up version number 2.4.4 -> 2.4.5

This reverts commit 50bdb73a52.

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/EDhApiDetailLevel.java

@@ -39,10 +39,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums;
  */
 public enum EDhApiDetailLevel
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/**
 	 * detail level: 0 <Br>
 	 * width in Blocks: 1

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

@@ -28,10 +28,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiBlocksToAvoid
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	NONE(false),
 	NON_COLLIDING(true);
 	

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

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  * UNCOMPRESSED <br>
  * LZ4 <br>
  * Z_STD <br>
+ * Z_STD_STREAM <br>
  * LZMA2 <br><br>
  * 
  * Note: speed and compression ratios are examples
@@ -33,10 +34,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiDataCompressionMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/** 
 	 * Should only be used internally and for unit testing. <br><br> 
 	 * 
@@ -57,28 +54,32 @@ public enum EDhApiDataCompressionMode
 	LZ4(1),
 	
 	/**
-	 * Decent speed and good compression. <br><br> 
+	 * Great speed and good compression. <br><br> 
 	 *
+	 * Read Speed: 2.1 MS / DTO <br>
+	 * Write Speed: 4.9 MS / DTO <br>
+	 * Compression ratio: 0.2606 <br>
+	 */
+	Z_STD_BLOCK(4),
+	
+	/**
+	 * Similar to {@link EDhApiDataCompressionMode#Z_STD_BLOCK}
+	 * except slower. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * This option is only provided for legacy support when processing old databases. <br><br>
+	 * 
 	 * Read Speed: 9.31 MS / DTO <br>
 	 * Write Speed: 15.13 MS / DTO <br>
 	 * Compression ratio: 0.2606 <br>
 	 */
-	Z_STD(4),
-	
-	/**
-	 * Similar to {@link EDhApiDataCompressionMode#Z_STD}
-	 * except slower.
-	 * <br>
-	 * This option is only provided for legacy support when processing old databases.
-	 */
 	@Deprecated
 	@DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
 	Z_STD_STREAM(2),
 	
-	
 	/** 
-	 * Extremely slow, but very good compression. <br><br> 
-	 *
+	 * Extremely slow, but very good compression. <br>
+	 * Often causes whole computer stuttering due to memory bandwidth saturation. <br><br>
+	 * 
 	 * Read Speed: 13.29 MS / DTO <br>
 	 * Write Speed: 70.95 MS / DTO <br>
 	 * Compression ratio: 0.2068 <br>

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

@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ public enum EDhApiGpuUploadMethod
 	/** Fast rendering but may stutter when uploading. */
 	SUB_DATA(false, false),
 	
-	/** Don't upload, only should be used for debugging */
-	@Deprecated // TODO remove before release
-	NONE(false, false),
+	///** Don't upload, only should be used for debugging */
+	//@Deprecated
+	//NONE(false, false),
 	
 	/**
 	 * May end up storing buffers in System memory. <br>

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

@@ -29,10 +29,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiGrassSideRendering
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	AS_GRASS,
 	FADE_TO_DIRT,
 	AS_DIRT;

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

@@ -31,11 +31,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiHorizontalQuality
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	// Note: any quadraticBase less than 2.0f has issues with DetailDistanceUtil, and will always return the lowest detail level.
 	//  So for now we are limiting the lowest value to 2.0
 	//  LOWEST was originally 1.0f and LOW was 1.5f

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

@@ -29,10 +29,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiLodShading
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/** 
 	 * Uses Minecraft's shading for LODs. <Br>
 	 * This means if Minecraft's shading is disabled DH's shading will be as well.

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

@@ -33,10 +33,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/**
 	 * No fading is done, there will be a pronounced border between
 	 * Minecraft and Distant Horizons. <br>

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

@@ -35,11 +35,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiServerFolderNameMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	/** Only use the server name */
 	NAME_ONLY,
 	

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

@@ -34,11 +34,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
 @Deprecated // not currently in use, if the config this enum represents is re-implemented, the deprecated flag can be removed
 public enum EDhApiVanillaOverdraw
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	/**
 	 * Don't draw LODs where a minecraft chunk could be.
 	 * Use Overdraw Offset to tweak the border thickness.

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

@@ -28,10 +28,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config;
  */
 public enum EDhApiWorldCompressionMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/** 
 	 * Every block/biome change is recorded in the database. <br>
 	 * This is what DH 2.0 and 2.0.1 all used by default and will store a lot of data. 

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/quickOptions/EDhApiQualityPreset.java

@@ -35,10 +35,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
  */
 public enum EDhApiQualityPreset
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	@DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
 	CUSTOM,
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/config/quickOptions/EDhApiThreadPreset.java

@@ -34,10 +34,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
  */
 public enum EDhApiThreadPreset
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	@DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
 	CUSTOM,
 	

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

@@ -33,11 +33,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
  */
 public enum EDhApiDebugRendering
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	/** LODs are rendered normally */
 	OFF,
 	

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

@@ -33,10 +33,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
 @Deprecated
 public enum EDhApiFogDrawMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
 	/**
 	 * Use whatever Fog setting Optifine is using.
 	 * If Optifine isn't installed this defaults to {@link EDhApiFogDrawMode#FOG_ENABLED}.

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

@@ -30,11 +30,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
  */
 public enum EDhApiFogFalloff
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	LINEAR(0),
 	EXPONENTIAL(1),
 	EXPONENTIAL_SQUARED(2);

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

@@ -33,11 +33,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
  */
 public enum EDhApiHeightFogDirection
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	ABOVE_CAMERA                (true,  true,  false),
 	BELOW_CAMERA                (true,  false, true),
 	ABOVE_AND_BELOW_CAMERA      (true,  true,  true),

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

@@ -29,11 +29,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
  */
 public enum EDhApiRendererMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	DEFAULT,
 	DEBUG,
 	DISABLED;

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

@@ -29,11 +29,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering;
  */
 public enum EDhApiTransparency
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	DISABLED(false, false),
 	FAKE(true, true),
 	COMPLETE(true, false);

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/worldGeneration/EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode.java

@@ -34,11 +34,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration;
  */
 public enum EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	/** Don't generate any new terrain, just generate LODs for already generated chunks. */
 	PRE_EXISTING_ONLY((byte) 1),
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/enums/worldGeneration/EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.java

@@ -31,11 +31,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration;
  */
 public enum EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation
 {
-	// Reminder:
-	// when adding items up the API minor version
-	// when removing items up the API major version
-	
-	
 	OVERLAY,
 	CHAT,
 	LOG,

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

@@ -161,9 +161,16 @@ public interface IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	//=========//
 	
 	/** 
+	 * Creates a new cache you manage that can be used to speed up repeat
+	 * read operations. <br>
+	 * Without a cache each operation must: hit the backing database file,
+	 * decompress it, and parse it; which is a fairly slow process. <br>
+	 * 
 	 * @return a {@link IDhApiTerrainDataCache} backed by {@link java.lang.ref.SoftReference}'s.
-	 * @since API 3.0.0
+	 * @since API 5.0.0
 	 */
-	IDhApiTerrainDataCache getSoftCache();
+	IDhApiTerrainDataCache createSoftCache();
+	
+	
 	
 }

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

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

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

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world.IDhApiLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiWorldLoadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
 
@@ -27,7 +29,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
  * Contains information relevant to Distant Horizons and Minecraft rendering.
  *
  * @author James Seibel
- * @version 2024-1-31
+ * @version 2025-12-23
  * @since API 1.0.0
  */
 public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
@@ -61,6 +63,13 @@ public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 	
 	public final int worldYOffset;
 	
+	/**
+	 * The level currently being rendered.
+	 * 
+	 * @since API 5.1.0 
+	 */
+	public final IDhApiLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
+	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
@@ -70,12 +79,13 @@ public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 	public DhApiRenderParam(DhApiRenderParam parent)
 	{
 		this(
-				parent.renderPass,
-				parent.partialTicks,
-				parent.nearClipPlane, parent.farClipPlane,
-				parent.mcProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.mcModelViewMatrix.copy(),
-				parent.dhProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.dhModelViewMatrix.copy(),
-				parent.worldYOffset
+			parent.renderPass,
+			parent.partialTicks,
+			parent.nearClipPlane, parent.farClipPlane,
+			parent.mcProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.mcModelViewMatrix.copy(),
+			parent.dhProjectionMatrix.copy(), parent.dhModelViewMatrix.copy(),
+			parent.worldYOffset,
+			parent.clientLevelWrapper
 		);
 	}
 	public DhApiRenderParam(
@@ -84,7 +94,8 @@ public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 			float nearClipPlane, float farClipPlane,
 			DhApiMat4f newMcProjectionMatrix, DhApiMat4f newMcModelViewMatrix,
 			DhApiMat4f newDhProjectionMatrix, DhApiMat4f newDhModelViewMatrix,
-			int worldYOffset
+			int worldYOffset,
+			IDhApiLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper
 		)
 	{
 		this.renderPass = renderPass;
@@ -101,6 +112,7 @@ public class DhApiRenderParam implements IDhApiEventParam
 		this.dhModelViewMatrix = newDhModelViewMatrix;
 		
 		this.worldYOffset = worldYOffset;
+		this.clientLevelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
 		
 	}
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/objects/data/DhApiChunk.java

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import java.util.List;
  * Contains a list of {@link DhApiTerrainDataPoint} representing the blocks in a Minecraft chunk.
  *
  * @author Builderb0y, James Seibel
- * @version 2024-7-21
+ * @version 2025-12-11
  * @since API 2.0.0
  * 
  * @see IDhApiWrapperFactory

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

@@ -38,14 +38,14 @@ public final class ModInfo
 	public static final String NAME = "DistantHorizons";
 	/** Human-readable version of NAME */
 	public static final String READABLE_NAME = "Distant Horizons";
-	public static final String VERSION = "2.3.7-b-dev";
+	public static final String VERSION = "2.4.5-b";
 	/** Returns true if the current build is an unstable developer build, false otherwise. */
 	public static final boolean IS_DEV_BUILD = VERSION.toLowerCase().contains("dev");
 	
 	/** This version should only be updated when breaking changes are introduced to the DH API */
 	public static final int API_MAJOR_VERSION = 5;
 	/** This version should be updated whenever new methods are added to the DH API */
-	public static final int API_MINOR_VERSION = 0;
+	public static final int API_MINOR_VERSION = 1;
 	/** This version should be updated whenever non-breaking fixes are added to the DH API */
 	public static final int API_PATCH_VERSION = 0;
 	

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

@@ -20,36 +20,43 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core;
 
 import com.github.luben.zstd.ZstdOutputStream;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBeforeRenderEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericRenderObjectFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DatabaseUpdater;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.external.methods.config.DhApiConfig;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.external.methods.data.DhApiTerrainDataRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.DhApiRenderProxy;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 import net.jpountz.lz4.LZ4FrameOutputStream;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.sqlite.SQLiteJDBCLoader;
-import org.sqlite.util.OSInfo;
 import org.tukaani.xz.XZOutputStream;
 
-import java.awt.*;
-import java.io.File;
+import java.lang.management.GarbageCollectorMXBean;
+import java.lang.management.ManagementFactory;
+import java.util.List;
 
 /** Handles first time Core setup. */
 public class Initializer
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	
+	
 	
 	public static void init()
 	{
+		LOGGER.info("Running library validation...");
+		
 		// confirm that all referenced libraries are available to use
 		try
 		{
@@ -57,6 +64,17 @@ public class Initializer
 			// will throw an error (not an exception)
 			Class<?> lz4Compressor = LZ4FrameOutputStream.class;
 			Class<?> zstdCompressor = ZstdOutputStream.class;
+			
+			{
+				byte[] testCompressByteArray = new byte[1024];
+				for (int i = 0; i < testCompressByteArray.length; i++)
+				{
+					testCompressByteArray[i] = (byte) (i % 126);
+				}
+				byte[] compressedBytes = com.github.luben.zstd.Zstd.compress(testCompressByteArray);
+				com.github.luben.zstd.Zstd.decompress(compressedBytes);
+			}
+			
 			Class<?> lzmaCompressor = XZOutputStream.class;
 			//Class<?> networking = ByteBuf.class;
 			Class<?> config = com.electronwill.nightconfig.core.Config.class;
@@ -73,9 +91,7 @@ public class Initializer
 		}
 		catch (Throwable e)
 		{
-			LOGGER.fatal("Critical programmer error: One or more libraries aren't present. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-			// throwing here should crash the game, notifying the developer that something is wrong
-			throw new RuntimeException(e);
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Distant Horizons critical setup error: One or more libraries are either in-accessible, corrupted, or overwritten by another mod. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
 		}
 		
 		// confirm the resource directory is present
@@ -89,8 +105,7 @@ public class Initializer
 		}
 		catch (Exception e)
 		{
-			LOGGER.fatal("Critical programmer error: Can't read SQL Scripts resource folder is either missing or malformed. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].");
-			throw new RuntimeException(e);
+			MC_CLIENT.crashMinecraft("Critical programmer error: Can't read SQL Scripts resource folder is either missing or malformed. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
 		}
 		
 		// This code has been disabled since it can cause Mac
@@ -121,6 +136,45 @@ public class Initializer
 			LOGGER.error("Programmer Error: No ["+IWrapperFactory.class.getSimpleName()+"] assigned to the DhApi.");
 		}
 		
+		// log a warning if G1GC is being used
+		// (this garbage collector is known to cause stuttering)
+		{
+			boolean g1GcInUse = false;
+			
+			StringBuilder garbageCollectorNames = new StringBuilder();
+			List<GarbageCollectorMXBean> gcMxBeans = ManagementFactory.getGarbageCollectorMXBeans();
+			for (GarbageCollectorMXBean gcMxBean : gcMxBeans)
+			{
+				if (!garbageCollectorNames.toString().isEmpty())
+				{
+					garbageCollectorNames.append(", ");
+				}
+				garbageCollectorNames.append(gcMxBean.getName());
+				
+				// "G1 Young Generation" // "G1 Concurrent GC" // "G1 Old Generation"
+				if (gcMxBean.getName().toLowerCase().contains("g1 "))
+				{
+					g1GcInUse = true;
+				}
+			}
+			LOGGER.info("Garbage collectors: ["+garbageCollectorNames+"]");
+			
+			
+			if (g1GcInUse
+				&& Config.Common.Logging.Warning.logGarbageCollectorWarning.get())
+			{
+				LOGGER.warn(
+					"Distant Horizons: G1 Garbage collector detected. \n" +
+					"This garbage collector can cause FPS stuttering. \n" +
+					"It's recommended to use a concurrent garbage collector \n" +
+					"like ZGC (Java 21+) or Shenandoah (Java 8 through 17) for a smoother experience. \n" +
+					"");
+				
+			}
+		}
+		
+		DhApi.events.bind(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE);
+		
 	}
 	
 }

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

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

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

@@ -521,7 +521,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 	//=============//
 	
 	@Override
-	public IDhApiTerrainDataCache getSoftCache() { return new DhApiTerrainDataCache(); }
+	public IDhApiTerrainDataCache createSoftCache() { return new DhApiTerrainDataCache(); }
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -23,16 +23,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 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.external.methods.data.DhApiTerrainDataRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.DhRenderState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EMinecraftColor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ClientOnlySaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.MessageRegistry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.DhApiRenderProxy;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.VanillaFadeRenderer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.LodRenderer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.RenderParams;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
@@ -46,11 +44,8 @@ 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.render.glObject.GLProxy;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.TestRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhClientServerWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhClientWorld;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.IDhClientWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IProfilerWrapper;
@@ -158,10 +153,10 @@ public class ClientApi
 				
 				if (Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showReplayWarningOnStartup.get())
 				{
-					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons: Replay detected." + "\u00A7r"); // gold color
+					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons: Replay detected." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
 					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("DH may behave strangely or have missing functionality.");
 					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("In order to use pre-generated LODs, put your DH database(s) in:");
-					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A77"+".Minecraft" + File.separator + ClientOnlySaveStructure.SERVER_DATA_FOLDER_NAME + File.separator + ClientOnlySaveStructure.REPLAY_SERVER_FOLDER_NAME + File.separator + "DIMENSION_NAME"+"\u00A7r"); // light gray color
+					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.GRAY +".Minecraft" + File.separator + ClientOnlySaveStructure.SERVER_DATA_FOLDER_NAME + File.separator + ClientOnlySaveStructure.REPLAY_SERVER_FOLDER_NAME + File.separator + "DIMENSION_NAME"+EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
 					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("This can be disabled in DH's config under Advanced -> Logging.");
 					MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("");
 				}
@@ -247,7 +242,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	public void clientLevelLoadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
+	public void clientLevelLoadEvent(@Nullable IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
 	{
 		// wait a moment before loading the level to give the server a chance to handle the client's login request
 		if (MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer())
@@ -323,35 +318,6 @@ public class ClientApi
 	
 	
 	
-	//============//
-	// clint tick //
-	//============//
-	
-	@Deprecated
-	public void clientTickEvent()
-	{
-		IProfilerWrapper profiler = MC_CLIENT.getProfiler();
-		profiler.push("DH-ClientTick");
-		
-		try
-		{
-			IDhClientWorld clientWorld = SharedApi.tryGetDhClientWorld();
-			if (clientWorld != null)
-			{
-				clientWorld.clientTick();
-			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			// handle errors here to prevent blowing up a mixin or API up stream
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in ClientApi.clientTickEvent(), error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
-		
-		profiler.pop();
-	}
-	
-	
-	
 	//============//
 	// networking //
 	//============//
@@ -410,8 +376,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 			
 			try
 			{
+				// make sure the GLProxy is created for future use
+				GLProxy.getInstance();
+				
 				// these tasks always need to be called, regardless of whether the renderer is enabled or not to prevent memory leaks
-				GLProxy.getInstance().runRenderThreadTasks();
+				GLProxy.runRenderThreadTasks();
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
@@ -539,10 +508,10 @@ public class ClientApi
 			this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = true;
 			LOGGER.error("Unexpected Renderer error in render pass [" + renderPass + "]. Error: " + e.getMessage(), e);
 			
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A74\u00A7l\u00A7uERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!");
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A74Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption.");
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A74Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering.");
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("\u00A74Error: " + e);
+			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.DARK_RED + "" + EMinecraftColor.BOLD + "ERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!" + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.DARK_RED + "Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.DARK_RED + "Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(EMinecraftColor.DARK_RED + "Error: " + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + e);
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -679,15 +648,15 @@ public class ClientApi
 	{
 		// dev build
 		if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD 
-			&& !this.isDevBuildMessagePrinted && MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
+			&& !this.isDevBuildMessagePrinted 
+			&& MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
 		{
 			this.isDevBuildMessagePrinted = true;
 			this.lastStaticWarningMessageSentMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 			
 			// remind the user that this is a development build
 			String message =
-					// green text
-					"\u00A72" + "Distant Horizons: nightly/unstable build, version: [" + ModInfo.VERSION+"]." + "\u00A7r\n" +
+					EMinecraftColor.DARK_GREEN + "Distant Horizons: nightly/unstable build, version: [" + ModInfo.VERSION+"]." +EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
 							"Issues may occur with this version.\n" +
 							"Here be dragons!\n";
 			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(message);
@@ -711,7 +680,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 			{
 				String message =
 						// orange text		
-						"\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons: Low memory detected." + "\u00A7r \n" +
+						EMinecraftColor.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons: Low memory detected." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
 						"Stuttering or low FPS may occur. \n" +
 						"Please increase Minecraft's available memory to 4 GB or more. \n" +
 						"This warning can be disabled in DH's config under Advanced -> Logging. \n";
@@ -725,22 +694,21 @@ public class ClientApi
 		if (!this.highVanillaRenderDistanceWarningPrinted 
 			&& Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showHighVanillaRenderDistanceWarning.get())
 		{
+			this.highVanillaRenderDistanceWarningPrinted = true;
+			
 			// DH generally doesn't need a vanilla render distance above 12 
 			if (MC_RENDER.getRenderDistance() > 12)
 			{
-				this.highVanillaRenderDistanceWarningPrinted = true;
 				this.lastStaticWarningMessageSentMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 				
 				String message =
-						// yellow text
-						"\u00A7e" + "Distant Horizons: High vanilla render distance detected." + "\u00A7r \n" +
-						"Using a high vanilla render distance uses a lot of CPU power \n" +
-						"and doesn't improve graphics much after about 12.\n" +
-						"Lowing your vanilla render distance will give you better FPS\n" +
-						"and reduce stuttering at a similar visual quality.\n" +
-						// gray text		
-						"\u00A77" + "A vanilla render distance of 8 is recommended." + "\u00A7r \n" +
-						"This message can be disabled in DH's config under Advanced -> Logging.\n";
+					EMinecraftColor.YELLOW + "Distant Horizons: High vanilla render distance detected." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+					"Using a high vanilla render distance uses a lot of CPU power \n" +
+					"and doesn't improve graphics much after about 12.\n" +
+					"Lowing your vanilla render distance will give you better FPS\n" +
+					"and reduce stuttering at a similar visual quality.\n" +
+					EMinecraftColor.GRAY + "A vanilla render distance of 8 is recommended." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+					"This message can be disabled in DH's config under Advanced -> Logging.\n";
 				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(message);
 			}
 		}

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

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 		
 		LOGGER.info("Server level key received: [" + msg.levelKey + "].");
 		
-		MC.executeOnRenderThread(() -> 
+		GLProxy.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
 		{
 			IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = MC.getWrappedClientLevel(true);
 			IServerKeyedClientLevel existingKeyedClientLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.getServerKeyedLevel();

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

@@ -82,15 +82,15 @@ public class ServerApi
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public void serverLevelLoadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)
+	public void serverLevelLoadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
 	{
-		LOGGER.debug("Server Level " + level + " loading");
+		LOGGER.debug("Server Level " + levelWrapper + " loading");
 		
 		AbstractDhWorld serverWorld = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
-			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(level);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(level));
+			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper));
 		}
 	}
 	public void serverLevelUnloadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)

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

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.Initializer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateData;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateQueueManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
@@ -184,12 +185,11 @@ public class SharedApi
 	public void chunkBlockChangedEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, false); }
 	public void chunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, true); }
 	
-	//public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, canGetNeighboringChunks, false); }
 	public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks, boolean newlyLoaded)
 	{
-		//========================//
-		// world and level checks //
-		//========================//
+		//===================//
+		// validation checks //
+		//===================//
 		
 		if (chunkWrapper == null)
 		{
@@ -217,7 +217,6 @@ public class SharedApi
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		
 		// only continue if the level is loaded
 		IDhLevel dhLevel = dhWorld.getLevel(level);
 		if (dhLevel == null)
@@ -232,6 +231,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 			return;
 		}
 		
+		// ignore chunk updates if the network should handle them
 		if (dhLevel instanceof DhClientLevel)
 		{
 			if (!((DhClientLevel) dhLevel).shouldProcessChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
@@ -240,7 +240,14 @@ public class SharedApi
 			}
 		}
 		
