comment about LOD only depth issue

Thanks Acuadragon100!

api/build.gradle

@@ -23,43 +23,42 @@ dependencies {
     testImplementation "junit:junit:4.13"
 }
 
-shadowJar {
-    // required for basic shadowJar setup
-    configurations = [project.configurations.shadow]
+java {
+    withSourcesJar()
 }
 
-task addSourcesToCompiledJar(type: ShadowJar) {
+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" +
+        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.archiveFile.get().asFile
-    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
@@ -93,6 +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 {
@@ -103,3 +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/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

@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
-
 /**
  * AUTO, <br>
  * OPEN_GL, <br>
  * BLAZE_3D, <br><br>
  *
- * @since API 6.0.0
+ * @see EDhApiRenderingApi
+ * 
+ * @since API 7.0.0
  * @version 2026-3-10
  */
-public enum EDhApiRenderApi
+public enum EDhApiRenderingEngine
 {
 	AUTO,
 	OPEN_GL,

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

@@ -1,51 +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.api.enums.config;
-
-/**
- * NEVER, 	<br>
- * DYNAMIC, <br>
- * ALWAYS	<br> <br>
- *
- * This represents how far the LODs should overlap with
- * the vanilla Minecraft terrain.
- *
- * @author James Seibel
- * @since API 2.0.0
- * @version 2024-4-6
- */
-@Deprecated // not currently in use, if the config this enum represents is re-implemented, the deprecated flag can be removed
-public enum EDhApiVanillaOverdraw
-{
-	/**
-	 * 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,
-	
-	/** Draw LODs over all minecraft chunks. */
-	ALWAYS,
-}

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/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. */

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

@@ -24,4 +24,10 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataCache extends AutoCloseable
 	 */
 	void clear();
 	
+	// override without an exception
+	@Override
+	void close();
+	
+	
+	
 }

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/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/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

@@ -35,62 +35,69 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
 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;
+	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 final IDhApiLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
+	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,
-			parent.clientLevelWrapper
+		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,
@@ -107,29 +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;
-		
-		DhApiMat4f combinedMatrix = new DhApiMat4f(this.dhProjectionMatrix);
-		combinedMatrix.multiply(this.dhModelViewMatrix);
-		this.dhMvmProjMatrix = combinedMatrix;
+		// 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/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;
@@ -246,9 +258,7 @@ 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

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

@@ -31,19 +31,24 @@ 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 = "3.0.0-b-dev";
+	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 = 6;
+	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 */

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

@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ dependencies {
     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.common:google-collect:0.5")
     compileOnly("com.google.guava:guava:31.1-jre")
 
     // DH's bundled libraries (shadowed + relocated in loader jars)

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

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public class Initializer
 	
 	
 	
-	public static void init()
+	public static void preConfigInit()
 	{
 		//============================//
 		// check referenced libraries //
@@ -177,6 +177,11 @@ public class Initializer
 		
 		//endregion
 		
+	}
+	
+	/** fired after DH's config has been set up */
+	public static void postConfigInit()
+	{
 		
 		
 		//==============================//
@@ -238,8 +243,7 @@ public class Initializer
 		
 		//endregion
 		
-		
-		
 	}
 	
+	
 }

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()

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

@@ -39,15 +39,15 @@ 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;
@@ -71,24 +71,28 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	// 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, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
@@ -109,9 +113,12 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	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, long requestedColumnPos, Integer blockYPos, IDhApiTerrainDataCache dataCache)
@@ -340,11 +347,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//====================//
 	// raycasting methods //
 	//====================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public DhApiResult<DhApiRaycastResult> raycast(
@@ -356,8 +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);
 	}
 	
@@ -369,7 +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)
@@ -386,9 +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;
 		
@@ -398,8 +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);
@@ -416,7 +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)
 						{
@@ -469,15 +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))
@@ -490,11 +500,14 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		return returnList;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// setter methods //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public DhApiResult<Void> overwriteChunkDataAsync(IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper, Object[] chunkObjectArray) throws ClassCastException
@@ -524,20 +537,26 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		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.
@@ -618,5 +637,8 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
 	
 }

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

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.DhRenderState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ClientOnlySaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -35,11 +36,13 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderParams;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IImmersivePortalsAccessor;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhMetaRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhVanillaFadeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhTestTriangleRenderer;
@@ -51,7 +54,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiDebugRendering;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRendererMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IServerKeyedClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhClientWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ import org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFW;
 
 import java.io.File;
 import java.util.*;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.LinkedBlockingQueue;
 import java.util.concurrent.RejectedExecutionException;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
@@ -84,6 +87,12 @@ public class ClientApi
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
+	/** Delayed accessing is necessary since this object will be created before the mod accessors are bound. */
+	private static class DelayedAccessors 
+	{
+		public static final IImmersivePortalsAccessor IMMERSIVE_PORTALS = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IImmersivePortalsAccessor.class);
+	}
+	
 	/** this includes the is dev build message and low allocated memory warning */
 	private static final int MS_BETWEEN_STATIC_STARTUP_MESSAGES = 4_000;
 	
@@ -96,6 +105,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 * Only downside is making sure each variable is populated before rendering.
 	 */
 	public static final DhRenderState RENDER_STATE = new DhRenderState();
+	/** 
+	 * static variable so we don't have to re-create it each frame,
+	 * reducing GC pressure.
+	 */
+	private static final RenderParams RENDER_PARAMS = new RenderParams();
 	
 	/**
 	 * 50ms = 20 FPS
@@ -116,16 +130,10 @@ public class ClientApi
 	
 	public boolean rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
 	
-	private final ClientPluginChannelApi pluginChannelApi = new ClientPluginChannelApi(this::clientLevelLoadEvent, this::clientLevelUnloadEvent);
-	
-	/** Delay loading the first level to give the server some time to respond with level to actually load */
-	private Timer firstLevelLoadTimer;
-	private static final long FIRST_LEVEL_LOAD_DELAY_IN_MS = 1_000;
-	
 	/** Holds any levels that were loaded before the {@link ClientApi#onClientOnlyConnected} was fired. */
 	public final HashSet<IClientLevelWrapper> waitingClientLevels = new HashSet<>();
-	/** Holds any chunks that were loaded before the {@link ClientApi#clientLevelLoadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper)} was fired. */
-	public final HashMap<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>, IChunkWrapper> waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos = new HashMap<>();
+	/** Holds any chunks that were found before the client levels are loaded. */
+	public final Map<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>, IChunkWrapper> waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	
 	/** publicly available so {@link F3Screen} can display the error */
 	@Nullable
@@ -141,10 +149,19 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 * tracked should also be to keep the ratio roughly the same.
 	 * @see ClientApi#MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS
 	 */
-	public RollingAverage cameraSpeedRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(40);
-	private Vec3d lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = new Vec3d();
+	private final RollingAverage cameraSpeedRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(40);
+	private DhVec3d lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = new DhVec3d();
 	private long msSinceLastSpeedCheck = 0L;
+	public double getAvgCameraSpeed() { return cameraSpeedRollingAverage.getAverage(); }
 	
+	/** 
+	 * keeping track of this is necessary to fix
+	 * out-of-date LODs from rendering when the shading
+	 * is changed by Iris, causing LODs to often
+	 * lack the side shading, which looks pretty bad
+	 * when shaders are disabled.
+	 */
+	private boolean irisShadersEnabledLastFrame = false;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -159,11 +176,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 	//==============//
 	// world events //
 	//==============//
-	///region
+	//region world events
 	
 	/**
 	 * May be fired slightly before or after the associated
-	 * {@link ClientApi#clientLevelLoadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper)} event
+	 * level is loaded
 	 * depending on how the host mod loader functions. <br><br>
 	 * 
 	 * Synchronized shouldn't be necessary, but is present to match {@see onClientOnlyDisconnected} and prevent any unforeseen issues. 
@@ -197,30 +214,12 @@ public class ClientApi
 			
 			DhClientWorld world = new DhClientWorld();
 			SharedApi.setDhWorld(world);
-			
-			this.pluginChannelApi.onJoinServer(world.networkState.getSession());
-			world.networkState.sendConfigMessage();
-			
-			LOGGER.info("Loading [" + this.waitingClientLevels.size() + "] waiting client level wrappers.");
-			for (IClientLevelWrapper level : this.waitingClientLevels)
-			{
-				this.clientLevelLoadEvent(level);
-			}
-			
-			this.waitingClientLevels.clear();
 		}
 	}
 	
 	/** Synchronized to prevent a rare issue where multiple disconnect events are triggered on top of each other. */
 	public synchronized void onClientOnlyDisconnected()
 	{
-		// clear the first time timer
-		if (this.firstLevelLoadTimer != null)
-		{
-			this.firstLevelLoadTimer.cancel();
-			this.firstLevelLoadTimer = null;
-		}
-		
 		AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
 		if (world != null)
 		{
@@ -230,111 +229,20 @@ public class ClientApi
 			SharedApi.setDhWorld(null);
 		}
 		
-		this.pluginChannelApi.reset();
-		
 		// remove any waiting items
 		this.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.clear();
-		this.waitingClientLevels.clear();
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
-	public void clientLevelUnloadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper level)
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			LOGGER.info("Unloading client level [" + level.getClass().getSimpleName() + "]-[" + level.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-			
-			if (level instanceof IServerKeyedClientLevel)
-			{
-				this.pluginChannelApi.onClientLevelUnload();
-			}
-			
-			AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
-			if (world != null)
-			{
-				world.unloadLevel(level);
-				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(level));
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.waitingClientLevels.remove(level);
-			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			// handle errors here to prevent blowing up a mixin or API up stream
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in ClientApi.clientLevelUnloadEvent(), error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void clientLevelLoadEvent(@Nullable IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
-	{
-		// can happen if there was an issue during level load
-		if (levelWrapper == null)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		
-		// wait a moment before loading the level to give the server a chance to handle the client's login request
-		if (MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer())
-		{
-			if (this.firstLevelLoadTimer == null)
-			{
-				this.firstLevelLoadTimer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("FirstLevelLoadTimer");
-				this.firstLevelLoadTimer.schedule(new TimerTask()
-				{
-					@Override
-					public void run() { ClientApi.this.clientLevelLoadEvent(levelWrapper); }
-				}, FIRST_LEVEL_LOAD_DELAY_IN_MS);
-				return;
-			}
-			this.firstLevelLoadTimer.cancel();
-		}
-		
-		
-		try
-		{
-			LOGGER.info("Loading client level [" + levelWrapper + "]-[" + levelWrapper.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-			
-			AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
-			if (world != null)
-			{
-				if (!this.pluginChannelApi.allowLevelLoading(levelWrapper))
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Levels in this connection are managed by the server, skipping auto-load.");
-					
-					// Instead of attempting to load themselves, send the config and wait for a server provided level key.
-					((DhClientWorld) world).networkState.sendConfigMessage();
-					return;
-				}
-				
-				
-				world.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
-				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper));
-				
-				this.loadWaitingChunksForLevel(levelWrapper);
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.waitingClientLevels.add(levelWrapper);
-			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			// handle errors here to prevent blowing up a mixin or API up stream
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in ClientApi.clientLevelLoadEvent(), error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
-	}
-	private void loadWaitingChunksForLevel(IClientLevelWrapper level)
+	public void loadWaitingChunksForLevel(IClientLevelWrapper level)
 	{
 		HashSet<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>> keysToRemove = new HashSet<>();
 		for (Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos> levelChunkPair : this.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.keySet())
@@ -356,14 +264,14 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//============//
 	// networking //
 	//============//
-	///region
+	//region networking
 	
 	/**
 	 * Forwards a decoded message into the registered handlers.
@@ -383,7 +291,8 @@ public class ClientApi
 		{
 			executor.execute(() ->
 			{
-				NetworkSession networkSession = this.pluginChannelApi.networkSession;
+				DhClientWorld world = (DhClientWorld) Objects.requireNonNull(SharedApi.tryGetDhClientWorld());
+				NetworkSession networkSession = world.pluginChannelApi.networkSession;
 				if (networkSession != null)
 				{
 					networkSession.tryHandleMessage(message);
@@ -396,14 +305,14 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// LOD rendering //
 	//===============//
-	///region
+	//region lod rendering
 	
 	/** Should be called before {@link ClientApi#renderDeferredLodsForShaders} */
 	public void renderLods() { this.renderLodLayer(false); }
@@ -414,261 +323,282 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 */
 	public void renderDeferredLodsForShaders() { this.renderLodLayer(true); }
 	
-	public static long firstRenderTimeMs = 0;
-	
 	private void renderLodLayer(boolean renderingDeferredLayer)
 	{
 		IProfilerWrapper profiler = MC_CLIENT.getProfiler();
-		profiler.push("DH-RenderLevel");
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// debugging //
-		//===========//
-		//region
-		
-		//DhApiTerrainDataRepo.asyncDebugMethod(
-		//	RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper,
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getX(),
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getY(),
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getZ()
-		//);
-		
-		//endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//=====================//
-		// render thread tasks //
-		//=====================//
-		///region
-		
-		// only run these tasks once per frame
-		if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
+		try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock dhRender_profile = profiler.push("DH-RenderLevel"))
 		{
-			profiler.push("DH render thread tasks");
 			
 			
 			
-			//===============//
-			// chat messages //
-			//===============//
+			//===========//
+			// debugging //
+			//===========//
+			//region
 			
-			this.sendQueuedChatMessages();
-			
-			
-			
-			//======================//
-			// GL Proxy queued jobs //
-			//======================//
-			
-			try
+			// only run these tasks once per frame
+			if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 			{
-				// these tasks always need to be called, regardless of whether the renderer is enabled or not to prevent memory leaks
-				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.runRenderThreadTasks();
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue running render thread tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				//DhApiTerrainDataRepo.asyncDebugMethod(
+				//	RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper,
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getX(),
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getY(),
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getZ()
+				//);
 			}
 			
+			//endregion
 			
 			
-			//==============//
-			// camera speed //
-			//==============//
 			
-			long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-			if (this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck + MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS < nowMs)
+			//=====================//
+			// render thread tasks //
+			//=====================//
+			//region
+			
+			// only run these tasks once per frame
+			if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 			{
-				// calc time since last check
-				double secSinceLastCheck = (nowMs - this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck) / 1_000.0;
-				this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck = nowMs;
-				
-				// get the distance traveled since last frame
-				Vec3d camPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
-				double distanceInBlocks = camPos.getDistance(this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck);
-				double speed = distanceInBlocks / secSinceLastCheck;
-				
-				// record new values for next check
-				this.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.add(speed);
-				this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = camPos;
+				try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock renderTask_profile = profiler.push("DH render thread tasks"))
+				{
+					//===============//
+					// chat messages //
+					//===============//
+					
+					this.sendQueuedChatMessages();
+					
+					
+					
+					//======================//
+					// GL Proxy queued jobs //
+					//======================//
+					//region
+					
+					try
+					{
+						// these tasks always need to be called, regardless of whether the renderer is enabled or not to prevent memory leaks
+						RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.runRenderThreadTasks();
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue running render thread tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+					
+					
+					
+					//==============//
+					// camera speed //
+					//==============//
+					//region
+					
+					long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+					if (this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck + MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS < nowMs 
+						// don't track camera speed for dimensions the player isn't in
+						&& (DelayedAccessors.IMMERSIVE_PORTALS == null 
+							|| !DelayedAccessors.IMMERSIVE_PORTALS.isRenderingPortal()))
+					{
+						// calc time since last check
+						double secSinceLastCheck = (nowMs - this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck) / 1_000.0;
+						this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck = nowMs;
+						
+						// get the distance traveled since last frame
+						DhVec3d camPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+						double distanceInBlocks = camPos.getDistance(this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck);
+						double speed = distanceInBlocks / secSinceLastCheck;
+						
+						// record new values for next check
+						this.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.add(speed);
+						this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = camPos;
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+					
+					
+					
+					//====================//
+					// Iris data re-build //
+					//====================//
+					//region
+					
+					// delayed getter since ClientApi is created before this accessor is bound
+					IIrisAccessor irisAccessor = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IIrisAccessor.class);
+					if (irisAccessor != null)
+					{
+						boolean shadersActive = irisAccessor.isShaderPackInUse();
+						if (this.irisShadersEnabledLastFrame != shadersActive)
+						{
+							this.irisShadersEnabledLastFrame = shadersActive;
+							DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
+						}
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+				}
 			}
 			
+			//endregion
 			
-			profiler.pop();
-		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		
-		//=================//
-		// parameter setup //
-		//=================//
-		///region
-		
-		EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
-		if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
-		{
-			if (renderingDeferredLayer)
+			
+			
+			
+			//=================//
+			// parameter setup //
+			//=================//
+			//region
+			
+			EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
+			if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
 			{
-				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT;
+				if (renderingDeferredLayer)
+				{
+					renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT;
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE;
+				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE;
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE_AND_TRANSPARENT;
-		}
-		
-		// A global render state variable is used since MC has split up their
-		// render prep and actual rendering into different threads/methods
-		// this is annoying since it's possible to start a render with only
-		// partially complete info, but there isn't a better option at the moment
-		RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(renderPass, RENDER_STATE);
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//============//
-		// validation //
-		//============//
-		///region
-		
-		if (firstRenderTimeMs == 0)
-		{
-			firstRenderTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		}
-		
-		String validationMessage = renderParams.getValidationErrorMessage(firstRenderTimeMs);
-		if (validationMessage != null)
-		{
-			// store the error message so it can be seen on the F3 screen
-			this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = validationMessage;
-			return;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = null;
-		}
-		
-		if (this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions)
-		{
-			// re-enable rendering if the user toggles DH rendering
-			if (!Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.get())
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("DH Renderer re-enabled after exception. Some rendering issues may occur. Please reboot Minecraft if you see any rendering issues.");
-				this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
-				Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.set(true);
+				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE_AND_TRANSPARENT;
 			}
 			
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DISABLED)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// rendering //
-		//===========//
-		///region
-		
-		try
-		{
-			// render pass //
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
+			// A global render state variable is used since MC has split up their
+			// render prep and actual rendering into different threads/methods
+			// this is annoying since it's possible to start a render with only
+			// partially complete info, but there isn't a better option at the moment
+			RENDER_PARAMS.update(renderPass, RENDER_STATE);
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//============//
+			// validation //
+			//============//
+			//region
+			
+			String validationMessage = RENDER_PARAMS.getValidationErrorMessage();
+			if (validationMessage != null)
 			{
-				if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
+				// store the error message so it can be seen on the F3 screen
+				this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = validationMessage;
+				return;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = null;
+			}
+			
+			if (this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions)
+			{
+				// re-enable rendering if the user toggles DH rendering
+				if (!Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.get())
 				{
-					boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-					if (!renderingCancelled)
+					LOGGER.info("DH Renderer re-enabled after exception. Some rendering issues may occur. Please reboot Minecraft if you see any rendering issues.");
+					this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
+					Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.set(true);
+				}
+				
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DISABLED)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//===========//
+			// rendering //
+			//===========//
+			//region
+			
+			try
+			{
+				// render pass //
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
+				{
+					if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 					{
-						LodRenderer.INSTANCE.render(renderParams, profiler);
+						boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, RENDER_PARAMS);
+						if (!renderingCancelled)
+						{
+							LodRenderer.INSTANCE.render(RENDER_PARAMS, profiler);
+						}
+						
+						if (!DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+						{
+							ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						}
 					}
-					
-					if (!DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+					else
 					{
-						ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeDeferredRenderEvent.class, RENDER_PARAMS);
+						if (!renderingCancelled)
+						{
+							LodRenderer.INSTANCE.renderDeferred(RENDER_PARAMS, profiler);
+						}
+						
+						
+						if (DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+						{
+							ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						}
 					}
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeDeferredRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-					if (!renderingCancelled)
+					if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 					{
-						LodRenderer.INSTANCE.renderDeferred(renderParams, profiler);
-					}
-					
-					
-					if (DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
-					{
-						ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						IDhMetaRenderer metaRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhMetaRenderer.class);
+						IDhTestTriangleRenderer testRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class);
+						if (testRenderer != null
+							&& metaRenderer != null)
+						{
+							// meta renderer needed for render state/texture
+							// for setup on some APIs (IE openGL)
+							metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(RENDER_PARAMS);
+							
+							testRenderer.render(RENDER_PARAMS);
+							
+							metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(RENDER_PARAMS);
+						}
+						else
+						{
+							RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("Unable to find singleton [" + IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class.getSimpleName() + "]");
+						}
 					}
 				}
 			}
-			else
+			catch (Exception e)
 			{
-				if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
-				{
-					IDhMetaRenderer metaRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhMetaRenderer.class);
-					IDhTestTriangleRenderer testRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class);
-					if (testRenderer != null
-						&& metaRenderer != null)
-					{
-						// meta renderer needed for render state/texture
-						// for setup on some APIs (IE openGL)
-						metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
-						
-						testRenderer.render(renderParams);
-						
-						metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
-					}
-					else
-					{
-						RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("Unable to find singleton [" + IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class.getSimpleName() + "]");
-					}
-				}
+				this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = true;
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected Renderer error in render pass [" + renderPass + "]. Error: " + e.getMessage(), e);
+				
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "" + MinecraftTextFormat.BOLD + "ERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!" + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Error: " + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + e);
 			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = true;
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected Renderer error in render pass [" + renderPass + "]. Error: " + e.getMessage(), e);
 			
