight == 0)
 				{
-					// this snow block was entirely removed, just color the block below it
+					// this block was entirely removed, just color the block below it
 					ignoreNonSolidBlock = true;
+					
+					
+					if (isSnowLayer)
+					{
+						// snow is a special case where it should always tint the block
+						// below it, if not done grass will appear as gray
+						int snowColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+						colorToApplyToNextBlock = ColorUtil.setAlpha(snowColor, 255);
+					}
+					else //if (isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
+					{
+						colorToApplyToNextBlock = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+					}
 				}
 			}
 			
 			if (ignoreNonSolidBlock)
 			{
+				int ignoredColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+				int ignoredAlpha = ColorUtil.getAlpha(ignoredColor);
+				
 				if (colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks)
 				{
-					int tempColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
-					
 					// don't transfer the color when alpha is 0
 					// this prevents issues if grass is transparent
-					if (ColorUtil.getAlpha(tempColor) != 0)
+					if (ignoredAlpha != 0)
 					{
-						colorToApplyToNextBlock = ColorUtil.setAlpha(tempColor, 255);
-						skylightToApplyToNextBlock = skyLight;
-						blocklightToApplyToNextBlock = blockLight;
+						colorToApplyToNextBlock = ColorUtil.setAlpha(ignoredColor, 255);
 					}
 				}
 				
+				// Don't transfer the lighting when alpha is 0
+				// (the block below should have its own lighting).
+				if (ignoredAlpha != 0)
+				{
+					// Lighting is transferred even when "colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks"
+					// is false, since otherwise the blocks underneath may have a light value of "0"
+					// which makes things look darker than they should.
+					// This can specifically manifest as grid lines on LOD borders
+					// (not entire sure why grid lines on LOD borders, maybe it has to do with the fact that those LODs aren't occluded?).
+					skylightToApplyToNextBlock = skyLight;
+					blocklightToApplyToNextBlock = blockLight;
+				}
+				
 				// skip this non-colliding block
 				continue;
 			}
@@ -377,14 +432,37 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			{
 				// use this block's color
 				color = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+				
+				// use the skylight override if present
+				if (skylightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					skyLight = skylightToApplyToNextBlock;
+					// remove the override so we don't accidentally override the next datapoint
+					skylightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
+				}
+				
+				if (blocklightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					blockLight = blocklightToApplyToNextBlock;
+					blocklightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
+				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				// use the previous block's color
 				color = colorToApplyToNextBlock;
 				colorToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
-				skyLight = skylightToApplyToNextBlock;
-				blockLight = blocklightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				
+				// use the skylight override if present
+				if (skylightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					skyLight = skylightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				}
+				
+				if (blocklightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					blockLight = blocklightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				}
 			}
 			
 			
@@ -413,6 +491,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			}
 			lastBottom = bottomY;
 			lastColor = color;
+			lastBlock = block;
 		}
 		
 		

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/dataObjects/transformers/LodDataBuilder.java

@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 					IBlockStateWrapper currentBlockState = AIR;
 					int mappedId = dataSource.mapping.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(currentBiome, currentBlockState);
 					
-					// Determine lighting (we are at the height limit. There are no torches here, and sky is not obscured.) // TODO: Per face lighting someday?
+					// Determine lighting (we are at the height limit. There are no torches here, and sky is not obscured.)
 					byte blockLight = LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
 					byte skyLight = LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT;
 					
@@ -321,8 +321,6 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 				
 				LongArrayList packedDataPoints = convertApiDataPointListToPackedLongArray(columnDataPoints, dataSource, apiChunk.bottomYBlockPos, runAdditionalValidation);
 				
-				// TODO add the ability for API users to define a different compression mode
-				//  or add a "unkown" compression mode
 				dataSource.setSingleColumn(
 						packedDataPoints,
 						relBlockX + relSourceBlockX, relBlockZ + relSourceBlockZ,

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/enums/EDhDirection.java

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3i;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3i;
 
 /**
  * Up <Br>
@@ -32,17 +32,17 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3i;
 public enum EDhDirection
 {
 	/** negative Y */
-	DOWN("down", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Y, new Vec3i(0, -1, 0), -1),
+	DOWN("down", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Y, new DhVec3i(0, -1, 0), -1),
 	/** positive Y */
-	UP("up", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Y, new Vec3i(0, 1, 0), -1),
+	UP("up", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Y, new DhVec3i(0, 1, 0), -1),
 	/** negative Z */
-	NORTH("north", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Z, new Vec3i(0, 0, -1), 0),
+	NORTH("north", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Z, new DhVec3i(0, 0, -1), 0),
 	/** positive Z */
-	SOUTH("south", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Z, new Vec3i(0, 0, 1), 1),
+	SOUTH("south", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.Z, new DhVec3i(0, 0, 1), 1),
 	/** negative X */
-	WEST("west", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.X, new Vec3i(-1, 0, 0), 2),
+	WEST("west", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.X, new DhVec3i(-1, 0, 0), 2),
 	/** positive X */
-	EAST("east", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.X, new Vec3i(1, 0, 0), 3);
+	EAST("east", EDhDirection.AxisDirection.POSITIVE, EDhDirection.Axis.X, new DhVec3i(1, 0, 0), 3);
 	