-		// shoudln't normally happen, but just in case
+		// ignore chunk updates for non-rendered levels
+		String dimName = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().getDimensionName();
+		if (IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.dimensionNameShouldBeIgnored(dimName))
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
 		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
 		{
 			// TODO this will prevent some LODs from updating across dimensions if multiple levels are loaded
@@ -248,94 +255,20 @@ public class SharedApi
 		}
 		
 		
-		
-		//===============================//
-		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
-		//===============================//
-		
-		if (!canGetNeighboringChunks)
-		{
-			// only update the center chunk
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, null, dhLevel, false);
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighboringChunkList = getNeighborChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
-		
-		if (newlyLoaded)
-		{
-			// this means this chunkWrapper is a newly loaded chunk 
-			// which may be missing some neighboring chunk data
-			// because it is bordering the render distance
-			// thus, only the chunks neighboring this chunkWrapper will get updated
-			// because those are more likely to have their full neighboring chunk data
-			//TODO this does not prevent those neighboring chunks from updating
-			// this newly loaded chunk that were just skipped
-			// leading to occasional lighting issues
-			for (IChunkWrapper neighboringChunk : neighboringChunkList)
-			{
-				if (neighboringChunk == chunkWrapper)
-				{
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				this.applyChunkUpdate(neighboringChunk, level, true, false);
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			// if not all neighboring chunk data is available, do not try to update
-			if (neighboringChunkList.size() < 9)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			// update the center with any existing neighbour chunks. 
-			// this is done so lighting changes are propagated correctly
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, neighboringChunkList, dhLevel, true);
-		}
-	}
-	private static ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> getNeighborChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
-	{
-		// get the neighboring chunk list
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
-		for (int xOffset = -1; xOffset <= 1; xOffset++)
-		{
-			for (int zOffset = -1; zOffset <= 1; zOffset++)
-			{
-				if (xOffset == 0 && zOffset == 0)
-				{
-					// center chunk
-					neighborChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					// neighboring chunk 
-					DhChunkPos neighborPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
-					IChunkWrapper neighborChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(neighborPos);
-					if (neighborChunk != null)
-					{
-						neighborChunkList.add(neighborChunk);
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		return neighborChunkList;
+		queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
 	}
 	
-	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks)
+	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
 	{
-				
 		// return if the chunk is already queued
 		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
 		{
 			return;
 		}
-			
+		
 		
 		// add chunk update data to preUpdate queue
-		ChunkUpdateData updateData = new ChunkUpdateData(chunkWrapper, neighborChunkList, dhLevel, canGetNeighboringChunks);
+		ChunkUpdateData updateData = new ChunkUpdateData(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
 		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToPreUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), updateData);
 		
 		
@@ -343,7 +276,8 @@ public class SharedApi
 		// (this prevents doing extra work queuing tasks that may not be necessary)
 		// and makes sure the chunks closest to the player are updated first
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
-		if (executor != null && executor.getQueueSize() < executor.getPoolSize())
+		if (executor != null
+			&& executor.getQueueSize() < executor.getPoolSize())
 		{
 			try
 			{
@@ -383,10 +317,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
 		//===============================//
 		
-		// process preUpdate queue
 		processQueuedChunkPreUpdate();
-		
-		// process update queue
 		processQueuedChunkUpdate();
 		
 		// queue the next position if there are still positions to process
@@ -415,8 +346,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 		
 		IDhLevel dhLevel = preUpdateData.dhLevel;
 		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = preUpdateData.chunkWrapper;
-		boolean canGetNeighboringChunks = preUpdateData.canGetNeighboringChunks;
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = preUpdateData.neighborChunkList;
+		chunkWrapper.createDhHeightMaps();
 		
 		try
 		{
@@ -433,34 +363,6 @@ public class SharedApi
 					// do not update the chunk if the hash is the same
 					return;
 				}
-				
-				// if this chunk will update and can get neighbors
-				// then queue neighboring chunks to update as well
-				// neighboring chunk will get added directly to the update queue
-				// so they won't queue further chunk updates
-				if (neighborChunkList != null 
-					&& !neighborChunkList.isEmpty())
-				{
-					for (IChunkWrapper adjacentChunk : neighborChunkList)
-					{
-						// pulling a new chunkWrapper is necessary to prevent concurrent modification on the existing chunkWrappers
-						IChunkWrapper newCenterChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(adjacentChunk.getChunkPos());
-						if (newCenterChunk != null)
-						{
-							ChunkUpdateData newUpdateData;
-							if (canGetNeighboringChunks)
-							{
-								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, getNeighborChunkListForChunk(newCenterChunk, dhLevel), dhLevel, true);
-							}
-							else
-							{
-								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, null, dhLevel, false);
-							}
-							
-							CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(newCenterChunk.getChunkPos(), newUpdateData);
-						}
-					}
-				}
 			}
 			
 			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), preUpdateData);
@@ -473,8 +375,6 @@ public class SharedApi
 	
 	private static void processQueuedChunkUpdate()
 	{
-		//LOGGER.trace(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + " " + executor.getActiveCount() + " / " + executor.getQueue().size() + " - " + executor.getCompletedTaskCount());
-		
 		ChunkUpdateData updateData = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.updateQueue.popClosest();
 		if (updateData == null)
 		{
@@ -484,15 +384,11 @@ public class SharedApi
 		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = updateData.chunkWrapper;
 		IDhLevel dhLevel = updateData.dhLevel;
 		ILevelWrapper levelWrapper = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper();
-		// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
-		@Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = updateData.neighborChunkList; 
 		
-		// a non-null list is needed for the lighting engine
-		if (nearbyChunkList == null)
-		{
-			nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<IChunkWrapper>();
-			nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-		}
+		// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList  = tryGetNeighborChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper);
+		
+		
 		
 		try
 		{
@@ -508,6 +404,35 @@ public class SharedApi
 		{
 			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
 		}
+		
+		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.remove(updateData.chunkWrapper.getChunkPos());
+	}
+	private static ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> tryGetNeighborChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper)
+	{
+		// get the neighboring chunk list
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
+		for (int xOffset = -1; xOffset <= 1; xOffset++)
+		{
+			for (int zOffset = -1; zOffset <= 1; zOffset++)
+			{
+				if (xOffset == 0 && zOffset == 0)
+				{
+					// center chunk
+					neighborChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					// neighboring chunk 
+					DhChunkPos neighborPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
+					IChunkWrapper neighborChunk = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.tryGetChunk(neighborPos);
+					if (neighborChunk != null)
+					{
+						neighborChunkList.add(neighborChunk);
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return neighborChunkList;
 	}
 	
 	

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -1,16 +1,24 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
 
+import com.google.common.cache.Cache;
+import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EMinecraftColor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.SyncOnLoadRequestQueue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.EWorldEnvironment;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 
 public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 {
@@ -21,6 +29,12 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 	public final ChunkPosQueue preUpdateQueue;
 	public final Set<DhChunkPos> ignoredChunkPosSet = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
 	
+	public final ConcurrentMap<DhChunkPos, IChunkWrapper> queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos = CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
+		.expireAfterWrite(20, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
+		.<DhChunkPos, IChunkWrapper>build()
+		.asMap();
+	
+	/** dynamically changes based on the number of threads currently available */
 	public int maxSize = 500;
 	
 	private static long lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = 0;
@@ -68,22 +82,27 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 	 * If there are no more slots, replaces the item furthest from the center in the update queue.
 	 */
 	public void addItemToPreUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{ this.addItemToQueue(pos, updateData, this.preUpdateQueue); }
+	
+	public void addItemToUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{ this.addItemToQueue(pos, updateData, this.updateQueue); }
+	
+	private void addItemToQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData, ChunkPosQueue queue)
 	{
 		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
 		
 		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
 		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
 		{
-			if (!this.updateQueue.isEmpty())
+			ChunkUpdateData removedData = queue.popFurthest();
+			if (removedData != null)
 			{
-				this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.preUpdateQueue.popFurthest();
+				this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.remove(removedData.chunkWrapper.getChunkPos());
 			}
 		}
-		this.preUpdateQueue.addItem(pos, updateData);
+		
+		queue.addItem(pos,updateData);
+		this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.putIfAbsent(pos, updateData.chunkWrapper);
 		
 		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
 		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
@@ -92,24 +111,6 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		}
 	}
 	
-	public void addItemToUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
-	{
-		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
-		
-		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
-		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
-		{
-			this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
-		}
-		
-		this.updateQueue.addItem(pos,updateData);
-		
-		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
-		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
-		{
-			this.sendOverloadMessage();
-		}
-	}
 	
 	private void sendOverloadMessage()
 	{
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		{
 			lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 			
-			String message = "\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + "\u00A7r" +
+			String message = EMinecraftColor.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING +
 					"\nThis may result in holes in your LODs. " +
 					"\nFix: move through the world slower, decrease your vanilla render distance, slow down your world pre-generator (IE Chunky), or increase the Distant Horizons' CPU thread counts. " +
 					"\nMax queue count [" + SharedApi.CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize + "] ([" + SharedApi.MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER + "] per thread+players).";
@@ -140,6 +141,26 @@ public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
 		}
 	}
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Tries to return a cloned chunk wrapper from memory.
+	 * Returns null if no chunk is available.
+	 * <br><br>
+	 * This is done instead of accessing the MC level since
+	 * accessing the level often requires running on the render or server
+	 * thread, which causes stuttering.
+	 */
+	@Nullable
+	public IChunkWrapper tryGetChunk(DhChunkPos pos)
+	{
+		IChunkWrapper existingWrapper = this.queuedChunkWrapperByChunkPos.get(pos);
+		if (existingWrapper == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+	
+		return existingWrapper.copy();
+	}
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//

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

@@ -33,13 +33,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.NativeDialogUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
-import org.lwjgl.util.tinyfd.TinyFileDialogs;
 
-import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.File;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -123,7 +122,6 @@ public class Config
 		{
 			// common config links need to have their destination
 			// since they aren't part of "client" config class
-			// TODO determine their destination programically instead of hard coding the value
 			
 			public static ConfigUIComment advancedHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Advanced.class).build();
 			
@@ -169,6 +167,20 @@ public class Config
 				public static ConfigCategory culling = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Culling.class).build();
 				public static ConfigUISpacer cullingSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
+				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+					.set(true)
+					.comment("" +
+						"If true some vanilla graphics settings will be automatically changed \n" +
+						"during DH setup to provide a better experience. \n" +
+						" \n" +
+						"IE disabling vanilla clouds (which render on top of DH LODs), \n" +
+						"   and chunk fading (DH already fades MC chunks) \n" +
+						"")
+					.build();
+				public static ConfigUISpacer overrideVanillaSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
+				
+				
+				
 				public static ConfigCategory experimental = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Experimental.class).build();
 				
 				
@@ -260,7 +272,7 @@ public class Config
 					public static ConfigEntry<Double> lodBias = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Double>()
 							.setMinDefaultMax(0d, 0d, null)
 							.comment(""
-									+ "What the value should vanilla Minecraft's texture LodBias be? \n"
+									+ "What value should vanilla Minecraft's texture LodBias be? \n"
 									+ "If set to 0 the mod wont overwrite vanilla's default (which so happens to also be 0)")
 							.build();
 					
@@ -407,6 +419,14 @@ public class Config
 									"")
 							.build();
 					
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> fadeDistanceInBlocks = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+							.setMinDefaultMax(0, 1_600, 30_000_000)
+							.comment("" +
+									"The distance in blocks from the camera where the SSAO will fade out to. \n"+
+									"This is done to prevent banding and noise at extreme distances. \n"+
+									"")
+							.build();
+					
 				}
 				
 				public static class GenericRendering
@@ -485,11 +505,6 @@ public class Config
 									+ "Note: Other mods may conflict with this setting. \n"
 									+ "")
 							.build();
-					@Deprecated
-					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> disableVanillaFog = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-							.set(!enableVanillaFog.get())
-							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_API)
-							.build();
 					
 					
 					
@@ -551,14 +566,6 @@ public class Config
 					
 					
 					
-					static
-					{
-						disableVanillaFog.addListener(
-								new ConfigChangeListener<Boolean>(disableVanillaFog,
-								(disableVanillaFog) -> enableVanillaFog.setApiValue(disableVanillaFog))
-						);
-					}
-					
 					public static class HeightFog
 					{
 						public static ConfigUIComment heightFogHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(HeightFog.class).build();
@@ -773,6 +780,11 @@ public class Config
 									+ "A comma separated list of block resource locations that won't be rendered by DH. \n"
 									+ "Air is always included in this list. \n"
 									+ "Requires a restart to change. \n"
+									+ "\n"
+									+ "Note:\n"
+									+ "If you see gaps, or holes you may have to change\n"
+									+ "worldCompression to ["+EDhApiWorldCompressionMode.MERGE_SAME_BLOCKS+"] and re-generate the LODs.\n"
+									+ "Black spots may happen occur to block lighting being zero for covered blocks.\n"
 									+ "")
 							.build();
 					
@@ -821,7 +833,7 @@ public class Config
 					public static ConfigUIComment experimentalHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Experimental.class).build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> earthCurveRatio = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-							.setMinDefaultMax(0, 0, 5000)
+							.setMinDefaultMax(-5000, 0, 5000)
 							.comment(""
 									+ "This is the earth size ratio when applying the curvature shader effect. \n"
 									+ "Note: Enabling this feature may cause rendering bugs. \n"
@@ -831,24 +843,26 @@ public class Config
 									+ "100 = 1 to 100 (63,710 blocks) \n"
 									+ "10000 = 1 to 10000 (637.1 blocks) \n"
 									+ "\n"
-									+ "Note: Due to current limitations, the min value is 50 \n"
+									+ "Note: Due to current limitations, the min value is ["+WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler.MIN_VALID_CURVE_VALUE+"] \n"
 									+ "and the max value is 5000. Any values outside this range \n"
 									+ "will be set to 0 (disabled).")
 							.addListener(WorldCurvatureConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
-					// TODO should be replaced with a better long-term solution
-					@Deprecated
-					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> onlyLoadCenterLods = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-							.set(false)
-							.comment(""
-									+ "For internal testing:\n"
-									+ "Skips loading adjacent LODs to significantly reduce load times (~5x)\n"
-									+ "but causes lighting on LOD borders to appear as full-bright\n"
-									+ "and other graphical bugs.\n"
-									+ "")
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
-							.build();
+					public static ConfigEntry<String> ignoredDimensionCsv = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
+						.set("")
+						.comment(""
+							+ "A comma separated list of dimension resource locations where DH won't render. \n"
+							+ "\n"
+							+ "Example: \"minecraft:the_nether,minecraft:the_end\"\n"
+							+ "\n"
+							+ "Note:\n"
+							+ "Some DH settings will be disabled and/or changed to improve \n"
+							+ "visuals when DH rendering is disabled. \n"
+							+ "")
+						.addListener(IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE)
+						.build();
+					
 				}
 				
 			}
@@ -1230,23 +1244,17 @@ public class Config
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
-					public static ConfigUIButton uiButtonTest = new ConfigUIButton(() -> 
+					public static ConfigUIButton uiButtonTest = new ConfigUIButton(() ->
 					{
 						// running on a separate thread is necessary to prevent locking
-						new Thread(() -> 
-						{
-							if (!GraphicsEnvironment.isHeadless())
-							{
-								LOGGER.info("Attempting to show tinyfd message box...");
-								boolean buttonPress = TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox("Button pressed!", "UITester dialog", "ok", "info", false);
-								LOGGER.info("dialog returned with ["+(buttonPress ? "TRUE" : "FALSE")+"]");
-							}
-							else
-							{
-								LOGGER.info("button pressed!");
-							}
-						}).start();
+						new Thread(() -> onButtonPressed()).start();
 					});
+					public static void onButtonPressed()
+					{
+						LOGGER.info("Attempting to show tinyfd message box...");
+						boolean buttonPress = NativeDialogUtil.showDialog("Button pressed!", "UITester dialog", "ok", "info");
+						LOGGER.info("dialog returned with ["+(buttonPress ? "TRUE" : "FALSE")+"]");
+					}
 					
 					public static ConfigCategory categoryTest = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(CategoryTest.class).build();
 					
@@ -1362,6 +1370,37 @@ public class Config
 							+ "")
 					.build();
 			
+			public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationCenterChunkX = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.centerChunk.x")
+				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
+				.setMinDefaultMax(Integer.MIN_VALUE, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
+				.comment("" +
+					"The center X chunk position that the world gen max radius is centered around. \n" +
+					"")
+				.build();
+			public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationCenterChunkZ = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.centerChunk.z")
+				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
+				.setMinDefaultMax(Integer.MIN_VALUE, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
+				.comment("" +
+					"The center Z chunk position that the world gen max radius is centered around. \n" +
+					"")
+				.build();
+			public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationMaxChunkRadius = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.radiusInChunks")
+				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
+				.setMinDefaultMax(0, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
+				.comment("" +
+					"The max radius in chunks around the central point where world generation is allowed. \n" +
+					"If this value is set to 0, generation bounds are disabled and the render distance will be used. \n" +
+					"\n" +
+					"This should only be set if you have a pre-generated world that has a very limited size. \n" +
+					"Setting this on a normal MC world will prevent the world generator from filling \n" +
+					"out your render distance. \n" +
+					"")
+				.build();
+			
+			
 		}
 		
 		public static class LodBuilding
@@ -1372,7 +1411,7 @@ public class Config
 					.set(false)
 					// enabling this can be quite detrimental to performance,
 					// so hiding it in the config file should reduce people accidentally enabling it
-					.setAppearance(isRunningInDevEnvironment() ? EConfigEntryAppearance.ALL : EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
+					.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
 					.comment(""
 							+ "Enabling this will drastically increase chunk processing time\n"
 							+ "and you may need to increase your CPU load to handle it.\n"
@@ -1387,7 +1426,7 @@ public class Config
 					.build();
 			
 			public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiDataCompressionMode> dataCompression = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiDataCompressionMode>()
-					.set(EDhApiDataCompressionMode.Z_STD)
+					.set(EDhApiDataCompressionMode.Z_STD_BLOCK)
 					// only visible via the API since there is no reason to use any compressor except ZStandard as of 2025-11-24
 					.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_API)
 					.build();
@@ -1553,6 +1592,14 @@ public class Config
 							+ "This can be useful for debugging.")
 					.build();
 			
+			public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiLoggerLevel> logConnectionConfigChangesToFile = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiLoggerLevel>()
+					.setChatCommandName("logging.logConnectionConfigChanges")
+					.set(EDhApiLoggerLevel.WARN)
+					.comment(""
+							+ "If enabled, config changes sent by the server will be logged. \n"
+							+ "")
+					.build();
+			
 			public static ConfigCategory warning = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Warning.class).build();
 			
 			
@@ -1617,6 +1664,15 @@ public class Config
 								+ "")
 						.build();
 				
+				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> logGarbageCollectorWarning = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+					.set(true)
+					.comment(""
+						+ "If enabled, a message will be logged if the garbage \n"
+						+ "collector Java is currently using is known \n"
+						+ "to cause stutters and/or issues. \n"
+						+ "")
+					.build();
+				
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -1686,32 +1742,6 @@ public class Config
 						"")
 				.build();
 		
-		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationBoundsX = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.x")
-				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
-				.setMinDefaultMax(Integer.MIN_VALUE, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
-				.comment("" +
-						"Defines the X-coordinate of the central point for generation boundaries, in blocks. \n" +
-						"")
-				.build();
-		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationBoundsZ = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.z")
-				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
-				.setMinDefaultMax(Integer.MIN_VALUE, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
-				.comment("" +
-						"Defines the Z-coordinate of the central point for generation boundaries, in blocks. \n" +
-						"")
-				.build();
-		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> generationBoundsRadius = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-				.setChatCommandName("generation.bounds.radius")
-				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
-				.setMinDefaultMax(0, 0, Integer.MAX_VALUE)
-				.comment("" +
-						"Defines the radius around the central point within which generation is allowed, in blocks. \n" +
-						"If this value is set to 0, generation bounds are disabled." +
-						"")
-				.build();
-		
 		
 		// Real-time updates
 		public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableRealTimeUpdates = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -1832,6 +1862,8 @@ public class Config
 				ThreadPresetConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
 				RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
 				QuickRenderToggleConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
+				
+				IgnoredDimensionCsvHandler.INSTANCE.onConfigValueSet();
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{

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

@@ -17,23 +17,27 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.api.converters;
 
-import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRendererMode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.config.IConverter;
 
 /**
- * @author Leetom
- * @version 2022-11-25
+ * Used to support deprecated config options that may be identical
+ * in implementation but with the On/Off values flipped.
+ *
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2025-12-22
  */
-public final class InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup
+public class InvertedBoolConverter implements IConverter<Boolean, Boolean>
 {
-	public final WorldGenTaskGroup group;
-	public CompletableFuture<Void> genFuture = null;
 	
+	@Override 
+	public Boolean convertToCoreType(Boolean core)
+	{ return !core; }
 	
-	public InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup(WorldGenTaskGroup group)
-	{
-		this.group = group;
-	}
+	@Override 
+	public Boolean convertToApiType(Boolean api)
+	{ return !api; }
 	
 }

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -24,12 +24,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.ConfigHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.AbstractConfigBase;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.EPlatform;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
+import java.io.File;
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
 import java.nio.file.Path;

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

@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	public Boolean applyToChildren = null;
 	
 	/** should only be used by methods exposed via the DH API */
-	private boolean runApiChunkValidation = false;
+	private boolean runApiSetterValidation = false;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -202,8 +202,9 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	
 	public static FullDataSourceV2 createEmpty(long pos)
 	{
+		FullDataPointIdMap map = new FullDataPointIdMap(pos);
 		return new FullDataSourceV2(
-				pos, new FullDataPointIdMap(pos),
+				pos, map,
 				// data points, genSteps, and columnCompression are all null since
 				// nothing has been generated yet.
 				// Using the default value of all 0's is adequate
@@ -1296,7 +1297,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	// API methods //
 	//=============//
 	
-	public void setRunApiChunkValidation(boolean runValidation) { this.runApiChunkValidation = runValidation; }
+	public void setRunApiSetterValidation(boolean runValidation) { this.runApiSetterValidation = runValidation; }
 	
 	@Override
 	public int getWidthInDataColumns() { return WIDTH; }
@@ -1308,7 +1309,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 		try
 		{
 			LodDataBuilder.putListInTopDownOrder(columnDataPoints);
-			if (this.runApiChunkValidation)
+			if (this.runApiSetterValidation)
 			{
 				LodDataBuilder.validateOrThrowApiDataColumn(columnDataPoints);
 			}

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

@@ -29,13 +29,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 public class ColumnBox
 {
-	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
 	/** 
 	 * if the skylight has this value that means
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isTopTransparent;
 			if (!skipTop)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isBottomTransparent;
 			if (!skipBottom)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, width, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -263,7 +264,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// no adjacent data //
 		//==================//
 		