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "" + MinecraftTextFormat.BOLD + "ERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!" + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Error: " + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + e);
+			//endregion
 		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		profiler.pop(); // end LOD
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// fade rendering //
 	//================//
-	///region
+	//region fade rendering
 	
 	/** 
 	 * The first fade pass.
@@ -691,11 +621,10 @@ public class ClientApi
 				// or if LOD-only mode is enabled (fading is used to remove the MC render pass)
 				|| Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode.get()
 			)
-			// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
-			&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+			&& shouldRenderFade())
 		{
-			RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE, RENDER_STATE);
-			fadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+			RENDER_PARAMS.update(EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE, RENDER_STATE);
+			fadeRenderer.render(RENDER_PARAMS);
 		}
 	}
 	/** 
@@ -721,24 +650,42 @@ public class ClientApi
 					// or if LOD-only mode is enabled (fading is used to remove the MC render pass)
 					|| Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode.get()
 				)
-				// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
-				&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering();
+				&& shouldRenderFade();
 			if (renderFade)
 			{
-				RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT, RENDER_STATE);
-				fadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				RENDER_PARAMS.update(EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT, RENDER_STATE);
+				fadeRenderer.render(RENDER_PARAMS);
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	private static boolean shouldRenderFade()
+	{
+		// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
+		if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		// Don't render fade through immersive portals, this causes the fade to apply incorrectly
+		IImmersivePortalsAccessor immersivePortals = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IImmersivePortalsAccessor.class);
+		if (immersivePortals != null 
+			&& immersivePortals.isRenderingPortal())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		return true;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==========//
 	// keyboard //
 	//==========//
-	///region
+	//region keyboard
 	
 	/** Trigger once on key press, with CLIENT PLAYER. */
 	public void keyPressedEvent(int glfwKey)
@@ -767,14 +714,14 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//======//
 	// chat //
 	//======//
-	///region
+	//region chat
 	
 	private void sendQueuedChatMessages()
 	{
@@ -908,7 +855,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 */
 	public void showOverlayMessageNextFrame(String message) { this.overlayMessageQueueForNextFrame.add(message); }
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -10,13 +10,13 @@ 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.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 + "]");
 		
 		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;
@@ -77,7 +74,6 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
@@ -90,7 +86,6 @@ public class ServerApi
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
 			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper));
 		}
 	}
 	public void serverLevelUnloadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)
@@ -101,12 +96,10 @@ public class ServerApi
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
 			serverWorld.unloadLevel(level);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(level));
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//=======================//
 	// chunk modified events //
 	//=======================//
@@ -122,7 +115,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	
 	public void serverPlayerJoinEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -136,7 +129,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	public void serverPlayerDisconnectEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -150,7 +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;
 		}
@@ -170,7 +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

@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ public class SharedApi
 	//region
 	
 	private SharedApi() { }
-	public static void init() { Initializer.init(); }
 	
 	//endregion
 	
@@ -205,14 +204,14 @@ public class SharedApi
 				// 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) levelWrapper;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				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;
 		}
@@ -225,7 +224,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 			{
 				// the client level isn't loaded yet
 				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.put(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
 			}
 			
 			return;

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

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 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;
 
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapp
  */
 public class DhRenderState
 {
-	public Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
-	public Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
+	public DhMat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
+	public DhMat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
 	/** 
 	 * percentage of time into the current client tick. <br><br>
 	 * 

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/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

@@ -32,7 +32,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 
-public class RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler implements IConfigListener
+import java.util.Timer;
+
+public class RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler extends AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
@@ -43,18 +45,22 @@ public class RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler implements IConfigListener
 	//=============//
  	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	/** private since we only ever need one handler at a time */
-	private RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler() { }
+	private RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler() { super(AbstractDelayedConfigEventHandler.DEFAULT_TIMEOUT_IN_MS); }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// config handling //
 	//=================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public void onConfigValueSet()
+	public void onConfigTimeout()
 	{
 		IWrapperFactory wrapperFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
 		if (wrapperFactory != null)
@@ -64,6 +70,8 @@ public class RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler implements IConfigListener
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 }

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

@@ -55,6 +55,16 @@ 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;
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -127,7 +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).
@@ -183,6 +200,12 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	@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)
 		{

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

@@ -41,35 +41,47 @@ 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 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 widthNorthSouthOrHeight,
-			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 || widthNorthSouthOrHeight == 0)
 		{
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Size 0 quad!");
 		}
+		
 		if (widthEastWest < 0 || widthNorthSouthOrHeight < 0)
 		{
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Negative sized quad!");
@@ -85,64 +97,46 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		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);
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -154,11 +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)
@@ -175,7 +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)
 				{
@@ -232,6 +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
@@ -333,4 +333,6 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		return true;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

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

@@ -19,12 +19,15 @@
 
 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.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+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.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
@@ -51,7 +54,7 @@ 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, ColumnRenderView[] adjData, boolean[] isAdjDataSameDetailLevel)
@@ -60,14 +63,19 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// 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);
@@ -92,24 +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 //
@@ -122,7 +112,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isTopTransparent;
 			if (!skipTop)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, 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);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -133,7 +123,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isBottomTransparent;
 			if (!skipBottom)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, 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);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -156,16 +146,16 @@ 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);
 			}
 		}
@@ -181,16 +171,16 @@ 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);
 			}
 		}
@@ -206,16 +196,16 @@ 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);
 			}
 		}
@@ -231,25 +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,
+		LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper,
 		@NotNull ColumnRenderView adjColumnView, boolean adjacentIsSameDetailLevel, int caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection direction,
-		short x, short yMin, short z, short horizontalWidth, short ySize,
+		short x, short yMin, short z, short horizontalBlockWidth, short ySize,
 		int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte blockLight)
 	{
 		// pooled arrays
@@ -263,12 +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;
 		}
 		
@@ -278,7 +268,7 @@ 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);
 		
@@ -320,18 +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
 			{
@@ -341,13 +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;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -363,7 +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)
 			);
@@ -373,10 +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)
@@ -419,9 +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

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListChec
 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.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.ColumnRenderView;
@@ -55,26 +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.tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(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)

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

@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 
-import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
-
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.nio.ByteOrder;
 
@@ -14,11 +12,10 @@ public class IndexBufferBuilder
 	//==========//
 	//region
 	
-	/** Buffer should be freed by {@link MemoryUtil#memFree} */
 	public static ByteBuffer createBuffer(int quadCount)
 	{
 		int indexCount = quadCount * 6; // 2 triangles per quad
-		ByteBuffer buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(indexCount * Integer.BYTES);
+		ByteBuffer buffer = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(indexCount * Integer.BYTES);
 		buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
 		buildBufferInt(quadCount, buffer);
 		

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

@@ -20,24 +20,22 @@
 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.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 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 org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
 
 /**
  * Java representation of one or more OpenGL buffers for rendering.
@@ -63,8 +61,6 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	public ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper uniformContainer = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createLodContainerUniformWrapper();
 	
-	private final AtomicReference<CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer>> uploadFutureRef = new AtomicReference<>(null);
-	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
@@ -72,14 +68,12 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	//==============//
 	//region
 	
-	public LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
+	private LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
 	{
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.minCornerBlockPos = minCornerBlockPos;
 		this.vboOpaqueWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
 		this.vboTransparentWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
-		
-		this.uniformContainer.createUniformData(this);
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -92,41 +86,14 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	//region
 	
 	/** Should be run on a DH thread. */
-	public synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(LodQuadBuilder builder)
+	public static CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(
+		long pos, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers
+	)
 	{
-		//================//
-		// handle futures //
-		//================//
-		//region
-		
-		// separate variable to prevent race condition when checking null
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> oldFuture = this.uploadFutureRef.get();
-		if (oldFuture != null)
-		{
-			// upload already in process
-			return oldFuture;
-		}
-		
 		// new upload needed
 		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-		future.handle((lodBufferContainer, throwable) -> 
-		{
-			if (!this.uploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(future, null))
-			{
-				LOGGER.warn("upload future ref changed for pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
-			}
-			
-			return null;
-		});
-		
-		if (!this.uploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
-		{
-			oldFuture = this.uploadFutureRef.get();
-			LodUtil.assertTrue(oldFuture != null, "Concurrency error");
-			return oldFuture;
-		}
-		
-		//endregion
 		
 		
 		
@@ -135,102 +102,105 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		//================//
 		//region
 		
-		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers = builder.makeOpaqueVertexBuffers();
-		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers = builder.makeTransparentVertexBuffers();
+		DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos = new DhBlockPos(
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos),
+			clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(),
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos));
+		LodBufferContainer bufferContainer = new LodBufferContainer(pos, minCornerBlockPos);
 		
-		this.vboOpaqueWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(this.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers.size());
-		this.vboTransparentWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(this.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers.size());
+		// update arrays to contain buffers
+		bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers.size());
+		bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers.size());
 		
-		// mac requires separate IBO objects for each VBO when using OpenGL,
+		// 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 : this.createIndexBuffers(opaqueBuffers);
-		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : this.createIndexBuffers(transparentBuffers);
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(opaqueBuffers);
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(transparentBuffers);
 		
 		//endregion
 		
 		
 		
-		//================//
-		// upload buffers //
-		//================//
-		//region
+		//=============//
+		// create VBOs //
+		//=============//
+		//region	
 		
-		try
+		CompletableFuture<Void> createFuture = new CompletableFuture<Void>();
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Setup", () ->
 		{
-			//=============//
-			// create VBOs //
-			//=============//
-			
-			CompletableFuture<Void> createOpaqueFuture = createBufferWrappersAsync(future, this.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers);
-			CompletableFuture<Void> createTransparentFuture = createBufferWrappersAsync(future, this.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers);
-			
-			CompletableFuture<Void> createFuture = CompletableFuture.allOf(createOpaqueFuture, createTransparentFuture);
-			createFuture.exceptionally((Throwable e) ->
+			try
 			{
-				// create VBOs failed //
+				// skip this event if requested
+				if (Thread.interrupted()
+					|| future.isCancelled())
+				{
+					throw new InterruptedException();
+				}
 				
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers);
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers);
+				
+				createFuture.complete(null);
+			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
 				if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
 				{
-					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating buffer [" + this.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					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;
 			});
-			createFuture.thenRun(() ->
+			uploadFuture.thenRun(() ->
 			{
-				//=============//
-				// upload VBOs //
-				//=============//
-				
-				CompletableFuture<Void> opaqueFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, this.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers, opaqueIndexBuffers);
-				CompletableFuture<Void> transparentFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, this.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 [" + this.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-					}
-					future.completeExceptionally(e);
-					return null;
-				});
-				uploadFuture.thenRun(() ->
-				{
-					// upload success /
-					
-					this.buffersUploaded = true;
-					future.complete(this);
-				});
+				// upload success //
+				bufferContainer.buffersUploaded = true;
+				future.complete(bufferContainer);
 			});
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
-			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue prepping buffer uploading [" + this.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-			}
-			future.completeExceptionally(e);
-		}
-		
-		
-		//================//
-		// buffer cleanup //
-		//================//
-		
-		future.whenComplete((LodBufferContainer lodBufferContainer, Throwable throwable) -> 
-		{
-			// all the buffers must be manually freed to prevent memory leaks
-			
-			tryFreeByteBufferList(opaqueBuffers);
-			tryFreeByteBufferList(transparentBuffers);
-			
-			tryFreeByteBufferList(opaqueIndexBuffers);
-			tryFreeByteBufferList(transparentIndexBuffers);
-			
 		});
 		
 		//endregion
@@ -239,16 +209,6 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		
 		return future;
 	}
-	private static void tryFreeByteBufferList(@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> list)
-	{
-		if (list != null) 
-		{
-			for (ByteBuffer buffer : list) 
-			{
-				MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
-			} 
-		}
-	}
 	
 	
 	private ArrayList<ByteBuffer> createIndexBuffers(ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
@@ -259,9 +219,9 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		{
 			ByteBuffer buffer = vertexBuffers.get(i);
 			int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
-			int vertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
-			
-			ByteBuffer indexBuffer = IndexBufferBuilder.createBuffer(vertexCount);
+			int maxVertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+			int quadCount = (maxVertexCount / 4);
+			ByteBuffer indexBuffer = IndexBufferBuilder.createBuffer(quadCount);
 			indexBuffers.add(indexBuffer);
 		}
 		
@@ -290,11 +250,8 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		return newVbos;
 	}
 	
-	private static CompletableFuture<Void> createBufferWrappersAsync(
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> parentFuture, 
-		IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
+	private static void createBufferWrappers(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
 	{
-		ArrayList<CompletableFuture<Void>> createVboFutureList = new ArrayList<>();
 		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
 		{
 			if (i >= vboWrappers.length)
@@ -304,45 +261,9 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 			
 			if (vboWrappers[i] == null)
 			{
-				final int finalVboIndex = i;
-				
-				CompletableFuture<Void> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-				createVboFutureList.add(future);
-				
-				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Setup", () ->
-				{
-					try
-					{
-						// skip this event if requested
-						if (Thread.interrupted()
-							|| parentFuture.isCancelled())
-						{
-							throw new InterruptedException();
-						}
-						
-						
-						vboWrappers[finalVboIndex] = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createVboWrapper("distantHorizons:McLodRenderer");
-						future.complete(null);
-					}
-					catch (Exception e)
-					{
-						future.completeExceptionally(e);
-					}
-				});
+				vboWrappers[i] = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createVboWrapper("distantHorizons:TerrainRenderer");
 			}
 		}
-		
-		if (createVboFutureList.size() == 0)
-		{
-			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
-		}
-		
-		CompletableFuture<?>[] futureArray = new CompletableFuture[createVboFutureList.size()];
-		for (int i = 0; i < createVboFutureList.size(); i++)
-		{
-			futureArray[i] = createVboFutureList.get(i);
-		}
-		return CompletableFuture.allOf(futureArray);
 	}
 	
 	/** Index buffers should be null if {@link AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition#useSingleIbo()} returns true. */
@@ -365,8 +286,6 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 			
 			// final variables for use in lambdas //
 			
-			final int finalVboIndex = vboIndex;
-			
 			final IVertexBufferWrapper finalVboWrapper = vboWrappers[vboIndex];
 			
 			final ByteBuffer finalVertexBuffer = vertexBuffers.get(vboIndex);
@@ -385,6 +304,8 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 			CompletableFuture<Void> vertexUploadFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
 			uploadFutureList.add(vertexUploadFuture);
 			
+			
+			final StackTraceElement[] stackTraceElements = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
 			RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer VBO Upload", () ->
 			{
 				try
@@ -396,21 +317,12 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 						throw new InterruptedException();
 					}
 					
-					
-					try
-					{
-						finalVboWrapper.uploadVertexBuffer(finalVertexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
-						vertexUploadFuture.complete(null);
-					}
-					catch (Exception e)
-					{
-						vboWrappers[finalVboIndex] = null;
-						finalVboWrapper.close();
-						LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-					}
+					finalVboWrapper.uploadVertexBuffer(finalVertexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
+					vertexUploadFuture.complete(null);
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
+					LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
 					vertexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
 				}
 			});
@@ -445,6 +357,7 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 					}
 					catch (Exception e)
 					{
+						finalVboWrapper.close();
 						indexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
 					}
 				});
@@ -532,26 +445,29 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		
 		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Close", () -> 
 		{
-			for (IVertexBufferWrapper buffer : this.vboOpaqueWrappers)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.close();
-				}
-			}
-			
-			for (IVertexBufferWrapper buffer : this.vboTransparentWrappers)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.close();
-				}
-			}
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboOpaqueWrappers);
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboTransparentWrappers);
 			
 			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;
@@ -30,38 +31,29 @@ 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.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
-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);
 	
-	@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;
-	
-	private final EDhApiDebugRendering debugRenderingMode;
-	private final EDhApiGrassSideRendering grassSideRenderingMode;
+	/** 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
+	//region
 		{
 			// X,Z //
 			{ // UP
@@ -109,7 +101,27 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 				{0, 0}, // 3
 			},
 		};
-	///endregion
+	//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];
+	
+	/** 
+	 * 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 boolean doTransparency;
+	private IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
+	
+	private EDhApiDebugRendering debugRenderingMode;
+	private EDhApiGrassSideRendering grassSideRenderingMode;
 	
 	private int premergeCount = 0;
 	
@@ -120,20 +132,31 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	//=============//
 	//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.debugRenderingColors.get();
 		this.grassSideRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.grassSideRendering.get();
 		
+		this.premergeCount = 0;
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -143,7 +166,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	//===========//
 	// add quads //
 	//===========//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
 	public void addQuadAdj(
 			EDhDirection dir, 
@@ -167,7 +190,8 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 			quadList = this.opaqueQuads[dir.ordinal()]; 
 		}
 		
-		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(x, y, z, width, height, 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)
@@ -182,35 +206,37 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	}
 	
 	// XZ
-	public void addQuadUp(short minX, short maxY, short minZ, short width, int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight)
+	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, width, width, 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, 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, width, 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
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// data finalizing //
 	//=================//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
 	/** Uses Greedy meshing to merge this builder's Quads. */
 	public void mergeQuads()
@@ -279,14 +305,14 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		return mergeCount;
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// buffer setup //
 	//==============//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
 	public ArrayList<ByteBuffer> makeOpaqueVertexBuffers() { return this.makeVertexBuffers(this.opaqueQuads); }
 	public ArrayList<ByteBuffer> makeTransparentVertexBuffers() { return this.makeVertexBuffers(this.transparentQuads); }
@@ -311,7 +337,8 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 				if (buffer == null 
 					|| buffer.remaining() < BYTES_PER_QUAD)
 				{
-					buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(getMaxBufferByteSize());
+					buffer = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(getMaxBufferByteSize());
+					buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
 					byteBufferList.add(buffer);
 				}
 				
@@ -394,7 +421,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 								// 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));
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -451,14 +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
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
 	public int getCurrentOpaqueQuadsCount()
 	{
@@ -513,7 +540,68 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		return fullSizedBuffer;
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//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/transformers/FullDataToRenderDataTransformer.java

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrappe
 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;
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
 			RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList = new RenderDataPointReducingList())
 		{
+			DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable();
 			for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
 			{
 				for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
@@ -141,7 +143,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 						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);
+						phantomCheckout, tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList, mutableBlockPos);
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			ColumnRenderView columnArrayView, 
 			LongArrayList fullDataColumn,
 			// pooled references
-			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout, ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList)
+			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout, ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList, DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos)
 	{
 		// we can't do anything if the full data is missing or empty
 		if (fullDataColumn == null 
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		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
 		{
@@ -177,7 +179,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			
 			// expand the ColumnArrayView to fit the new larger max vertical size
 			tempExpandingColumnView.populate(dataArrayList, fullDataLength, 0, fullDataLength);
-			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, tempExpandingColumnView, fullDataColumn);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, tempExpandingColumnView, fullDataColumn, mutableBlockPos);
 			
 			columnArrayView.changeVerticalSizeFrom(tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList);
 		}
@@ -185,14 +187,14 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 	private static void setRenderColumnView(
 			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource,
 			int blockX, int blockZ,
-			ColumnRenderView 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);
@@ -241,7 +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++)
@@ -449,8 +452,17 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				// 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;
+				}
 			}
 			
 			

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/file/fullDatafile/GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.java

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProvid
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.delayedSaveCache.DelayedDataSourceSaveCache;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;

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

@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile;
 import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.LodRequestModule;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.LodRequestModule;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.SyncOnLoadRequestQueue;

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/queues/AbstractLodRequestState.java