 	
 	/** Up, Down, West, East, North, South */
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public enum EDhDirection
 	public final String name;
 	public final EDhDirection.Axis axis;
 	public final EDhDirection.AxisDirection axisDirection;
-	public final Vec3i normal;
+	public final DhVec3i normal;
 	/** -1 if not a {@link EDhDirection#CARDINAL_COMPASS} direction */
 	public final int compassIndex;
 	
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public enum EDhDirection
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 		
-	EDhDirection(String name, EDhDirection.AxisDirection axisDirection, EDhDirection.Axis axis, Vec3i normal, int compassIndex)
+	EDhDirection(String name, EDhDirection.AxisDirection axisDirection, EDhDirection.Axis axis, DhVec3i normal, int compassIndex)
 	{
 		this.name = name;
 		this.axis = axis;

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/enums/EMinecraftColor.java

@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums;
-
-/**
- * TODO
- * might be deprecated in the future? in that case we'll probably want a wrapper 
- * function to handle colors for new MC versions
- * 
- * source: https://minecraft.wiki/w/Formatting_codes
- */
-public class EMinecraftColor
-{
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/enums/MinecraftTextFormat.java

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums;
+
+/**
+ * might be deprecated in the future? in that case we'll probably want a wrapper 
+ * function to handle colors for new MC versions
+ * <br><br>
+ * source: https://minecraft.wiki/w/Formatting_codes
+ */
+public class MinecraftTextFormat
+{
+	public static final String BLACK = "\u00A70";
+	public static final String DARK_BLUE = "\u00A71";
+	public static final String DARK_GREEN = "\u00A72";
+	public static final String DARK_AQUA = "\u00A73";
+	public static final String DARK_RED = "\u00A74";
+	public static final String DARK_PURPLE = "\u00A75";
+	public static final String ORANGE = "\u00A76";
+	public static final String GRAY = "\u00A77";
+	public static final String DARK_GRAY = "\u00A78";
+	public static final String BLUE = "\u00A79";
+	public static final String GREEN = "\u00A7a";
+	public static final String AQUA = "\u00A7b";
+	public static final String RED = "\u00A7c";
+	public static final String LIGHT_PURPLE = "\u00A7d";
+	public static final String YELLOW = "\u00A7e";
+	public static final String WHITE = "\u00A7f";
+	
+	public static final String OBFUSCATED = "\u00A7k";
+	public static final String BOLD = "\u00A7l";
+	public static final String STRIKETHROUGH = "\u00A7m";
+	public static final String UNDERLINE = "\u00A7n";
+	public static final String ITALIC = "\u00A7o";
+	public static final String CLEAR_FORMATTING = "\u00A7r";
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/fullDatafile/DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache.java