-		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC.getShade(direction));
+		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(direction));
 		
 		if (adjColumnView.size == 0
 			|| RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(adjColumnView.get(0)))

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

@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		
 		
 		// upload on MC's render thread
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		GLProxy.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
 		{
 			try
 			{
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	{
 		this.buffersUploaded = false;
 		
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		GLProxy.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
 		{
 			for (GLVertexBuffer buffer : this.vbos)
 			{

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

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
 public class LodQuadBuilder
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
-	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	private final ArrayList<BufferQuad>[] opaqueQuads = (ArrayList<BufferQuad>[]) new ArrayList[6];
@@ -371,15 +372,15 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 						if (quad.direction.axis.isHorizontal() || quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
 						{
 							if (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.AS_DIRT
-									// if we want the color to fade, only apply the dirt color to the bottom vertices
-									|| (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.FADE_TO_DIRT && quadBase[i][1] == 0)
-									// always render the bottom as dirt
-									|| quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
+								// if we want the color to fade, only apply the dirt color to the bottom vertices
+								|| (this.grassSideRenderingMode == EDhApiGrassSideRendering.FADE_TO_DIRT && quadBase[i][1] == 0)
+								// always render the bottom as dirt
+								|| quad.direction == EDhDirection.DOWN)
 							{
 								// for horizontal and bottom faces of grass blocks, use the  dirt color to
 								// prevent green cliff walls
 								color = this.clientLevelWrapper.getDirtBlockColor();
-								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC.getShade(quad.direction));
+								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(quad.direction));
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -398,31 +399,33 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	}
 	private void putVertex(ByteBuffer bb, short x, short y, short z, int color, byte normalIndex, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blocklight, int mx, int my, int mz)
 	{
-		skylight %= 16;
-		blocklight %= 16;
-		
 		bb.putShort(x);
 		bb.putShort(y);
 		bb.putShort(z);
 		
 		short meta = 0;
-		meta |= (skylight | (blocklight << 4));
-		byte mirco = 0;
-		// mirco offset which is a xyz 2bit value
-		// 0b00 = no offset
-		// 0b01 = positive offset
-		// 0b11 = negative offset
-		// format is: 0b00zzyyxx
-		if (mx != 0) mirco |= mx > 0 ? 0b01 : 0b11;
-		if (my != 0) mirco |= my > 0 ? 0b0100 : 0b1100;
-		if (mz != 0) mirco |= mz > 0 ? 0b010000 : 0b110000;
-		meta |= mirco << 8;
-		
+		{
+			skylight %= 16;
+			blocklight %= 16;
+			meta |= (short) (skylight | (blocklight << 4));
+			
+			byte mircoOffset = 0;
+			// mirco offset which is a xyz 2bit value
+			// 0b00 = no offset
+			// 0b01 = positive offset
+			// 0b11 = negative offset
+			// format is: 0b00zzyyxx
+			if (mx != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (mx > 0 ? 0b01 : 0b11); }
+			if (my != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (my > 0 ? 0b0100 : 0b1100); }
+			if (mz != 0) { mircoOffset |= (byte) (mz > 0 ? 0b010000 : 0b110000); }
+			meta |= (short) (mircoOffset << 8);
+		}
 		bb.putShort(meta);
+		
 		byte r = (byte) ColorUtil.getRed(color);
 		byte g = (byte) ColorUtil.getGreen(color);
 		byte b = (byte) ColorUtil.getBlue(color);
-		byte a = this.doTransparency ? (byte) ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) : (byte) 255; // TODO should this be called here or happen somewhere else?
+		byte a = this.doTransparency ? (byte) ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) : (byte) 255;
 		bb.put(r);
 		bb.put(g);
 		bb.put(b);

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

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums;
+
+/**
+ * might be deprecated in the future? in that case we'll probably want a wrapper 
+ * function to handle colors for new MC versions
+ * <br><br>
+ * source: https://minecraft.wiki/w/Formatting_codes
+ */
+public enum EMinecraftColor // TODO EMinecraftTextFormat
+{
+	BLACK("\u00A70"),
+	DARK_BLUE("\u00A71"),
+	DARK_GREEN("\u00A72"),
+	DARK_AQUA("\u00A73"),
+	DARK_RED("\u00A74"),
+	DARK_PURPLE("\u00A75"),
+	ORANGE("\u00A76"),
+	GRAY("\u00A77"),
+	DARK_GRAY("\u00A78"),
+	BLUE("\u00A79"),
+	GREEN("\u00A7a"),
+	AQUA("\u00A7b"),
+	RED("\u00A7c"),
+	LIGHT_PURPLE("\u00A7d"),
+	YELLOW("\u00A7e"),
+	WHITE("\u00A7f"),
+	
+	OBFUSCATED("\u00A7k"),
+	BOLD("\u00A7l"),
+	STRIKETHROUGH("\u00A7m"),
+	UNDERLINE("\u00A7n"),
+	ITALIC("\u00A7o"),
+	CLEAR_FORMATTING("\u00A7r");
+	
+	public final String colorCode;
+	
+	EMinecraftColor(String colorCode)
+	{
+		this.colorCode = colorCode;
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	@Override 
+	public String toString() { return this.colorCode; }
+	
+}

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

@@ -96,7 +96,12 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 				// no data currently in the memory cache for this position
 				memoryDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(inputPos);
 				pair = new DataSourceSavedTimePair(memoryDataSource);
-				this.dataSourceByPosition.put(inputPos, pair);
+				DataSourceSavedTimePair oldPair = this.dataSourceByPosition.put(inputPos, pair);
+				if (oldPair != null)
+				{
+					// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+					this.handleDataSourceRemoval(oldPair.dataSource);
+				}
 			}
 			else
 			{

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

@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataUpdatePropag
 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.tasks.IWorldGenTaskTracker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
+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;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.bytes.ByteArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
-import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.io.File;
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	 * TODO this should be dynamically allocated based on CPU load
 	 *  and abilities.
 	 */
-	public static final int MAX_WORLD_GEN_REQUESTS_PER_THREAD = 20; 
+	public static final int MAX_WORLD_GEN_REQUESTS_PER_THREAD = 20;
+	
+	public static final PhantomArrayListPool ARRAY_LIST_POOL = new PhantomArrayListPool("Generated Provider");
 	
 	
 	private final AtomicReference<IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue> worldGenQueueRef = new AtomicReference<>(null);
@@ -82,17 +84,10 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 	
-	public GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider(IDhLevel level, ISaveStructure saveStructure) throws SQLException, IOException { super(level, saveStructure); }
+	public GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider(IDhLevel level, ISaveStructure saveStructure) throws SQLException, IOException 
+	{ this(level, saveStructure, null); }
 	public GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider(IDhLevel level, ISaveStructure saveStructure, @Nullable File saveDirOverride) throws SQLException, IOException
-	{
-		super(level, saveStructure, saveDirOverride);
-		
-		this.addDataSourceUpdateListener((@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 updatedData) ->
-		{
-			this.onWorldGenTaskComplete(WorldGenResult.CreateSuccess(updatedData.getPos()), null);
-		});
-		
-	}
+	{ super(level, saveStructure, saveDirOverride); }
 	
 	
 	
@@ -121,32 +116,47 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	// events //
 	//========//
 	
-	private void onWorldGenTaskComplete(WorldGenResult genTaskResult, Throwable exception)
+	private void onWorldGenTaskComplete(DataSourceRetrievalResult genTaskResult, Throwable exception)
 	{
-		if (exception != null)
+		try
 		{
-			// don't log shutdown exceptions
-			if (!(exception instanceof CancellationException || exception.getCause() instanceof CancellationException))
+			if (exception != null)
 			{
-				LOGGER.error("Uncaught Gen Task Exception at ["+genTaskResult.pos+"], error: ["+exception.getMessage()+"].", exception);
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			if (genTaskResult.state == ERetrievalResultState.FAIL)
+			{
+				LodUtil.assertTrue(genTaskResult.dataSource == null, "Errored retrieval object should not have a datasource.");
+				
+				// don't log shutdown exceptions
+				if (!ExceptionUtil.isInterruptOrReject(exception))
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Uncaught Gen Task Exception at [" + genTaskResult.pos + "], error: [" + exception.getMessage() + "].", exception);
+				}
+			}
+			else if (genTaskResult.state == ERetrievalResultState.SUCCESS)
+			{
+				LodUtil.assertTrue(genTaskResult.dataSource != null, "Successful retrieval object should have a datasource.");
+				
+				this.dataUpdater.updateDataSource(genTaskResult.dataSource);
+				this.fireOnGenPosSuccessListeners(genTaskResult.pos);
+				genTaskResult.dataSource.close();
+			}
+			else if (genTaskResult.state == ERetrievalResultState.REQUIRES_SPLITTING)
+			{
+				// task was split
+				LodUtil.assertTrue(genTaskResult.dataSource == null, "Split retrieval object should not have a datasource.");
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+				LOGGER.warn("Unexpected gen Task state at: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(genTaskResult.pos) + "], state: [" + genTaskResult.state + "], datasource: NULL, exception: NULL.");
 			}
 		}
-		else if (genTaskResult.success)
+		catch (Exception e)
 		{
-			this.fireOnGenPosSuccessListeners(genTaskResult.pos);
-			return;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			// generation didn't complete
-			LOGGER.debug("Gen Task Failed at " + genTaskResult.pos);
-		}
-		
-		
-		// if the generation task was split up into smaller positions, add the on-complete event to them
-		for (CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> siblingFuture : genTaskResult.childFutures)
-		{
-			siblingFuture.whenComplete((siblingGenTaskResult, siblingEx) -> this.onWorldGenTaskComplete(siblingGenTaskResult, siblingEx));
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue during onWorldGenTaskComplete, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -206,10 +216,10 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	}
 	
 	@Override
-	public boolean canQueueRetrieval() { return this.canQueueRetrieval(false); }
-	public boolean canQueueRetrieval(boolean pruneWaitingTasksAboveLimit)
+	public boolean canQueueRetrievalNow() { return this.canQueueRetrievalNow(false); }
+	public boolean canQueueRetrievalNow(boolean pruneWaitingTasksAboveLimit)
 	{
-		if (!super.canQueueRetrieval())
+		if (!super.canQueueRetrievalNow())
 		{
 			return false;
 		}
@@ -269,12 +279,16 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 		
 		
 		int availableTaskSlots = maxWorldGenQueueCount - worldGenQueue.getWaitingTaskCount();
-		if (availableTaskSlots <= 0)
+		if (availableTaskSlots == 0)
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		else if (availableTaskSlots < 0)
 		{
 			if (pruneWaitingTasksAboveLimit)
 			{
-				AtomicInteger tasksToCancel = new AtomicInteger(-availableTaskSlots + 1);
-				worldGenQueue.removeRetrievalRequestIf(x -> tasksToCancel.getAndDecrement() > 0);
+				AtomicInteger tasksToCancel = new AtomicInteger(availableTaskSlots * -1);
+				worldGenQueue.removeRetrievalRequestIf(taskPos -> tasksToCancel.getAndDecrement() > 0);
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -287,7 +301,7 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	}
 	
 	@Override
-	public CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> queuePositionForRetrieval(Long genPos)
+	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> queuePositionForRetrieval(Long genPos)
 	{
 		IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue worldGenQueue = this.worldGenQueueRef.get();
 		if (worldGenQueue == null)
@@ -295,13 +309,8 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 			return null;
 		}
 		
-		WorldGenTaskTracker genTaskTracker = new WorldGenTaskTracker(genPos);
-		CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> worldGenFuture = worldGenQueue.submitRetrievalTask(genPos, (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(genPos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL), genTaskTracker);
-		worldGenFuture.whenComplete((genTaskResult, ex) ->
-		{
-			//LOGGER.info("gen task complete ["+DhSectionPos.toString(genPos)+"]");
-			//this.onWorldGenTaskComplete(genTaskResult, ex);
-		});
+		CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> worldGenFuture = worldGenQueue.submitRetrievalTask(genPos, (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(genPos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL));
+		worldGenFuture.whenComplete(this::onWorldGenTaskComplete);
 		
 		return worldGenFuture;
 	}
@@ -320,22 +329,20 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	public void clearRetrievalQueue() { this.worldGenQueueRef.set(null); }
 	
 	
-	public boolean isFullyGenerated(ByteArrayList columnGenerationSteps)
+	public boolean generationStepsAreFullyGenerated(ByteArrayList columnGenerationSteps)
 	{
 		return IntStream.range(0, columnGenerationSteps.size())
-				.noneMatch(i ->
-				{
-					byte value = columnGenerationSteps.getByte(i);
-					return value == EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.EMPTY.value
-							|| value == EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.DOWN_SAMPLED.value;
-				});
+			.noneMatch((int intValue) ->
+			{
+				byte value = columnGenerationSteps.getByte(intValue);
+				return value == EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.EMPTY.value
+					|| value == EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.DOWN_SAMPLED.value;
+			});
 	}
 	
-	public static final PhantomArrayListPool ARRAY_LIST_POOL = new PhantomArrayListPool("Generated Provider");
-	
 	
 	@Override
-	public LongArrayList getPositionsToRetrieve(Long pos)
+	public LongArrayList getPositionsToRetrieve(long pos)
 	{
 		IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue worldGenQueue = this.worldGenQueueRef.get();
 		if (worldGenQueue == null)
@@ -351,7 +358,7 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 			{
 				ByteArrayList columnGenStepArray = checkout.getByteArray(0, FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH*FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH);
 				this.repo.getColumnGenerationStepForPos(pos, columnGenStepArray);
-				if (!columnGenStepArray.isEmpty())
+				if (columnGenStepArray.size() != 0)
 				{
 					boolean positionFullyGenerated = true;
 					
@@ -377,12 +384,11 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 		
 		
 		// this section is missing one or more columns, queue the missing ones for generation.
-		// TODO speed up this logic by only checking ungenerated columns
 		LongArrayList generationList = new LongArrayList();
 		
 		byte lowestGeneratorDetailLevel = (byte) Math.min(
-				worldGenQueue.lowestDataDetail()  + DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL,
-				DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pos));
+			worldGenQueue.lowestDataDetail() + DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL,
+			DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pos));
 		
 		DhSectionPos.forEachChildAtDetailLevel(pos, lowestGeneratorDetailLevel, (genPos) ->
 		{
@@ -470,48 +476,13 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	// helper classes //
 	//================//
 	
-	// TODO may not be needed
-	private class WorldGenTaskTracker implements IWorldGenTaskTracker
-	{
-		/** just used when debugging/troubleshooting */
-		private final long pos;
-		
-		public WorldGenTaskTracker(long pos) { this.pos = pos; }
-		
-		
-		@Override
-		public Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> getDataSourceConsumer()
-		{
-			return (dataSource) ->
-			{
-				GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.this.delayedFullDataSourceSaveCache.writeDataSourceToMemoryAndQueueSave(dataSource);
-			};
-		}
-		
-		@Override
-		public CompletableFuture<Boolean> shouldGenerateSplitChild(long pos)
-		{
-			return GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.this.getAsync(pos).thenApply(fullDataSource ->
-			{
-				//noinspection TryFinallyCanBeTryWithResources
-				try
-				{
-					return !GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.this.isFullyGenerated(fullDataSource.columnGenerationSteps);
-				}
-				finally
-				{
-					fullDataSource.close();
-				}
-			});
-		}
-		
-	}
 	private CompletableFuture<Void> onDataSourceSaveAsync(FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource) 
 	{
 		// block lights should have been populated at the chunkWrapper stage
 		// waiting to populate the data source's skylight at this stage prevents re-lighting and
 		// allows us to reduce cross-chunk lighting issues by lighting the whole 4x4 LOD at once
-		DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeDataSourceSkyLight(fullDataSource, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
+		int skyLight = this.level.getLevelWrapper().hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
+		DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeDataSourceSkyLight(fullDataSource, skyLight);
 		
 		return this.updateDataSourceAsync(fullDataSource);
 	}
@@ -523,7 +494,6 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 	{
 		boolean shouldDoWorldGen();
 		
-		@Nullable
 		DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration();
 		
 		/** Fired whenever a section has completed generating */

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

@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ 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.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.LodRequestModule;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.SyncOnLoadRequestQueue;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -74,7 +76,7 @@ public class RemoteFullDataSourceProvider extends GeneratedFullDataSourceProvide
 	//==================//
 	
 	@Override
-	public boolean canQueueRetrieval() { return this.canQueueRetrieval(true); }
+	public boolean canQueueRetrievalNow() { return this.canQueueRetrievalNow(true); }
 	
 	@Override
 	@Nullable
@@ -102,10 +104,20 @@ public class RemoteFullDataSourceProvider extends GeneratedFullDataSourceProvide
 		Long timestamp = this.getTimestampForPos(pos);
 		if (timestamp != null)
 		{
-			this.syncOnLoadRequestQueue.submitRequest(pos, timestamp, fullDataSource ->
-			{
-				this.updateDataSourceAsync(fullDataSource).whenComplete((result, throwable) -> fullDataSource.close());
-			});
+			this.syncOnLoadRequestQueue.submitRequest(pos, timestamp)
+				.thenAccept((DataSourceRetrievalResult result) ->
+				{
+					if (result.state == ERetrievalResultState.SUCCESS
+						&& result.dataSource != null)
+					{
+						this.updateDataSourceAsync(result.dataSource)
+							.handle((voidObj, throwable) ->
+							{
+								result.dataSource.close();
+								return null;
+							});
+					}
+				});
 		}
 		
 		return super.get(pos);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/fullDatafile/V2/FullDataSourceProviderV2.java

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSour
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.IDataSourceUpdateListenerFunc;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ import java.sql.SQLException;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
-import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
 /**
  * Handles reading/writing {@link FullDataSourceV2} 
@@ -86,9 +85,9 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	protected final String levelId;
 	
 	
-	private final FullDataUpdaterV2 dataUpdater;
-	private final FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2 updatePropagator;
-	private final DataMigratorV1 dataMigratorV1;
+	protected final FullDataUpdaterV2 dataUpdater;
+	protected final FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2 updatePropagator;
+	protected final DataMigratorV1 dataMigratorV1;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -201,9 +200,10 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 				return FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(pos);
 			}
 			
+			FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = null;
 			try
 			{
-				FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = this.createDataSourceFromDto(dto);
+				dataSource = this.createDataSourceFromDto(dto);
 				
 				// automatically create and save adjacent data if missing
 				if (dto.dataFormatVersion == FullDataSourceV2DTO.DATA_FORMAT.V1_NO_ADJACENT_DATA)
@@ -222,6 +222,15 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 				this.tryLogCorruptedDataError(DhSectionPos.toString(pos), e);
 				this.repo.deleteWithKey(pos);
 			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
+				if (dataSource != null)
+				{
+					dataSource.close();
+				}
+				
+				throw e;
+			}
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
 		catch (IOException e)
@@ -243,6 +252,11 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		catch (Exception e)
 		{
 			String message = e.getMessage();
+			if (message == null)
+			{
+				message = "NULL";
+			}
+			
 			if (CORRUPT_DATA_ERRORS_LOGGED.add(message))
 			{
 				LOGGER.warn("Unexpected error getting: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "], this error message will only be logged once, error: [" + message + "].", e);
@@ -360,7 +374,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	 * to the beginning of your override.
 	 * Otherwise, parent retrieval limits will be ignored.
 	 */
-	public boolean canQueueRetrieval()
+	public boolean canQueueRetrievalNow()
 	{
 		// Retrieval shouldn't happen while an unknown number of
 		// legacy data sources are present.
@@ -369,15 +383,15 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	}
 	
 	/** 
-	 * @return null if this provider can't generate any positions and
+	 * @return null if this provider can't generate any positions or
 	 * an empty array if all positions were generated 
 	 */
 	@Nullable
-	public LongArrayList getPositionsToRetrieve(Long pos) { return null; }
+	public LongArrayList getPositionsToRetrieve(long pos) { return null; }
 		
-	/** @return true if the position was queued, false if not */
+	/** @return null if the position couldn't be queued */
 	@Nullable
-	public CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> queuePositionForRetrieval(Long genPos) { return null; }
+	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> queuePositionForRetrieval(Long genPos) { return null; }
 	
 	/** does nothing if the given position isn't present in the queue */
 	public void removeRetrievalRequestIf(DhSectionPos.ICancelablePrimitiveLongConsumer removeIf) { }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/fullDatafile/V2/FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2.java

@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseab
 								parentLocked = true;
 								this.dataUpdater.lockedPosSet.add(parentUpdatePos);
 								
-								try (FullDataSourceV2 parentDataSource = this.provider.get(parentUpdatePos)) // TODO can we cache anything in memory to speed up the propagation process? Compression/Disk IO is by far the slowest part of this process
+								try (FullDataSourceV2 parentDataSource = this.provider.get(parentUpdatePos))
 								{
 									// will return null if the file handler is shutting down
 									if (parentDataSource != null)
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseab
 											parentDataSource.applyToParent = true;
 										}
 										
-										this.dataUpdater.updateDataSource(parentDataSource, false);
+										this.dataUpdater.updateDataSource(parentDataSource);
 									}
 								}
 							}
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdatePropagatorV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseab
 															childDataSource.applyToChildren = true;
 														}
 														
-														this.dataUpdater.updateDataSource(childDataSource, false);
+														this.dataUpdater.updateDataSource(childDataSource);
 													}
 												}
 											}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/fullDatafile/V2/FullDataUpdaterV2.java

@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdaterV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	/**
 	 * Can be used if you don't want to lock the current thread
-	 * Otherwise the sync version {@link FullDataUpdaterV2#updateDataSource(FullDataSourceV2, boolean)} may be a better choice.
+	 * Otherwise the sync version {@link FullDataUpdaterV2#updateDataSource(FullDataSourceV2)} may be a better choice.
 	 */
 	public CompletableFuture<Void> updateDataSourceAsync(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource)
 	{
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdaterV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					this.updateDataSource(inputDataSource, true);
+					this.updateDataSource(inputDataSource);
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public class FullDataUpdaterV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	}
 	
 	/** After this method returns the inputData will be written to file. */
-	public void updateDataSource(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputData, boolean lockOnUpdatePos)
+	public void updateDataSource(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputData)
 	{
 		if (this.isShutdownRef.get())
 		{
@@ -117,25 +117,20 @@ public class FullDataUpdaterV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		
 		long updatePos = inputData.getPos();
 		
-		boolean methodLocked = false;
 		// a lock is necessary to prevent two threads from writing to the same position at once,
 		// if that happens only the second update will apply and the LOD will end up with hole(s)
 		ReentrantLock updateLock = this.updateLockProvider.getLock(updatePos);
 		
 		try
 		{
-			if (lockOnUpdatePos)
-			{
-				methodLocked = true;
-				updateLock.lock();
-				this.lockedPosSet.add(updatePos);
-			}
+			updateLock.lock();
+			this.lockedPosSet.add(updatePos);
 			