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhServerLevel;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+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.util.FormatUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
+
+import java.time.Duration;
+import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
+import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
+
+/** 
+ * Handles the {@link IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue} and any other necessary world gen information. 
+ * 
+ * @see LodRequestModule
+ * @see IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue
+ */
+public abstract class AbstractLodRequestState
+{
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	/** static so we only send the disable message once per session */
+	private static long firstProgressMessageSentMs = 0;
+	
+	
+	
+	public final IDhLevel dhLevel;
+	public final IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue;
+	
+	private final ThreadPoolExecutor progressUpdaterThread = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("World Gen Progress Updater");
+	private boolean progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
+	
+	
+	
+	//===========================//
+	// request queue and logging //
+	//===========================//
+	//region
+	
+	public AbstractLodRequestState(IDhLevel dhLevel, IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue)
+	{
+		this.dhLevel = dhLevel;
+		this.retrievalQueue = retrievalQueue;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//===========================//
+	// request queue and logging //
+	//===========================//
+	//region
+	
+	/** @param targetPosForRequest the position that world generation should be centered around */
+	public void startRequestQueueAndSetTargetPos(DhBlockPos2D targetPosForRequest)
+	{
+		this.retrievalQueue.startAndSetTargetPos(targetPosForRequest);
+		this.startProgressUpdateThread();
+	}
+	private void startProgressUpdateThread()
+	{
+		// only start the thread once
+		if (!this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
+		{
+			this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = true;
+			
+			progressUpdaterThread.execute(() ->
+			{
+				while (this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
+				{
+					try
+					{
+						this.sendRetrievalProgress();
+						
+						// sleep so we only see an update once in a while
+						int sleepTimeInSec = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisplayIntervalInSeconds.get();
+						Thread.sleep(sleepTimeInSec * 1_000L);
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue displaying chunk retrieval progress [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+				}
+			});
+		}
+	}
+	private void sendRetrievalProgress()
+	{
+		// format the remaining chunks
+		int remainingChunkCount = this.retrievalQueue.getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount();
+		remainingChunkCount += this.retrievalQueue.getQueuedChunkCount();
+		String remainingChunkCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(remainingChunkCount);
+		
+		String message = "DH is "+this.retrievalQueue.getRetrievalTypeName()+". ";
+		if (this.dhLevel.getClass() == DhServerLevel.class)
+		{
+			// server levels can have multiple world generators running at once,
+			// this helps us track of which queue is which
+			message += "For " + this.dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().getDimensionName() + " ";
+		}
+		message += remainingChunkCountStr + " left.";
+		
+		// show a message about how to disable progress logging if requested
+		int msToShowDisableInstructions = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisableMessageDisplayTimeInSeconds.get() * 1_000;
+		if (msToShowDisableInstructions > 0)
+		{
+			long timeSinceFirstMessageInMs = (System.currentTimeMillis() - firstProgressMessageSentMs);
+			// always show this message for the first tick
+			if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0
+				// show this message if there is still time
+				|| timeSinceFirstMessageInMs < msToShowDisableInstructions)
+			{
+				// append to the current message
+				message += " This message can be hidden in the DH config.";
+			}
+		}
+		
+		// add the remaining time estimate if available
+		double chunksPerSec = this.getEstimatedChunksPerSecond();
+		if (chunksPerSec > 0)
+		{
+			long estimatedRemainingTime = (long) (remainingChunkCount / chunksPerSec);
+			message += " ETA: " + FormatUtil.formatEta(Duration.ofSeconds(estimatedRemainingTime));
+			
+			if (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressIncludeChunksPerSecond.get())
+			{
+				message += " at " + F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(chunksPerSec) + " chunks/sec";
+			}
+		}
+		
+		// only log if there are chunks needing to be generated
+		if (remainingChunkCount != 0)
+		{
+			// determine where to log
+			EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation displayLocation = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.showGenerationProgress.get();
+			if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.OVERLAY)
+			{
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.showOverlayMessageNextFrame(message);
+			}
+			else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.CHAT)
+			{
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
+			}
+			else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.LOG)
+			{
+				LOGGER.info(message);
+			}
+			
+			
+			// mark when the first message was sent
+			if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0)
+			{
+				firstProgressMessageSentMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** @return -1 if this method isn't supported or available */
+	public double getEstimatedChunksPerSecond()
+	{
+		RollingAverage avg = this.retrievalQueue.getRollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs();
+		if (avg == null)
+		{
+			return -1;
+		}
+		
+		
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
+		int threadCount = 1;
+		if (executor != null)
+		{
+			threadCount = executor.getPoolSize();
+		}
+		
+		// convert chunk generation time in milliseconds to chunks per second
+		double chunksPerSecond = (1 / avg.getAverage()) * 1_000;
+		// estimate the number of chunks that can be processed per second by all threads
+		// Note: this is probably higher than the actual number, we might want to drop this by 1 or 2 to give a more realistic estimate
+		chunksPerSecond = threadCount * chunksPerSecond;
+		
+		return chunksPerSecond;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	public CompletableFuture<Void> closeAsync(boolean doInterrupt)
+	{
+		// this should stop the updater thread
+		this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
+		
+		return this.retrievalQueue.startClosingAsync(true, doInterrupt)
+			.exceptionally(e ->
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Error during first stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					return null;
+				}
+			).thenRun(this.retrievalQueue::close)
+			.exceptionally(e ->
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Error during second stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				return null;
+			});
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/queues/IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue.java

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
  * Used by both world gen and server networking.
  * 
  * @see LodQuadTree
+ * @see AbstractLodRequestState
+ * @see LodRequestModule
  */
 public interface IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue extends Closeable
 {
@@ -63,6 +65,12 @@ public interface IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue extends Closeable
 	 */
 	byte highestDataDetail();
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Returns a value like "downloading" or "generating" depending on how the LODs are being retrieved.
+	 * Used to make the progress message easier to understand.
+	 */
+	String getRetrievalTypeName();
+	
 	//endregion
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/queues/LodRequestModule.java

@@ -17,39 +17,35 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.*;
 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.util.FormatUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
-import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.List;
-import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 /**
  * Handles both single-player/server-side world gen and client side LOD requests.
+ * 
+ * @see AbstractLodRequestState
+ * @see IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue
  */
 public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	
+	private final IDhLevel level;
 	private final GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.IOnWorldGenCompleteListener onWorldGenCompleteListener;
 	private final ThreadPoolExecutor tickerThread;
 	
@@ -63,6 +59,7 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	public LodRequestModule(
 			IDhLevel level,
@@ -71,29 +68,50 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 			Supplier<? extends AbstractLodRequestState> worldGenStateSupplier
 		)
 	{
+		this.level = level;
 		this.onWorldGenCompleteListener = onWorldGenCompleteListener;
 		this.dataSourceProvider = dataSourceProvider;
 		this.worldGenStateSupplier = worldGenStateSupplier;
 		
-		String levelId = level.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier();
+		String levelId = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier();
 		this.tickerThread = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("Request Module Ticker ["+levelId+"]");
 		this.tickerThread.execute(this::tickLoop);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// ticking //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	private void tickLoop()
 	{
 		try
 		{
+			// Initial wait is to prevent an issue
+			// where this starts before the child object's constructor finishes,
+			// causing null pointers on final non-null references.
+			// The try-catch in the while loop should also handle this
+			// but this way we shouldn't have error logs.
+			Thread.sleep(500);
+			
+			// run until the threadpool is shut down
 			while (!Thread.interrupted())
 			{
-				Thread.sleep(20);
-				this.tick();
+				try
+				{
+					Thread.sleep(20);
+					
+					this.tick();
+				}
+				catch (InterruptedException e) { throw e; }
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in [" + LodRequestModule.class.getSimpleName() + "] tick loop, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
@@ -101,8 +119,11 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 	private void tick()
 	{
 		boolean shouldDoWorldGen = this.onWorldGenCompleteListener.shouldDoWorldGen();
+		
 		// if the world is read only don't generate anything
-		shouldDoWorldGen &= !DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly();
+		shouldDoWorldGen &= !DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly();
+		
+		
 		
 		boolean isWorldGenRunning = this.isWorldGenRunning();
 		if (shouldDoWorldGen && !isWorldGenRunning)
@@ -130,11 +151,14 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===================//
 	// world gen control //
 	//===================//
+	//region
 	
 	public void startWorldGen(GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider dataFileHandler, AbstractLodRequestState newWgs)
 	{
@@ -173,11 +197,14 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		dataFileHandler.removeWorldGenCompleteListener(this.onWorldGenCompleteListener);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=======================//
 	// base method overrides //
 	//=======================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public void close()
@@ -205,11 +232,14 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public boolean isWorldGenRunning() { return this.lodRequestStateRef.get() != null; }
 	
@@ -241,170 +271,7 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		worldGenState.retrievalQueue.addDebugMenuStringsToList(messageList);
 	}
 	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// helper classes //
-	//================//
-	
-	/** Handles the {@link IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue} and any other necessary world gen information. */
-	public static abstract class AbstractLodRequestState
-	{
-		/** static so we only send the disable message once per session */
-		private static long firstProgressMessageSentMs = 0;
-		
-		public IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue;
-		
-		private static final ThreadPoolExecutor PROGRESS_UPDATER_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("World Gen Progress Updater");
-		private boolean progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
-		
-		
-		
-		/** @param targetPosForRequest the position that world generation should be centered around */
-		public void startRequestQueueAndSetTargetPos(DhBlockPos2D targetPosForRequest) 
-		{ 
-			this.retrievalQueue.startAndSetTargetPos(targetPosForRequest);
-			this.startProgressUpdateThread();
-		}
-		private void startProgressUpdateThread()
-		{
-			// only start the thread once
-			if (!this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
-			{
-				this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = true;
-				
-				PROGRESS_UPDATER_THREAD.execute(() -> 
-				{
-					while (this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
-					{
-						try
-						{
-							this.sendRetrievalProgress();
-							
-							// sleep so we only see an update once in a while
-							int sleepTimeInSec = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisplayIntervalInSeconds.get();
-							Thread.sleep(sleepTimeInSec * 1_000L);
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue displaying chunk retrieval progress [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-						}
-					}
-				});
-			}
-		}
-		private void sendRetrievalProgress()
-		{
-			// format the remaining chunks
-			int remainingChunkCount = this.retrievalQueue.getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount();
-			remainingChunkCount += this.retrievalQueue.getQueuedChunkCount();
-			String remainingChunkCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(remainingChunkCount);
-			
-			String message = "DH is generating chunks. " + remainingChunkCountStr + " left."; // TODO getting stuck at 32 chunks remaining
-			
-			// show a message about how to disable progress logging if requested
-			int msToShowDisableInstructions = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisableMessageDisplayTimeInSeconds.get() * 1_000;
-			if (msToShowDisableInstructions > 0)
-			{
-				long timeSinceFirstMessageInMs = (System.currentTimeMillis() - firstProgressMessageSentMs);
-				// always show this message for the first tick
-				if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0
-						// show this message if there is still time
-						|| timeSinceFirstMessageInMs < msToShowDisableInstructions)
-				{
-					// append to the current message
-					message += " This message can be hidden in the DH config.";
-				}
-			}
-			
-			// add the remaining time estimate if available
-			double chunksPerSec = this.getEstimatedChunksPerSecond();
-			if (chunksPerSec > 0)
-			{
-				long estimatedRemainingTime = (long) (remainingChunkCount / chunksPerSec);
-				message += " ETA: " + FormatUtil.formatEta(Duration.ofSeconds(estimatedRemainingTime));
-				
-				if (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressIncludeChunksPerSecond.get())
-				{
-					message += " at " + F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(chunksPerSec) + " chunks/sec";
-				}
-			}
-			
-			// only log if there are chunks needing to be generated
-			if (remainingChunkCount != 0)
-			{
-				// determine where to log
-				EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation displayLocation = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.showGenerationProgress.get();
-				if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.OVERLAY)
-				{
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showOverlayMessageNextFrame(message);
-				}
-				else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.CHAT)
-				{
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
-				}
-				else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.LOG)
-				{
-					LOGGER.info(message);
-				}
-				
-				
-				// mark when the first message was sent
-				if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0)
-				{
-					firstProgressMessageSentMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		
-		/** @return -1 if this method isn't supported or available */
-		public double getEstimatedChunksPerSecond()
-		{
-			RollingAverage avg = this.retrievalQueue.getRollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs();
-			if (avg == null)
-			{
-				return -1;
-			}
-			
-			
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
-			int threadCount = 1;
-			if (executor != null)
-			{
-				threadCount = executor.getPoolSize();
-			}
-			
-			// convert chunk generation time in milliseconds to chunks per second
-			double chunksPerSecond = (1 / avg.getAverage()) * 1_000;
-			// estimate the number of chunks that can be processed per second by all threads
-			// Note: this is probably higher than the actual number, we might want to drop this by 1 or 2 to give a more realistic estimate
-			chunksPerSecond = threadCount * chunksPerSecond;
-			
-			return chunksPerSecond;
-		}
-		
-		
-		CompletableFuture<Void> closeAsync(boolean doInterrupt)
-		{
-			// this should stop the updater thread
-			this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
-			
-			return this.retrievalQueue.startClosingAsync(true, doInterrupt)
-				.exceptionally(e ->
-				{
-					LOGGER.error("Error during first stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-					return null;
-				}
-				).thenRun(this.retrievalQueue::close)
-				.exceptionally(e ->
-				{
-					LOGGER.error("Error during second stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-					return null;
-				});
-		}
-		
-		
-	}
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/queues/RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue.java

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.WorldGenUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 
@@ -52,6 +51,9 @@ public class RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQue
 	@Override
 	public byte highestDataDetail() { return LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL; }
 	
+	@Override 
+	public String getRetrievalTypeName() { return "downloading LODs"; }
+	
 	@Override
 	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> submitRetrievalTask(long sectionPos, byte requiredDataDetail)
 	{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/queues/WorldGenerationQueue.java

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.worldGenerator.IDhApiWorldGenerator;
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.IDhApiFullDataSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalTask;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhServerLevel;
@@ -201,7 +202,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	private synchronized void tryQueueNewWorldGenRequestsAsync()
 	{
 		if (!DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded()
-			|| DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+			|| DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -592,6 +593,8 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	@Override public byte lowestDataDetail() { return this.lowestDataDetail; }
 	@Override public byte highestDataDetail() { return this.highestDataDetail; }
 	
+	@Override public String getRetrievalTypeName() { return "generating chunks"; }
+	
 	@Override public int getEstimatedRemainingTaskCount() { return this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount; }
 	@Override public void setEstimatedRemainingTaskCount(int newEstimate) { this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount = newEstimate; }
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/jar/DarkModeDetector.java

@@ -1,199 +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.jar;
-
-import java.io.*;
-import java.util.regex.Pattern;
-
-/**
- * A fork of iris' dark mode detector (https://github.com/IrisShaders/Iris-Installer/blob/master/src/main/java/net/hypercubemc/iris_installer/DarkModeDetector.java)
- * Which is a fork of HanSolo's dark mode detector (https://gist.github.com/HanSolo/7cf10b86efff8ca2845bf5ec2dd0fe1d)
- *
- * This fork has better support for Linux
- *
- * @author HanSolo
- * @author IMS
- * @author coolGi
- */
-public class DarkModeDetector
-{
-	private static final String REGQUERY_UTIL = "reg query ";
-	private static final String REGDWORD_TOKEN = "REG_DWORD";
-	private static final String DARK_THEME_CMD = REGQUERY_UTIL + "\"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Themes\\Personalize\"" + " /v AppsUseLightTheme";
-	
-	public static boolean isDarkMode()
-	{
-		switch (EPlatform.get())
-		{
-			case WINDOWS:
-				return isWindowsDarkMode();
-			case MACOS:
-				return isMacOsDarkMode();
-			case LINUX:
-				// Most Unix(-like) distros also use a lot of the same things as Linux (like desktop environments and window managers)
-			case BSD:
-			case UNIX:
-				return checkLinuxDark();
-			default:
-				return false;
-		}
-	}
-	
-	// Needs checking as I dont use Mac
-	public static boolean isMacOsDarkMode()
-	{
-		boolean isDarkMode = false;
-		String line = query("defaults read -g AppleInterfaceStyle");
-		if (line.equals("Dark"))
-		{
-			isDarkMode = true;
-		}
-		return isDarkMode;
-	}
-	
-	// Needs checking as I don't use Windows
-	public static boolean isWindowsDarkMode()
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			String result = query(DARK_THEME_CMD);
-			int p = result.indexOf(REGDWORD_TOKEN);
-			
-			if (p == -1)
-			{
-				return false;
-			}
-			
-			// 1 == Light Mode, 0 == Dark Mode
-			String temp = result.substring(p + REGDWORD_TOKEN.length()).trim();
-			return ((Integer.parseInt(temp.substring("0x".length()), 16))) == 0;
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	// On Linux there are 2 popular formats for theming
-	// They are qt and gtk. We check the desktop environment and use that to pick which one to use (if none work then use GTK)
-	public static boolean checkLinuxDark()
-	{
-		// Checks "/usr/bin" as "echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP" dosnt work in java and dosnt detect window managers
-		File de_location = new File("/usr/bin");
-//        System.out.println(de_location.list());
-		for (String de : de_location.list())
-		{
-//            System.out.println(de);
-			if (de.contains("gnome-session")) // Gnome uses GTK
-			{
-				return GTKChecker();
-			}
-			if (de.contains("plasma_session")) // KDE plasma uses QT
-			{
-				return QTChecker();
-			}
-		}
-		return GTKChecker(); // GTK works best with non plasma desktops (desktops includes window managers)
-	}
-	
-	public static boolean GTKChecker()
-	{
-		// Checks if the return to "gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme" in terminal is 'prefer-dark' or contains the word dark in it
-		final Pattern darkThemeNamePattern = Pattern.compile(".*dark.*", Pattern.CASE_INSENSITIVE);
-		return darkThemeNamePattern.matcher(query("gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface color-scheme")).matches();
-	}
-	
-	public static boolean QTChecker()
-	{
-		// Get the contents of "~/.config/Trolltech.conf" then check "KWinPalette\activeBackground"
-		// With that you grayscale the rgb and check if it is over/under 128
-		
-		// If there is a better way of doing this then please let me know
-		// This seems like the best way as qt dosnt have a dark/light preference and just stores pure color values
-		
-		try
-		{
-			File themeFile = new File(System.getProperty("user.home") + "/.config/Trolltech.conf");
-			
-			BufferedReader reader = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(themeFile));
-			String themeLine = reader.readLine();
-			while (themeLine != null)
-			{ // Go through each line till you find "KWinPalette\activeBackground"
-				if (themeLine.contains("KWinPalette\\activeBackground"))
-				{
-					break;
-				}
-				themeLine = reader.readLine();
-			}
-			reader.close();
-			
-			// Get where the # is then read the hex numbers after it
-			short index = (short) themeLine.indexOf("#");
-			short r = (short) Integer.parseInt("" + themeLine.charAt(index + 1) + themeLine.charAt(index + 2), 16);
-			short g = (short) Integer.parseInt("" + themeLine.charAt(index + 3) + themeLine.charAt(index + 4), 16);
-			short b = (short) Integer.parseInt("" + themeLine.charAt(index + 5) + themeLine.charAt(index + 6), 16);
-			if ((r + g + b) / 2 >= 128)
-			{
-				return false;
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				return true;
-			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			e.printStackTrace(); return false;
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	/** Runs a command trough command line */
-	private static String query(String cmd)
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			Process process = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(cmd);
-			StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder();
-			try (BufferedReader reader = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(process.getInputStream())))
-			{
-				String actualReadLine;
-				while ((actualReadLine = reader.readLine()) != null)
-				{
-					if (stringBuilder.length() != 0)
-					{
-						stringBuilder.append('\n');
-					}
-					stringBuilder.append(actualReadLine);
-				}
-			}
-			return stringBuilder.toString();
-		}
-		catch (IOException e)
-		{
-			System.out.println("Exception caught while querying the OS:");
-			e.printStackTrace();
-			return "";
-		}
-	}
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/jar/installer/GitlabGetter.java

@@ -94,7 +94,10 @@ public class GitlabGetter
 		{
 			try
 			{
-				pipelineInfo.put(pipeline, WebDownloader.parseWebJsonList(this.GitProjID + "pipelines/" + pipeline + "/jobs"));
+				pipelineInfo.put(pipeline, WebDownloader.parseWebJsonList(this.GitProjID + "pipelines/" + pipeline + "/jobs?per_page=100")); 
+				// max page size is 100, 
+				// if we ever support more than 100 MC versions this logic will need to handle pagination
+				// https://docs.gitlab.com/api/rest/#pagination
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/jar/updater/SelfUpdater.java

@@ -28,16 +28,13 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.GitlabGetter;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.ModrinthGetter;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.WebDownloader;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.NativeDialogUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IVersionConstants;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.jar.DeleteOnUnlock;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
-import javax.swing.*;
-import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.*;
 import java.net.URLEncoder;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
@@ -59,12 +56,14 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IVersionConstants VERSION_CONSTANTS = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IVersionConstants.class);
+	
+	private static final String MC_VERSION = VERSION_CONSTANTS.getMinecraftVersion();
+	
 	/** As we cannot delete(or replace) the jar while the mod is running, we just have this to delete it once the game closes */
 	public static boolean deleteOldJarOnJvmShutdown = false;
 	
-	private static String currentJarSha = "";
-	private static String mcVersion = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IVersionConstants.class).getMinecraftVersion();
-	
 	public static File newFileLocation;
 	