@@ -1,281 +0,0 @@
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.KeyedLockContainer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
-import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
-
-import java.lang.ref.WeakReference;
-import java.util.Collections;
-import java.util.Enumeration;
-import java.util.Set;
-import java.util.concurrent.*;
-import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
-
-/**
- * Used to batch together multiple data source updates that all
- * affect the same position.
- */
-public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
-{
-	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
-	
-	/** 
-	 * a cache won't automatically clean itself unless we trigger it's clean method
-	 * if not done then we'd only see the cache invalidate when new inserts happen,
-	 * which causes weird behavior when placing/breaking blocks.
-	 */
-	private static final ThreadPoolExecutor BACKGROUND_CLEAN_UP_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("delayed save cache cleaner");
-	private static final Set<WeakReference<DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache>> SAVE_CACHE_SET = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
-	/** how long between clean up checks */
-	private static final int CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS = 1_000;
-	
-	
-	
-	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceSavedTimePair> dataSourceByPosition = new ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceSavedTimePair>();
-	
-	/* don't let two threads load the same position at the same time */
-	protected final KeyedLockContainer<Long> saveLockContainer = new KeyedLockContainer<>();
-	
-	private final ISaveDataSourceFunc onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc;
-	private final int saveDelayInMs;
-	
-	
-	
-	//=============//
-	// constructor //
-	//=============//
-	
-	static
-	{
-		BACKGROUND_CLEAN_UP_THREAD.execute(() -> runCleanupLoop());
-	}
-	
-	public DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache(@NotNull ISaveDataSourceFunc onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc, int saveDelayInMs)
-	{
-		this.onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc = onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc;
-		
-		// we can't clean items faster than the cleanup timer fires
-		if (saveDelayInMs < CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS)
-		{
-			LOGGER.warn("The save delay ["+saveDelayInMs+"] shouldn't be less than the cleanup check timer interval ["+CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS+"].");
-		}
-		this.saveDelayInMs = saveDelayInMs;
-		
-		
-		SAVE_CACHE_SET.add(new WeakReference<>(this));
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//==============//
-	// update queue //
-	//==============//
-	
-	/**
-	 * Writing into memory is done synchronously so inputDataSource can 
-	 * be closed after this method finishes.
-	 */
-	public void writeDataSourceToMemoryAndQueueSave(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource)
-	{
-		long inputPos = inputDataSource.getPos();
-		
-		ReentrantLock lockForPos = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(inputPos);
-		try
-		{
-			lockForPos.lock();
-			
-			FullDataSourceV2 memoryDataSource;
-			
-			DataSourceSavedTimePair pair = this.dataSourceByPosition.getOrDefault(inputPos, null);
-			if (pair == null)
-			{
-				// no data currently in the memory cache for this position
-				memoryDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(inputPos);
-				pair = new DataSourceSavedTimePair(memoryDataSource);
-				this.dataSourceByPosition.put(inputPos, pair);
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				memoryDataSource = pair.dataSource;
-			}
-			
-			// write the new data into memory
-			memoryDataSource.updateFromDataSource(inputDataSource);
-			// keep track of when the last time we saved something was
-			pair.updateLastWrittenTimestamp();
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			lockForPos.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	/** when this method is called the datasource should no longer be in the memory cache */
-	public void handleDataSourceRemoval(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 removedDataSource)
-	{
-		this.onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc.saveAsync(removedDataSource)
-			.handle((voidObj, throwable) ->
-			{
-				try
-				{
-					// if this close method is fired multiple times
-					// monoliths can appear due to concurrent writing to the
-					// backend arrays
-					removedDataSource.close();
-				}
-				catch (Exception e)
-				{
-					LOGGER.error("Unable to close datasource ["+ DhSectionPos.toString(removedDataSource.getPos()) +"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-				}
-				
-				return null;
-			});
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//==============//
-	// List methods //
-	//==============//
-	
-	public int getUnsavedCount() { return this.dataSourceByPosition.size(); }
-	
-	public void flush() { this.cleanUp(true); }
-	/** Removes everything from the memory cache and fires the {@link DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache#onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc} for each. */
-	public void cleanUp(boolean flushAll)
-	{
-		Enumeration<Long> keyIterator = this.dataSourceByPosition.keys();
-		while (keyIterator.hasMoreElements())
-		{
-			Long pos = keyIterator.nextElement();
-			ReentrantLock posLock = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(pos);
-			try
-			{
-				posLock.lock();
-				
-				DataSourceSavedTimePair savedPair = this.dataSourceByPosition.getOrDefault(pos, null);
-				if (savedPair != null)
-				{
-					if (flushAll
-						|| savedPair.dataSourceHasTimedOut(this.saveDelayInMs))
-					{
-						this.dataSourceByPosition.remove(pos);
-						this.handleDataSourceRemoval(savedPair.dataSource);
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			finally
-			{
-				posLock.unlock();
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// static cleanup //
-	//================//
-	
-	private static void runCleanupLoop()
-	{
-		while (true)
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				try
-				{
-					Thread.sleep(CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS);
-				}
-				catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
-				
-				SAVE_CACHE_SET.forEach((cacheRef) ->
-				{
-					DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache cache = cacheRef.get();
-					if (cache == null)
-					{
-						// shouldn't be necessary, but if we forget to manually close a cache, this will prevent leaking
-						SAVE_CACHE_SET.remove(cacheRef);
-					}
-					else
-					{
-						cache.cleanUp(false);
-					}
-				});
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in cleanup thread: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// base overrides //
-	//================//
-	
-	@Override
-	public void close()
-	{
-		// not the fastest way to handle removing,
-		// but we shouldn't have more than 20 or so at once
-		// so this should be just fine
-		SAVE_CACHE_SET.removeIf((cacheRef) -> 
-		{
-			DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache cache = cacheRef.get();
-			return cache != null && cache.equals(this);
-		});
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// helper classes //
-	//================//
-	
-	@FunctionalInterface
-	public interface ISaveDataSourceFunc
-	{
-		/** called after the timeout expires */
-		CompletableFuture<Void> saveAsync(FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource);
-	}
-	
-	/** 
-	 * used to keep track of when data sources
-	 * were written to so we can flush them once
-	 * enough time has passed.
-	 */
-	private static class DataSourceSavedTimePair
-	{
-		@NotNull
-		public final FullDataSourceV2 dataSource;
-		/** the last unix millisecond time this data source was written to */
-		public long lastWrittenDateTimeMs;
-		
-		
-		public DataSourceSavedTimePair(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 dataSource)
-		{
-			this.dataSource = dataSource;
-			this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		}
-		
-		
-		public void updateLastWrittenTimestamp()
-		{ this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis(); }
-		
-		public boolean dataSourceHasTimedOut(long msTillTimeout)
-		{
-			long currentTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
-			long timeSinceUpdate = currentTime - this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs;
-			return (timeSinceUpdate > msTillTimeout);
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-}