 			
 			// get or create the data source
 			try (FullDataSourceV2 recipientDataSource = this.provider.get(updatePos))
 			{
-				if (recipientDataSource != null)
+				if (recipientDataSource != null) // will be null if the repo was shut down
 				{
 					boolean dataModified = recipientDataSource.updateFromDataSource(inputData);
 					if (dataModified)
@@ -170,11 +165,8 @@ public class FullDataUpdaterV2 implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		}
 		finally
 		{
-			if (methodLocked)
-			{
-				updateLock.unlock();
-				this.lockedPosSet.remove(updatePos);
-			}
+			updateLock.unlock();
+			this.lockedPosSet.remove(updatePos);
 		}
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/DhLightingEngine.java

@@ -118,15 +118,19 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 	 * @param centerChunk the chunk we want to apply lighting to
 	 * @param nearbyChunkList should also contain centerChunk
 	 * @param maxSkyLight should be a value between 0 and 15
+	 * 
+	 * @return the number of light positions iterated over, can be used for profiling.
 	 */
-	private void lightChunk(
+	private int lightChunk(
 			@NotNull IChunkWrapper centerChunk, @NotNull ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList, 
 			int maxSkyLight, boolean updateBlockLight, boolean updateSkyLight)
 	{
 		DhChunkPos centerChunkPos = centerChunk.getChunkPos();
 		AdjacentChunkHolder adjacentChunkHolder = new AdjacentChunkHolder(centerChunk);
 		
-		
+		// how many positions we've walked over, can be used for profiling/debugging
+		int posIterations = 0;
+			
 		// try-finally to handle the stableArray resources
 		StableLightPosStack blockLightWorldPosQueue = null;
 		StableLightPosStack skyLightWorldPosQueue = null;
@@ -245,13 +249,15 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 				}
 			}
 			
+			
+			
 			// block light
 			if (updateBlockLight)
 			{
 				// done to prevent a rare issue where the light values are incorrectly set to -1
 				centerChunk.clearDhBlockLighting();
 				
-				this.propagateChunkLightPosList(blockLightWorldPosQueue, adjacentChunkHolder,
+				posIterations += this.propagateChunkLightPosList(blockLightWorldPosQueue, adjacentChunkHolder,
 					(neighbourChunk, relBlockPos) -> neighbourChunk.getDhBlockLight(relBlockPos.getX(), relBlockPos.getY(), relBlockPos.getZ()),
 					(neighbourChunk, relBlockPos, newLightValue) -> neighbourChunk.setDhBlockLight(relBlockPos.getX(), relBlockPos.getY(), relBlockPos.getZ(), newLightValue),
 					true);
@@ -262,7 +268,7 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 			{
 				centerChunk.clearDhSkyLighting();
 				
-				this.propagateChunkLightPosList(skyLightWorldPosQueue, adjacentChunkHolder,
+				posIterations += this.propagateChunkLightPosList(skyLightWorldPosQueue, adjacentChunkHolder,
 					(neighbourChunk, relBlockPos) -> neighbourChunk.getDhSkyLight(relBlockPos.getX(), relBlockPos.getY(), relBlockPos.getZ()),
 					(neighbourChunk, relBlockPos, newLightValue) -> neighbourChunk.setDhSkyLight(relBlockPos.getX(), relBlockPos.getY(), relBlockPos.getZ(), newLightValue),
 					false);
@@ -287,10 +293,12 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 		{
 			centerChunk.setIsDhSkyLightCorrect(true);
 		}
+		
+		return posIterations;
 	}
 	
 	/** Applies each {@link LightPos} from the queue to the given set of {@link IChunkWrapper}'s. */
-	private void propagateChunkLightPosList(
+	private int propagateChunkLightPosList(
 			StableLightPosStack lightPosQueue, AdjacentChunkHolder adjacentChunkHolder,
 			IGetLightFunc getLightFunc, ISetLightFunc setLightFunc,
 			boolean propagatingBlockLights)
@@ -320,66 +328,89 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 		IBlockStateWrapper previousBlockState = null;
 		
 		
-		// update each light position
-		while (!lightPosQueue.isEmpty())
+		int iterations = 0;
+		
+		// update each light level
+		for (int currentLightLevel = LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT; currentLightLevel >= LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT; currentLightLevel--)
 		{
-			// since we don't care about the order the positions are processed,
-			// we can grab the last position instead of the first for a slight performance increase (this way the array doesn't need to be shifted over every loop)
-			lightPosQueue.popMutate(lightPos);
+			// Walking down from the top light level to the bottom can reduce iterating over
+			// the same positions multiple times.
+			// At best this seems to behave at roughly 2x the speed of just blindly putting light pos 
+			// in a queue and at worse slightly faster than the blind queue.
 			
-			int lightValue = lightPos.lightValue;
+			lightPos.lightValue = currentLightLevel;
 			
-			
-			// propagate the lighting in each cardinal direction, IE: -x, +x, -y, +y, -z, +z
-			for (EDhDirection direction : EDhDirection.ALL) // since this is an array instead of an ArrayList this advanced for-loop shouldn't cause any GC issues
+			// update each light position
+			while (!lightPosQueue.isLightLevelEmpty(currentLightLevel))
 			{
-				lightPos.mutateOffset(direction, neighbourBlockPos);
-				neighbourBlockPos.mutateToChunkRelativePos(relNeighbourBlockPos);
+				// since we don't care about the order the positions are processed,
+				// we can grab the last position instead of the first for a slight performance increase (this way the array doesn't need to be shifted over every loop)
+				lightPosQueue.popMutate(lightPos, currentLightLevel);
+				iterations++;
+				
+				int lightValue = lightPos.lightValue;
 				
 				
-				// only continue if the light position is inside one of our chunks
-				IChunkWrapper neighbourChunk = adjacentChunkHolder.getByBlockPos(neighbourBlockPos.getX(), neighbourBlockPos.getZ());
-				if (neighbourChunk == null)
+				// propagate the lighting in each cardinal direction, IE: -x, +x, -y, +y, -z, +z
+				for (EDhDirection direction : EDhDirection.ALL) // since this is an array instead of an ArrayList this advanced for-loop shouldn't cause any GC issues
 				{
-					// the light pos is outside our generator's range, ignore it
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				if (relNeighbourBlockPos.getY() < neighbourChunk.getMinNonEmptyHeight()
-					|| relNeighbourBlockPos.getY() >= neighbourChunk.getExclusiveMaxBuildHeight())
-				{
-					// the light pos is outside the chunk's min/max height,
-					// this can happen if given a chunk that hasn't finished generating
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				
-				int currentBlockLight = getLightFunc.getLight(neighbourChunk, relNeighbourBlockPos);
-				if (currentBlockLight >= (lightValue - 1))
-				{
-					// short circuit for when the light value at this position
-					// is already greater-than what we could set it
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				
-				IBlockStateWrapper neighbourBlockState = neighbourChunk.getBlockState(relNeighbourBlockPos, mcBlockPos, previousBlockState);
-				previousBlockState = neighbourBlockState;
-				
-				// Math.max(1, ...) is used so that the propagated light level always drops by at least 1, preventing infinite cycles.
-				int targetLevel = lightValue - Math.max(1, neighbourBlockState.getOpacity());
-				if (targetLevel > currentBlockLight)
-				{
-					// this position is darker than the new light value, update/set it
-					setLightFunc.setLight(neighbourChunk, relNeighbourBlockPos, targetLevel);
+					lightPos.mutateOffset(direction, neighbourBlockPos);
+					neighbourBlockPos.mutateToChunkRelativePos(relNeighbourBlockPos);
 					
-					// now that light has been propagated to this blockPos
-					// we need to queue it up so its neighbours can be propagated as well
-					lightPosQueue.push(neighbourBlockPos.getX(), neighbourBlockPos.getY(), neighbourBlockPos.getZ(), targetLevel);
+					
+					// only continue if the light position is inside one of our chunks
+					IChunkWrapper neighbourChunk = adjacentChunkHolder.getByBlockPos(neighbourBlockPos.getX(), neighbourBlockPos.getZ());
+					if (neighbourChunk == null)
+					{
+						// the light pos is outside our generator's range, ignore it
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					if (relNeighbourBlockPos.getY() < neighbourChunk.getMinNonEmptyHeight()
+						|| relNeighbourBlockPos.getY() >= neighbourChunk.getExclusiveMaxBuildHeight())
+					{
+						// the light pos is outside the chunk's min/max height,
+						// this can happen if given a chunk that hasn't finished generating
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					
+					int currentBlockLight = getLightFunc.getLight(neighbourChunk, relNeighbourBlockPos);
+					if (currentBlockLight >= (lightValue - 1))
+					{
+						// short circuit for when the light value at this position
+						// is already greater-than what we could set it
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					
+					IBlockStateWrapper neighbourBlockState = neighbourChunk.getBlockState(relNeighbourBlockPos, mcBlockPos, previousBlockState);
+					previousBlockState = neighbourBlockState;
+					
+					// Math.max(1, ...) is used so that the propagated light level always drops by at least 1, preventing infinite cycles.
+					int targetLightLevel = lightValue - Math.max(1, neighbourBlockState.getOpacity());
+					if (targetLightLevel > currentBlockLight)
+					{
+						// this position is darker than the new light value, update/set it
+						setLightFunc.setLight(neighbourChunk, relNeighbourBlockPos, targetLightLevel);
+						
+						// now that light has been propagated to this blockPos
+						// we need to queue it up so its neighbours can be propagated as well
+						lightPosQueue.push(neighbourBlockPos.getX(), neighbourBlockPos.getY(), neighbourBlockPos.getZ(), targetLightLevel);
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
 		
+		for (int currentLightLevel = LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT; currentLightLevel >= LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT; currentLightLevel--)
+		{
+			if (!lightPosQueue.isLightLevelEmpty(currentLightLevel))
+			{
+				LodUtil.assertNotReach("Non empty light pos queue for light level ["+currentLightLevel+"] after light engine running");
+			}
+		}
+		
+		
 		
 		// can be enabled if troubleshooting lighting issues
 		if (RENDER_BLOCK_LIGHT_WIREFRAME 
@@ -395,6 +426,7 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 		
 		
 		// propagation complete
+		return iterations;
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -748,16 +780,24 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 		private static final Queue<StableLightPosStack> lightArrayCache = new ArrayDeque<>();
 		
 		/** the index of the last item in the array, -1 if empty */
-		private int index = -1;
+		private int[] indexByLightLevel = new int[LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT + 1];
 
-		/** x, y, z, and lightValue. */
-		public static final int INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS = 4;
+		/** x, y, z */
+		public static final int INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS = 3;
 		
-		/**
-		 * When tested with a normal 1.20 world James saw a maximum of 36,709 block and 2,355 sky lights,
-		 * so 40,000 should be a good starting point that can contain most lighting tasks.
-		 */
-		private final IntArrayList lightPositions = new IntArrayList(40_000 * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS);
+		private final IntArrayList[] lightPositionsByLightLevel = new IntArrayList[LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT + 1];
+		
+		
+		public StableLightPosStack()
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < this.lightPositionsByLightLevel.length; i++)
+			{
+				// When tested with a normal 1.20 world James saw a maximum of 36,709 block and 2,355 sky lights,
+				// so 40,000 should be a good starting point that can contain most lighting tasks.
+				this.lightPositionsByLightLevel[i] = new IntArrayList(40_000 * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS);
+				this.indexByLightLevel[i] = -1;
+			}
+		}
 		
 		
 		
@@ -804,45 +844,56 @@ public class DhLightingEngine
 		// stack methods //
 		//===============//
 		
-		public boolean isEmpty() { return this.index == -1; }
-		public int size() { return this.index+1; }
+		public boolean isLightLevelEmpty(int lightLevel) { return this.indexByLightLevel[lightLevel] == -1; }
+		//public int size() { return this.index+1; }
 		
-		public void push(int blockX, int blockY, int blockZ, int lightValue)
+		public void push(int blockX, int blockY, int blockZ, int lightLevel)
 		{
-			this.index++;
-			int subIndex = this.index * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS;
-			if (subIndex < this.lightPositions.size())
+			IntArrayList lightPositions = this.lightPositionsByLightLevel[lightLevel];
+			
+			this.indexByLightLevel[lightLevel]++;
+			int subIndex = this.indexByLightLevel[lightLevel] * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS;
+			if (subIndex < lightPositions.size())
 			{
-				this.lightPositions.set(subIndex, blockX);
-				this.lightPositions.set(subIndex + 1, blockY);
-				this.lightPositions.set(subIndex + 2, blockZ);
-				this.lightPositions.set(subIndex + 3, lightValue);
+				lightPositions.set(subIndex, blockX);
+				lightPositions.set(subIndex + 1, blockY);
+				lightPositions.set(subIndex + 2, blockZ);
 			}
 			else
 			{
 				// add a new pos
-				this.lightPositions.add(blockX);
-				this.lightPositions.add(blockY);
-				this.lightPositions.add(blockZ);
-				this.lightPositions.add(lightValue);
+				lightPositions.add(blockX);
+				lightPositions.add(blockY);
+				lightPositions.add(blockZ);
 			}
 		}
 		
 		/** mutates the given {@link LightPos} to match the next {@link LightPos} in the queue. */
-		public void popMutate(LightPos pos)
+		public void popMutate(LightPos pos, int lightLevel)
 		{
-			int subIndex = this.index * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS;
+			int subIndex = this.indexByLightLevel[lightLevel] * INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS;
+			IntArrayList lightPositions = this.lightPositionsByLightLevel[lightLevel];
 			
-			pos.setX(this.lightPositions.getInt(subIndex));
-			pos.setY(this.lightPositions.getInt(subIndex + 1));
-			pos.setZ(this.lightPositions.getInt(subIndex + 2));
-			pos.lightValue = this.lightPositions.getInt(subIndex + 3);
+			pos.setX(lightPositions.getInt(subIndex));
+			pos.setY(lightPositions.getInt(subIndex + 1));
+			pos.setZ(lightPositions.getInt(subIndex + 2));
 			
-			this.index--;
+			this.indexByLightLevel[lightLevel]--;
 		}
 		
 		@Override
-		public String toString() { return this.index + "/" + (this.lightPositions.size() / INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS); }
+		public String toString() 
+		{ 
+			StringBuilder builder = new StringBuilder();
+			
+			for (int i = 0; i < this.indexByLightLevel.length; i++)
+			{
+				builder.append("light: ").append(i)
+					.append(" size: ").append(this.indexByLightLevel[i]).append("/").append(this.lightPositionsByLightLevel[i].size() / INTS_PER_LIGHT_POS).append("\n");
+			}
+			
+			return builder.toString();
+		}
 		
 	}
 	

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

@@ -19,13 +19,11 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.IWorldGenTaskTracker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.LodQuadTree;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
-import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -92,7 +90,7 @@ public interface IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue extends Closeable
 	 */
 	void removeRetrievalRequestIf(DhSectionPos.ICancelablePrimitiveLongConsumer removeIf);
 	
-	CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> submitRetrievalTask(long pos, byte requiredDataDetail, IWorldGenTaskTracker tracker);
+	CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> submitRetrievalTask(long pos, byte requiredDataDetail);
 	
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/PregenManager.java

@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.FormatUtil;
@@ -56,10 +58,8 @@ public class PregenManager
 			return pregenState;
 		}
 		
-		MC_SERVER.setPreventAutoPause(true);
 		pregenState.whenComplete((result, throwable) -> {
 			this.pregenFuture.set(null);
-			MC_SERVER.setPreventAutoPause(false);
 		});
 		
 		pregenState.fillPendingQueue();
@@ -150,20 +150,22 @@ public class PregenManager
 				this.fullDataSourceProvider.getAsync(nextSectionPos)
 					.thenAccept(fullDataSource -> 
 				{
-					if (this.fullDataSourceProvider.isFullyGenerated(fullDataSource.columnGenerationSteps))
+					if (this.fullDataSourceProvider.generationStepsAreFullyGenerated(fullDataSource.columnGenerationSteps))
 					{
 						this.pendingGenerations.invalidate(fullDataSource.getPos());
 					}
 					else
 					{
-						this.fullDataSourceProvider.queuePositionForRetrieval(fullDataSource.getPos()).thenAccept(result -> {
-							if (!result.success)
+						this.fullDataSourceProvider.queuePositionForRetrieval(fullDataSource.getPos())
+							.thenAccept((DataSourceRetrievalResult result) ->
 							{
-								LOGGER.warn("Failed to generate section " + DhSectionPos.toString(result.pos));
-							}
-							
-							this.pendingGenerations.invalidate(result.pos);
-						});
+								if (result.state == ERetrievalResultState.FAIL)
+								{
+									LOGGER.warn("Failed to generate section " + DhSectionPos.toString(result.pos));
+								}
+								
+								this.pendingGenerations.invalidate(result.pos);
+							});
 					}
 					
 					fullDataSource.close();

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

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.IWorldGenTaskTracker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue;
@@ -11,12 +11,11 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
 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.ArrayList;
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 
 public class RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDebugRenderable
@@ -53,46 +52,28 @@ public class RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQue
 	public byte highestDataDetail() { return LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL; }
 	
 	@Override
-	public CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> submitRetrievalTask(long sectionPos, byte requiredDataDetail, IWorldGenTaskTracker tracker)
+	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> submitRetrievalTask(long sectionPos, byte requiredDataDetail)
 	{
 		long generationStartMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 		
 		
-		return super.submitRequest(sectionPos, fullDataSource -> {
-					Objects.requireNonNull(tracker.getDataSourceConsumer()).accept(fullDataSource);
-					fullDataSource.close();
-				})
-				.thenApply(requestResult ->
-				{
-					long totalGenTimeInMs = System.currentTimeMillis() - generationStartMsTime;
-					
-					int chunkWidth = DhSectionPos.getChunkWidth(sectionPos);
-					int chunkCount = chunkWidth * chunkWidth;
-					double timePerChunk = (double)totalGenTimeInMs / (double)chunkCount;
-					this.rollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs.add(timePerChunk);
-					
-					switch (requestResult)
-					{
-						case SUCCEEDED:
-							return WorldGenResult.CreateSuccess(sectionPos);
-						case FAILED:
-							return WorldGenResult.CreateFail();
-						case REQUIRES_SPLITTING:
-							List<CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult>> childFutures = new ArrayList<>(4);
-							DhSectionPos.forEachChild(sectionPos, childPos -> {
-								tracker.shouldGenerateSplitChild(childPos).thenAccept(shouldGenerate -> {
-									if (shouldGenerate)
-									{
-										childFutures.add(this.submitRetrievalTask(childPos, requiredDataDetail, tracker));
-									}
-								});
-							});
-							return WorldGenResult.CreateSplit(childFutures);
-					}
-					
-					LodUtil.assertNotReach("Unexpected and unhandled request response result: ["+requestResult+"]");
-					return WorldGenResult.CreateFail();
-				});
+		CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future = super.submitRequest(sectionPos, /* client timestamp */null);
+		future.thenAccept((DataSourceRetrievalResult result) -> 
+		{
+			if (result.state == ERetrievalResultState.SUCCESS)
+			{
+				long totalGenTimeInMs = System.currentTimeMillis() - generationStartMsTime;
+
+				int chunkWidth = DhSectionPos.getChunkWidth(sectionPos);
+				int chunkCount = chunkWidth * chunkWidth;
+				double timePerChunk = (double) totalGenTimeInMs / (double) chunkCount;
+
+				// only add the time on successes
+				// it won't be a perfect estimate but fails will often come back faster, skewing the time faster
+				this.rollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs.add(timePerChunk);
+			}
+		});
+		return future;
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -108,14 +89,16 @@ public class RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQue
 	@Override
 	protected int getRequestRateLimit() { return this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationRequestRateLimit(); }
 	@Override
-	protected boolean isSectionAllowedToGenerate(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
+	protected boolean sectionInAllowedGenerationRadius(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
-		if (this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsRadius() > 0)
+		if (this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationMaxChunkRadius() > 0)
 		{
-			if (DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(sectionPos, new DhBlockPos2D(
-					this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsX(),
-					this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsZ()
-			)) > this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsRadius())
+			boolean posInRange = WorldGenUtil.isPosInWorldGenRange(
+				sectionPos,
+				this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationCenterChunkX(), this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationCenterChunkZ(),
+				this.networkState.sessionConfig.getGenerationMaxChunkRadius()
+				);
+			if (!posInRange)
 			{
 				return false;
 			}
@@ -124,12 +107,13 @@ public class RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQue
 		return DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(sectionPos, targetPos) <= this.networkState.sessionConfig.getMaxGenerationRequestDistance() * 16;
 	}
 	@Override
-	protected boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> future)
+	protected boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future)
 	{
-		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(sectionPos) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL
-				&& !Config.Server.Experimental.enableNSizedGeneration.get())
+		// split up large requests if N-sized gen isn't enabled
+		if (!Config.Server.Experimental.enableNSizedGeneration.get()
+			&& DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(sectionPos) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL)
 		{
-			future.complete(ERequestResult.REQUIRES_SPLITTING);
+			future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateSplit());
 			return false;
 		}
 		

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

@@ -26,11 +26,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.DhApiChunk;
 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.generation.tasks.IWorldGenTaskTracker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenTask;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenTaskGroup;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalTask;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
@@ -52,14 +49,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
 import java.awt.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDebugRenderable
 {
@@ -71,9 +66,8 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	private final IDhServerLevel level;
 	
 	/** contains the positions that need to be generated */
-	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, WorldGenTask> waitingTasks = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-	
-	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup> inProgressGenTasksByLodPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceRetrievalTask> waitingTasks = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceRetrievalTask> inProgressGenTasksByLodPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	
 	/** largest numerical detail level allowed */
 	public final byte lowestDataDetail;
@@ -102,9 +96,10 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	
 	
 	
-	//==============//
-	// constructors //
-	//==============//
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	///region constructor
 	
 	public WorldGenerationQueue(IDhApiWorldGenerator generator, IDhServerLevel level)
 	{
@@ -118,20 +113,29 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		LOGGER.info("Created world gen queue");
 	}
 	
+	///endregion constructor
 	
 	
-	//=================//
-	// world generator //
-	// task handling   //
-	//=================//
+	
+	//===============//
+	// task handling //
+	//===============//
+	///region task handling
 	
 	@Override
-	public CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> submitRetrievalTask(long pos, byte requiredDataDetail, IWorldGenTaskTracker tracker)
+	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> submitRetrievalTask(long pos, byte requiredDataDetail)
 	{
 		// the generator is shutting down, don't add new tasks
 		if (this.generatorClosingFuture != null)
 		{
-			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(WorldGenResult.CreateFail());
+			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateFail());
+		}
+		
+		// use the existing task if present
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask existingGenTask = this.waitingTasks.get(pos);
+		if (existingGenTask != null)
+		{
+			return existingGenTask.future;
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -145,13 +149,12 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 			requiredDataDetail = this.lowestDataDetail;
 		}
 		