 	
@@ -76,29 +75,33 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 	 */
 	public static boolean onStart()
 	{
-		LOGGER.info("Checking for Distant Horizons update");
-		
-		try
+		if (!Config.Client.Advanced.AutoUpdater.enableAutoUpdater.get())
 		{
-			currentJarSha = JarUtils.getFileChecksum(MessageDigest.getInstance("SHA"), JarUtils.jarFile);
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			LOGGER.error("Unable to get existing jar checksum, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+			LOGGER.info("Distant Horizons auto update disabled.");
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		boolean returnValue = false;
+		
 		try
 		{
 			EDhApiUpdateBranch updateBranch = EDhApiUpdateBranch.convertAutoToStableOrNightly(Config.Client.Advanced.AutoUpdater.updateBranch.get());
-			returnValue = (updateBranch == EDhApiUpdateBranch.STABLE) ? onStableStart() : onNightlyStart();
+			
+			LOGGER.info("Checking for Distant Horizons ["+updateBranch+"] update for MC ["+MC_VERSION+"]...");
+			
+			if (updateBranch == EDhApiUpdateBranch.STABLE)
+			{
+				return onStableStart();
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				return onNightlyStart();
+			}
 		}
 		catch (Exception e) // Shouldn't be needed, but just in case
 		{
 			LOGGER.warn("Unexpected updater startup error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+			return false;
 		}
-		return returnValue;
 	}
 	private static boolean onStableStart()
 	{
@@ -109,15 +112,19 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.warn("Unable to find any nightly build pipelines, auto update will be unavailable.");
 			return false;
 		}
-		if (!ModrinthGetter.mcVersions.contains(mcVersion))
+		if (!ModrinthGetter.mcVersions.contains(MC_VERSION))
 		{
-			LOGGER.warn("Minecraft version ["+ mcVersion +"] is not findable on Modrinth, only findable versions are ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", ModrinthGetter.mcVersions) +"]");
+			LOGGER.warn("Minecraft version ["+ MC_VERSION +"] is not findable on Modrinth, only findable versions are ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", ModrinthGetter.mcVersions) +"]");
 			return false;
 		}
 		
 		try
 		{
-			newFileLocation = JarUtils.jarFile.getParentFile().toPath().resolve("update").resolve(ModInfo.NAME + "-" + ModrinthGetter.getLatestNameForVersion(mcVersion) + "-" + mcVersion + ".jar").toFile();
+			newFileLocation = JarUtils.jarFile
+				.getParentFile().toPath()
+				.resolve("update")
+				.resolve(ModInfo.NAME + "-" + ModrinthGetter.getLatestNameForVersion(MC_VERSION) + "-" + MC_VERSION + ".jar")
+				.toFile();
 		}
 		catch (Exception e)
 		{
@@ -125,8 +132,19 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			return false;
 		}
 		
+		String currentJarSha;
+		try
+		{
+			currentJarSha = JarUtils.getFileChecksum(MessageDigest.getInstance("SHA"), JarUtils.jarFile);
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unable to get existing jar checksum, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+			return false;
+		}
+		
 		// Check the sha's of both our stuff
-		if (currentJarSha.equals(ModrinthGetter.getLatestShaForVersion(mcVersion)))
+		if (currentJarSha.equals(ModrinthGetter.getLatestShaForVersion(MC_VERSION)))
 		{
 			LOGGER.info("Distant Horizons already up to date.");
 			return false;
@@ -138,21 +156,23 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 		}
 		
 		
-		LOGGER.info("New version (" + ModrinthGetter.getLatestNameForVersion(mcVersion) + ") of Distant Horizons is available");
+		LOGGER.info("New version (" + ModrinthGetter.getLatestNameForVersion(MC_VERSION) + ") of Distant Horizons is available");
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.AutoUpdater.enableSilentUpdates.get())
 		{
 			// Auto-update mod
-			updateMod(mcVersion, newFileLocation);
+			updateMod(MC_VERSION, newFileLocation);
 			return false;
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Download link: " + ModrinthGetter.getLatestDownloadForVersion(mcVersion));
+			LOGGER.info("Download link: " + ModrinthGetter.getLatestDownloadForVersion(MC_VERSION));
 		}
 		return true;
 	}
 	private static boolean onNightlyStart()
 	{
+		LOGGER.info("Checking for Distant Horizons Nightly update...");
+		
 		if (GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.projectPipelines.size() == 0)
 		{
 			LOGGER.info("Unable to find any nightly build pipelines, auto update will be unavailable.");
@@ -172,9 +192,9 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		if (!GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).containsKey(mcVersion))
+		if (!GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).containsKey(MC_VERSION))
 		{
-			LOGGER.warn("Minecraft version ["+ mcVersion +"] is not findable on Gitlab, findable versions are ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).keySet().toArray()) +"].");
+			LOGGER.warn("Minecraft version ["+ MC_VERSION +"] is not findable on Gitlab, findable versions are ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).keySet().toArray()) +"].");
 			return false;
 		}
 		
@@ -201,12 +221,12 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.AutoUpdater.enableSilentUpdates.get())
 		{
 			// Auto-update mod
-			updateMod(mcVersion, newFileLocation);
+			updateMod(MC_VERSION, newFileLocation);
 			return false;
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Download link: " + GitlabGetter.getLatestForVersion(mcVersion));
+			LOGGER.info("Download link: " + GitlabGetter.getLatestForVersion(MC_VERSION));
 		}
 		return true;
 	}
@@ -264,7 +284,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
+					MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -287,7 +307,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
+				MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			
@@ -386,7 +406,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
+					MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -424,7 +444,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
+				MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/AbstractDhServerLevel.java

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.FullDataSourceRequestH
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.ServerPlayerState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.ServerPlayerStateManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RequestOutOfRangeException;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RequestRejectedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.SectionRequiresSplittingException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractTrackableMessage;
@@ -22,14 +21,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.WorldGenUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
-import javax.annotation.Nullable;
+import java.io.File;
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -72,9 +71,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 			boolean runRepoReliantSetup
 		) throws SQLException, IOException
 	{
-		if (saveStructure.getSaveFolder(serverLevelWrapper).mkdirs())
+		File saveFolder = saveStructure.getSaveFolder(serverLevelWrapper);
+		saveFolder.mkdirs();
+		if (!saveFolder.exists())
 		{
-			LOGGER.warn("unable to create data folder.");
+			throw new IOException("unable to create save folder at ["+saveFolder.getPath()+"]. If you're on Windows you may need to enable long file paths.");
 		}
 		this.serverLevelWrapper = serverLevelWrapper;
 		this.serverside = new ServerLevelModule(this, saveStructure);
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 		this.worldGenPlayerCenteringQueue.add(firstPlayer);
 		this.worldGenPlayerCenteringQueue.remove(firstPlayer);
 		
-		Vec3d position = firstPlayer.getPosition();
+		DhVec3d position = firstPlayer.getPosition();
 		return new DhBlockPos2D((int) position.x, (int) position.z);
 	}
 	
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 				return;
 			}
 			
-			Vec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
+			DhVec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
 			int distanceFromPlayer = DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(message.sectionPos, new DhBlockPos2D((int) playerPosition.x, (int) playerPosition.z)) / 16;
 			
 			ServerPlayerState.RateLimiterSet rateLimiterSet = serverPlayerState.getRateLimiterSet(this);
@@ -200,26 +201,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 		
 		LodUtil.assertTrue(message.getSession().serverPlayer != null);
 		
-		// Check if the player is in this dimension,
-		// since handling multiple dimensions isn't allowed
-		if (message.getSession().serverPlayer.getLevel() != this.getLevelWrapper())
-		{
-			// If the message can be replied to - reply with an error, otherwise just ignore
-			if (message instanceof AbstractTrackableMessage)
-			{
-				((AbstractTrackableMessage) message).sendResponse(
-						new RequestRejectedException(
-								"Generation not allowed. " +
-										"Requested dimension: ["+((ILevelRelatedMessage) message).getLevelName()+"], " +
-										"player dimension: [" + message.getSession().serverPlayer.getLevel().getDhIdentifier() + "], " +
-										"handler dimension: [" + this.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier() + "]"
-						)
-				);
-			}
-			
-			return false;
-		}
-		
 		return true;
 	}
 	
@@ -270,7 +251,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 						continue;
 					}
 					
-					Vec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
+					DhVec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
 					int distanceFromPlayer = DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(data.getPos(), new DhBlockPos2D((int) playerPosition.x, (int) playerPosition.z)) / 16;
 					if (distanceFromPlayer <= serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.getMaxUpdateDistanceRadius())
 					{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/ClientLevelModule.java

@@ -29,8 +29,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree.LodQuadTree;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
 	
 	private final IDhClientLevel clientLevel;
@@ -106,7 +109,21 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 			this.ClientRenderStateRef.set(clientRenderState);
 		}
 		
-		clientRenderState.quadtree.tryTick(new DhBlockPos2D(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos()));
+		
+		DhBlockPos2D quadTreeTickBlockPos;
+		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.useCameraPositionForQualityDropOff.get())
+		{
+			// use camera position allow free cam mods work better
+			DhVec3d cameraDoublePos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+			quadTreeTickBlockPos = new DhBlockPos2D((int)cameraDoublePos.x, (int)cameraDoublePos.z);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// player position allows multi-cam mods to work better
+			quadTreeTickBlockPos = new DhBlockPos2D(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos());
+		}
+		
+		clientRenderState.quadtree.tryTick(quadTreeTickBlockPos);
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -120,7 +137,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 		ClientRenderState clientRenderState = new ClientRenderState(this.clientLevel, this.clientLevel.getFullDataProvider());
 		if (!this.ClientRenderStateRef.compareAndSet(null, clientRenderState))
 		{
-			LOGGER.warn("Renderer already started for ["+this+"].");
+			LOGGER.warn("Renderer already started for ["+this.clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper()+"].");
 			clientRenderState.close();
 		}
 	}
@@ -170,6 +187,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 		}
 		
 		this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeDataSourceUpdateListener(this);
+		this.genericRenderer.close();
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -259,7 +277,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 		@Override
 		public void close()
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Shutting down " + ClientRenderState.class.getSimpleName());
+			//LOGGER.info("Shutting down " + ClientRenderState.class.getSimpleName());
 			this.quadtree.close();
 		}
 		

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/DhClientLevel.java

@@ -21,13 +21,16 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
 
 import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.RemoteFullDataSourceProvider;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.AbstractLodRequestState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.LodRequestModule;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.ClientNetworkState;
@@ -112,16 +115,19 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 		File saveFolder = saveStructure.getSaveFolder(clientLevelWrapper);
 		File pre23Folder = saveStructure.getPre23SaveFolder(clientLevelWrapper);
 		
+		saveFolder.mkdirs();
+		
 		if (pre23Folder.exists())
 		{
 			if (!pre23Folder.renameTo(saveFolder))
 			{
-				throw new RuntimeException("Could not move old save data folder: " + pre23Folder.getAbsolutePath() + " to " + saveFolder.getAbsolutePath());
+				throw new RuntimeException("Could not move old save data folder: [" + pre23Folder.getAbsolutePath() + "] to [" + saveFolder.getAbsolutePath() + "].");
 			}
 		}
-		else if (saveStructure.getSaveFolder(clientLevelWrapper).mkdirs())
+		
+		if (!saveFolder.exists())
 		{
-			LOGGER.warn("unable to create data folder.");
+			throw new IOException("unable to create save folder at ["+saveFolder.getPath()+"]. If you're on Windows you may need to enable long file paths.");
 		}
 		
 		this.levelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
@@ -165,15 +171,17 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 			}
 			
 			
+			// Check this before decoding data to prevent errors if multiple client levels 
+			// are receiving data at once (Immersive Portals compatibility).
+			boolean isSameLevel = message.isSameLevelAs(this.levelWrapper);
+			//NETWORK_LOGGER.debug("Buffer ["+message.payload.dtoBufferId+"] isSameLevel: ["+isSameLevel+"]");
+			if (!isSameLevel)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
 			try (FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(message.payload))
 			{
-				boolean isSameLevel = message.isSameLevelAs(this.levelWrapper);
-				NETWORK_LOGGER.debug("Buffer ["+message.payload.dtoBufferId+"] isSameLevel: ["+isSameLevel+"]");
-				if (!isSameLevel)
-				{
-					return;
-				}
-				
 				
 				Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
 				if (executor != null)
@@ -217,6 +225,15 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	{
 		try
 		{
+			// only tick the level the player is currently in
+			// (done to prevent ticking LodQuadTree's for levels that aren't rendering)
+			IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel();
+			if (clientLevelWrapper == null 
+				|| clientLevelWrapper.getDhLevel() != this)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
 			this.clientside.clientTick();
 			
 			if (this.syncOnLoadRequestQueue != null)
@@ -331,12 +348,15 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 		String o = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE;
 		String y = MinecraftTextFormat.YELLOW;
 		String g = MinecraftTextFormat.GREEN;
+		String r = MinecraftTextFormat.RED;
 		String cf = MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING;
 		
 		
 		String dimName = this.levelWrapper.getDhIdentifier();
-		boolean rendering = this.clientside.isRendering();
-		String renderingString = rendering ? (g+"yes"+cf) : (o+"no"+cf);
+		boolean rendering = 
+			this.clientside.isRendering() 
+			&& !IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(dimName);
+		String renderingString = rendering ? (g+"yes"+cf) : (r+"no"+cf);
 		messageList.add("["+y+dimName+cf+"] rendering: "+renderingString);
 		
 		
@@ -396,12 +416,10 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	//================//
 	//region
 	
-	private static class LodRequestState extends LodRequestModule.AbstractLodRequestState
+	private static class LodRequestState extends AbstractLodRequestState
 	{
 		LodRequestState(DhClientLevel clientLevel, ClientNetworkState networkState)
-		{
-			this.retrievalQueue = new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, clientLevel);
-		}
+		{ super(clientLevel, new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, clientLevel)); }
 	}
 	
 	//endregion

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/DhClientServerLevel.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
 
+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.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
@@ -71,7 +72,19 @@ public class DhClientServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel implements IDhCli
 	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public void clientTick() { this.clientside.clientTick(); }
+	public void clientTick()
+	{
+		// only tick the level the player is currently in
+		// (done to prevent ticking LodQuadTree's for levels that aren't rendering)
+		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel();
+		if (clientLevelWrapper == null
+			|| clientLevelWrapper.getDhLevel() != this)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		this.clientside.clientTick();
+	}
 	
 	//endregion
 	
@@ -121,12 +134,15 @@ public class DhClientServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel implements IDhCli
 		String o = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE;
 		String y = MinecraftTextFormat.YELLOW;
 		String g = MinecraftTextFormat.GREEN;
+		String r = MinecraftTextFormat.RED;
 		String cf = MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING;
 		
 		
 		String dimName = this.serverLevelWrapper.getDhIdentifier();
-		boolean rendering = this.clientside.isRendering();
-		String renderingString = rendering ? (g+"yes"+cf) : (o+"no"+cf);
+		boolean rendering = 
+			this.clientside.isRendering() 
+			&& !IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(dimName);
+		String renderingString = rendering ? (g+"yes"+cf) : (r+"no"+cf);
 		messageList.add("["+y+dimName+cf+"] rendering: "+renderingString);
 		
 		super.addDebugMenuStringsToList(messageList);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/IKeyedClientLevelManager.java

@@ -28,9 +28,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindab
  */
 public interface IKeyedClientLevelManager extends IBindable
 {
-	IServerKeyedClientLevel getServerKeyedLevel();
-	/** Called when a client level is wrapped by a ServerEnhancedClientLevel, for integration into mod internals. */
-	IServerKeyedClientLevel setServerKeyedLevel(IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel, String serverKey, String levelKey);
+	IServerKeyedClientLevel getServerKeyedLevel(IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper);
+	/** Called when a client level is wrapped by a ServerKeyedClientLevel, for integration into mod internals. */
+	IServerKeyedClientLevel setServerKeyedLevel(IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel, String dimensionResource, String serverKey, String levelKey);
 	
 	void clearKeyedLevel();
 	boolean isEnabled();

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/ServerLevelModule.java

@@ -23,7 +23,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.worldGenerator.IDhApiW
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.BatchGenerator;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.WorldGenerationQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.WorldGenerationQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.AbstractLodRequestState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.LodRequestModule;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.WorldGeneratorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -75,9 +78,11 @@ public class ServerLevelModule implements AutoCloseable
 	// helper classes //
 	//================//
 	
-	public static class LodRequestState extends LodRequestModule.AbstractLodRequestState
+	public static class LodRequestState extends AbstractLodRequestState
 	{
 		LodRequestState(IDhServerLevel level)
+		{ super(level, createRetrievalQueue(level)); }
+		private static IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue createRetrievalQueue(IDhServerLevel level)
 		{
 			IDhApiWorldGenerator worldGenerator = WorldGeneratorInjector.INSTANCE.get(level.getLevelWrapper());
 			if (worldGenerator == null)
@@ -88,9 +93,11 @@ public class ServerLevelModule implements AutoCloseable
 				// since core world generator's should have the lowest override priority
 				WorldGeneratorInjector.INSTANCE.bind(level.getLevelWrapper(), worldGenerator);
 			}
-			this.retrievalQueue = new WorldGenerationQueue(worldGenerator, level);
+			return new WorldGenerationQueue(worldGenerator, level);
 		}
 		
+		
+		
 	}
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/logging/f3/F3Screen.java

@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ public class F3Screen
 				messageList.add("LOD Pos: "+y+detailLevel+"*"+posX+","+posZ+cf);
 				
 				AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition renderApiDef = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition.class);
-				messageList.add("Rendering API: "+a+renderApiDef.getApiName()+cf);
+				messageList.add("Rendering API: "+a+renderApiDef.getEngineName()+cf);
 			}
 			messageList.add("");
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/client/AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue.java

@@ -151,8 +151,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	
 	public synchronized boolean tick(DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() 
-			&& DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return false;
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/client/ClientNetworkState.java

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.ScopedNetworkEventSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.IncompatibleMessageInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.RequestLevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.SessionConfigMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSourceResponseMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSplitMessage;
@@ -164,7 +165,8 @@ public class ClientNetworkState implements Closeable
 	// send message //
 	//==============//
 	
-	
+	public void sendLevelInitRequest(String clientLevelKey) 
+	{ this.getSession().sendMessage(new RequestLevelInitMessage(clientLevelKey)); }
 	
 	public void sendConfigMessage() { this.sendConfigMessage(true); }
 	public void sendConfigMessage(boolean blocking)

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/client/SyncOnLoadRequestQueue.java

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/fullData/FullDataPayloadReceiver.java

@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.INetworkObject;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSplitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import io.netty.buffer.CompositeByteBuf;
 import io.netty.buffer.Unpooled;
 
+import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 			.build();
 	
 	private final ConcurrentMap<Integer, CompositeByteBuf> buffersById = CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
-			.expireAfterAccess(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
+		.expireAfterAccess(30, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
 			.<Integer, CompositeByteBuf>build().asMap();
 	
 	@Override
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 	public FullDataSourceV2DTO decodeDataSource(FullDataPayload payload)
 	{
 		CompositeByteBuf compositeByteBuffer = this.buffersById.get(payload.dtoBufferId);
-		LodUtil.assertTrue(compositeByteBuffer != null, "decoded data source missing byte buffer");
+		Objects.requireNonNull(compositeByteBuffer, "Unable to get a complete buffer for a received payload. Ignore this if it doesn't spam similar errors");
 		
 		try
 		{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/server/ServerPlayerState.java

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.AbstractDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.config.SessionConfig;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.FullDataPayloadSender;
@@ -9,13 +9,16 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.SharedBandwidthLimit
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.IncompatibleMessageInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.CloseReasonMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.RequestLevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.SessionConfigMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RateLimitedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSourceRequestMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ratelimiting.SupplierBasedRateAndConcurrencyLimiter;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
@@ -23,16 +26,14 @@ import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 
 public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 {
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<String> levelKeyPrefixChangeListener
-			= new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Server.levelKeyPrefix, this::onLevelKeyPrefixConfigChanged);
-	private final SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener configAnyChangeListener = new SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener(this::sendConfigMessage);
+	private final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
 	
+	private final SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener configAnyChangeListener = new SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener(this::sendConfigMessage);
 	
 	private final String serverKeyWithoutId = Config.Server.serverKey.get();
 	private final String serverKey = (this.serverKeyWithoutId.isEmpty() ? "" : Config.Server.serverId.get() + "_" + this.serverKeyWithoutId.trim())
 			.replaceAll("[^" + LevelInitMessage.ALLOWED_CHARS_REGEX + " ]", "")
 			.replaceAll(" ", "_");
-	private String lastLevelKey = "";
 	
 	
 	public final NetworkSession networkSession;
@@ -61,11 +62,27 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 		this.networkSession.registerHandler(SessionConfigMessage.class, (sessionConfigMessage) ->
 		{
 			this.sessionConfig.constrainingConfig = sessionConfigMessage.config;
-			
-			this.sendLevelKey();
 			this.sendConfigMessage();
 		});
 		
+		this.networkSession.registerHandler(RequestLevelInitMessage.class, msg ->
+		{
+			if (!Config.Server.sendLevelKeys.get())
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			IServerLevelWrapper serverLevelWrapper = MC_SHARED.getLevelWrapper(msg.dimensionResourceLocation);
+			if (serverLevelWrapper == null)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			String levelKey = serverLevelWrapper.getKeyedLevelDimensionName();
+			this.networkSession.sendMessage(new LevelInitMessage(msg.dimensionResourceLocation, this.serverKey, levelKey));
+		});
+		
+		
 		this.networkSession.registerHandler(CloseInternalEvent.class, event -> {
 			// No-op. prevents "Unhandled message" log entries
 		});
@@ -84,21 +101,6 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 	// client updating //
 	//=================//
 	
-	private void onLevelKeyPrefixConfigChanged(String newLevelKey) { this.sendLevelKey(); }
-	private void sendLevelKey()
-	{
-		if (Config.Server.sendLevelKeys.get())
-		{
-			// let the client's know about the change
-			String levelKey = this.getServerPlayer().getLevel().getKeyedLevelDimensionName();
-			if (!levelKey.equals(this.lastLevelKey))
-			{
-				this.lastLevelKey = levelKey;
-				this.networkSession.sendMessage(new LevelInitMessage(this.serverKey, levelKey));
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
 	private void sendConfigMessage()
 	{
 		double coordinateScale = this.getServerPlayer().getLevel().getDimensionType().getCoordinateScale();
@@ -118,7 +120,6 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 	public void close()
 	{
 		this.fullDataPayloadSender.close();
-		this.levelKeyPrefixChangeListener.close();
 		this.configAnyChangeListener.close();
 		this.networkSession.close();
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/network/messages/MessageRegistry.java

@@ -21,12 +21,9 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages;
 
 import com.google.common.collect.BiMap;
 import com.google.common.collect.HashBiMap;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.CodecCrashMessage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.SessionConfigMessage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSplitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.requests.CancelMessage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.CloseReasonMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.requests.ExceptionMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataPartialUpdateMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSourceRequestMessage;
@@ -60,6 +57,7 @@ public class MessageRegistry
 		
 		// Level keys
 		this.registerMessage(LevelInitMessage.class, LevelInitMessage::new);
+		this.registerMessage(RequestLevelInitMessage.class, RequestLevelInitMessage::new);
 		
 		// Config (for full DH support)
 		this.registerMessage(SessionConfigMessage.class, SessionConfigMessage::new);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/network/messages/base/LevelInitMessage.java

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ public class LevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 			MAX_LENGTH, ALLOWED_CHARS_REGEX, ALLOWED_CHARS_REGEX, ALLOWED_CHARS_REGEX);
 	
 	
+	public String dimensionResourceLocation;
 	public String serverKey;
 	public String levelKey;
 	public long serverTime;
@@ -32,8 +33,9 @@ public class LevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 	//==============//
 	
 	public LevelInitMessage() { }
-	public LevelInitMessage(String serverKey, String levelKey)
+	public LevelInitMessage(String dimensionResourceLocation, String serverKey, String levelKey)
 	{
+		this.dimensionResourceLocation = dimensionResourceLocation;
 		this.serverKey = serverKey;
 		this.levelKey = levelKey;
 		this.serverTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
@@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ public class LevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 	@Override
 	public void encode(ByteBuf out)
 	{
+		this.writeString(this.dimensionResourceLocation, out);
 		this.writeString(this.serverKey, out);
 		this.writeString(this.levelKey, out);
 		out.writeLong(this.serverTime);
@@ -56,6 +59,7 @@ public class LevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 	@Override
 	public void decode(ByteBuf in)
 	{
+		this.dimensionResourceLocation = this.readString(in);
 		this.serverKey = this.readString(in);
 		this.levelKey = this.readString(in);
 		this.serverTime = in.readLong();
@@ -71,6 +75,7 @@ public class LevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 	public MoreObjects.ToStringHelper toStringHelper()
 	{
 		return super.toStringHelper()
+				.add("dimensionResourceLocation", this.dimensionResourceLocation)
 				.add("serverKey", this.serverKey)
 				.add("levelKey", this.levelKey)
 				.add("serverTime", this.serverTime);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/network/messages/base/RequestLevelInitMessage.java

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ *    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.network.messages.base;
+
+import com.google.common.base.MoreObjects;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
+import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
+
+/** used for full DH support */
+public class RequestLevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
+{
+	public String dimensionResourceLocation;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public RequestLevelInitMessage() { }
+	public RequestLevelInitMessage(String dimensionResourceLocation) { this.dimensionResourceLocation = dimensionResourceLocation; }
+	
+	
+	
+	//===============//
+	// serialization //
+	//===============//
+	
+	@Override
+	public void encode(ByteBuf out) { this.writeString(this.dimensionResourceLocation, out); }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void decode(ByteBuf in) { this.dimensionResourceLocation = this.readString(in); }
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public MoreObjects.ToStringHelper toStringHelper()
+	{
+		return super.toStringHelper()
+				.add("dimensionResourceLocation", this.dimensionResourceLocation);
+	}
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pos/DhChunkPos.java

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 
 /**
  * immutable <br><br>
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public class DhChunkPos
 		// >> 4 is the Same as div 16
 		this(blockPos.x >> 4, blockPos.z >> 4);
 	}
-	public DhChunkPos(Vec3d pos)
+	public DhChunkPos(DhVec3d pos)
 	{
 		// >> 4 is the Same as div 16
 		this(((int)pos.x) >> 4, ((int)pos.z) >> 4);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/DhApiRenderProxy.java

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiRenderingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.DhApiResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
@@ -28,6 +30,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 /**
  * Used to interact with Distant Horizons' rendering systems.
@@ -43,6 +47,18 @@ public class DhApiRenderProxy implements IDhApiRenderProxy
 	
 	private boolean deferTransparentRendering = false;
 	
+	private static AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition renderApiDef = null;
+	@Nullable
+	private static AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition tryGetApiDef()
+	{
+		if (renderApiDef == null)
+		{
+			renderApiDef = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition.class);
+		}
+		
+		return renderApiDef; 
+	}
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -57,6 +73,7 @@ public class DhApiRenderProxy implements IDhApiRenderProxy
 	// methods //
 	//=========//
 	
+	@Override
 	public DhApiResult<Boolean> clearRenderDataCache()
 	{
 		// make sure this is a valid time to run the method
@@ -80,6 +97,32 @@ public class DhApiRenderProxy implements IDhApiRenderProxy
 		return DhApiResult.createSuccess();
 	}
 	
+	@Override 
+	public EDhApiRenderingApi getRenderingApi() throws IllegalStateException
+	{
+		AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition apiDef = tryGetApiDef();
+		if (apiDef == null)
+		{
+			// The rendering API hasn't been set up yet
+			throw new IllegalStateException("Distant Horizons hasn't finished setup yet. No renderer has been set.");
+		}
+		
+		return apiDef.getRenderApi();
+	}
+	
+	@Override 
+	public boolean isNativeRenderer() throws IllegalStateException
+	{
+		AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition apiDef = tryGetApiDef();
+		if (apiDef == null)
+		{
+			// The rendering API hasn't been set up yet
+			throw new IllegalStateException("Distant Horizons hasn't finished setup yet. No renderer has been set.");
+		}
+		
+		return apiDef.isNativeRenderer();
+	}
+	
 	
 	public static int activeOpenGlDhDepthTextureId = -1;
 	@Override

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/EDhRenderDepth.java

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
+
+/**
+ * FORWARD_Z, <br>
+ * REVERSE_Z, <br>
+ */
+public enum EDhRenderDepth
+{
+	/**
+	 * AKA Zero to One <br>
+	 * MC 26.1.2 and older (OpenGL) = false (near = 0.0f, far = 1.0f) 
+	 */
+	FORWARD_Z(0.0f, 1.0f),
+	/** 
+	 * AKA One to Zero <br>
+	 * MC 26.2.0 and newer (Vulkan/GL) = true (near = 1.0f, far = 0.0f) 
+	 */
+	REVERSE_Z(1.0f, 0.0f);
+	
+	
+	public final float nearDepth;
+	public final float farDepth;
+	
+	EDhRenderDepth(float nearDepth, float farDepth)
+	{
+		this.nearDepth = nearDepth;
+		this.farDepth = farDepth;
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/QuadTree/LodQuadTree.java

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	private static final AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer DEBUG_RENDERER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.class);
 	
 	/** there should only ever be one {@link LodQuadTree} so having the thread static should be fine */
-	private static final ThreadPoolExecutor FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleThreadPool("LodQuadTree Data Retrieval Queue");
+	private static final ThreadPoolExecutor FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("LodQuadTree Data Retrieval Queue");
 	
 	
 	public final int blockRenderDistanceDiameter;
@@ -148,7 +149,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			int initialPlayerBlockX, int initialPlayerBlockZ,
 			FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
 	{
-		super(viewDiameterInBlocks, new DhBlockPos2D(initialPlayerBlockX, initialPlayerBlockZ), DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+		super(viewDiameterInBlocks, FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH, 
+			new DhBlockPos2D(initialPlayerBlockX, initialPlayerBlockZ), DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
 		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus);
 		
@@ -183,7 +185,13 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			this.enabledRenderSectionLock.lock();
 			
 			tempProcessNodeList.clear();
-			tempProcessNodeList.addAll(this.enabledSections);
+			
+			// manual add and loop to reduce GC pressure due to addAll() doing unnecessary
+			// array copies
+			for (int i = 0; i < this.enabledSections.size(); i++)
+			{
+				tempProcessNodeList.add(this.enabledSections.get(i));
+			}
 		}
 		finally
 		{
@@ -245,17 +253,38 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//===================//
 		//region
 		
-		this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, (renderSection) ->
-		{
-			// removing out of bounds sections
-			if (renderSection != null)
+		// remove out of bound sections
+		this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, 
+			// remove completely out of bound nodes
+			// (the root node is no longer in bounds)
+			(renderSection) ->
 			{
-				this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
-				this.missingGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
-				this.queuedGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
-				renderSection.close();
+				if (renderSection != null)
+				{
+					this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					
+					// unfortunately we have to fully go through each set
+					// since a removed position may be larger than the multiple generated positions
+					// it contains
+					this.missingGenerationPosSet.removeIf((Long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					this.queuedGenerationPosSet.removeIf((Long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					
+					renderSection.close();
+				}
+			},
+			// mutate partially out of bound nodes
+			// (the root node is still in bounds, but this individual child node isn't)
+			(renderSection) ->
+			{
+				if (renderSection != null)
+				{
+					// when this node comes back into render distance
+					// we'll need to re-load it since the full data
+					// may have been modified while it was out of bounds
+					renderSection.renderDataDirty = true;
+				}
 			}
-		});
+		);
 		
 		//endregion
 		
@@ -304,7 +333,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 					continue;
 				}
 				
-				node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = false;
+				node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = false;
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -372,8 +401,6 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//=========================//
 		//region
 		
-		// also handles disabling beacons
-		
 		for (QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node : this.tickNodeHolder.getDisableNodes())
 		{
 			if (node == null || node.value == null) { continue; }
@@ -449,9 +476,9 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 						
 						// since this section wants to render
 						// check if it needs any generation to do so
-						if (!node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival)
+						if (!node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval)
 						{
-							node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = true;
+							node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = true;
 							this.tryQueuePosForRetrieval(node.value.pos); // can be quite slow
 						}
 					}
@@ -476,9 +503,10 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	//=========================//
 	// tick - recursive update //
 	//=========================//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
-	private void recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
 		@NotNull DhBlockPos2D playerPos, 
 		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, 
 		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode, 
@@ -490,19 +518,22 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		// get/create the node //
 		// and render section  //
 		//=====================//
-		///region
+		//region
 		
-		// create the node
-		if (quadNode == null)
-		{   
-			rootNode.setValue(sectionPos, new LodRenderSection(sectionPos, this, this.level, this.fullDataSourceProvider));
-			quadNode = rootNode.getNode(sectionPos);
-		}
-		if (quadNode == null)
+		quadNode = this.tryAddNodeToTree(rootNode, quadNode, sectionPos);
+		
+		
+		// Skip sections that are out-of-bounds.
+		// If not done some sections will appear and/or generate 
+		// outside the desired render distance
+		if (!this.isSectionPosInBounds(quadNode.sectionPos))
 		{
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Unable to add node with pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos)+"] to tree root ["+rootNode+"].");
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(quadNode);
+			return true;
 		}
 		
+		
 		// make sure the render section is created (shouldn't be necessary, but just in case)
 		LodRenderSection renderSection = quadNode.value;
 		if (renderSection == null)
@@ -511,7 +542,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			quadNode.setValue(sectionPos, renderSection);
 		}
 		
-		///endregion
+		//endregion
 		
 		
 		
@@ -519,7 +550,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		// handle enabling, loading,     //
 		// and disabling render sections //
 		//===============================//
-		///region
+		//region
 		
 		// load every node for rendering
 		if (!renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress()
@@ -535,94 +566,153 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		
 		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) > expectedDetailLevel)
 		{
-			this.onDetailLevelTooHigh(playerPos, rootNode, quadNode);
+			return this.onDetailLevelTooLow(playerPos, rootNode, quadNode);
 		}
 		// the (expectedDetailLevel-1) fixes corners being cut out due to distance calculations using the LOD center 
 		else if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) == expectedDetailLevel 
 			|| DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) == expectedDetailLevel - 1)
 		{
-			this.onDesiredDetailLevel(quadNode, parentNode);
+			return this.onDesiredDetailLevel(quadNode, parentNode);
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			throw new IllegalStateException("LodQuadTree shouldn't be updating renderSections below the expected detail level: [" + expectedDetailLevel + "].");
 		}
 		
-		///endregion
+		//endregion
 	}
-	private void onDetailLevelTooHigh(
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean onDetailLevelTooLow(
 		@NotNull DhBlockPos2D playerPos, 
-		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, @NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, 
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
 	{
 		// recursively update each child node
-		boolean allChildNodesCanRender = true;
+		int childNodeRenderCount = 0;
 		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 		{
-			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
 			long childPos = DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(quadNode.sectionPos, i);
-			this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
-				playerPos, 
-				rootNode, quadNode, childNode, childPos);
-			childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i); // needs to be gotten again in case a new node was added to the tree (this will often happen when moving into new areas where the children were deleted)
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
 			
-			// nodes shouldn't be null, but just in case
-			if (childNode != null
-				&& childNode.value != null
-				&& !childNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
+			boolean childCanRender = this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
+				playerPos,
+				rootNode, quadNode, childNode, childPos);
+			if (childCanRender)
 			{
-				// the node is present but not uploaded yet
-				allChildNodesCanRender = false;
+				// node can be rendered
+				childNodeRenderCount++;
 			}
 		}
 		
-		
-		if (allChildNodesCanRender)
+		boolean isRootNode = (quadNode == rootNode);
+		if (isRootNode)
 		{
-			// all child nodes can render, this node isn't needed
+			// Never render the root node.
+			// This is done to prevent flashing when moving across root node
+			// boundaries.
+			// Otherwise, when moving, new empty nodes will be added at the edge of the tree
+			// which will require the root node to render to cover the "empty" area.
 			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			return false;
+		}
+		else if (childNodeRenderCount >= 4)
+		{
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			
+			// all children can render,
+			// the area will be filled when rendering
+			return true;
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			// not all child positions are loaded yet, this one should be rendered instead
-			this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableNode(quadNode);
+			boolean nodeCanRender = quadNode.value != null
+									&& quadNode.value.canRender();
+			if (nodeCanRender)
+			{
+				// not all child positions are loaded yet, this one should be rendered instead
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableNode(quadNode);
+				this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(quadNode);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			}
+			
+			return nodeCanRender;
 		}
 	}
-	private void onDesiredDetailLevel(
-		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode, @Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode)
+	
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean onDesiredDetailLevel(
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode,
+		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode)
 	{
-		boolean allAdjNodesCanRender = true;
-		
-		// if the parent node is null, that means we're at the root node
-		// and we should always render
-		if (parentNode != null)
+		// Skip sections that are out-of-bounds.
+		// If not done some sections will appear and/or generate 
+		// outside the desired render distance
+		if (!this.isSectionPosInBounds(quadNode.sectionPos))
 		{
-			// check if all adjacent nodes are ready to render
-			// this check is done to prevent some overlapping due to the parent node
-			// still being active
-			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+			return true;
+		}
+		
+		if (quadNode.value != null 
+			&& quadNode.value.canRender())
+		{
+			if (!this.tickNodeHolder.getEnabledNodes().contains(parentNode))
 			{
-				QuadNode<LodRenderSection> adjNode = parentNode.getChildByIndex(i);
-				// nodes shouldn't be null, but just in case there's an issue
-				if (adjNode != null
-					&& adjNode.value != null
-					&& !adjNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
-				{
-					// the node is present but not uploaded yet
-					allAdjNodesCanRender = false;
-				}
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableDeleteChildrenNode(quadNode);
+				return true;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+				return false;
 			}
 		}
-		
-		if (allAdjNodesCanRender
-			&& quadNode.value != null 
-			&& quadNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
+		else
 		{
-			this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableDeleteChildrenNode(quadNode);
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			return false;
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	///endregion
+	@NotNull
+	private QuadNode<LodRenderSection> tryAddNodeToTree(
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode,
+		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode,
+		long sectionPos // section pos is needed here since the quad node may be null
+		)
+	{
+		// create the node
+		if (quadNode == null)
+		{
+			rootNode.setValue(sectionPos, new LodRenderSection(sectionPos, this, this.level, this.fullDataSourceProvider));
+			quadNode = rootNode.getNode(sectionPos);
+		}
+		if (quadNode == null)
+		{
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Unable to add node with pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos)+"] to tree root ["+rootNode+"].");
+		}
+		
+		return quadNode;
+	}
+	
+	private void recursivelyDisableChildNodes(@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+		{
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
+			this.tickNodeHolder.removeEnableAndDisableNode(childNode);
+			
+			if (childNode != null)
+			{
+				this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(childNode);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	//=====================//
 	// tick - work queuing //
@@ -1127,7 +1217,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			{
 				color = Color.ORANGE;
 			}
-			else if (!renderSection.gpuUploadComplete())
+			else if (!renderSection.canRender())
 			{
 				// uploaded but the buffer is missing
 				color = Color.PINK;
@@ -1169,7 +1259,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	@Override
 	public void close()
 	{
-		LOGGER.info("Shutting down LodQuadTree...");
+		//LOGGER.info("Shutting down LodQuadTree...");
 		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.unregister(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus);
 		Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.removeListener(this);
@@ -1204,7 +1294,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		});
 		
 		
-		LOGGER.info("Finished shutting down LodQuadTree");
+		//LOGGER.info("Finished shutting down LodQuadTree");
 	}
 	
 	//endregion base methods

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/QuadTree/LodRenderSection.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiTransparency;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
@@ -34,11 +35,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.BeaconRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding.LodBufferContainer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
@@ -48,10 +47,10 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import javax.annotation.WillNotClose;
 import java.awt.*;
-import java.util.*;
+import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
-import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
 /**
  * A render section represents an area that could be rendered.
@@ -67,7 +66,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	public final long pos;
 	
-	private final IDhClientLevel level;
+	private final IDhClientLevel clientLevel;
 	private final IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
 	@WillNotClose
 	private final FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider;
@@ -75,8 +74,16 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	
 	private boolean renderingEnabled = false;
-	private boolean beaconsRendering = false;
-	public boolean retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = false;
+	/** 
+	 * Used when a node goes out of render distance
+	 * but isn't removed from the underlying quad tree structure. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * In those cases we should act as if the node was removed
+	 * for cached render data caching purposes, but not
+	 * for re-creating missing nodes.
+	 */
+	public boolean renderDataDirty = false;
+	public boolean queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = false;
 	
 	/** this reference is necessary so we can determine what VBO to render */
 	public LodBufferContainer renderBufferContainer; 
@@ -94,13 +101,6 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	 */
 	private Runnable getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable = null;
 	