-		// Assert that the data at least can fill in 1 single ChunkSizedFullDataAccessor
+		// the request should be at least chunk-sized
 		LodUtil.assertTrue(DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pos) > requiredDataDetail + LodUtil.CHUNK_DETAIL_LEVEL);
 		
-		
-		CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-		this.waitingTasks.put(pos, new WorldGenTask(pos, requiredDataDetail, tracker, future));
-		return future;
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask genTask = new DataSourceRetrievalTask(pos, requiredDataDetail);
+		this.waitingTasks.put(pos, genTask);
+		return genTask.future;
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -161,11 +164,17 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		{
 			if (removeIf.accept(genPos))
 			{
-				this.waitingTasks.remove(genPos);
+				DataSourceRetrievalTask removedTask = this.waitingTasks.remove(genPos);
+				if (removedTask != null)
+				{
+					// cancel tasks so any waiting future steps can be triggered
+					removedTask.future.cancel(true);
+				}
 			}
 		});
 	}
 	
+	///endregion task handling
 	
 	
 	
@@ -210,7 +219,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 				while (!this.isGeneratorBusy()
 						&& taskStarted)
 				{
-					taskStarted = this.startNextWorldGenTask(this.generationTargetPos);
+					taskStarted = this.tryStartNextWorldGenTask(this.generationTargetPos);
 				}
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
@@ -240,7 +249,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	 * @param targetPos the position to center the generation around
 	 * @return false if no tasks were found to generate
 	 */
-	private boolean startNextWorldGenTask(DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
+	private boolean tryStartNextWorldGenTask(DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
 		if (this.waitingTasks.isEmpty())
 		{
@@ -248,102 +257,99 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		}
 		
 		
+		// find the closest task
+		TaskDistancePair closestTaskPair = this.waitingTasks.reduceEntries(1024,
+			// get the target distance for each task
+			(Map.Entry<Long, DataSourceRetrievalTask> entry) ->
+			{ 
+				DataSourceRetrievalTask task = entry.getValue();
+				int distance = DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPos(task.pos).chebyshevDist(targetPos);
+				return new TaskDistancePair(entry.getValue(), distance);
+			},
+			// find the closest task
+			(TaskDistancePair aTaskPair, TaskDistancePair bTaskPair) ->
+			{
+				return (aTaskPair.dist < bTaskPair.dist) ? aTaskPair : bTaskPair;
+			});
 		
-		Mapper closestTaskMap = this.waitingTasks.reduceEntries(1024,
-				entry -> new Mapper(entry.getValue(), DhSectionPos.getSectionBBoxPos(entry.getValue().pos).getCenterBlockPos().toPos2D().chebyshevDist(targetPos.toPos2D())),
-				(aMapper, bMapper) -> aMapper.dist < bMapper.dist ? aMapper : bMapper);
-		
-		if (closestTaskMap == null)
+		if (closestTaskPair == null)
 		{
-			// FIXME concurrency issue
+			// the waitingTasks was modified while this check was running
 			return false;
 		}
-		
-		WorldGenTask closestTask = closestTaskMap.task;
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask closestTask = closestTaskPair.task;
 		
 		// remove the task we found, we are going to start it and don't want to run it multiple times
 		this.waitingTasks.remove(closestTask.pos, closestTask);
 		
 		// do we need to modify this task to generate it?
-		if (this.canGeneratePos(closestTask.pos))
+		if (this.canGenerateDetailLevel(DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(closestTask.pos)))
 		{
 			// detail level is correct for generation, start generation
 			
-			WorldGenTaskGroup closestTaskGroup = new WorldGenTaskGroup(closestTask.pos, (byte)(closestTask.pos - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL));
-			closestTaskGroup.worldGenTasks.add(closestTask);
-			
-			if (!this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.containsKey(closestTask.pos))
+			DataSourceRetrievalTask existingTask = this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.get(closestTask.pos);
+			if (existingTask == null)
 			{
 				// no task exists for this position, start one
-				InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup newTaskGroup = new InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup(closestTaskGroup);
-				boolean taskStarted = this.tryStartingWorldGenTaskGroup(newTaskGroup);
-				if (!taskStarted)
-				{
-					//LOGGER.trace("Unable to start task: "+closestTask.pos+", skipping. Task position may have already been generated.");
-				}
+				this.startWorldGenTaskGroup(closestTask);
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				// TODO replace the previous inProgress task if one exists
-				// Note: Due to concurrency reasons, even if the currently running task is compatible with 
-				// 		   the newly selected task, we cannot use it,
-				//         as some chunks may have already been written into.
+				// shouldn't normally happen, but if
+				// we somehow queued the same task twice:
+				// merge the two futures so they both complete
 				
-				//LOGGER.trace("A task already exists for this position, todo: "+closestTask.pos);
+				existingTask.future.thenApply((DataSourceRetrievalResult result)->
+				{
+					closestTask.future.complete(result);
+					return closestTask.future; // return value ignored
+				});
+				existingTask.future.exceptionally((Throwable throwable)->
+				{
+					closestTask.future.completeExceptionally(throwable);
+					return null; // return value ignored
+				});
 			}
-			
-			// a task has been started
-			return true;
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			// detail level is too high (if the detail level was too low, the generator would've ignored the request),
 			// split up the task
 			
-			
-			// split up the task and add each one to the tree
-			LinkedList<CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult>> childFutures = new LinkedList<>();
-			long sectionPos = closestTask.pos;
-			WorldGenTask finalClosestTask = closestTask;
-			DhSectionPos.forEachChild(sectionPos, (childDhSectionPos) ->
-			{
-				CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> newFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
-				childFutures.add(newFuture);
-				
-				WorldGenTask newGenTask = new WorldGenTask(childDhSectionPos, DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(childDhSectionPos), finalClosestTask.taskTracker, newFuture);
-				this.waitingTasks.put(newGenTask.pos, newGenTask);
-			});
-			
-			// send the child futures to the future recipient, to notify them of the new tasks
-			closestTask.future.complete(WorldGenResult.CreateSplit(childFutures));
-			
-			// return true so we attempt to generate again
-			return true;
+			closestTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateSplit());
 		}
-	}
-	/** @return true if the task was started, false otherwise */
-	private boolean tryStartingWorldGenTaskGroup(InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup newTaskGroup)
-	{
-		byte taskDetailLevel = newTaskGroup.group.dataDetail;
-		long taskPos = newTaskGroup.group.pos;
-		LodUtil.assertTrue(taskDetailLevel >= this.highestDataDetail && taskDetailLevel <= this.lowestDataDetail);
 		
-		int generationRequestChunkWidthCount = BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(taskPos) - taskDetailLevel - 4); // minus 4 is equal to dividing by 16 to convert to chunk scale
+		
+		// a task has been started or queued,
+		// queue another task
+		return true;
+	}
+	private boolean canGenerateDetailLevel(byte taskDetailLevel)
+	{
+		byte requestedDetailLevel = (byte) (taskDetailLevel - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+		return (this.highestDataDetail <= requestedDetailLevel && requestedDetailLevel <= this.lowestDataDetail);
+	}
+	private void startWorldGenTaskGroup(DataSourceRetrievalTask worldGenTask)
+	{
+		long taskPos = worldGenTask.pos;
+		LodUtil.assertTrue(
+			worldGenTask.requestDetailLevel >= this.highestDataDetail 
+			&& worldGenTask.requestDetailLevel <= this.lowestDataDetail,
+			"World gen task started that isn't within the range that the generator can create.");
 		
 		long generationStartMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		CompletableFuture<Void> generationFuture = this.startGenerationEvent(taskPos, taskDetailLevel, generationRequestChunkWidthCount, newTaskGroup.group::consumeDataSource);
+		CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> generationFuture = this.startGenerationEvent(worldGenTask);
+		
+		// calculate generation speed
 		generationFuture.thenRun(() -> 
 		{
 			long totalGenTimeInMs = System.currentTimeMillis() - generationStartMsTime;
-			int chunkCount = generationRequestChunkWidthCount * generationRequestChunkWidthCount;
+			int chunkCount = worldGenTask.widthInChunks * worldGenTask.widthInChunks;
 			double timePerChunk = (double)totalGenTimeInMs / (double)chunkCount;
 			this.rollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs.add(timePerChunk);
 		});
 		
-		newTaskGroup.genFuture = generationFuture;
-		LodUtil.assertTrue(newTaskGroup.genFuture != null);
-		
-		newTaskGroup.genFuture.whenComplete((voidObj, exception) ->
+		generationFuture.handle((FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource, Throwable exception) ->
 		{
 			try
 			{
@@ -355,158 +361,51 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 						LOGGER.error("Error generating data for pos: " + DhSectionPos.toString(taskPos), exception);
 					}
 					
-					newTaskGroup.group.worldGenTasks.forEach(worldGenTask -> worldGenTask.future.complete(WorldGenResult.CreateFail()));
+					LodUtil.assertTrue(fullDataSource == null);
+					worldGenTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateFail());
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					newTaskGroup.group.worldGenTasks.forEach(worldGenTask -> worldGenTask.future.complete(WorldGenResult.CreateSuccess(taskPos)));
+					boolean taskRemoved = this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.remove(taskPos, worldGenTask);
+					LodUtil.assertTrue(taskRemoved, "Unable to find in progress generator task with position ["+DhSectionPos.toString(taskPos)+"]");
+					
+					worldGenTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateSuccess(taskPos, fullDataSource));
 				}
-				boolean worked = this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.remove(taskPos, newTaskGroup);
-				LodUtil.assertTrue(worked, "Unable to find in progress generator task with position ["+DhSectionPos.toString(taskPos)+"]");
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
 				LOGGER.error("Unexpected error completing world gen task at pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(taskPos)+"].", e);
+				worldGenTask.future.completeExceptionally(e);
 			}
 			finally
 			{
 				this.tryQueueNewWorldGenRequestsAsync();
 			}
+			
+			return null;
 		});
-		
-		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.put(taskPos, newTaskGroup);
-		return true;
 	}
-	private CompletableFuture<Void> startGenerationEvent(
-		long requestPos, 
-		byte targetDataDetail,
-		int generationRequestChunkWidthCount,
-		Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer
-		)
+	private CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> startGenerationEvent(DataSourceRetrievalTask task)
 	{
-		DhChunkPos chunkPosMin = new DhChunkPos(DhSectionPos.getSectionBBoxPos(requestPos).getCornerBlockPos());
+		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.put(task.pos, task);
+		
+		DhChunkPos chunkPosMin = new DhChunkPos(new DhBlockPos2D(DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(task.pos), DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(task.pos)));
 		
 		EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode generatorMode = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.distantGeneratorMode.get();
 		EDhApiWorldGeneratorReturnType returnType = this.generator.getReturnType();
 		switch (returnType) 
 		{
 			case VANILLA_CHUNKS: 
-			{
-				return this.generator.generateChunks(
-					chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
-					generationRequestChunkWidthCount,
-					targetDataDetail,
-					generatorMode,
-					ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
-					(Object[] generatedObjectArray) -> 
-					{
-						try
-						{
-							IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createChunkWrapper(generatedObjectArray);
-							
-							// only light the chunk here if necessary,
-							// lighting before this point is preferred but for potenial legacy API uses this
-							// check should be done
-							if (!chunkWrapper.isDhBlockLightingCorrect())
-							{
-								ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<>();
-								nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-								byte maxSkyLight = this.level.getLevelWrapper().hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
-								DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, maxSkyLight);
-							}
-							
-							try (FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), chunkWrapper))
-							{
-								LodUtil.assertTrue(dataSource != null);
-								dataSourceConsumer.accept(dataSource);
-							}
-						}
-						catch (ClassCastException e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("World generator return type incorrect. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-							Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("Unexpected world generator error. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-							Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-						}
-					}
-				);
+			{	
+				return this.startVanillaChunkGenerationEvent(task, chunkPosMin, generatorMode);
 			}
 			case API_CHUNKS: 
 			{
-				return this.generator.generateApiChunks(
-					chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
-					generationRequestChunkWidthCount,
-					targetDataDetail,
-					generatorMode,
-					ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
-					(DhApiChunk dataPoints) ->
-					{
-						try(FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromApiChunkData(dataPoints, this.generator.runApiValidation()))
-						{
-							dataSourceConsumer.accept(dataSource);
-						}
-						catch (DataCorruptedException | IllegalArgumentException e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("World generator returned a corrupt chunk. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-							Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-						}
-						catch (ClassCastException e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("World generator return type incorrect. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-							Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-						}
-					}
-				);
+				return this.startApiChunkGenerationEvent(task, chunkPosMin, generatorMode);
 			}
 			case API_DATA_SOURCES:
 			{
-				// done to reduce GC overhead
-				FullDataSourceV2 pooledDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(requestPos);
-				// set here so the API user doesn't have to pass in this value anywhere themselves
-				pooledDataSource.setRunApiChunkValidation(this.generator.runApiValidation());
-				
-				// only apply to children if we aren't at the bottom of the tree
-				
-				pooledDataSource.applyToChildren = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL;
-				pooledDataSource.applyToParent = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) < DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL + 12;
-				
-				
-				return this.generator.generateLod(
-						chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
-						DhSectionPos.getX(requestPos), DhSectionPos.getZ(requestPos),
-						(byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(requestPos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL),
-						pooledDataSource,
-						generatorMode,
-						ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
-						(IDhApiFullDataSource apiDataSource) ->
-						{
-							try
-							{
-								FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource = (FullDataSourceV2) apiDataSource;
-								try
-								{
-									dataSourceConsumer.accept(fullDataSource);
-								}
-								finally
-								{
-									fullDataSource.close();
-								}
-							}
-							catch (IllegalArgumentException e)
-							{
-								LOGGER.error("World generator returned a corrupt data source. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-								Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-							}
-							catch (ClassCastException e)
-							{
-								LOGGER.error("World generator return type incorrect. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
-								Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
-							}
-						}
-				);
+				return this.startApiDataSourceGenerationEvent(task, chunkPosMin, generatorMode);
 			}
 			default: 
 			{
@@ -515,30 +414,181 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	private CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> startVanillaChunkGenerationEvent(
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask task, DhChunkPos chunkPosMin, EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode generatorMode)
+	{
+		final CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> returnFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+		
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> generatedChunks = new ArrayList<>(task.widthInChunks * task.widthInChunks);
+		
+		CompletableFuture<Void> chunkGenFuture = this.generator.generateChunks(
+			chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
+			task.widthInChunks,
+			task.requestDetailLevel,
+			generatorMode,
+			ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
+			(Object[] generatedObjectArray) ->
+			{
+				try
+				{
+					IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createChunkWrapper(generatedObjectArray);
+					generatedChunks.add(chunkWrapper);
+				}
+				catch (ClassCastException e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("World generator return type incorrect. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
+					Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected world generator error. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
+					Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
+				}
+			}
+		);
+		
+		chunkGenFuture.exceptionally((throwable) ->
+		{
+			returnFuture.completeExceptionally(throwable);
+			return null;
+		});
+		chunkGenFuture.thenRun(() ->
+		{
+			FullDataSourceV2 requestedDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(task.pos);
+			
+			// process chunks //
+			for (int i = 0; i < generatedChunks.size(); i++)
+			{
+				IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = generatedChunks.get(i);
+				
+				// only light the chunk here if necessary,
+				// lighting before this point is preferred but for legacy API use this
+				// check should be done
+				if (!chunkWrapper.isDhBlockLightingCorrect())
+				{
+					ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<>();
+					nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+					byte maxSkyLight = this.level.getLevelWrapper().hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
+					DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, maxSkyLight);
+				}
+				
+				try (FullDataSourceV2 generatedDataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), chunkWrapper))
+				{
+					LodUtil.assertTrue(generatedDataSource != null);
+					requestedDataSource.updateFromDataSource(generatedDataSource);
+				}
+			}
+			
+			DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeDataSourceSkyLight(requestedDataSource, LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT);
+			returnFuture.complete(requestedDataSource);
+		});
+		
+		return returnFuture;
+	}
+	private CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> startApiChunkGenerationEvent(
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask task,  DhChunkPos chunkPosMin, EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode generatorMode)
+	{
+		final CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> returnFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+		
+		ArrayList<DhApiChunk> generatedChunks = new ArrayList<>(task.widthInChunks * task.widthInChunks);
+		
+		CompletableFuture<Void> chunkGenFuture = this.generator.generateApiChunks(
+			chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
+			task.widthInChunks,
+			task.requestDetailLevel,
+			generatorMode,
+			ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
+			(DhApiChunk apiChunk) -> { generatedChunks.add(apiChunk); }
+		);
+		
+		
+		chunkGenFuture.exceptionally((throwable) ->
+		{
+			returnFuture.completeExceptionally(throwable);
+			return null;
+		});
+		chunkGenFuture.thenRun(() ->
+		{
+			FullDataSourceV2 requestedDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(task.pos);
+			
+			for (int i = 0; i < generatedChunks.size(); i++)
+			{
+				DhApiChunk apiChunk = generatedChunks.get(i);
+				
+				try(FullDataSourceV2 generatedDataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromApiChunkData(apiChunk, this.generator.runApiValidation()))
+				{
+					requestedDataSource.updateFromDataSource(generatedDataSource);
+				}
+				catch (DataCorruptedException | IllegalArgumentException e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("World generator returned a corrupt API chunk. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "]. World generator disabled.", e);
+					Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.set(false);
+				}
+			}
+			
+			returnFuture.complete(requestedDataSource);
+		});
+		
+		return returnFuture;
+	}
+	private CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> startApiDataSourceGenerationEvent(
+		DataSourceRetrievalTask task, DhChunkPos chunkPosMin, EDhApiDistantGeneratorMode generatorMode)
+	{
+		final CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceV2> returnFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+		
+		
+		// done to reduce GC overhead
+		FullDataSourceV2 pooledDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(task.pos);
+		// set here so the API user doesn't have to pass in this value anywhere themselves
+		pooledDataSource.setRunApiSetterValidation(this.generator.runApiValidation());
+		
+		// only apply to children if we aren't at the bottom of the tree
+		pooledDataSource.applyToChildren = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL;
+		pooledDataSource.applyToParent = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) < DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL + 12; // TODO what does this 12 reference?
+		
+		CompletableFuture<Void> lodGenFuture = this.generator.generateLod(
+			chunkPosMin.getX(), chunkPosMin.getZ(),
+			DhSectionPos.getX(task.pos), DhSectionPos.getZ(task.pos),
+			(byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(task.pos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL),
+			pooledDataSource,
+			generatorMode,
+			ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor(),
+			(IDhApiFullDataSource apiDataSource) -> { }
+		);
+		
+		
+		lodGenFuture.exceptionally((throwable) ->
+		{
+			returnFuture.completeExceptionally(throwable);
+			pooledDataSource.close();
+			return null;
+		});
+		lodGenFuture.thenRun(() ->
+		{
+			returnFuture.complete(pooledDataSource);
+		});
+		
+		return returnFuture;
+	}
 	
 	
 	
 	//===================//
 	// getters / setters //
 	//===================//
+	///region getters/setters
 	
 	@Override public int getWaitingTaskCount() { return this.waitingTasks.size(); }
 	@Override public int getInProgressTaskCount() { return this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.size(); }
 	
-	@Override
-	public byte lowestDataDetail() { return this.lowestDataDetail; }
-	@Override
-	public byte highestDataDetail() { return this.highestDataDetail; }
+	@Override public byte lowestDataDetail() { return this.lowestDataDetail; }
+	@Override public byte highestDataDetail() { return this.highestDataDetail; }
 	
-	@Override
-	public int getEstimatedRemainingTaskCount() { return this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount; }
-	@Override
-	public void setEstimatedRemainingTaskCount(int newEstimate) { this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount = newEstimate; }
+	@Override public int getEstimatedRemainingTaskCount() { return this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount; }
+	@Override public void setEstimatedRemainingTaskCount(int newEstimate) { this.estimatedRemainingTaskCount = newEstimate; }
 	
-	@Override
-	public int getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount() { return this.estimatedRemainingChunkCount; }
-	@Override
-	public void setRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount(int newEstimate) { this.estimatedRemainingChunkCount = newEstimate; }
+	@Override public int getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount() { return this.estimatedRemainingChunkCount; }
+	@Override public void setRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount(int newEstimate) { this.estimatedRemainingChunkCount = newEstimate; }
 	
 	@Override 
 	public void addDebugMenuStringsToList(List<String> messageList) { }
@@ -556,13 +606,55 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		return chunkCount;
 	}
 	
+	///endregion getters/setters
+	
+	
+	
+	//=======//
+	// debug //
+	//=======//
+	///region debug
+	
+	@Override
+	public void debugRender(DebugRenderer renderer)
+	{
+		int levelMinY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
+		int levelMaxY = this.level.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
+		int levelHeightRange = (levelMaxY - levelMinY);
+		int maxY = levelMaxY - (levelHeightRange / 2);
+		
+		
+		// blue - queued
+		this.waitingTasks.keySet().forEach((Long pos) -> 
+		{ 
+			renderer.renderBox(
+				new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, levelMinY, maxY, 0.05f, Color.blue)
+			); 
+		});
+		
+		// red - in progress
+		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.forEach((Long pos, DataSourceRetrievalTask task) -> 
+		{ 
+			renderer.renderBox(
+				new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, levelMinY, maxY, 0.05f, Color.red)
+			); 
+		});
+	}
+	
+	///endregion debug
+	
 	
 	
 	//==========//
 	// shutdown //
 	//==========//
+	///region shutdown
 	
-	@Override public CompletableFuture<Void> startClosingAsync(boolean cancelCurrentGeneration, boolean alsoInterruptRunning)
+	@Override
+	public CompletableFuture<Void> startClosingAsync(boolean cancelCurrentGeneration, boolean alsoInterruptRunning)
 	{
 		LOGGER.info("Closing world gen queue");
 		this.queueingThread.shutdownNow();
@@ -570,33 +662,32 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		
 		// stop and remove any in progress tasks
 		ArrayList<CompletableFuture<Void>> inProgressTasksCancelingFutures = new ArrayList<>(this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.size());
-		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.values().forEach(runningTaskGroup ->
+		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.values().forEach((DataSourceRetrievalTask genTask) ->
 		{
-			CompletableFuture<Void> genFuture = runningTaskGroup.genFuture; // Do this to prevent it getting swapped out
-			if (genFuture == null)
-			{
-				// genFuture's shouldn't be null, but sometimes they are...
-				LOGGER.info("Null gen future: "+runningTaskGroup.group.pos);
-				return;
-			}
-			
+			CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> genFuture = genTask.future;
 			
 			if (cancelCurrentGeneration)
 			{
 				genFuture.cancel(alsoInterruptRunning);
 			}
 			
-			inProgressTasksCancelingFutures.add(genFuture.handle((voidObj, exception) ->
+			inProgressTasksCancelingFutures.add(genFuture.handle((DataSourceRetrievalResult result, Throwable throwable) ->
 			{
-				if (exception instanceof CompletionException)
+				if (throwable instanceof CompletionException)
 				{
-					exception = exception.getCause();
+					throwable = throwable.getCause();
 				}
 				
-				if (!UncheckedInterruptedException.isInterrupt(exception) 
-					&& !(exception instanceof CancellationException))
+				if (!UncheckedInterruptedException.isInterrupt(throwable)
+					&& !(throwable instanceof CancellationException))
 				{
-					LOGGER.error("Error when terminating data generation for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(runningTaskGroup.group.pos)+"], error: ["+exception.getMessage()+"].", exception);
+					LOGGER.error("Error when terminating data generation for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(genTask.pos)+"], error: ["+throwable.getMessage()+"].", throwable);
+				}
+				
+				if (result != null 
+					&& result.dataSource != null)
+				{
+					result.dataSource.close();
 				}
 				
 				return null;
@@ -629,7 +720,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 			LOGGER.info("World generator thread pool shutdown with [" + queueSize + "] incomplete tasks.");
 		}
 		
-		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.values().forEach((inProgressWorldGenTaskGroup) -> inProgressWorldGenTaskGroup.genFuture.cancel(true));
+		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.values().forEach((inProgressWorldGenTaskGroup) -> inProgressWorldGenTaskGroup.future.cancel(true));
 		this.waitingTasks.values().forEach((worldGenTask) -> worldGenTask.future.cancel(true));
 		
 		
@@ -650,62 +741,22 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		LOGGER.info("Finished closing " + WorldGenerationQueue.class.getSimpleName());
 	}
 	
-	
-	
-	//=======//
-	// debug //
-	//=======//
-	
-	@Override
-	public void debugRender(DebugRenderer renderer)
-	{
-		int levelMinY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
-		int levelMaxY = this.level.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
-		int levelHeightRange = (levelMaxY - levelMinY);
-		int maxY = levelMaxY - (levelHeightRange / 2);
-		
-		
-		// blue - queued
-		this.waitingTasks.keySet().forEach((pos) -> 
-		{ 
-			renderer.renderBox(
-					new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, levelMinY, maxY, 0.05f, Color.blue)); 
-		});
-		
-		// red - in progress
-		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.forEach((pos, t) -> 
-		{ 
-			renderer.renderBox(
-					new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, levelMinY, maxY, 0.05f, Color.red)); 
-		});
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// helper methods //
-	//================//
-	
-	private boolean canGeneratePos(long taskPos)
-	{
-		byte requestedDetailLevel = (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(taskPos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
-		return (this.highestDataDetail <= requestedDetailLevel && requestedDetailLevel <= this.lowestDataDetail);
-	}
+	///endregion shutdown
 	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// helper classes //
 	//================//
+	///region helper classes
 	
-	private static class Mapper
+	/** Used during task starting to determine the closest task */
+	private static class TaskDistancePair
 	{
-		public final WorldGenTask task;
+		public final DataSourceRetrievalTask task;
 		public final int dist;
-		public Mapper(WorldGenTask task, int dist)
+		
+		public TaskDistancePair(DataSourceRetrievalTask task, int dist)
 		{
 			this.task = task;
 			this.dist = dist;
@@ -713,4 +764,8 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		
 	}
 	
+	///endregion helper classes
+	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/DataSourceRetrievalResult.java

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/*
+ *    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.generation.tasks;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
+
+/**
+ * @see DataSourceRetrievalTask
+ */
+public class DataSourceRetrievalResult
+{
+	public final ERetrievalResultState state;
+	/** the position that was generated, will be null if nothing was generated */
+	public final long pos;
+	@Nullable
+	public final FullDataSourceV2 dataSource;
+	
+	
+	
+	//==============//
+ 	// constructors //
+	//==============//
+	
+	public static DataSourceRetrievalResult CreateSplit() { return new DataSourceRetrievalResult(ERetrievalResultState.REQUIRES_SPLITTING, 0, null); }
+	public static DataSourceRetrievalResult CreateFail() { return new DataSourceRetrievalResult(ERetrievalResultState.FAIL, 0, null); }
+	public static DataSourceRetrievalResult CreateSuccess(long pos, FullDataSourceV2 generatedDataSource) { return new DataSourceRetrievalResult(ERetrievalResultState.SUCCESS, pos, generatedDataSource); }
+	private DataSourceRetrievalResult(ERetrievalResultState state, long pos, @Nullable FullDataSourceV2 dataSource)
+	{
+		this.state = state;
+		this.pos = pos;
+		this.dataSource = dataSource;
+	}
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/DataSourceRetrievalTask.java

@@ -19,29 +19,37 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 
 /**
- * @author Leetom
- * @version 2022-11-25
+ * @see DataSourceRetrievalResult
  */
-public final class WorldGenTask
+public final class DataSourceRetrievalTask
 {
 	public final long pos;
-	public final byte dataDetailLevel;
-	public final IWorldGenTaskTracker taskTracker;
-	public final CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> future;
+	/** 
+	 * Usually the same as {@link DataSourceRetrievalTask#pos}, but
+	 * can differ if the task needs something different.
+	 */
+	public final byte requestDetailLevel;
+	public final int widthInChunks;
+	
+	public final CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
 	
 	
 	
-	public WorldGenTask(long pos, byte dataDetail, IWorldGenTaskTracker taskTracker, CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult> future)
+	//=============//
+ 	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public DataSourceRetrievalTask(long pos, byte dataDetail)
 	{
-		this.dataDetailLevel = dataDetail;
 		this.pos = pos;
-		this.taskTracker = taskTracker;
-		this.future = future;
+		this.requestDetailLevel = dataDetail;
+		this.widthInChunks = BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - this.requestDetailLevel - 4); // minus 4 is equal to dividing by 16 to convert to chunk scale 
 	}
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/ERetrievalResultState.java

@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks;
+
+/**
+ * SUCCESS <br>
+ * REQUIRES_SPLITTING <br>
+ * FAIL <br>
+ * 
+ * @see DataSourceRetrievalResult
+ */
+public enum ERetrievalResultState
+{
+	SUCCESS,
+	REQUIRES_SPLITTING,
+	FAIL,
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/IWorldGenTaskTracker.java

@@ -1,39 +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.generation.tasks;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-
-import javax.annotation.Nullable;
-import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
-
-/**
- * @author Leetom
- * @version 2022-11-25
- */
-public interface IWorldGenTaskTracker
-{
-	@Nullable
-	Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> getDataSourceConsumer();
-	
-	CompletableFuture<Boolean> shouldGenerateSplitChild(long pos);
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/WorldGenResult.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.core.generation.tasks;
-
-import java.util.Collection;
-import java.util.LinkedList;
-import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
-
-public class WorldGenResult
-{
-	/** true if terrain was generated */
-	public final boolean success;
-	/** the position that was generated, will be null if nothing was generated */
-	public final long pos;
-	/** if a position is too high detail for world generator to handle it, these futures are for its 4 children positions after being split up. */
-	public final LinkedList<CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult>> childFutures = new LinkedList<>();
-	
-	
-	public static WorldGenResult CreateSplit(Collection<CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult>> siblingFutures) { return new WorldGenResult(false, 0, siblingFutures); }
-	public static WorldGenResult CreateFail() { return new WorldGenResult(false, 0, null); }
-	public static WorldGenResult CreateSuccess(long pos) { return new WorldGenResult(true, pos, null); }
-	private WorldGenResult(boolean success, long pos, Collection<CompletableFuture<WorldGenResult>> childFutures)
-	{
-		this.success = success;
-		this.pos = pos;
-		
-		if (childFutures != null)
-		{
-			this.childFutures.addAll(childFutures);
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/generation/tasks/WorldGenTaskGroup.java

@@ -1,67 +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.generation.tasks;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-
-import java.util.Iterator;
-import java.util.LinkedList;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
-
-/**
- * @author Leetom
- * @version 2022-11-25
- */
-@Deprecated // TODO look into how these are used and if they should continue to be used
-public final class WorldGenTaskGroup
-{
-	public final long pos;
-	public byte dataDetail;
-	/** Only accessed by the generator polling thread */
-	public final LinkedList<WorldGenTask> worldGenTasks = new LinkedList<>();
-	
-	
-	
-	public WorldGenTaskGroup(long pos, byte dataDetail)
-	{
-		this.pos = pos;
-		this.dataDetail = dataDetail;
-	}
-	
-	public void consumeDataSource(FullDataSourceV2 dataSource)
-	{
-		Iterator<WorldGenTask> tasks = this.worldGenTasks.iterator();
-		while (tasks.hasNext())
-		{
-			WorldGenTask task = tasks.next();
-			Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer = task.taskTracker.getDataSourceConsumer();
-			if (dataSourceConsumer == null)
-			{
-				tasks.remove();
-				task.future.complete(WorldGenResult.CreateFail());
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				dataSourceConsumer.accept(dataSource);
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	
-}

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

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.FullDataSourceV2Repo;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.NativeDialogUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.gui.BaseJFrame;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.gui.cusomJObject.JBox;
@@ -31,7 +32,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.WebDownloader;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.core.LoggerContext;
-import org.lwjgl.util.tinyfd.TinyFileDialogs;
 
 import javax.swing.*;
 import java.awt.*;
@@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ public class JarMain
 		installMod.addActionListener(e -> {
 			if (minecraftDirPop.getSelectedFile() == null)
 			{
-				TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Please select your install directory", "ok", "warning", false);
+				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Please select your install directory", "ok", "warning");
 				return;
 			}
 			
@@ -455,11 +455,11 @@ public class JarMain
 								ModInfo.NAME + "-" + ModrinthGetter.releaseNames.get(downloadID.get()) + ".jar"
 						).toFile());
 				
-				TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Installation done. \nYou can now close the installer", "ok", "info", false);
+				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Installation done. \nYou can now close the installer", "ok", "info");
 			}
 			catch (Exception f)
 			{
-				TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Download failed. Check your internet connection \nStacktrace: " + f.getMessage(), "error", "info", false);
+				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, "Download failed. Check your internet connection \nStacktrace: " + f.getMessage(), "error", "info");
 			}
 		});
 		frame.add(installMod);

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

@@ -29,12 +29,12 @@ 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.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 org.lwjgl.util.tinyfd.TinyFileDialogs;
 
 import javax.swing.*;
 import java.awt.*;
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 		
 		if (!GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).containsKey(mcVersion))
 		{
-			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 ["+ mcVersion +"] is not findable on Gitlab, findable versions are ["+ StringUtil.join(", ", GitlabGetter.INSTANCE.getDownloads(pipeline.get("id")).keySet().toArray()) +"].");
 			return false;
 		}
 		
@@ -258,14 +258,13 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			
 			deleteOldJarOnJvmShutdown = true;
 			
-			// TODO one of these messages contains something TinyFd doesn't like, find it and fix it
-			String successMessage = "Distant Horizons successfully updated. It will apply on game's relaunch"; 
+			String successMessage = "Distant Horizons successfully updated. It will apply on game`s relaunch"; 
 			LOGGER.info(successMessage);
 			new Thread(() -> 
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info", false);
+					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -288,7 +287,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error", false);
+				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			
@@ -386,7 +385,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info", false);
+					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -424,7 +423,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				TinyFileDialogs.tinyfd_messageBox(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error", false);
+				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			

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

@@ -192,23 +192,30 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 		return this.updateDataSourcesAsync(fullDataSource)
 			.thenRun(() -> 
 			{
-				HashSet<DhChunkPos> updatedChunkPosSet = this.updatedChunkPosSetBySectionPos.remove(fullDataSource.getPos());
-				if (updatedChunkPosSet != null)
+				try
 				{
-					for (DhChunkPos chunkPos : updatedChunkPosSet)
+					HashSet<DhChunkPos> updatedChunkPosSet = this.updatedChunkPosSetBySectionPos.remove(fullDataSource.getPos());
+					if (updatedChunkPosSet != null)
 					{
-						// save after the data source has been updated to prevent saving the hash without the associated datasource
-						Integer chunkHash = this.updatedChunkHashesByChunkPos.remove(chunkPos);
-						if (this.chunkHashRepo != null && chunkHash != null)
+						for (DhChunkPos chunkPos : updatedChunkPosSet)
 						{
-							this.chunkHashRepo.save(new ChunkHashDTO(chunkPos, chunkHash));
-						}
-						
-						ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(
+							// save after the data source has been updated to prevent saving the hash without the associated datasource
+							Integer chunkHash = this.updatedChunkHashesByChunkPos.remove(chunkPos);
+							if (this.chunkHashRepo != null && chunkHash != null)
+							{
+								this.chunkHashRepo.save(new ChunkHashDTO(chunkPos, chunkHash));
+							}
+							
+							ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(
 								DhApiChunkModifiedEvent.class,
 								new DhApiChunkModifiedEvent.EventParam(this.getLevelWrapper(), chunkPos.getX(), chunkPos.getZ()));
+						}
 					}
 				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue after onDataSourceSaveAsync, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				}
 			});
 	}
 	

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

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.requests.CancelMessage;
 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.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
@@ -101,13 +102,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 	{ return Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.get() && !this.worldGenPlayerCenteringQueue.isEmpty(); }
 	
 	@Override
-	@Nullable
 	public DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration()
 	{
 		IServerPlayerWrapper firstPlayer = this.worldGenPlayerCenteringQueue.peek();
 		if (firstPlayer == null)
 		{
-			return null;
+			return DhBlockPos2D.ZERO;
 		}
 		
 		// Put first player in back before removing from front, so it can be removed by other thread without blocking
@@ -147,16 +147,15 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 					return;
 				}
 				
-				if (Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius.get() > 0)
+				boolean posInRange = WorldGenUtil.isPosInWorldGenRange(
+					message.sectionPos,
+					Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX.get(), Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ.get(),
+					Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationMaxChunkRadius.get()
+				);
+				if (!posInRange)
 				{
-					if (DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(message.sectionPos, new DhBlockPos2D(
-							serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsX(),
-							serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.getGenerationBoundsZ()
-					)) > Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius.get())
-					{
-						message.sendResponse(new RequestOutOfRangeException("Section out of allowed bounds"));
-						return;
-					}
+					message.sendResponse(new RequestOutOfRangeException("Section out of allowed bounds"));
+					return;
 				}
 				
 				if (!Config.Server.Experimental.enableNSizedGeneration.get() && DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(message.sectionPos) != DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL)

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

@@ -247,7 +247,6 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	}
 	
 	@Override
-	@Nullable
 	public DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration() { return new DhBlockPos2D(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos()); }
 	
 	
@@ -259,13 +258,6 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	@Override
 	public void onWorldGenTaskComplete(long pos)
 	{
-		DebugRenderer.makeParticle(
-				new DebugRenderer.BoxParticle(
-						new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, 128f, 156f, 0.09f, Color.red.darker()),
-						0.2, 32f
-				)
-		);
-		
 		this.clientside.reloadPos(pos);
 	}
 	
@@ -379,9 +371,9 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	
 	private static class LodRequestState extends LodRequestModule.AbstractLodRequestState
 	{
-		LodRequestState(DhClientLevel level, ClientNetworkState networkState)
+		LodRequestState(DhClientLevel clientLevel, ClientNetworkState networkState)
 		{
-			this.retrievalQueue = new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, level);
+			this.retrievalQueue = new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, clientLevel);
 		}
 	}
 	

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

@@ -132,14 +132,6 @@ public class DhClientServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel implements IDhCli
 	public void onWorldGenTaskComplete(long pos)
 	{
 		super.onWorldGenTaskComplete(pos);
-		
-		DebugRenderer.makeParticle(
-				new DebugRenderer.BoxParticle(
-						new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, 128f, 156f, 0.09f, Color.red.darker()),
-						0.2, 32f
-				)
-		);
-		
 		this.clientside.reloadPos(pos);
 	}
 	

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

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public class DhServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel
 		return true; //todo;
 	}
 	@Override
-	public @Nullable DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration()
+	public DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration()
 	{
 		DhBlockPos2D targetPos = super.getTargetPosForGeneration();
 		if (targetPos == null)

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/logging/DhLogger.java

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EMinecraftColor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ public class DhLogger implements IConfigListener
 			
 			if (mc_client != null)
 			{
-				mc_client.logToChat(level, msgStr);
+				this.logToChat(level, msgStr);
 				messageLogged = true;
 			}
 		}
@@ -296,6 +297,41 @@ public class DhLogger implements IConfigListener
 	}
 	private static boolean loggingLevelIsLessSpecificThan(Level thisLoggingLevel, Level requestedLogLevel)
 	{ return thisLoggingLevel.intLevel() >= requestedLogLevel.intLevel(); }
+	/** Sends the given message to chat with a formatted prefix and color based on the log level. */
+	private void logToChat(Level logLevel, String message)
+	{
+		String prefix = "[" + ModInfo.READABLE_NAME + "] ";
+		if (logLevel == Level.ERROR)
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.DARK_RED;
+		}
+		else if (logLevel == Level.WARN)
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.ORANGE;
+		}
+		else if (logLevel == Level.INFO)
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.AQUA;
+		}
+		else if (logLevel == Level.DEBUG)
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.GREEN;
+		}
+		else if (logLevel == Level.TRACE)
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.DARK_GRAY;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			prefix += EMinecraftColor.WHITE;
+		}
+		
+		prefix += EMinecraftColor.BOLD + "" + EMinecraftColor.WHITE;
+		prefix += logLevel.name();
+		prefix += EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + " ";
+		
+		mc_client.sendChatMessage(prefix + message);
+	}
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -23,7 +24,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ratelimiting.SupplierBasedRateLimiter;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ import java.awt.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 {
@@ -58,7 +56,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	
 	private volatile CompletableFuture<Void> closingFuture = null;
 	
-	protected final ConcurrentMap<Long, RequestQueueEntry> waitingTasksBySectionPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	protected final ConcurrentMap<Long, NetRequestTask> waitingTasksBySectionPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	/**
 	 * This semaphore prevents a given thread from accidentally locking on the same group
 	 * multiple times, as the semaphore is tied to the given thread. <br>
@@ -74,16 +72,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	
 	private final SupplierBasedRateLimiter<Void> rateLimiter = new SupplierBasedRateLimiter<>(this::getRequestRateLimit);
 	
-	private final Set<Long> succeededPositions = Collections.newSetFromMap(CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
-			.expireAfterWrite(20, TimeUnit.MINUTES)
-			.<Long, Boolean>build()
-			.asMap());
-	
-	private final Set<Long> requiresSplittingPositions = Collections.newSetFromMap(CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
-			.expireAfterWrite(20, TimeUnit.MINUTES)
-			.<Long, Boolean>build()
-			.asMap());
-	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -108,8 +96,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	//==================//
 	
 	protected abstract int getRequestRateLimit();
-	protected abstract boolean isSectionAllowedToGenerate(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos);
-	protected abstract boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> future);
+	protected abstract boolean sectionInAllowedGenerationRadius(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos);
+	protected abstract boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future);
 	
 	protected abstract String getQueueName();
 	
@@ -119,74 +107,60 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	// request submitting //
 	//====================//
 	
-	public CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> submitRequest(long sectionPos, Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer)
-	{ return this.submitRequest(sectionPos, null, dataSourceConsumer); }
-	public CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> submitRequest(long sectionPos, @Nullable Long clientTimestamp, Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer)
+	public CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> submitRequest(long sectionPos, @Nullable Long clientTimestamp)
 	{
-		if (this.succeededPositions.contains(sectionPos))
+		NetRequestTask requestEntry = this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.compute(sectionPos, (Long pos, NetRequestTask existingNetTask) ->
 		{
-			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(ERequestResult.FAILED);
-		}
-		
-		if (this.requiresSplittingPositions.contains(sectionPos))
-		{
-			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(ERequestResult.REQUIRES_SPLITTING);
-		}
-		
-		AtomicBoolean added = new AtomicBoolean(false);
-		RequestQueueEntry entry = this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.compute(sectionPos, (pos, existingQueueEntry) ->
-		{
-			if (existingQueueEntry != null)
+			// ignore already queued tasks
+			if (existingNetTask != null)
 			{
-				return existingQueueEntry;
+				return existingNetTask;
 			}
 			
-			RequestQueueEntry newEntry = new RequestQueueEntry(dataSourceConsumer, clientTimestamp);
-			newEntry.future.whenComplete((requestResult, throwable) ->
+			
+			NetRequestTask newRequestEntry = new NetRequestTask(pos, clientTimestamp);
+			newRequestEntry.future.whenComplete((DataSourceRetrievalResult requestResult, Throwable throwable) ->
 			{
-				this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.remove(sectionPos);
+				this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.remove(pos);
 				
-				switch (requestResult)
+				if (throwable != null)
 				{
-					case SUCCEEDED:
-						this.finishedRequests.incrementAndGet();
-						this.succeededPositions.add(pos);
-						return;
-					case REQUIRES_SPLITTING:
-						this.requiresSplittingPositions.add(sectionPos);
-						return;
-					case FAILED:
+					if (!(throwable instanceof CancellationException))
+					{
+						this.failedRequests.incrementAndGet();
+					}
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				switch (requestResult.state)
+				{
+					case SUCCESS:
+						this.finishedRequests.incrementAndGet();
+						break;
+					case REQUIRES_SPLITTING:
+						break;
+					case FAIL:
 						this.failedRequests.incrementAndGet();
-						return;
-					default:
-						if (throwable != null && !(throwable instanceof CancellationException))
-						{
-							this.failedRequests.incrementAndGet();
-						}
 						break;
 				}
 			});
 			
-			added.set(true);
-			return newEntry;
+			return newRequestEntry;
 		});
 		
-		if (!added.get())
-		{
-			return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(ERequestResult.FAILED);
-		}
-		
-		return entry.future;
+		return requestEntry.future;
 	}
 	
 	public synchronized boolean tick(DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() 
+			&& DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
 		{
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		if (this.closingFuture != null || !this.networkState.isReady())
+		if (this.closingFuture != null 
+			|| !this.networkState.isReady())
 		{
 			return false;
 		}
@@ -209,145 +183,125 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	}
 	private void sendNextRequest(DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
-		Map.Entry<Long, RequestQueueEntry> mapEntry = this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.entrySet().stream()
-				.filter(task -> task.getValue().networkDataSourceFuture == null)
-				.min(Comparator.comparingInt(x -> DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(x.getKey(), targetPos)))
-				.orElse(null);
+		Map.Entry<Long, NetRequestTask> nearestMapEntry = this.waitingTasksBySectionPos
+			.entrySet().stream()
+			.filter(task -> task.getValue().networkDataSourceFuture == null)
+			.min(Comparator.comparingInt(mapEntry -> DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(mapEntry.getKey(), targetPos)))
+			.orElse(null);
 		
-		if (mapEntry == null)
+		if (nearestMapEntry == null)
 		{
 			this.pendingTasksSemaphore.release();
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		long sectionPos = mapEntry.getKey();
-		RequestQueueEntry entry = mapEntry.getValue();
+		long requestPos = nearestMapEntry.getKey();
+		NetRequestTask requestTask = nearestMapEntry.getValue();
 		