-	/** 
-	 * Represents just uploading the {@link LodQuadBuilder} to the GPU. <br>
-	 * Separate from {@link LodRenderSection#getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef} because they run on
-	 * different threads (buffer uploading is on the MC render thread) and need to be canceled separately.
-	 */
-	private final AtomicReference<CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer>> bufferUploadFutureRef = new AtomicReference<>(null);
-	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -111,12 +111,12 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	public LodRenderSection(
 			long pos, 
 			LodQuadTree quadTree, 
-			IDhClientLevel level, FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
+			IDhClientLevel clientLevel, FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
 	{
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.quadTree = quadTree;
-		this.level = level;
-		this.levelWrapper = level.getClientLevelWrapper();
+		this.clientLevel = clientLevel;
+		this.levelWrapper = clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper();
 		this.fullDataSourceProvider = fullDataSourceProvider;
 		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showRenderSectionStatus);
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		
 		try
 		{
+			// shouldn't happen since this method is synchronized, but just in case
+			// make sure we only ever start one upload task
 			if (!this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
 			{
 				CompletableFuture<Void> oldFuture = this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.get();
@@ -170,24 +172,32 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = this.getAndBuildRenderData();
-					if (lodQuadBuilder == null)
+					// build LOD data on a DH thread
+					try (LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = this.getAndBuildRenderData())
 					{
-						future.complete(null);
-						return;
-					}
-					
-					this.uploadToGpuAsync(lodQuadBuilder)
-						.thenRun(() ->
+						if (lodQuadBuilder == null)
 						{
-							// the future is passed in separately (IE not using the local var) to prevent any possible race condition null pointers
 							future.complete(null);
-						});
+							return;
+						}
+						
+						// create CPU vertex buffers
+						ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers = lodQuadBuilder.makeOpaqueVertexBuffers();
+						ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers = lodQuadBuilder.makeTransparentVertexBuffers();
+						
+						// uploading will primarily happen on the render thread
+						this.uploadToGpuAsync(future, opaqueBuffers, transparentBuffers)
+							.thenRun(() ->
+							{
+								// the future is passed in separately (IE not using the local var) to prevent any possible race condition null pointers
+								future.complete(null);
+							});
+					}
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
 					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating render data for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-					future.complete(null);
+					future.completeExceptionally(e);
 				}
 			};
 			executor.execute(this.getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable);
@@ -202,6 +212,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			return false;
 		}
 	}
+	
+	
+	//=======================//
+	// Get LOD ID data       //
+	// and build render data //
+	//=======================//
+	//region
+	
 	@Nullable
 	private synchronized LodQuadBuilder getAndBuildRenderData()
 	{
@@ -214,8 +232,8 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			}
 			
 			
-			boolean enableTransparency = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled;
-			LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = new LodQuadBuilder(enableTransparency, this.level.getClientLevelWrapper());
+			boolean enableTransparency = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get() == EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE;
+			LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = LodQuadBuilder.getBuilder(enableTransparency, this.clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper());
 			
 			
 			// get the adjacent positions
@@ -238,7 +256,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 
 				// the render sources are only needed by this synchronous method,
 				// then they can be closed
-				ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.makeLodRenderData(lodQuadBuilder, thisRenderSource, this.level, adjacentRenderSections, adjIsSameDetailLevel);
+				ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.makeLodRenderData(lodQuadBuilder, thisRenderSource, this.clientLevel, adjacentRenderSections, adjIsSameDetailLevel);
 				return lodQuadBuilder;
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
@@ -288,52 +306,64 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		detailLevel += DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL;
 		return detailLevel == DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos);
 	}
-	private synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadToGpuAsync(LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder)
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	private synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadToGpuAsync(
+		CompletableFuture<Void> parentFuture,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers,
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers)
 	{
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> oldFuture = this.bufferUploadFutureRef.getAndSet(null);
-		if (oldFuture != null)
+		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = LodBufferContainer.tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(this.pos, this.clientLevel, opaqueBuffers, transparentBuffers);
+		uploadFuture.whenComplete((bufferContainer, e) ->
 		{
-			// canceling the previous future
-			// prevents the CPU from working on something that won't be used
-			oldFuture.cancel(true);
-		}
-		
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.uploadBuffersAsync(this.level, this.pos, lodQuadBuilder);
-		future.handle((lodBufferContainer, throwable) -> 
-		{
-			if (!this.bufferUploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(future, null)
-				// if the old future is canceled then the future ref will be different and that's expected
-				&& !future.isCancelled()
-				// if the old future is already done, then we don't care about the ref being swapped
-				&& !future.isDone())
+			try
 			{
-				LOGGER.warn("Buffer upload future ref changed for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
+				// handle errors and early shutdown
+				if (e != null)
+				{
+					if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffers for pos: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos) + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+					
+					if (bufferContainer != null)
+					{
+						// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+						bufferContainer.close();
+					}
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				// close the old container
+				LodBufferContainer oldContainer = this.renderBufferContainer;
+				this.renderBufferContainer = bufferContainer.buffersUploaded ? bufferContainer : null;
+				if (oldContainer != null)
+				{
+					oldContainer.close();
+				}
+				
+				// upload complete
+				this.renderDataDirty = false;
+				
+				
+				if (parentFuture.isCancelled())
+				{
+					// if the parent future was canceled that likely means
+					// this LodRenderSection was closed before this point,
+					// meaning this buffer will become homeless, 
+					// so we need to clean it up here
+					bufferContainer.close();
+				}
 			}
-			
-			return null;
-		});
-		
-		future.thenAccept((LodBufferContainer buffer) ->
-		{
-			// needed to clean up the old data
-			LodBufferContainer previousContainer = this.renderBufferContainer;
-			
-			// upload complete
-			this.renderBufferContainer = buffer.buffersUploaded ? buffer : null;
-			
-			if (previousContainer != null)
+			catch (Exception finishEx)
 			{
-				previousContainer.close();
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected buffer finish exception: ["+finishEx.getMessage()+"]", finishEx);
 			}
 		});
 		
-		
-		if (!this.bufferUploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
-		{
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Buffer upload future ref couldn't be set due to concurrency error, pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
-		}
-		
-		return future;
+		return uploadFuture;
 	}
 	
 	//endregion render data uploading
@@ -345,7 +375,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	//=================//
 	//region
 	
-	public boolean gpuUploadComplete() { return this.renderBufferContainer != null; }
+	public boolean canRender() { return this.renderBufferContainer != null; }
+	public boolean gpuUploadComplete() 
+	{ 
+		return this.renderBufferContainer != null
+			// render dirty is here so we can trigger new GPU uploads
+			// even if the render data is present
+			&& !this.renderDataDirty; 
+	}
 	
 	public boolean getRenderingEnabled() { return this.renderingEnabled; }
 	public void setRenderingEnabled(boolean enabled) { this.renderingEnabled = enabled;}
@@ -374,14 +411,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		{
 			color = Color.yellow;
 		}
-		else if (this.gpuUploadComplete())
+		else if (this.canRender())
 		{
 			//color = Color.cyan;
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		int levelMinY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
-		int levelMaxY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight();
+		int levelMinY = this.clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
+		int levelMaxY = this.clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight();
 		
 		// show the wireframe a bit lower than world max height,
 		// since most worlds don't render all the way up to the max height
@@ -418,12 +455,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		}
 		
 		
-		if (this.renderBufferContainer != null)
-		{
-			this.renderBufferContainer.close();
-		}
-		
-		// removes any in-progress futures since they aren't needed any more
+		// render loading is no longer needed
 		CompletableFuture<Void> buildFuture = this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.get();
 		if (buildFuture != null)
 		{
@@ -439,12 +471,17 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 					renderLoaderExecutor.remove(runnable);
 				}
 			}
+			
+			// cancel the future after removing the runnable
+			// to make sure the runnable is properly removed
+			buildFuture.cancel(true);
 		}
 		
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = this.bufferUploadFutureRef.get();
-		if (uploadFuture != null)
+		
+		this.setRenderingEnabled(false);
+		if (this.renderBufferContainer != null)
 		{
-			uploadFuture.cancel(true);
+			this.renderBufferContainer.close();
 		}
 		
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/QuadTree/QuadTreeTickNodeHolder.java

@@ -63,21 +63,39 @@ public class QuadTreeTickNodeHolder
 	{
 		if(this.presentNodes.add(node))
 		{
-			// not a big fan of having to check every node to prevent overlaps, but it does work
-			this.nodesToEnable.removeIf((QuadNode<LodRenderSection> checkNode) ->
+			// in James testing as of 4-21-2026
+			// this should no longer be needed to prevent overlaps,
+			// however I'm keeping it here as a quick fix solution if 
+			// the problem comes up again
+			if (false)
 			{
-				boolean contained = DhSectionPos.contains(node.sectionPos, checkNode.sectionPos);
-				if (contained)
+				// not a big fan of having to check every node to prevent overlaps, but it does work
+				this.nodesToEnable.removeIf((QuadNode<LodRenderSection> checkNode) ->
 				{
-					this.nodesToDisable.add(checkNode);
-				}
-				
-				return contained;
-			});
+					boolean contained = DhSectionPos.contains(node.sectionPos, checkNode.sectionPos);
+					if (contained)
+					{
+						this.nodesToDisable.add(checkNode);
+					}
+					
+					return contained;
+				});
+			}
 			
 			this.nodesToEnable.add(node);
 		}
 	}
+	
+	/**  */
+	public void removeEnableAndDisableNode(QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node)
+	{
+		this.nodesToEnable.remove(node);
+		this.nodesToEnableDeleteChildrenList.remove(node);
+		
+		this.presentNodes.add(node); // should already be present, but re-added just in case
+		this.nodesToDisable.add(node); // node shouldn't be rendered since it's being disabled by a parent
+	}
+	
 	public HashSet<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> getEnabledNodes() { return this.nodesToEnable; }
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/RenderBufferHandler.java

@@ -36,14 +36,15 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree.LodRenderSection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.LodRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.cullingFrustum.DhFrustumBounds;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.cullingFrustum.NeverCullFrustum;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.SortedArraySet;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccessor;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IOverrideInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhMat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import org.joml.Matrix4f;
-import org.joml.Matrix4fc;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 
@@ -58,6 +59,13 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 
 	private static final IIrisAccessor IRIS_ACCESSOR = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IIrisAccessor.class);
 	
+	// static values for re-use to reduce GC pressure
+	private static final float[] JOML_TRANSPOSE_ARRAY = new float[16];
+	private static final Matrix4f WORLD_VIEW_JOML_MATRIX = new Matrix4f();
+	private static final Matrix4f WORLD_VIEW_PROJ_JOML_MATRIX = new Matrix4f();
+	private static final DhMat4f FRUSTOM_DH_MATRIX = new DhMat4f();
+	
+	
 	/** contains all relevant data */
 	public final LodQuadTree lodQuadTree;
 	
@@ -123,6 +131,14 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 	 */
 	public void buildRenderList(RenderParams renderParams)
 	{
+		if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
+		{
+			if (!RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.isCurrentThread())
+			{
+				LodUtil.assertNotReach("Should only be run on the render thread");
+			}
+		}
+		
 		// clear the old list so we can start fresh
 		this.loadedNearToFarBuffers.clear();
 		
@@ -154,20 +170,21 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 			int worldMinY = renderParams.clientLevelWrapper.getMinHeight();
 			int worldHeight = renderParams.clientLevelWrapper.getMaxHeight();
 			
-			Vec3d cameraPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+			renderParams.mcModelViewMatrix.putValuesInArray(JOML_TRANSPOSE_ARRAY);
+			WORLD_VIEW_JOML_MATRIX
+				.setTransposed(JOML_TRANSPOSE_ARRAY)
+				.translate(
+					-(float) renderParams.exactCameraPosition.x,
+					-(float) renderParams.exactCameraPosition.y,
+					-(float) renderParams.exactCameraPosition.z);
 			
-			Matrix4fc matWorldView = new Matrix4f()
-					.setTransposed(renderParams.mcModelViewMatrix.getValuesAsArray())
-					.translate(
-							-(float) cameraPos.x, 
-							-(float) cameraPos.y, 
-							-(float) cameraPos.z);
-			
-			Matrix4fc matWorldViewProjection = new Matrix4f()
-					.setTransposed(renderParams.dhProjectionMatrix.getValuesAsArray())
-					.mul(matWorldView);
-			
-			frustum.update(worldMinY, worldMinY + worldHeight, new Mat4f(matWorldViewProjection));
+			renderParams.dhProjectionMatrix.putValuesInArray(JOML_TRANSPOSE_ARRAY);
+			WORLD_VIEW_PROJ_JOML_MATRIX
+				.setTransposed(JOML_TRANSPOSE_ARRAY)
+				.mul(WORLD_VIEW_JOML_MATRIX);
+
+			FRUSTOM_DH_MATRIX.set(WORLD_VIEW_PROJ_JOML_MATRIX);
+			frustum.update(worldMinY, worldMinY + worldHeight, FRUSTOM_DH_MATRIX);
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -175,6 +192,7 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 		//=========================//
 		// Update the section list //
 		//=========================//
+		//region
 		
 		if (isShadowPass)
 		{
@@ -251,6 +269,9 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 		{
 			this.visibleBufferCount = this.loadedNearToFarBuffers.size();
 		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
 	}
 	
 	//endregion

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/RenderParams.java

@@ -4,19 +4,17 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.DhRenderState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.EPlatform;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhMat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.IDhClientWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.ILightMapWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.AbstractOptifineAccessor;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IOptifineAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 
@@ -30,8 +28,14 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
-	private static final long TIME_FOR_MAC_TO_FINISH_COMPILING_IN_MS = 10_000;
-	private static boolean initialLoadingComplete = false;
+	private static final IOptifineAccessor OPTIFINE_ACCESSOR = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IOptifineAccessor.class);
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Copy used for API events. <br>
+	 * A separate copy is used to prevent API users from accidentally setting values
+	 * that screw up DH's copy of the render parameters.
+	 */
+	public final DhApiRenderParam apiCopy = new DhApiRenderParam();
 	
 	
 	public IDhClientWorld dhClientWorld;
@@ -41,7 +45,7 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	public ILightMapWrapper lightmap;
 	public RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler;
 	public IDhGenericRenderer genericRenderer;
-	public Vec3d exactCameraPosition;
+	public DhVec3d exactCameraPosition;
 	/** @see DhRenderState#vanillaFogEnabled */
 	public boolean vanillaFogEnabled;
 	
@@ -54,36 +58,27 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	//=============//
 	//region
 	
-	public RenderParams(EDhApiRenderPass renderPass, DhRenderState renderState)
+	public void update(EDhApiRenderPass renderPass, DhRenderState renderState)
 	{
-		this(renderPass,
-			renderState.partialTickTime,
-			renderState.mcProjectionMatrix, renderState.mcModelViewMatrix,
-			renderState.clientLevelWrapper,
-			renderState.vanillaFogEnabled
-		);
-	}
-	private RenderParams(
-			EDhApiRenderPass renderPass,
-			float newPartialTicks,
-			Mat4f newMcProjectionMatrix, Mat4f newMcModelViewMatrix,
-			IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper,
-			boolean vanillaFogEnabled
-		)
-	{
-		super(renderPass,
-			newPartialTicks,
-			RenderUtil.getNearClipPlaneInBlocks(), RenderUtil.getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks(),
-			newMcProjectionMatrix, newMcModelViewMatrix,
-			RenderUtil.createLodProjectionMatrix(newMcProjectionMatrix), RenderUtil.createLodModelViewMatrix(newMcModelViewMatrix),
-			clientLevelWrapper.getMinHeight(),
-			clientLevelWrapper);
+		RenderUtil.setDhProjectionMatrix(this.dhProjectionMatrix, renderState.mcProjectionMatrix);
+		this.dhModelViewMatrix.set(renderState.mcModelViewMatrix); // DH and MC MVM matrix are the same 
 		
+		super.update(renderPass,
+			renderState.partialTickTime,
+			RenderUtil.getNearClipPlaneInBlocks(), RenderUtil.getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks(),
+			renderState.mcProjectionMatrix, renderState.mcModelViewMatrix,
+			this.dhProjectionMatrix, this.dhModelViewMatrix,
+			renderState.clientLevelWrapper.getMinHeight(),
+			renderState.clientLevelWrapper);
+		
+		
+		
+		this.clientLevelWrapper = renderState.clientLevelWrapper;
 		
 		this.dhClientWorld = SharedApi.tryGetDhClientWorld();
 		if (this.dhClientWorld != null)
 		{
-			this.dhClientLevel = (IDhClientLevel) this.dhClientWorld.getLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
+			this.dhClientLevel = this.dhClientWorld.getOrLoadClientLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
 			if (this.dhClientLevel != null)
 			{
 				this.renderBufferHandler = this.dhClientLevel.getRenderBufferHandler();
@@ -91,7 +86,6 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 			}
 		}
 		
-		this.clientLevelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
 		this.lightmap = MC_RENDER.getLightmapWrapper(this.clientLevelWrapper);
 		
 		if (MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
@@ -99,8 +93,9 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 			this.exactCameraPosition = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
 		}
 		
-		this.vanillaFogEnabled = vanillaFogEnabled;
+		this.vanillaFogEnabled = renderState.vanillaFogEnabled;
 		
+		this.apiCopy.update(this);
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -116,7 +111,7 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	 * Should be called before rendering is done.
 	 * @return a message if LODs shouldn't be rendered, null if the LODs can render 
 	 */
-	public String getValidationErrorMessage(long firstRenderTimeMs)
+	public String getValidationErrorMessage()
 	{
 		// Note: all strings here should be constants to prevent String allocations
 		
@@ -158,13 +153,22 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 			return "No Generic Renderer Present";
 		}
 		
-		if (this.dhModelViewMatrix == null
-			|| this.mcModelViewMatrix == null)
+		if (this.dhModelViewMatrix.equals(DhMat4f.IDENTITY) 
+			|| this.dhModelViewMatrix.equals(DhMat4f.EMPTY))
 		{
-			return "No MVM or Proj Matrix Given";
+			return "No DH MVM Matrix Given";
 		}
 		
-		if (AbstractOptifineAccessor.optifinePresent()
+		if (this.mcModelViewMatrix.equals(DhMat4f.IDENTITY) 
+			|| this.mcModelViewMatrix.equals(DhMat4f.EMPTY))
+		{
+			return "No MC MVM Matrix Given";
+		}
+		
+		// projection matrix not checked since there are some MC versions where
+		// the MVM and projection matrices are pre-multiplied together
+		
+		if (OPTIFINE_ACCESSOR != null
 			&& MC_RENDER.getTargetFramebuffer() == -1)
 		{
 			// wait for MC to finish setting up their renderer
@@ -172,45 +176,6 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 		}
 		
 		
-		//// potential fix for a segfault when
-		//// Sodium and DH are running together
-		//if (EPlatform.get() == EPlatform.MACOS
-		//	&& !initialLoadingComplete)
-		//{
-		//	// Once MC starts rendering, wait a few seconds so
-		//	// MC/Sodium can finish their shader compiling before DH does its own.
-		//	// This will allow DH to compile its own shaders after Sodium finishes
-		//	// compiling its own.
-		//	long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		//	long firstAllowedRenderTimeMs = firstRenderTimeMs + TIME_FOR_MAC_TO_FINISH_COMPILING_IN_MS;
-		//	if (nowMs < firstAllowedRenderTimeMs)
-		//	{
-		//		return "Waiting for initial MC compile...";
-		//	}
-		//	
-		//	
-		//	// null shouldn't happen, but just in case
-		//	PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderLoadExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
-		//	if (renderLoadExecutor == null)
-		//	{
-		//		return "Waiting for DH Threadpool...";
-		//	}
-		//	
-		//	// wait for DH to finish loading, by the time that's done
-		//	// java should have finished all of DH's JIT compiling,
-		//	// which will hopefully mean less concurrency and thus a lower
-		//	// chance of breaking
-		//	// (plus this gives Sodium/vanill a bit longer to finish their setup)
-		//	int taskCount = renderLoadExecutor.getQueueSize();
-		//	if (taskCount > 0)
-		//	{
-		//		return "Waiting for DH JIT compiling...";
-		//	}
-		//	
-		//	initialLoadingComplete = true;
-		//}
-		
-		
 		return null;
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/RenderThreadTaskHandler.java

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 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.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
@@ -49,6 +50,14 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	
 	
 	private long nanoSinceTasksRun = System.nanoTime();
+	private final boolean running; 
+	
+	private Thread renderThread;
+	/** 
+	 * the currently running {@link QueuedRunnable}
+	 * will be null if nothing is running.
+	 */
+	private volatile @Nullable QueuedRunnable currentQueuedRunnable;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -57,7 +66,22 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	//=============//
 	//region
 	
-	private RenderThreadTaskHandler() { TIMER.scheduleAtFixedRate(TimerUtil.createTimerTask(this::manualCleanupTick), MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS, MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS); }
+	private RenderThreadTaskHandler() 
+	{
+		// we only want to run this when the client is available
+		IMinecraftSharedWrapper mcShared = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
+		if (!mcShared.isDedicatedServer())
+		{
+			LOGGER.debug("Starting ["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"]...");
+			this.running = true;
+			TIMER.scheduleAtFixedRate(TimerUtil.createTimerTask(this::manualCleanupTick), MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS, MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			this.running = false;
+			LOGGER.debug("Skipping ["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"] startup due to running on a dedicated server.");
+		}
+	}
 	
 	//endregion
 	
@@ -70,6 +94,13 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	
 	public void queueRunningOnRenderThread(String name, Runnable renderCall)
 	{
+		// don't queuing tasks if they'll never be run
+		if (!this.running)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		
 		// don't get the stacktrace on release to reduce GC pressure
 		StackTraceElement[] stackTrace = null;
 		if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
@@ -116,12 +147,21 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 		long loopStartTimeNano = System.nanoTime();
 		this.nanoSinceTasksRun = loopStartTimeNano;
 		
+		
+		if (this.renderThread == null)
+		{
+			this.renderThread = Thread.currentThread();
+		}
+		
+		
 		QueuedRunnable runnable = RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.poll();
 		while(runnable != null)
 		{
 			long taskStartNano = System.nanoTime();
 			