-		if (!this.isSectionAllowedToGenerate(sectionPos, targetPos))
+		if (!this.sectionInAllowedGenerationRadius(requestPos, targetPos))
 		{
-			entry.future.cancel(false);
+			requestTask.future.cancel(false);
 			this.pendingTasksSemaphore.release();
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		if (!this.onBeforeRequest(sectionPos, entry.future))
+		if (!this.onBeforeRequest(requestPos, requestTask.future))
 		{
 			this.pendingTasksSemaphore.release();
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		Long offsetEntryTimestamp = entry.updateTimestamp != null
-				? entry.updateTimestamp + this.networkState.getServerTimeOffset()
+		Long offsetEntryTimestamp = requestTask.updateTimestamp != null
+				? requestTask.updateTimestamp + this.networkState.getServerTimeOffset()
 				: null;
 		
-		CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceResponseMessage> dataSourceFuture = this.networkState.getSession().sendRequest(
-				new FullDataSourceRequestMessage(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), sectionPos, offsetEntryTimestamp),
+		CompletableFuture<FullDataSourceResponseMessage> dataSourceNetworkFuture = this.networkState.getSession().sendRequest(
+				new FullDataSourceRequestMessage(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), requestPos, offsetEntryTimestamp),
 				FullDataSourceResponseMessage.class
 		);
-		entry.networkDataSourceFuture = dataSourceFuture;
-		dataSourceFuture.handle((response, throwable) ->
+		requestTask.networkDataSourceFuture = dataSourceNetworkFuture;
+		dataSourceNetworkFuture.handle((FullDataSourceResponseMessage response, Throwable throwable) ->
 		{
-			this.pendingTasksSemaphore.release();
-			
-			try
-			{
-				if (throwable != null)
-				{
-					throw throwable;
-				}
-				
-				if (response.payload != null)
-				{
-					FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(response.payload);
-					
-					// set application flags based on the received detail level,
-					// this is needed so the data sources propagate correctly
-					dataSourceDto.applyToChildren = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(dataSourceDto.pos) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL;
-					dataSourceDto.applyToParent = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(dataSourceDto.pos) < DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL + 12;
-					
-					AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getNetworkCompressionExecutor();
-					if (executor == null)
-					{
-						LOGGER.warn("Unable to handle FullDataPayload - getNetworkCompressionExecutor() is null");
-						dataSourceDto.close();
-						return null;
-					}
-					
-					CompletableFuture.runAsync(() ->
-					{
-						try
-						{
-							this.level.updateBeaconBeamsForSectionPos(dataSourceDto.pos, response.payload.beaconBeams);
-							
-							FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource = dataSourceDto.createDataSource(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), null);
-							entry.dataSourceConsumer.accept(fullDataSource);
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							throw new RuntimeException(e);
-						}
-						finally
-						{
-							dataSourceDto.close();
-						}
-					}, executor);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					LodUtil.assertTrue(this.changedOnly, "Received empty data source response for not changes-only request");
-				}
-			}
-			catch (SectionRequiresSplittingException ignored)
-			{
-				return entry.future.complete(ERequestResult.REQUIRES_SPLITTING);
-			}
-			catch (SessionClosedException | CancellationException ignored)
-			{
-				return entry.future.cancel(false);
-			}
-			catch (RequestRejectedException e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("Request rejected by the server: " + e.getMessage());
-				return entry.future.complete(ERequestResult.FAILED);
-			}
-			catch (RateLimitedException e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("Rate limited by server, re-queueing task [" + DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos) + "]: " + e.getMessage());
-				
-				// Skip all requests for 1 second
-				this.rateLimiter.acquireAll();
-				
-				entry.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
-				return null;
-			}
-			catch (RequestOutOfRangeException e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.debug("Out of range, re-queueing task [" + DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos) + "]: " + e.getMessage());
-				
-				entry.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
-				return null;
-			}
-			catch (Throwable e)
-			{
-				entry.retryAttempts--;
-				LOGGER.error("Error while fetching full data source, attempts left: {} / {}", entry.retryAttempts, MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS, e);
-				
-				// Retry logic
-				if (entry.retryAttempts > 0)
-				{
-					entry.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
-					return null;
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					return entry.future.complete(ERequestResult.FAILED);
-				}
-			}
-			
-			return entry.future.complete(ERequestResult.SUCCEEDED);
+			this.handleNetResponse(requestTask, response, throwable);
+			return null;
 		});
 	}
-	
+	private void handleNetResponse(NetRequestTask requestTask, FullDataSourceResponseMessage response, Throwable throwable)
+	{
+		this.pendingTasksSemaphore.release();
+		
+		try
+		{
+			if (throwable != null)
+			{
+				throw throwable;
+			}
+			
+			if (response.payload == null)
+			{
+				LodUtil.assertTrue(this.changedOnly, "Received empty data source response for not changes-only request");
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			
+			try(FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(response.payload))
+			{
+				// set application flags based on the received detail level,
+				// this is needed so the data sources propagate correctly
+				dataSourceDto.applyToChildren = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(dataSourceDto.pos) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL;
+				dataSourceDto.applyToParent = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(dataSourceDto.pos) < DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL + 12;
+				
+				
+				this.level.updateBeaconBeamsForSectionPos(dataSourceDto.pos, response.payload.beaconBeams);
+				
+				FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource = dataSourceDto.createDataSource(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), null);
+				requestTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateSuccess(dataSourceDto.pos, fullDataSource));
+			}
+		}
+		catch (SectionRequiresSplittingException ignored)
+		{
+			requestTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateSplit());
+		}
+		catch (SessionClosedException | CancellationException ignored)
+		{
+			requestTask.future.cancel(false);
+		}
+		catch (RequestRejectedException e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.info("Request rejected by the server, message: [" + e.getMessage() + "].");
+			requestTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateFail());
+		}
+		catch (RateLimitedException e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.info("Rate limited by server, re-queueing task [" + DhSectionPos.toString(requestTask.pos) + "], message: [" + e.getMessage() + "].");
+			
+			// Skip all requests for 1 second
+			this.rateLimiter.acquireAll();
+			
+			requestTask.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
+		}
+		catch (RequestOutOfRangeException e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.debug("Out of range, re-queueing task [" + DhSectionPos.toString(requestTask.pos) + "], message: [" + e.getMessage() + "].");
+			
+			requestTask.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
+		}
+		catch (Throwable e)
+		{
+			requestTask.retryAttempts--;
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error: ["+e.getMessage()+"] while fetching full data source, attempts left: ["+requestTask.retryAttempts+"] / ["+MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS+"]", e);
+			
+			// Retry logic
+			if (requestTask.retryAttempts > 0)
+			{
+				requestTask.networkDataSourceFuture = null;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				requestTask.future.complete(DataSourceRetrievalResult.CreateFail());
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	
 	
 	
@@ -357,22 +311,30 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	
 	public void removeRetrievalRequestIf(DhSectionPos.ICancelablePrimitiveLongConsumer removeIf)
 	{
-		for (Map.Entry<Long, RequestQueueEntry> mapEntry : (Iterable<? extends Map.Entry<Long, RequestQueueEntry>>) this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.entrySet().stream()
-				.sorted(Comparator.comparingInt((Map.Entry<Long, RequestQueueEntry> entry) -> DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(entry.getKey(), Objects.requireNonNull(this.level.getTargetPosForGeneration()))).reversed())
-				::iterator)
+		// remove tasks furthest
+		Iterator<Map.Entry<Long, NetRequestTask>> farestTaskIterator = this.waitingTasksBySectionPos
+			.entrySet().stream()
+			.sorted(Comparator.comparingInt((Map.Entry<Long, NetRequestTask> entry) ->
+			{
+				Long pos = entry.getKey();
+				DhBlockPos2D targetPos = this.level.getTargetPosForGeneration();
+				return DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(pos, targetPos);
+			}).reversed())
+			.iterator();
+		
+		while (farestTaskIterator.hasNext())
 		{
+			Map.Entry<Long, NetRequestTask> mapEntry = farestTaskIterator.next();
 			long pos = mapEntry.getKey();
-			RequestQueueEntry entry = mapEntry.getValue();
+			NetRequestTask entry = mapEntry.getValue();
 			
 			if (removeIf.accept(pos))
 			{
-				LOGGER.debug("Removing request  [" + mapEntry.getKey() + "]...");
-				
-				entry.future.cancel(false);
 				if (entry.networkDataSourceFuture != null)
 				{
 					entry.networkDataSourceFuture.cancel(false);
 				}
+				entry.future.cancel(false);
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -400,7 +362,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 			
 			do
 			{
-				for (RequestQueueEntry entry : this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.values())
+				for (NetRequestTask entry : this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.values())
 				{
 					entry.future.cancel(alsoInterruptRunning);
 					if (entry.networkDataSourceFuture != null && entry.networkDataSourceFuture.cancel(alsoInterruptRunning))
@@ -438,13 +400,31 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		for (Map.Entry<Long, RequestQueueEntry> mapEntry : this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.entrySet())
+		DhBlockPos2D targetPos = this.level.getTargetPosForGeneration();
+		for (Map.Entry<Long, NetRequestTask> mapEntry : this.waitingTasksBySectionPos.entrySet())
 		{
-			renderer.renderBox(new DebugRenderer.Box(mapEntry.getKey(), -32f, 64f, 0.05f,
-					mapEntry.getValue().networkDataSourceFuture != null ? Color.red
-							: this.isSectionAllowedToGenerate(mapEntry.getKey(), Objects.requireNonNull(this.level.getTargetPosForGeneration())) ? Color.gray
-							: Color.darkGray
-			));
+			long pos = mapEntry.getKey();
+			NetRequestTask task = mapEntry.getValue();
+			
+			Color color;
+			if (task.networkDataSourceFuture != null)
+			{
+				color = Color.RED;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				boolean taskInAllowedGenRadius = this.sectionInAllowedGenerationRadius(pos, targetPos);
+				if (taskInAllowedGenRadius)
+				{
+					color = Color.GRAY;
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					color = Color.DARK_GRAY;
+				}
+			}
+			
+			renderer.renderBox(new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, -32f, 64f, 0.05f, color));
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -454,11 +434,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 	// helper classes //
 	//================//
 	
-	protected static class RequestQueueEntry
+	protected static class NetRequestTask
 	{
+		public final long pos;
+		
 		/** encapsulates the entire request, including client side queuing and the actual server request */
-		public final CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-		public final Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer;
+		public final CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
 		/** will be null if we want to retrieve the LOD regardless of when it was last updated */
 		@Nullable
 		public final Long updateTimestamp;
@@ -477,23 +458,14 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 		// constructor //
 		//=============//
 		
-		public RequestQueueEntry(
-				Consumer<FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceConsumer,
-				@Nullable Long updateTimestamp)
+		public NetRequestTask(long pos, @Nullable Long updateTimestamp)
 		{
-			this.dataSourceConsumer = dataSourceConsumer;
+			this.pos = pos;
 			this.updateTimestamp = updateTimestamp;
 		}
 		
 	}
 	
-	public enum ERequestResult
-	{
-		SUCCEEDED,
-		REQUIRES_SPLITTING,
-		FAILED,
-	}
-	
 	
 	
 }

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

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataPartial
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
@@ -29,6 +30,10 @@ public class ClientNetworkState implements Closeable
 			.fileLevelConfig(Config.Common.Logging.logNetworkEventToFile)
 			.build();
 	
+	protected static final DhLogger CONFIG_CHANGE_LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder()
+			.fileLevelConfig(Config.Common.Logging.logConnectionConfigChangesToFile)
+			.build();
+	
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	
 	
@@ -44,6 +49,7 @@ public class ClientNetworkState implements Closeable
 	 */
 	public NetworkSession getSession() { return this.networkSession; }
 	
+	@NotNull
 	public SessionConfig sessionConfig = new SessionConfig();
 	
 	private volatile boolean configReceived = false;
@@ -129,7 +135,9 @@ public class ClientNetworkState implements Closeable
 			{
 				this.serverSupportStatus = EServerSupportStatus.FULL;
 				
-				LOGGER.info("Connection config has been changed: [" + message.config + "].");
+				String configChanges = this.sessionConfig.getDifferencesAsString(message.config);
+				CONFIG_CHANGE_LOGGER.info("Connection config has been changed: [" + configChanges + "].");
+				
 				this.sessionConfig = message.config;
 				this.configReceived = true;
 			});

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

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ 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.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
@@ -35,12 +36,12 @@ public class SyncOnLoadRequestQueue extends AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue
 	@Override
 	protected int getRequestRateLimit() { return this.networkState.sessionConfig.getSyncOnLoginRateLimit(); }
 	@Override
-	protected boolean isSectionAllowedToGenerate(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
+	protected boolean sectionInAllowedGenerationRadius(long sectionPos, DhBlockPos2D targetPos)
 	{
 		return DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(sectionPos, targetPos) <= this.networkState.sessionConfig.getMaxSyncOnLoadDistance() * 16;
 	}
 	@Override
-	protected boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<ERequestResult> future) { return true; }
+	protected boolean onBeforeRequest(long sectionPos, CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> future) { return true; }
 	
 	@Override
 	protected String getQueueName() { return "Sync On Login Queue"; }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/multiplayer/config/SessionConfig.java

@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 		
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration, Boolean::logicalAnd);
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.maxGenerationRequestDistance, Math::min);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsX, (x, y) -> y);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsZ, (x, y) -> y);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius, (x, y) -> y);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX, (x, y) -> y);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ, (x, y) -> y);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationMaxChunkRadius, (x, y) -> y);
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationRequestRateLimit, Math::min);
 		
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.enableRealTimeUpdates, Boolean::logicalAnd);
@@ -68,9 +68,9 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 	
 	public boolean isDistantGenerationEnabled() { return this.getValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration); }
 	public int getMaxGenerationRequestDistance() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.maxGenerationRequestDistance); }
-	public Integer getGenerationBoundsX() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.generationBoundsX); }
-	public Integer getGenerationBoundsZ() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.generationBoundsZ); }
-	public Integer getGenerationBoundsRadius() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius); }
+	public Integer getGenerationCenterChunkX() { return this.getValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX); }
+	public Integer getGenerationCenterChunkZ() { return this.getValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ); }
+	public Integer getGenerationMaxChunkRadius() { return this.getValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationMaxChunkRadius); }
 	public int getGenerationRequestRateLimit() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.generationRequestRateLimit); }
 	
 	public boolean isRealTimeUpdatesEnabled() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.enableRealTimeUpdates); }
@@ -162,6 +162,34 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 	
 	
 	
+	//=========//
+ 	// logging //
+ 	//=========//
+	
+	/** 
+	 * example: "common.playerBandwidthLimit:[497], " <br>
+	 * Useful to see what was changed when receiving a new config from the server.
+	 */
+	public String getDifferencesAsString(SessionConfig that)
+	{
+		StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder();
+		
+		for (String key : this.values.keySet())
+		{
+			String thisFieldString = this.values.get(key) + "";
+			String thatFieldString = that.values.get(key) + "";
+			
+			if (!thisFieldString.equals(thatFieldString))
+			{
+				stringBuilder.append(key+":["+thisFieldString+"], ");
+			}
+		}
+		
+		return stringBuilder.toString();
+	}
+	
+	
+	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//

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

@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSplitMe
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import io.netty.buffer.CompositeByteBuf;
-import io.netty.buffer.UnpooledByteBufAllocator;
+import io.netty.buffer.Unpooled;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 		{
 			if (message.isFirst)
 			{
-				composite = UnpooledByteBufAllocator.DEFAULT.compositeBuffer();
+				composite = Unpooled.compositeBuffer();
 				LOGGER.debug("Created new full data buffer [" + message.bufferId + "]: [" + composite + "]");
 			}
 			else if (composite == null)
@@ -55,12 +55,11 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 	public FullDataSourceV2DTO decodeDataSource(FullDataPayload payload)
 	{
 		CompositeByteBuf compositeByteBuffer = this.buffersById.get(payload.dtoBufferId);
-		LodUtil.assertTrue(compositeByteBuffer != null);
+		LodUtil.assertTrue(compositeByteBuffer != null, "decoded data source missing byte buffer");
 		
 		try
 		{
 			FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = INetworkObject.decodeToInstance(FullDataSourceV2DTO.CreateEmptyDataSourceForDecoding(), compositeByteBuffer);
-			LOGGER.debug("Buffer {} DTO: {}", payload.dtoBufferId, dataSourceDto);
 			return dataSourceDto;
 		}
 		finally

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

@@ -174,12 +174,21 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler implements AutoCloseable
 			DataSourceRequestGroup requestGroup = this.requestGroupsByPos.computeIfAbsent(requestData.sectionPos(), pos ->
 			{
 				DataSourceRequestGroup newGroup = new DataSourceRequestGroup(pos);
-				newGroup.tryAddRequest(requestData);
-				createdNewGroup.set(true);
+				try
+				{
+					newGroup.tryAddRequest(requestData);
+					createdNewGroup.set(true);
+					
+					this.tryFulfillDataSourceRequestGroup(newGroup, pos);
+					
+					LOGGER.debug("[" + this.getLevelIdentifier() + "] Created request group for pos [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "].");
+					return newGroup;
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unable to queue request for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(requestData.sectionPos())+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				}
 				
-				this.tryFulfillDataSourceRequestGroup(newGroup, pos);
-				
-				LOGGER.debug("[" + this.getLevelIdentifier() + "] Created request group for pos [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "].");
 				return newGroup;
 			});
 			
@@ -229,10 +238,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	private void tryFulfillDataSourceRequestGroup(DataSourceRequestGroup requestGroup, long pos)
 	{
-		this.fullDataSourceProvider().getAsync(pos).thenAccept(fullDataSource ->
+		final GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider provider = this.fullDataSourceProvider();
+		
+		provider.getAsync(pos)
+			.thenAccept((FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource) ->
 		{
-			if (this.fullDataSourceProvider().isFullyGenerated(fullDataSource.columnGenerationSteps))
+			if (provider.generationStepsAreFullyGenerated(fullDataSource.columnGenerationSteps))
 			{
+				//LOGGER.info("sending - complete [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "]");
 				requestGroup.fullDataSource = fullDataSource;
 				return;
 			}
@@ -247,11 +260,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler implements AutoCloseable
 				this.requestGroupsByPos.remove(pos);
 				if (!requestGroup.tryClose())
 				{
+					//LOGGER.info("closing [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "]");
 					return;
 				}
 				
 				for (DataSourceRequestGroup.RequestData requestData : requestGroup.requestMessages.values())
 				{
+					//LOGGER.info("sending [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "] - ["+DhSectionPos.toString(requestData.sectionPos())+"]");
+					
 					this.requestGroupsByFutureId.remove(requestData.futureId());
 					requestData.rateLimiterSet.generationRequestRateLimiter.release();
 					requestData.message.sendResponse(new SectionRequiresSplittingException());
@@ -264,7 +280,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler implements AutoCloseable
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				//LOGGER.info("sending - queueing [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "]");
+				//LOGGER.info("queueing incomplete world gen [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "]");
 				this.fullDataSourceProvider().queuePositionForRetrieval(pos);
 			}
 		});

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

@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 	private void sendConfigMessage()
 	{
 		double coordinateScale = this.getServerPlayer().getLevel().getDimensionType().getCoordinateScale();
-		this.sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Server.generationBoundsX, (int) (Config.Server.generationBoundsX.get() / coordinateScale));
-		this.sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Server.generationBoundsZ, (int) (Config.Server.generationBoundsZ.get() / coordinateScale));
+		this.sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX, (int) (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX.get() / coordinateScale));
+		this.sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ, (int) (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ.get() / coordinateScale));
 		
 		this.networkSession.sendMessage(new SessionConfigMessage(this.sessionConfig));
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/network/session/NetworkSession.java

@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@ public class NetworkSession extends AbstractNetworkEventSource
 		{
 			LOGGER.error("Failed to handle the message. New messages will be ignored.", e);
 			LOGGER.error("Message: ["+message+"]");
-			this.close();
+			
+			this.close(e);
 		}
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pooling/AbstractPhantomArrayList.java

@@ -40,7 +40,9 @@ public abstract class AbstractPhantomArrayList implements AutoCloseable
 	/** The Array counts can be 0 or greater. */
 	public AbstractPhantomArrayList(PhantomArrayListPool phantomArrayListPool, int byteArrayCount, int shortArrayCount, int longArrayCount) 
 	{
-		if (byteArrayCount < 0 || shortArrayCount < 0 || longArrayCount < 0)
+		if (byteArrayCount < 0 
+			|| shortArrayCount < 0 
+			|| longArrayCount < 0)
 		{
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Can't get a negative number of pooled arrays.");
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pooling/PhantomArrayListCheckout.java

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.lang.ref.SoftReference;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Arrays;
 
 /**
  * This keeps track of all the poolable
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListCheckout implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	/** Will be null if the parent pool doesn't want leak stack tracing */
 	@Nullable
-	public final String allocationStackTrace;
+	public String allocationStackTrace = null;
 	
 	private final ArrayList<ByteArrayList> byteArrayLists = new ArrayList<>();
 	private final ArrayList<ShortArrayList> shortArrayLists = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -47,21 +48,20 @@ public class PhantomArrayListCheckout implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	public PhantomArrayListCheckout(@NotNull PhantomArrayListPool owningPool)
 	{
-		if (owningPool.logGarbageCollectedStacks)
-		{
-			// TODO remove the top 4 or so lines since those will always be the same (relating to the phantom allocations)
-			//  and aren't helpful when debugging
-			this.allocationStackTrace = StringUtil.join("\n", Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace());
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			this.allocationStackTrace = null;
-		}
-		
 		this.owningPool = owningPool;
 		this.ownerSoftReference = new SoftReference<>(this);
 	}
 	
+	public void onCheckout()
+	{
+		if (this.owningPool.logGarbageCollectedStacks)
+		{
+			StackTraceElement[] stackTraceElements = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
+			StackTraceElement[] trimmedElements = Arrays.copyOfRange(stackTraceElements, 4, stackTraceElements.length);
+			this.allocationStackTrace = StringUtil.join("\n", trimmedElements).intern();
+		}
+	}
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pooling/PhantomArrayListPool.java

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EMinecraftColor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
@@ -159,6 +160,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 			{
 				// pool is empty, create new checkout
 				checkout = new PhantomArrayListCheckout(this);
+				checkout.onCheckout();
 			}
 			else
 			{
@@ -166,6 +168,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 				if (checkout != null)
 				{
 					// use pooled checkout
+					checkout.onCheckout();
 				}
 				else
 				{
@@ -176,8 +179,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 					{
 						lowMemoryWarningLogged = true;
 						
-						// orange text
-						String message = "\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons: Insufficient memory detected." + "\u00A7r \n" +
+						String message = EMinecraftColor.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons: Insufficient memory detected." + EMinecraftColor.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
 								"This may cause stuttering or crashing. \n" +
 								"Potential causes: \n" +
 								"1. your allocated memory isn't high enough \n" +