+			this.currentQueuedRunnable = runnable;
 			runnable.run();
+			this.currentQueuedRunnable = null;
 			
 			// only try running for a limited amount of time to prevent lag spikes
 			long taskNano = System.nanoTime() - taskStartNano;
@@ -179,8 +219,19 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 		// this means we could have GL jobs building up.
 		// Run the queued tasks on MC's executor (hopefully this should always run,
 		// even if DH's render code isn't being hit).
-		IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
-		MC.executeOnRenderThread(() -> this.runRenderThreadTasks(500 * 1_000_000L));
+		IMinecraftClientWrapper mcClient = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+		if (mcClient != null)
+		{
+			mcClient.executeOnRenderThread(() -> this.runRenderThreadTasks(500 * 1_000_000L));
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+			
+			// somehow the timer started when there wasn't a client wrapper
+			// this probably means the timer was started on a dedicated server
+			RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"] timer started when ["+IMinecraftClientWrapper.class.getSimpleName()+"] is null. This shouldn't happen but can likely be ignored.");
+		}
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -190,7 +241,7 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	//===========//
 	// debugging //
 	//===========//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
 	/** 
 	 * if tasks are currently queued the debug
@@ -246,7 +297,28 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 		});
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	
+	/** Returns true if the currently running thread is being run by this handler */
+	public boolean isCurrentThread() 
+	{
+		if (this.renderThread != null)
+		{
+			return Thread.currentThread() == this.renderThread;
+		}
+		
+		// shouldn't normally be needed, but can be used if this
+		// handler hasn't been run yet
+		return Thread.currentThread().getName().equals("Render thread");
+	}
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Only recommended to be used by the task that's currently being run.
+	 * Use {@link RenderThreadTaskHandler#isCurrentThread()} to check. <br>
+	 * Can be used to get stack traces for render thread tasks while they're being run. 
+	 */
+	public @Nullable QueuedRunnable getCurrentlyRunningTask() { return this.currentQueuedRunnable; }
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
@@ -255,7 +327,7 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	//================//
 	//region
 	
-	private static class QueuedRunnable implements Runnable
+	public static class QueuedRunnable implements Runnable
 	{
 		/** used to easily track what's being done on the render thread */
 		public final String name;

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.java

@@ -7,9 +7,9 @@ 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.render.RenderParams;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhMat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindable;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
@@ -35,8 +35,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer implements IBindable
 	protected final PriorityBlockingQueue<BoxParticle> particles = new PriorityBlockingQueue<>();
 	
 	// used when rendering
-	protected Mat4f dhMvmProjMatrixThisFrame;
-	protected Vec3f camPosFloatThisFrame;
+	protected DhMat4f dhMvmProjMatrixThisFrame;
+	protected DhVec3f camPosFloatThisFrame;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -47,9 +47,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer implements IBindable
 	
 	public void render(RenderParams renderParams)
 	{
-		this.dhMvmProjMatrixThisFrame = new Mat4f(renderParams.dhMvmProjMatrix);
-		Vec3d camPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
-		this.camPosFloatThisFrame = new Vec3f((float) camPos.x, (float) camPos.y, (float) camPos.z);
+		this.dhMvmProjMatrixThisFrame = new DhMat4f(renderParams.dhMvmProjMatrix);
+		this.camPosFloatThisFrame = new DhVec3f(renderParams.exactCameraPosition);
 		
 		
 		this.rendererLists.render(this);
@@ -113,8 +112,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer implements IBindable
 	
 	public static final class Box
 	{
-		public Vec3f minPos;
-		public Vec3f maxPos;
+		public DhVec3f minPos;
+		public DhVec3f maxPos;
 		public Color color;
 		
 		
@@ -128,13 +127,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer implements IBindable
 			int maxBlockPosX = minBlockPosX + DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(pos);
 			int maxBlockPosZ = minBlockPosZ + DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(pos);
 			
-			this.minPos = new Vec3f(minBlockPosX + edgeOffset, minY, minBlockPosZ + edgeOffset);
-			this.maxPos = new Vec3f(maxBlockPosX - edgeOffset, maxY, maxBlockPosZ - edgeOffset);
+			this.minPos = new DhVec3f(minBlockPosX + edgeOffset, minY, minBlockPosZ + edgeOffset);
+			this.maxPos = new DhVec3f(maxBlockPosX - edgeOffset, maxY, maxBlockPosZ - edgeOffset);
 			this.color = color;
 		}
 		
 		/** only used for */
-		public Box(Vec3f minPos, Vec3f maxPos, Color color)
+		public Box(DhVec3f minPos, DhVec3f maxPos, Color color)
 		{
 			this.minPos = minPos;
 			this.maxPos = maxPos;
@@ -177,8 +176,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer implements IBindable
 			float yDiff = this.yChange * percent;
 			
 			return new Box(
-				new Vec3f(this.box.minPos.x, this.box.minPos.y + yDiff, this.box.minPos.z),
-				new Vec3f(this.box.maxPos.x, this.box.maxPos.y + yDiff, this.box.maxPos.z),
+				new DhVec3f(this.box.minPos.x, this.box.minPos.y + yDiff, this.box.minPos.z),
+				new DhVec3f(this.box.maxPos.x, this.box.maxPos.y + yDiff, this.box.maxPos.z),
 				this.box.color);
 		}
 		

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/BeaconRenderHandler.java

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 						// lock to make sure we don't try adding beacons to the arrays while processing them
 						this.updateLock.lock();
 						
-						Vec3d cameraPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+						DhVec3d cameraPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
 						
 						// fading by the overdraw prevention amount helps reduce beacons from rendering strangely
 						// on the border of DH's render distance
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 						for (DhApiRenderableBox box : this.fullBeaconBoxList)
 						{
 							// if a beacon is outside the vanilla render distance render it
-							double distance = Vec3d.getHorizontalDistance(cameraPos, box.minPos);
+							double distance = DhVec3d.getHorizontalDistance(cameraPos, box.minPos);
 							if (distance > dhFadeDistance)
 							{
 								this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.add(box);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/CloudRenderHandler.java

@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhVec3f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
@@ -74,25 +74,28 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 	 */
 	private static final int CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT = 5;
 	
+	/** if multi-layer clouds are enabled how many layers should be rendered? */
+	private static final int CLOUD_LAYER_COUNT = 3;
+	
 	private static final float MOVE_SPEED_IN_BLOCKS_PER_SECOND = 6.0f;
 	
 	
-	private final IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup[][] boxGroupByOffset
+	private final IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup[][][] boxGroupByOffset
 			// radius * 2 to get the diameter
 			// + 1 so we get an odd number wide (needed so we can have a center position)
-			= new IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup[(CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT * 2) + 1][(CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT * 2) + 1];
+			= new IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup[CLOUD_LAYER_COUNT][(CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT * 2) + 1][(CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT * 2) + 1];
 	
 	private final IDhClientLevel level;
 	private final IDhGenericRenderer renderer;
 	
 	/** cached array so we don't need to re-create it each frame for each cloud group */
-	private final Vec3d[] cullingCorners = new Vec3d[]
+	private final DhVec3d[] cullingCorners = new DhVec3d[]
 		{
 			// the values of each will be overwritten during the culling pass
-			new Vec3d(),
-			new Vec3d(),
-			new Vec3d(),
-			new Vec3d(),
+			new DhVec3d(),
+			new DhVec3d(),
+			new DhVec3d(),
+			new DhVec3d(),
 		};
 	
 	
@@ -260,32 +263,42 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		
 		// slightly lighter shading than the default
 		DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading cloudShading = DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading.getUnshaded();
-		cloudShading.north = cloudShading.south = 0.9f;
-		cloudShading.east = cloudShading.west = 0.8f;
-		cloudShading.top = 1.0f;
-		cloudShading.bottom = 0.7f;
-		
-		
-		for (int x = -CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; x <= CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; x++)
 		{
-			for (int z = -CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; z <= CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; z++)
+			cloudShading.north = 0.9f;
+			cloudShading.south = cloudShading.north;
+			
+			cloudShading.east = 0.8f;
+			cloudShading.west = cloudShading.east;
+			
+			cloudShading.top = 1.0f;
+			cloudShading.bottom = 0.7f;
+		}
+		
+		for (int y = CLOUD_LAYER_COUNT-1; y >= 0; y--) // start from the top down so transparency could be attempted
+		{
+			for (int x = -CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; x <= CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; x++)
 			{
-				IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup = GENERIC_OBJECT_FACTORY.createRelativePositionedGroup(
+				for (int z = -CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; z <= CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT; z++)
+				{
+					IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup = GENERIC_OBJECT_FACTORY.createRelativePositionedGroup(
 						ModInfo.NAME + ":Clouds",
 						new DhApiVec3d(0, 0, 0), // the offset will be set during rendering
 						boxList);
-				
-				// since cloud colors are set by the level based on the time of day lighting should affect it
-				boxGroup.setBlockLight(LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
-				boxGroup.setSkyLight(LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
-				boxGroup.setSsaoEnabled(false);
-				boxGroup.setShading(cloudShading);
-				
-				CloudParams cloudParams = new CloudParams(textureWidth, x, z);
-				boxGroup.setPreRenderFunc((renderParam) -> this.preRender(renderParam, cloudParams));
-				
-				this.renderer.add(boxGroup);
-				this.boxGroupByOffset[x+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT][z+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT] = boxGroup;
+					
+					// since cloud colors are set by the level based on the time of day lighting should affect it
+					boxGroup.setBlockLight(LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
+					boxGroup.setSkyLight(LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
+					boxGroup.setSsaoEnabled(false);
+					boxGroup.setShading(cloudShading);
+					
+					CloudParams cloudParams = new CloudParams(
+						textureWidth,
+						y, x, z);
+					boxGroup.setPreRenderFunc((renderParam) -> this.preRender(renderParam, cloudParams));
+					
+					this.renderer.add(boxGroup);
+					this.boxGroupByOffset[y][x + CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT][z + CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT] = boxGroup;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -301,15 +314,24 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 	
 	private void preRender(DhApiRenderParam renderParam, CloudParams cloudParams)
 	{
-		IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup = this.boxGroupByOffset[cloudParams.instanceOffsetX+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT][cloudParams.instanceOffsetZ+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT];
+		IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup boxGroup = this.boxGroupByOffset[cloudParams.instanceOffsetY][cloudParams.instanceOffsetX+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT][cloudParams.instanceOffsetZ+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT];
 		
 		
 		
 		//===================//
 		// should we render? //
 		//===================//
+		//region
 		
 		boolean renderClouds = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableCloudRendering.get();
+		
+		boolean renderSingleCloudLayer = !Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableMultiLayerClouds.get();
+		if (renderSingleCloudLayer
+			&& cloudParams.instanceOffsetY != 0)
+		{
+			renderClouds = false;
+		}
+		
 		boxGroup.setActive(renderClouds);
 		if(!renderClouds)
 		{
@@ -322,27 +344,33 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 			return;
 		}
 		
+		//endregion
+		
 		
 		
 		//================//
 		// cloud movement //
 		//================//
+		//region
 		
 		long currentTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 		float deltaTime = (currentTime - cloudParams.lastFrameTime) / 1000.0f; // Delta time in seconds
 		cloudParams.lastFrameTime = currentTime;
 		
-		float deltaX = MOVE_SPEED_IN_BLOCKS_PER_SECOND * deltaTime;
+		float deltaX = (MOVE_SPEED_IN_BLOCKS_PER_SECOND + cloudParams.heightSpeedOffset) * deltaTime;
 		// negative delta is to match vanilla's cloud movement
 		cloudParams.deltaOffsetX -= deltaX;
 		// wrap the cloud around after reaching the edge
 		cloudParams.deltaOffsetX %= cloudParams.widthInBlocks;
 		
+		//endregion
+		
 		
 		
 		//============================//
 		// camera movement and offset //
 		//============================//
+		//region
 		
 		// camera position
 		int cameraPosX = (int)MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition().x;
@@ -360,13 +388,17 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		
 		
 		float newMinPosX = 
-				cloudParams.deltaOffsetX
-				+ (cloudParams.instanceOffsetX * cloudParams.widthInBlocks)
-				+ instanceOffsetX + cloudParams.halfWidthInBlocks;
-		float newMinPosY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight() + 200;
-		float newMinPosZ = cloudParams.deltaOffsetZ
-				+ (cloudParams.instanceOffsetZ * cloudParams.widthInBlocks)
-				+ instanceOffsetZ + cloudParams.halfWidthInBlocks;
+			cloudParams.deltaOffsetX
+			+ (cloudParams.instanceOffsetX * cloudParams.widthInBlocks)
+			+ instanceOffsetX + cloudParams.halfWidthInBlocks;
+		float newMinPosY = 
+			this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight()
+			+ 100 // render clouds at least 200 blocks above the height limit to prevent players/blocks from intersecting (since DH always renders behind everything else)
+			+ cloudParams.heightOffset;
+		float newMinPosZ = 
+			cloudParams.deltaOffsetZ
+			+ (cloudParams.instanceOffsetZ * cloudParams.widthInBlocks)
+			+ instanceOffsetZ + cloudParams.halfWidthInBlocks;
 		
 		boolean cullCloud = this.shouldCloudBeCulled(
 				newMinPosX, newMinPosY, newMinPosZ,
@@ -377,28 +409,25 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 			boxGroup.setActive(false);
 		}
 		
+		boxGroup.setOriginBlockPos(new DhApiVec3d(newMinPosX, newMinPosY, newMinPosZ));
+		
+		//endregion
+		
 		
 		
 		//===========================//
 		// update color and position //
 		//===========================//
+		//region
 		
-		// if debug colors are enabled don't change them
-		if (!DEBUG_BORDER_COLORS
-			// don't modify cloud groups that aren't active
-			&& boxGroup.isActive())
+		// don't replace the debug colors
+		if (!DEBUG_BORDER_COLORS)
 		{
 			// cloud color changes based on the time of day and weather so we need to get it from the level
 			Color newCloudColor = clientLevelWrapper.getCloudColor(renderParam.partialTicks);
 			
-			
-			// all boxes should have the same color, so we can get their current color
-			// via the first box
-			DhApiRenderableBox firstBox = boxGroup.get(0);
-			Color currentBoxColor = firstBox.color;
-			
 			// update the boxes if their color should be changed
-			if (!newCloudColor.equals(currentBoxColor))
+			if (!newCloudColor.equals(cloudParams.previousColor))
 			{
 				// Note: cloud instances may share boxes
 				// because of that this method may only need to be called once per all clouds
@@ -406,20 +435,20 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 				{
 					box.color = newCloudColor;
 				}
-			}
-			
-			
-			// trigger an update if this cloud section has a different color
-			if (!cloudParams.previousColor.equals(newCloudColor))
-			{
+				
 				cloudParams.previousColor = newCloudColor;
 				
 				boxGroup.triggerBoxChange();
 			}
 		}
 		
-		boxGroup.setOriginBlockPos(new DhApiVec3d(newMinPosX, newMinPosY, newMinPosZ));
+		//endregion
 	}
+	/**
+	 * based on the OpenGL spec <br>
+	 * https://registry.khronos.org/OpenGL-Refpages/gl4/html/mix.xhtml
+	 */
+	private float mixColors(float x, float y, float a) { return x * (1 - a) + y * a; }
 	private boolean shouldCloudBeCulled(
 			float minPosX, float minPosY, float minPosZ,
 			CloudParams cloudParams)
@@ -460,14 +489,17 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		this.cullingCorners[3].y = minPosY;
 		this.cullingCorners[3].z = minPosZ + cloudParams.widthInBlocks;
 		
-		Vec3d cameraPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
-		Vec3f cameraLookAtVector = MC_RENDER.getLookAtVector();
+		DhVec3d cameraPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+		DhVec3f cameraLookAtVector = MC_RENDER.getLookAtVector();
 		cameraLookAtVector.normalize();
 		
-		double renderDistance = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodChunkRenderDistanceRadius.get()
-				// * 1.5 is so we have a little extra buffer where clouds will render further than
-				// necessary to prevent seeing the cloud border
-				* LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH * 1.5;
+		double renderDistance = 
+			// minimum distance of 256 to handle 3-layer clouds correctly,
+			// otherwise the upper layers will be culled
+			Math.max(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodChunkRenderDistanceRadius.get(), 256)
+			// * 1.5 is so we have a little extra buffer where clouds will render further than
+			// necessary to prevent seeing the cloud border
+			* LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH * 1.5;
 		
 		
 		
@@ -478,14 +510,14 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		boolean allOutsideRenderDistance = true;
 		boolean allBehindCamera = true;
 		
-		for (Vec3d corner : this.cullingCorners)
+		for (DhVec3d corner : this.cullingCorners)
 		{
 			// Check if the corner is within the render distance
 			// (ignoring height, since LODs also ignore height)
 			
-			Vec3d cornerNoHeight = new Vec3d(corner); 
+			DhVec3d cornerNoHeight = new DhVec3d(corner); 
 			cornerNoHeight.y = 0;
-			Vec3d cameraPosNoHeight = new Vec3d(cameraPos); 
+			DhVec3d cameraPosNoHeight = new DhVec3d(cameraPos); 
 			cameraPosNoHeight.y = 0;
 			
 			double cornerDistance = cornerNoHeight.getDistance(cameraPosNoHeight);
@@ -496,7 +528,7 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 			
 			
 			// Check if the corner is in front of the camera (dot product > 0 means in front)
-			Vec3f toCorner = new Vec3f(
+			DhVec3f toCorner = new DhVec3f(
 					(float) (corner.x - cameraPos.x),
 					(float) (corner.y - cameraPos.y),
 					(float) (corner.z - cameraPos.z));
@@ -568,9 +600,13 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		public final int widthInBlocks;
 		public final int halfWidthInBlocks;
 		
+		public final int instanceOffsetY;
 		public final int instanceOffsetX;
 		public final int instanceOffsetZ;
 		
+		public final int heightOffset;
+		public final float heightSpeedOffset;
+		
 		
 		/** how far this cloud group has moved in the X direction based on time */
 		public float deltaOffsetX = 0;
@@ -586,14 +622,25 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		
 		// constructor //
 		
-		public CloudParams(int textureWidth, int instanceOffsetX, int instanceOffsetZ)
+		public CloudParams(int textureWidth, int instanceOffsetY, int instanceOffsetX, int instanceOffsetZ)
 		{
 			this.textureWidth = textureWidth;
 			this.widthInBlocks = (this.textureWidth * CLOUD_BOX_WIDTH);
 			this.halfWidthInBlocks = this.widthInBlocks / 2;
 			
+			this.instanceOffsetY = instanceOffsetY;
 			this.instanceOffsetX = instanceOffsetX;
 			this.instanceOffsetZ = instanceOffsetZ;
+			
+			
+			// each layer up increases by 512 blocks
+			this.heightOffset = instanceOffsetY * 512;
+			// have higher cloud layers move faster
+			this.heightSpeedOffset = instanceOffsetY * 10f;
+			
+			// offset each layer a bit so the duplicated texture use isn't as obvious
+			this.deltaOffsetX = this.widthInBlocks * instanceOffsetY * 0.75f;
+			this.deltaOffsetZ = this.widthInBlocks * instanceOffsetY * 1.5f;
 		}
 		
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/FogRenderParamFactory.java

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiFogColorMode;
+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.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiFogRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderParams;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+
+import java.awt.*;
+
+/**
+ * @see DhApiFogRenderParam
+ * @see DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam
+ */
+public class FogRenderParamFactory
+{
+	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
+	
+	/** cached object to reduce GC pressure */
+	private static final DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam EVENT_PARAM = new DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam();
+	
+	
+	
+	//=========//
+	// methods //
+	//=========//
+	//region
+	
+	/** returns a cached object to reduce GC pressure */
+	public static DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam getRenderParam(RenderParams renderParams)
+	{
+		Color fogColor = getFogColor(renderParams.partialTicks);
+		
+		// far fog
+		EDhApiFogFalloff farFogFalloff = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogFalloff.get();
+		float farFogStart = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogStart.get();
+		float farFogEnd = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogEnd.get();
+		float farFogMin = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMin.get();
+		float farFogMax = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogMax.get();
+		float farFogDensity = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.farFogDensity.get();
+		
+		
+		// height fog
+		EDhApiFogFalloff heightFogFalloff = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogFalloff.get();
+		EDhApiHeightFogMixMode heightFogMixingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMixMode.get();
+		EDhApiHeightFogDirection heightFogCameraDirection = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogDirection.get();
+		
+		float heightFogBaseHeight = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogBaseHeight.get();
+		float heightFogStart = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogStart.get();
+		float heightFogEnd = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogEnd.get();
+		float heightFogMin = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMin.get();
+		float heightFogMax = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogMax.get();
+		float heightFogDensity = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.HeightFog.heightFogDensity.get();
+		
+		// override fog if underwater
+		if (MC_RENDER.isFogStateSpecial())
+		{
+			// hide everything behind fog
+			farFogStart = 0.0f;
+			farFogEnd = 1.0f;
+			farFogMin = 1.0f; // minimum fog thickness is 1 so everything renders in fog
+			farFogMax = 1.0f;
+			farFogDensity = 1.0f; // always render max density
+		}
+		
+		DhApiFogRenderParam fogRenderParam = new DhApiFogRenderParam(
+			fogColor,
+			
+			// far fog
+			farFogFalloff,
+			farFogStart, farFogEnd,
+			farFogMin, farFogMax,
+			farFogDensity,
+			
+			// height fog
+			heightFogFalloff,
+			heightFogMixingMode, heightFogCameraDirection,
+			heightFogBaseHeight,
+			heightFogStart, heightFogEnd,
+			heightFogMin, heightFogMax,
+			heightFogDensity
+		);
+		
+		EVENT_PARAM.update(renderParams, fogRenderParam);
+		return EVENT_PARAM;
+	}
+	
+	private static Color getFogColor(float partialTicks)
+	{
+		Color fogColor;
+		
+		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.colorMode.get() == EDhApiFogColorMode.USE_SKY_COLOR
+			// when underwater or special fogs are being used, don't use the sky color
+			&& !MC_RENDER.isFogStateSpecial())
+		{
+			fogColor = MC_RENDER.getSkyColor();
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			fogColor = MC_RENDER.getFogColor(partialTicks);
+		}
+		
+		return fogColor;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/LodRenderer.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiTransparency;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding.LodBufferContainer;
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 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.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.DhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderParams;
@@ -36,6 +38,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccess
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 
+import java.awt.*;
+
 /**
  * This is where all the magic happens. <br>
  * This is where LODs are draw to the world.
@@ -114,9 +118,9 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	
 	private void renderTerrain(RenderParams renderParams, IProfilerWrapper profiler, boolean runningDeferredPass)
 	{
-		//====================//
-		// validate rendering //
-		//====================//
+		//===============//
+		// validate pass //
+		//===============//
 		//region
 		
 		boolean deferTransparentRendering = DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering();
@@ -142,180 +146,218 @@ public class LodRenderer
 		//=================//
 		//region
 		
-		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderSetupEvent.class, renderParams);
-		profiler.push("LOD GL setup");
-		
-		if (!this.renderersBound)
+		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderSetupEvent.class, renderParams.apiCopy);
+		try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock terrainRender_profile = profiler.push("LOD GL setup")) // starts the new profile block for most DH rendering
 		{
-			this.bindRenderers();
-			this.renderersBound = true;
-		}
-		
-		RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler = renderParams.renderBufferHandler;
-		IDhGenericRenderer genericRenderer = renderParams.genericRenderer;
-		
-		
-		this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
-		
-		if (!this.vanillaSettingsOverridden)
-		{
-			// only do this once, that way they can still be reverted if desired
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings.get())
+			
+			if (!this.renderersBound)
 			{
-				LOGGER.info("Overriding vanilla MC settings to better fit Distant Horizons... This behavior can be disabled in the Distant Horizons config.");
+				this.bindRenderers();
+				this.renderersBound = true;
+			}
+			
+			RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler = renderParams.renderBufferHandler;
+			IDhGenericRenderer genericRenderer = renderParams.genericRenderer;
+			
+			
+			this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
+			
+			if (!this.vanillaSettingsOverridden)
+			{
+				// only do this once, that way they can still be reverted if desired
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings.get())
+				{
+					LOGGER.info("Overriding vanilla MC settings to better fit Distant Horizons... This behavior can be disabled in the Distant Horizons config.");
+					
+					MC.disableVanillaClouds();
+					MC.disableVanillaChunkFadeIn();
+					MC.disableFabulousTransparency();
+				}
 				
-				MC.disableVanillaClouds();
-				MC.disableVanillaChunkFadeIn();
-				MC.disableFabulousTransparency();
+				this.vanillaSettingsOverridden = true;
 			}
 			
-			this.vanillaSettingsOverridden = true;
-		}
-		
-		if (firstPass)
-		{
-			// we only need to sort/cull the LODs at the start of the frame
-			profiler.popPush("LOD build render list");
-			renderBufferHandler.buildRenderList(renderParams);
-		}
-		
-		//endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// rendering //
-		//===========//
-		
-		if (!runningDeferredPass)
-		{
-			this.metaRenderer.clearDhDepthAndColorTextures(renderParams);
-			
-			
-			
-			//=========================//
-			// opaque and non-deferred //
-			// transparent rendering   //
-			//=========================//
-			
-			// opaque LODs
-			profiler.popPush("LOD Opaque");
-			
-			this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ true, profiler);
-			
-			// custom objects with SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+			if (firstPass)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
-				genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, true);
-			}
-			
-			// SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao.get())
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD SSAO");
-				this.ssaoRenderer.render(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-			// custom objects without SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
-				genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, false);
-			}
-			
-			// combined pass transparent rendering
-			if (!deferTransparentRendering 
-				&& Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
-				this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
-			}
-			
-			// far plane clip fading
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.dhFadeFarClipPlane.get()
-				&& IRIS_ACCESSOR == null)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("Fade Far Clip Fade");
-				this.farFadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-			// fog
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get() 
-				// this is done to fix issues with: underwater fog, blindness effect, etc.
-				|| renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
-
-				this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				// we only need to sort/cull the LODs at the start of the frame
+				profiler.popPush("LOD build render list");
+				renderBufferHandler.buildRenderList(renderParams);
 			}
 			
 			
-			
-			//=================//
-			// debug rendering //
-			//=================//
-			
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.enableRendering.get())
+			boolean renderFog;
+			Boolean apiFogOverride = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.getApiValue();
+			if (apiFogOverride != null)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Debug wireframes");
-
-				// Note: this can be very slow if a lot of boxes are being rendered
-				this.debugWireframeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				// use whatever the API dictates if set
+				// (this could cause issues when underwater if a shader or something
+				// doesn't add their own, but that's relatively unlikely)
+				renderFog = apiFogOverride;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				renderFog = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get();
+				// allow enabling fog when: underwater fog, blind, etc.
+				// otherwise LODs won't appear correctly
+				renderFog |= renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled;
 			}
 			
+			DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.EventParam fogRenderEventParam = FogRenderParamFactory.getRenderParam(renderParams);
+			
+			//endregion
 			
 			
-			//=============================//
-			// Apply to the MC Framebuffer //
-			//=============================//
 			
-			boolean cancelApplyShader = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeApplyShaderRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-			if (!cancelApplyShader)
+			//===========//
+			// rendering //
+			//===========//
+			
+			if (!runningDeferredPass)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Apply to MC");
-				this.metaRenderer.applyToMcTexture(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			//====================//
-			// deferred rendering //
-			//====================//
-
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
-				this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
-
-
-				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get()
-					// this is done to fix issues with: underwater fog, blindness effect, etc.
-					|| renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled)
+				// needs to be fired after all the textures have been created/bound
+				boolean clearTextures = !ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeTextureClearEvent.class, renderParams.apiCopy);
+				if (clearTextures)
+				{
+					this.metaRenderer.clearDhDepthAndColorTextures(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=========================//
+				// opaque and non-deferred //
+				// transparent rendering   //
+				//=========================//
+				
+				// opaque LODs
+				profiler.popPush("LOD Opaque");
+				
+				this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ true, profiler);
+				
+				// custom objects with SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
+					genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, true);
+				}
+				
+				// SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD SSAO");
+					this.ssaoRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				// custom objects without SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
+					genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, false);
+				}
+				
+				// combined pass transparent rendering
+				if (!deferTransparentRendering
+					&& Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get() == EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
+					this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
+				}
+				
+				// fog
+				boolean cancelFogEvent = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.class, fogRenderEventParam);
+				if (renderFog
+					&& !cancelFogEvent)
 				{
 					profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
-
-					this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams);
+					
+					this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams, fogRenderEventParam.getFogRenderParam());
+				}
+				
+				// far plane clip fading
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.dhFadeFarClipPlane.get()
+					&& IRIS_ACCESSOR == null)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Fade Far Clip Fade");
+					this.farFadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=================//
+				// debug rendering //
+				//=================//
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.enableRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Debug wireframes");
+					
+					// Note: this can be very slow if a lot of boxes are being rendered
+					this.debugWireframeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderEnable.get())
+				{
+					// can be used to find specific positions when debugging
+					this.debugWireframeRenderer.renderBox(new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.Box(
+						DhSectionPos.encode(
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderDetailLevel.get().byteValue(),
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderXPos.get(),
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderZPos.get()),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMinBlockY.get(),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMaxBlockY.get(),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMarginPercent.get(),
+						Color.GREEN
+					));
+				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=============================//
+				// Apply to the MC Framebuffer //
+				//=============================//
+				
+				boolean cancelApplyShader = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeApplyShaderRenderEvent.class, renderParams.apiCopy);
+				if (!cancelApplyShader)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Apply to MC");
+					this.metaRenderer.applyToMcTexture(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				//====================//
+				// deferred rendering //
+				//====================//
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get() == EDhApiTransparency.COMPLETE)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
+					this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
+					
+					
+					boolean cancelFogEvent = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeFogRenderEvent.class, fogRenderEventParam);
+					if (renderFog
+						&& !cancelFogEvent)
+					{
+						profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
+						
+						this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams, fogRenderEventParam.getFogRenderParam());
+					}
 				}
 			}
+			
+			
+			
+			//================//
+			// render cleanup //
+			//================//
+			
+			profiler.popPush("LOD cleanup");
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderCleanupEvent.class, renderParams.apiCopy);
+			
+			this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
 		}
-		
-		
-		
-		//================//
-		// render cleanup //
-		//================//
-		
-		profiler.popPush("LOD cleanup");
-		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderCleanupEvent.class, renderParams);
-		
-		this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
-		
-		
-		
-		// end of internal LOD profiling
-		profiler.pop();
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -333,8 +375,6 @@ public class LodRenderer
 		// rendering //
 		//===========//
 		
-		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderPassEvent.class, renderEventParam);
-		
 		SortedArraySet<LodBufferContainer> lodBufferContainer = lodBufferHandler.getColumnRenderBuffers();
 		if (lodBufferContainer != null)
 		{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/RenderableBoxGroup.java

@@ -205,21 +205,20 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 			this.vertexBufferContainer = this.altVertexBufferContainer;
 			this.altVertexBufferContainer = temp;
 			
-			this.vertexDataDirty = false;
-			
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		
 		
-		// if the vertex data is already up to date, do nothing
-		if (!this.vertexDataDirty)
+		// executor should always be available, if not that probably means the level is being shut down
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
+		if (executor == null || executor.isTerminated())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
-		if (executor == null || executor.isTerminated())
+		// if the vertex data is already up to date, do nothing
+		if (!this.vertexDataDirty)
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -250,6 +249,9 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 				{
 					this.altVertexBufferContainer.updateVertexData(this.uploadBoxList);
 					this.altVertexBufferContainer.setState(IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer.EState.READY_TO_UPLOAD);
+					
+					// upload complete
+					this.vertexDataDirty = false;
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/cullingFrustum/DhFrustumBounds.java

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.cullingFrustum;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.rendering.IDhApiCullingFrustum;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IOverrideInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.DhMat4f;
 import org.joml.FrustumIntersection;
 import org.joml.Matrix4f;
 import org.joml.Matrix4fc;
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ public class DhFrustumBounds implements IDhApiCullingFrustum
 		this.worldMinY = worldMinBlockY;
 		this.worldMaxY = worldMaxBlockY;
 		
-		Matrix4f worldViewProjection = new Matrix4f(Mat4f.createJomlMatrix(dhWorldViewProjection));
+		Matrix4f worldViewProjection = new Matrix4f(DhMat4f.createJomlMatrix(dhWorldViewProjection));
 		this.frustum.set(worldViewProjection);
 		
 		Matrix4fc matWorldViewProjectionInv = new Matrix4f(worldViewProjection).invert();

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/sql/DbCorruptedException.java

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql;
+
+import java.sql.SQLException;
+
+/** 
+ * Used to simplify handling when a database is corrupted
+ * since Java doesn't have a specific exception to handle corrupted databases 
+ */
+public class DbCorruptedException extends SQLException
+{
+	public DbCorruptedException(String message) { super(message); }
+	public DbCorruptedException(String message, Throwable cause) { super(message, cause); }
+	public DbCorruptedException(Throwable cause) { super(cause); }
+	
+	
+	// helper methods //
+	
+	public static boolean isCorruptedException(SQLException e) 
+	{
+		String message = e.getMessage().toLowerCase();
+		return message.contains("sqlite_corrupt")
+				|| message.contains("malformed");
+	}
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/sql/repo/AbstractDhRepo.java

@@ -19,10 +19,13 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DatabaseUpdater;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DbConnectionClosedException;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DbCorruptedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.IBaseDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.phantoms.AutoClosableTrackingWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ import java.io.IOException;
 import java.sql.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
@@ -55,6 +59,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 	
 	private static final ConcurrentHashMap<String, Connection> CONNECTIONS_BY_CONNECTION_STRING = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	private static final ConcurrentHashMap<AbstractDhRepo<?, ?>, String> ACTIVE_CONNECTION_STRINGS_BY_REPO = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	private static final Set<String> CORRUPTED_DB_PATHS = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
 	
 	
 	
@@ -70,6 +75,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 	
 	protected final KeyedLockContainer<TKey> saveLockContainer = new KeyedLockContainer<>();
 	
+	private final AtomicBoolean databaseCorruptedRef = new AtomicBoolean(false);
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -227,7 +234,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 		finally
 		{
 			saveLock.unlock();
-			//this.tryTriggerWalFlush();
 		}
 	}
 	private void insert(TDTO dto) 
@@ -392,6 +398,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 	@Nullable
 	public ResultSet query(@Nullable PreparedStatement statement) throws RuntimeException
 	{
+		// if the DB is corrupted act as if it's closed
+		// that should prevent further harm
+		if (this.databaseCorruptedRef.get())
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
 		// This is done so we don't have to add "if null" checks everywhere.
 		// Normally this should only happen once the DB has been closed.
 		if (statement == null)
@@ -425,6 +438,33 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 			{
 				return null;
 			}
+			else if (DbCorruptedException.isCorruptedException(e))
+			{
+				// error may trigger on multiple threads at once
+				synchronized (this)
+				{
+					// only trigger this error once per database
+					if (!this.databaseCorruptedRef.getAndSet(true)
+						// multiple repos may be open for the same path (client and server levels in singleplayer)
+						&& CORRUPTED_DB_PATHS.add(this.databaseFile.getPath()))
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("DH database file at [" + this.databaseFile.getPath() + "] is corrupted. \n" +
+							"All operations to this DB are disabled, DH may behave strangely if you continue playing. \n" +
+							"Please leave the world and delete the corrupted database file to fix. \n" +
+							"Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]", e);
+						
+						ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(
+							MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + MinecraftTextFormat.BOLD + "DH database is corrupted." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+								"DH will behave strangely if your continue playing. \n" +
+								"Please leave the world and delete the corrupted database file at: \n" +
+								MinecraftTextFormat.YELLOW + this.databaseFile.getPath() + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+								"to resolve the issue. \n"
+						);
+					}
+				}
+				
+				return null;
+			}
 			else
 			{
 				String message = "Unexpected Query error: [" + e.getMessage() + "], for prepared statement: [" + statement + "].";
@@ -512,6 +552,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 				LOGGER.error("Unable to close the connection ["+connectionString+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"]");
 			}
 		}
+		
+		
+		// clear the errors so they can be re-fired if needed
+		CORRUPTED_DB_PATHS.clear();
 	}
 	
 	@Override

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/ExceptionUtil.java

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ public class ExceptionUtil
 		return throwable instanceof InterruptedException
 				|| throwable instanceof UncheckedInterruptedException
 				|| throwable instanceof RejectedExecutionException
+				|| throwable instanceof CancellationException
 				|| throwable instanceof ClosedByInterruptException;
 	}
 	
@@ -37,8 +38,8 @@ public class ExceptionUtil
 				unwrapped instanceof CancellationException;
 	}
 	public static Throwable ensureUnwrap(Throwable t)
-	{
-		return t instanceof CompletionException ? ensureUnwrap(t.getCause()) : t;
-	}
+	{ return t instanceof CompletionException ? ensureUnwrap(t.getCause()) : t; }
+	
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/LodUtil.java

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 
 /**
  * This class holds methods and constants that may be used in multiple places.

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/NativeDialogUtil.java

@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util;
-
-import org.lwjgl.util.tinyfd.TinyFileDialogs;
-
-/**
- * Should be used instead of the direct call to {@link TinyFileDialogs}
- * so we can run additional validation and/or string cleanup.
- * Otherwise, we may get error messages back.
- * 
- * @see TinyFileDialogs
- */
-public class NativeDialogUtil
-{
-	/**
-	 * @param dialogType    the dialog type. One of:<br><table><tr><td>"ok"</td><td>"okcancel"</td><td>"yesno"</td><td>"yesnocancel"</td></tr></table>
-	 * @param iconType      the icon type. One of:<br><table><tr><td>"info"</td><td>"warning"</td><td>"error"</td><td>"question"</td></tr></table>
-	 */
-	public static boolean showDialog(String title, String message, String dialogType, String iconType)
-	{
-		// Tinyfd doesn't support the following characters, attempting to display them will cause the message
-		// to be replaced with an error message
-		String unsafeCharsRegex = "['\"`]";
-		
-		title = title.replaceAll(unsafeCharsRegex, "`");
-		message = message.replaceAll(unsafeCharsRegex, "`");
-		
-		return TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(title, message, dialogType, iconType, false);
-	}
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/RenderDataPointReducingList.java

@@ -451,6 +451,21 @@ public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 			this.setBigger(smaller, bigger);
 		}
 		
+		if (writeIndex == 0)
+		{
+			// if every data point in the list is NULL (0) the write index will be 0,
+			// and in order to prevent accessing index -1 below, 
+			// setting the write index to 1 is needed.
+			
+			// This shouldn't happen normally, however if the lod data is slightly malformed
+			// (which is specifically the case for the commonly shared wyncraft LODs)
+			// this check is needed.
+			// It would probably be best to fix the 6 or so NULL datapoints that are next
+			// to each other in the full data source, but for now this fix works.
+			
+			writeIndex = 1;
+		}
+		
 		this.smallest = this.sortingArray.getShort(0);
 		this.biggest = this.sortingArray.getShort(writeIndex - 1);
 		this.setSmaller(this.getSmallest(), NULL);
@@ -464,25 +479,21 @@ public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 	@VisibleForTesting
 	public void sortBySize(int size) 
 	{
-		ShortArrayList array = this.sortingArray;
 		it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.Arrays.quickSort(
-			0,
-			size,
-			// comparator
-			(int index1, int index2) -> 
-			{
-				return Integer.compare(
-					this.getSize(this.getSortingIndex(index1)),
-					this.getSize(this.getSortingIndex(index2))
-				);
-			},
-			// swapper
-			(int index1, int index2) -> 
-			{
-				ShortArrays.swap(array.elements(), index1, index2);
-			}
+			0, size,
+			this::sortBySizeComparator,
+			this::sortBySizeSwapper
 		);
 	}
+	// class methods to try reducing GC pressure vs in-line lambdas
+	private int sortBySizeComparator(int index1, int index2)
+	{
+		return Integer.compare(
+			this.getSize(this.getSortingIndex(index1)),
+			this.getSize(this.getSortingIndex(index2))
+		);
+	}
+	private void sortBySizeSwapper(int index1, int index2) { ShortArrays.swap(this.sortingArray.elements(), index1, index2); }
 	
 	/**
 	 * sorts our {@link #sortingArray} in order of lowest-to-highest,
@@ -491,25 +502,21 @@ public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 	@VisibleForTesting
 	public void sortByPosition(int size) 
 	{
-		ShortArrayList array = this.sortingArray;
 		it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.Arrays.quickSort(
-			0,
-			size,
-			// comparator
-			(int index1, int index2) -> 
-			{
-				return Integer.compare(
-					this.getMinY(this.getSortingIndex(index1)),
-					this.getMinY(this.getSortingIndex(index2))
-				);
-			},
-			// swapper
-			(int index1, int index2) -> 
-			{
-				ShortArrays.swap(array.elements(), index1, index2);
-			}
+			0, size,
+			this::sortByPositionComparator,
+			this::sortByPositionSwapper
 		);
 	}
+	// class methods to try reducing GC pressure vs in-line lambdas
+	private int sortByPositionComparator(int index1, int index2)
+	{
+		return Integer.compare(
+			this.getMinY(this.getSortingIndex(index1)),
+			this.getMinY(this.getSortingIndex(index2))
+		);
+	}
+	private void sortByPositionSwapper(int index1, int index2) { ShortArrays.swap(this.sortingArray.elements(), index1, index2); }
 	
 	/**
 	 * moves the smaller node to the correct position in the list,