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

@@ -281,17 +281,24 @@ public class DhSectionPos
 				+ Math.abs(getCenterBlockPosZ(pos) - blockPos.z);
 	}
 	
+	
+	/** see: {@link DhSectionPos#getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long, int, int)} */
+	public static int getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long pos, DhBlockPos  blockPos)
+	{ return getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(pos, blockPos.getX(), blockPos.getZ()); }
+	/** see: {@link DhSectionPos#getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long, int, int)} */
+	public static int getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long pos, DhBlockPos2D blockPos)
+	{ return getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(pos, blockPos.x, blockPos.z); }
 	/**
 	 * Returns the signed distance from a given block to a given section. <br>
 	 * Essentially acts like a distance from the block to the nearest edge of the section,
 	 * except inside the section it's negative. <br>
 	 * Useful for detail level insensitive distance comparisons.
 	 */
-	public static int getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long pos, DhBlockPos2D blockPos)
+	public static int getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(long pos, int blockPosX, int blockPosZ)
 	{
 		return Math.max(
-				Math.abs(getCenterBlockPosX(pos) - blockPos.x),
-				Math.abs(getCenterBlockPosZ(pos) - blockPos.z)
+			Math.abs(getCenterBlockPosX(pos) - blockPosX),
+			Math.abs(getCenterBlockPosZ(pos) - blockPosZ)
 		) - getBlockWidth(pos) / 2;
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pos/Pos2D.java

@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 
 import java.util.Objects;
 
+
 /** immutable */
+@Deprecated // TODO why does this exist vs blockpos2d?
 public class Pos2D
 {
 	public static final Pos2D ZERO = new Pos2D(0, 0);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/pos/blockPos/DhBlockPos2D.java

@@ -75,6 +75,30 @@ public class DhBlockPos2D
 	public long distSquared(DhBlockPos2D other) { return this.distSquared(other.x, other.z); }
 	public long distSquared(int x, int z) { return MathUtil.pow2((long) this.x - x) + MathUtil.pow2((long) this.z - z); }
 	
+	/**
+	 * Returns the maximum distance along either the X or Z axis <br><br>
+	 *
+	 * Example chebyshev distance between X and every point around it: <br>
+	 * <code>
+	 * 2 2 2 2 2 <br>
+	 * 2 1 1 1 2 <br>
+	 * 2 1 X 1 2 <br>
+	 * 2 1 1 1 2 <br>
+	 * 2 2 2 2 2 <br>
+	 * </code>
+	 */
+	public int chebyshevDist(DhBlockPos2D other) { return Math.max(Math.abs(this.x - other.x), Math.abs(this.z - other.z)); }
+	
+	/**
+	 * Can be used to quickly determine the rough distance between two points<Br>
+	 * or determine the taxi cab (manhattan) distance between two points. <Br><Br>
+	 *
+	 * Manhattan distance is equivalent to determining the distance between two street intersections,
+	 * where you can only drive along each street, instead of directly to the other point.
+	 */
+	public int manhattanDist(DhBlockPos2D other) { return Math.abs(this.x - other.x) + Math.abs(this.z - other.z); }
+	
+	
 	
 	
 	//===========//

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

@@ -20,10 +20,12 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding.LodBufferContainer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.ERetrievalResultState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -34,12 +36,13 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.BeaconRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericObjectRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.PerfRecorder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.WorldGenUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.QuadNode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.QuadTree;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
+import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongIterator;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
@@ -47,6 +50,7 @@ import javax.annotation.WillNotClose;
 import java.awt.*;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentLinkedQueue;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
@@ -57,11 +61,11 @@ import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
  * This quadTree structure is our core data structure and holds
  * all rendering data.
  */
-public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
+public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRenderable, IConfigListener, AutoCloseable
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	/** 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("QuadTree Full Data Retrieval Queue Populator");
+	private static final ThreadPoolExecutor FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleThreadPool("LodQuadTree Data Retrieval Queue");
 	
 	
 	public final int blockRenderDistanceDiameter;
@@ -73,9 +77,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	 * This is a {@link ConcurrentLinkedQueue} because new sections can be added to this list via the world generator threads.
 	 */
 	private final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<Long> sectionsToReload = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
-	private final IDhClientLevel level; //FIXME: Proper hierarchy to remove this reference!
-	private final ReentrantLock treeReadWriteLock = new ReentrantLock();
-	private final AtomicBoolean fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning = new AtomicBoolean(false);
+	private final IDhClientLevel level;
+	private final ReentrantLock treeLock = new ReentrantLock();
 	
 	private ArrayList<LodRenderSection> debugRenderSections = new ArrayList<>();
 	private ArrayList<LodRenderSection> altDebugRenderSections = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -88,7 +91,9 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	 * as further sections are loaded before closer ones.
 	 * Only queuing a few of the sections at a time solves this problem.
 	 */
-	public final AtomicInteger uploadTaskCountRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+	private final AtomicInteger uploadTaskCountRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+	private final AtomicBoolean requeueAllRetrievalTasksRef = new AtomicBoolean(false);
+	private final AtomicBoolean queueThreadRunningRef = new AtomicBoolean(false);
 	
 	
 	@Nullable
@@ -104,11 +109,18 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	/** used to calculate when a detail drop will occur */
 	private double detailDropOffLogBase;
 	
+	/** the {@link DhSectionPos} that need to be retrieved/generated */
+	private final Set<Long> missingGenerationPosSet = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>()); // concurrency is annoying but required due to needing to add/remove items in the world gen future
+	private final Set<Long> queuedGenerationPosSet = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
+	/** cached array to prevent having to re-allocate it each tick */
+	private final ArrayList<Long> sortedMissingPosList = new ArrayList<>();
 	
 	
-	//==============//
-	// constructors //
-	//==============//
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region constructor
 	
 	public LodQuadTree(
 			IDhClientLevel level, int viewDiameterInBlocks,
@@ -126,13 +138,18 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		GenericObjectRenderer genericObjectRenderer = this.level.getGenericRenderer();
 		this.beaconRenderHandler = (genericObjectRenderer != null) ? new BeaconRenderHandler(genericObjectRenderer) : null;
 		
+		Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.addListener(this);
+		
 	}
 	
+	//endregion constructor
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// tick update //
 	//=============//
+	//region tick update
 	
 	/**
 	 * This function updates the quadTree based on the playerPos and the current game configs (static and global)
@@ -143,23 +160,32 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	{
 		if (this.level == null)
 		{
-			// the level hasn't finished loading yet
-			// TODO sometimes null pointers still happen, when logging back into a world (maybe the old level isn't null but isn't valid either?)
+			// the quad tree was created before a level reference was created
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		
 		
-		// this shouldn't be updated while the tree is being iterated through
-		this.updateDetailLevelVariables();
-		
 		// don't traverse the tree if it is being modified
-		if (this.treeReadWriteLock.tryLock())
+		if (this.treeLock.tryLock())
 		{
+			// this shouldn't be updated while the tree is being iterated through
+			this.updateDetailLevelVariables();
+			
 			try
 			{
-				// recenter if necessary, removing out of bounds sections
-				this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, LodRenderSection::close);
+				// recenter if necessary...
+				this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, (renderSection) ->
+				{
+					//...removing out of bounds sections
+					if (renderSection != null)
+					{
+						this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+						this.missingGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
+						this.queuedGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
+						renderSection.close();
+					}
+				});
 				
 				this.updateAllRenderSections(playerPos);
 			}
@@ -169,7 +195,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			}
 			finally
 			{
-				this.treeReadWriteLock.unlock();
+				this.treeLock.unlock();
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -197,7 +223,6 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		
 		
 		// walk through each root node
-		HashSet<LodRenderSection> nodesNeedingRetrieval = new HashSet<>();
 		HashSet<LodRenderSection> nodesNeedingLoading = new HashSet<>();
 		LongIterator rootPosIterator = this.rootNodePosIterator();
 		while (rootPosIterator.hasNext())
@@ -210,17 +235,61 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			}
 			
 			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode = this.getNode(rootPos);
-			this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, rootNode, rootNode.sectionPos, false, nodesNeedingRetrieval, nodesNeedingLoading);
+			LodUtil.assertTrue(rootNode != null, "All root nodes should have been created by this point.");
+			this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, rootNode, rootNode.sectionPos, false, nodesNeedingLoading);
 		}
 		
 		
-		// queue full data retrieval (world gen) requests if needed
-		if (nodesNeedingRetrieval.size() != 0
-			&& !this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.get()
-			&& this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
+		// requeue everything if needed
+		if (this.requeueAllRetrievalTasksRef.get()
+			&& !this.queueThreadRunningRef.get())
 		{
-			this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.set(true);
-			FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD.execute(() -> this.queueFullDataRetrievalTasks(playerPos, nodesNeedingRetrieval));
+			this.queueThreadRunningRef.set(true);
+			this.requeueAllRetrievalTasksRef.set(false);
+			
+			// running on a separate thread allows for faster loading
+			// of finished LODs
+			FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD.execute(() -> 
+			{
+				try
+				{
+					this.checkAllNodesForRetrievalRequests();
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected error getting new queued retrieval tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
+				finally
+				{
+					this.queueThreadRunningRef.set(false);
+				}
+			});
+		}
+		
+		// queue full data retrieval (world gen) requests if needed
+		if (this.missingGenerationPosSet.size() != 0 //
+			&& this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrievalNow()
+			&& !this.queueThreadRunningRef.get())
+		{
+			this.queueThreadRunningRef.set(true);
+			
+			// running on a separate thread allows for faster loading
+			// of finished LODs
+			FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD.execute(() -> 
+			{
+				try
+				{
+					this.startQueuedRetrievalTasks(playerPos);
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected error starting queued retrieval tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
+				finally
+				{
+					this.queueThreadRunningRef.set(false);
+				}
+			});
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -236,7 +305,6 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			DhBlockPos2D playerPos, 
 			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode, long sectionPos, 
 			boolean parentSectionIsRendering,
-			HashSet<LodRenderSection> nodesNeedingRetrieval,
 			HashSet<LodRenderSection> nodesNeedingLoading)
 	{
 		//=====================//
@@ -245,7 +313,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//=====================//
 		
 		// create the node
-		if (quadNode == null && this.isSectionPosInBounds(sectionPos)) // the position bounds should only fail when at the edge of the user's render distance
+		if (quadNode == null 
+			&& this.isSectionPosInBounds(sectionPos)) // the position bounds should only fail when at the edge of the user's render distance
 		{
 			rootNode.setValue(sectionPos, new LodRenderSection(sectionPos, this, this.level, this.fullDataSourceProvider, this.uploadTaskCountRef));
 			quadNode = rootNode.getNode(sectionPos);
@@ -288,7 +357,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 			{
 				QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
-				boolean childSectionLoaded = this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, childNode, DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(sectionPos, i), thisPosIsRendering || parentSectionIsRendering, nodesNeedingRetrieval, nodesNeedingLoading);
+				boolean childSectionLoaded = this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, childNode, DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(sectionPos, i), thisPosIsRendering || parentSectionIsRendering, nodesNeedingLoading);
 				allChildrenSectionsAreLoaded = childSectionLoaded && allChildrenSectionsAreLoaded;
 			}
 			
@@ -347,7 +416,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 				for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 				{
 					QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
-					this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, childNode, DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(sectionPos, i), parentSectionIsRendering, nodesNeedingRetrieval, nodesNeedingLoading);
+					this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(playerPos, rootNode, childNode, DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(sectionPos, i), parentSectionIsRendering, nodesNeedingLoading);
 				}
 				
 				// disabling rendering must be done after the children are enabled
@@ -368,23 +437,11 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			
 			// prepare this section for rendering
 			if (!renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress()
-				&& renderSection.bufferContainer == null
-				// TODO this is commented out since some users reported LODs refusing to
-				//  load at their expected higher-detail levels
-				// this check is specifically for N-sized world generators where the higher quality
-				// data source may not exist yet, this is done to prevent holes while waiting for said generator
-				//&& renderSection.getFullDataSourceExists()
-				)
+				&& renderSection.bufferContainer == null)
 			{
 				nodesNeedingLoading.add(renderSection);
 			}
 			
-			// queue world gen if needed
-			if (!renderSection.isFullyGenerated())
-			{
-				nodesNeedingRetrieval.add(renderSection);
-			}
-			
 			// update debug if needed
 			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus.get())
 			{
@@ -394,7 +451,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			
 			
 			// wait for the parent to disable before enabling this section, so we don't have a hole
-			if (!parentSectionIsRendering && renderSection.canRender())
+			if (!parentSectionIsRendering 
+				&& renderSection.canRender())
 			{
 				// if rendering is already enabled we don't have to re-enable it
 				if (!renderSection.getRenderingEnabled())
@@ -425,6 +483,9 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 					// needs to be fired after the children are disabled so beacons render correctly
 					renderSection.onRenderingEnabled();
 					
+					// since this section wants to render
+					// check if it needs any generation to do so
+					this.tryQueuePosForRetrieval(renderSection.pos);
 				}
 			}
 			
@@ -453,9 +514,6 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 				LodRenderSection renderSection = this.getValue(pos);
 				if (renderSection != null)
 				{
-					// this data source may now exist
-					renderSection.updateFullDataSourceExists();
-					
 					if (renderSection.canRender())
 					{
 						if (renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress()
@@ -488,18 +546,193 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		for (int i = 0; i < loadSectionList.size(); i++)
 		{
 			LodRenderSection renderSection = loadSectionList.get(i);
-			if (!renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress() && renderSection.bufferContainer == null)
+			if (!renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress() 
+				&& renderSection.bufferContainer == null)
 			{
 				renderSection.uploadRenderDataToGpuAsync();
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion tick update
+	
+	
+	
+	//=================================//
+	// full data retrieval (world gen) //
+	//=================================//
+	//region world gen
+	
+	private void startQueuedRetrievalTasks(DhBlockPos2D playerPos)
+	{
+		// sort the nodes from nearest to farthest
+		this.sortedMissingPosList.clear();
+		this.sortedMissingPosList.addAll(this.missingGenerationPosSet);
+		this.sortedMissingPosList.sort((posA, posB) ->
+		{
+			int aDist = DhSectionPos.getManhattanBlockDistance(posA, playerPos);
+			int bDist = DhSectionPos.getManhattanBlockDistance(posB, playerPos);
+			return Integer.compare(aDist, bDist);
+		});
+		
+		
+		
+		//==================================//
+		// add retrieval tasks to the queue //
+		//==================================//
+		
+		for (int i = 0; i < this.sortedMissingPosList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			if (!this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrievalNow())
+			{
+				break;
+			}
+			
+			long missingPos = this.sortedMissingPosList.get(i);
+			
+			// is this position within acceptable generator range?
+			boolean posInRange = WorldGenUtil.isPosInWorldGenRange(
+				missingPos,
+				Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkX.get(), Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationCenterChunkZ.get(),
+				Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationMaxChunkRadius.get()
+			);
+			if (!posInRange)
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			CompletableFuture<DataSourceRetrievalResult> genFuture = this.fullDataSourceProvider.queuePositionForRetrieval(missingPos);
+			boolean positionQueued = (genFuture != null && !genFuture.isCompletedExceptionally());
+			if (positionQueued)
+			{
+				this.queuedGenerationPosSet.add(missingPos);
+				this.missingGenerationPosSet.remove(missingPos);
+				
+				genFuture.exceptionally((Throwable throwable) ->
+				{
+					// gen task failed,
+					// requeue so we can try again in the future
+					
+					this.queuedGenerationPosSet.remove(missingPos);
+					this.missingGenerationPosSet.add(missingPos);
+					return null;
+				});
+				genFuture.thenAccept((DataSourceRetrievalResult result) ->
+				{
+					// task finished
+					this.queuedGenerationPosSet.remove(missingPos);
+					
+					// if the task failed re-queue so we can try again
+					if (result.state == ERetrievalResultState.FAIL)
+					{
+						this.missingGenerationPosSet.add(missingPos);
+					}
+					else if (result.state == ERetrievalResultState.REQUIRES_SPLITTING)
+					{
+						DhSectionPos.forEachChild(missingPos, (long childPos) ->
+						{
+							this.tryQueuePosForRetrieval(childPos);
+						});
+					}
+				});
+			}
+		}
+		
+		
+		
+		//==========================//
+		// calc task count estimate //
+		//==========================//
+		
+		// calculate an estimate for the max number of chunks for the queue
+		int totalWorldGenChunkCount = 0;
+		int totalWorldGenTaskCount = 0;
+		for (int i = 0; i < this.sortedMissingPosList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			long missingPos = this.sortedMissingPosList.get(i);
+			
+			// chunk count
+			int sectionWidthInChunks = DhSectionPos.getChunkWidth(missingPos);
+			totalWorldGenChunkCount += sectionWidthInChunks * sectionWidthInChunks;
+			
+			// task count
+			totalWorldGenTaskCount++;
+		}
+		
+		this.fullDataSourceProvider.setEstimatedRemainingRetrievalChunkCount(totalWorldGenChunkCount);
+		this.fullDataSourceProvider.setTotalRetrievalPositionCount(totalWorldGenTaskCount);
+	}
+	
+	@Override
+	public void onConfigValueSet()
+	{
+		boolean generatorEnabled = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.get();
+		if (generatorEnabled)
+		{
+			// world gen tasks will need to be re-queued
+			// since all the render sections will already have been loaded
+			this.requeueAllRetrievalTasksRef.set(true);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// generation is disabled, clear the queues
+			this.missingGenerationPosSet.clear();
+			this.queuedGenerationPosSet.clear();
+			
+			this.requeueAllRetrievalTasksRef.set(false);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Needed to get all necessary retrieval requests
+	 * after the quad tree has already been loaded.
+	 */
+	private void checkAllNodesForRetrievalRequests()
+	{
+		Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.nodeIterator();
+		while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
+		{
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node = nodeIterator.next();
+			if (node != null)
+			{
+				LodRenderSection renderSection = node.value;
+				if (renderSection != null
+					&& renderSection.getRenderingEnabled())
+				{
+					this.tryQueuePosForRetrieval(renderSection.pos);
+					
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** Does nothing if the missing positions are already queued. */
+	private void tryQueuePosForRetrieval(long pos)
+	{
+		LongArrayList missingPosList = this.fullDataSourceProvider.getPositionsToRetrieve(pos);
+		if (missingPosList == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		for (int i = 0; i < missingPosList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			long missingPos = missingPosList.getLong(i);
+			if (!this.queuedGenerationPosSet.contains(missingPos))
+			{
+				this.missingGenerationPosSet.add(missingPos);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion world gen
+	
 	
 	
 	//====================//
 	// detail level logic //
 	//====================//
+	//region detail level logic
 	
 	/**
 	 * This method will compute the detail level based on player position and section pos
@@ -553,11 +786,14 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		this.minRootRenderDetailLevel = (byte) Math.max(minSectionDetailLevel, this.maxLeafRenderDetailLevel); // respect the user's selected max resolution if it is lower detail (IE they want 2x2 block, but minSectionDetailLevel is specifically for 1x1 block render resolution)
 	}
 	
+	//endregion detail level logic
 	
 	
-	//=============//
-	// render data //
-	//=============//
+	
+	//==========================//
+	// external render requests //
+	//==========================//
+	//region external render requests
 	
 	/**
 	 * Re-creates the color, render data.
@@ -565,34 +801,32 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	 */
 	public void clearRenderDataCache()
 	{
-		if (this.treeReadWriteLock.tryLock()) // TODO make async, can lock render thread
+		try
 		{
-			try
+			this.treeLock.lock();
+			LOGGER.info("Disposing render data...");
+			
+			// clear the tree
+			Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.nodeIterator();
+			while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
-				LOGGER.info("Disposing render data...");
-				
-				// clear the tree
-				Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.nodeIterator();
-				while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
+				QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode = nodeIterator.next();
+				if (quadNode.value != null)
 				{
-					QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode = nodeIterator.next();
-					if (quadNode.value != null)
-					{
-						quadNode.value.close();
-						quadNode.value = null;
-					}
+					quadNode.value.close();
+					quadNode.value = null;
 				}
-				
-				LOGGER.info("Render data cleared, please wait a moment for everything to reload...");
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when clearing LodQuadTree render cache: " + e.getMessage(), e);
-			}
-			finally
-			{
-				this.treeReadWriteLock.unlock();
 			}
+			
+			LOGGER.info("Render data cleared, please wait a moment for everything to reload...");
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when clearing LodQuadTree render cache: " + e.getMessage(), e);
+		}
+		finally
+		{
+			this.treeLock.unlock();
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -620,79 +854,14 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		}
 	}
 	
-	
-	//=================================//
-	// full data retrieval (world gen) //
-	//=================================//
-	
-	private void queueFullDataRetrievalTasks(DhBlockPos2D playerPos, HashSet<LodRenderSection> nodesNeedingRetrieval)
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			// sort the nodes from nearest to farthest
-			ArrayList<LodRenderSection> nodeList = new ArrayList<>(nodesNeedingRetrieval);
-			nodeList.sort((a, b) ->
-			{
-				int aDist = DhSectionPos.getManhattanBlockDistance(a.pos, playerPos);
-				int bDist = DhSectionPos.getManhattanBlockDistance(b.pos, playerPos);
-				return Integer.compare(aDist, bDist);
-			});
-			
-			// add retrieval tasks to the queue
-			for (int i = 0; i < nodeList.size(); i++)
-			{
-				LodRenderSection renderSection = nodeList.get(i);
-				if (!this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
-				{
-					break;
-				}
-				
-				renderSection.tryQueuingMissingLodRetrieval();
-			}
-			
-			// calculate an estimate for the max number of chunks for the queue
-			int totalWorldGenChunkCount = 0;
-			int totalWorldGenTaskCount = 0;
-			for (int i = 0; i < nodeList.size(); i++)
-			{
-				LodRenderSection renderSection = nodeList.get(i);
-				if (!renderSection.missingPositionsCalculated())
-				{
-					// chunk count
-					int sectionWidthInChunks = DhSectionPos.getChunkWidth(renderSection.pos);
-					totalWorldGenChunkCount += sectionWidthInChunks * sectionWidthInChunks;
-					
-					// task count
-					totalWorldGenTaskCount += renderSection.ungeneratedPositionCount();
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					totalWorldGenChunkCount += renderSection.ungeneratedChunkCount();
-					
-					// 1 since we assume the position can be generated in a single go
-					// TODO this is a bad assumption, can we determine what the world gen supports and determine it from that?
-					totalWorldGenTaskCount += 1;
-				}
-			}
-			
-			this.fullDataSourceProvider.setEstimatedRemainingRetrievalChunkCount(totalWorldGenChunkCount);
-			this.fullDataSourceProvider.setTotalRetrievalPositionCount(totalWorldGenTaskCount);
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.set(false);
-		}
-	}
+	//endregion external render requests
 	
 	
 	
 	//===========//
 	// debugging //
 	//===========//
+	//region debugging
 	
 	@Override
 	public void debugRender(DebugRenderer debugRenderer)
@@ -739,11 +908,14 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion debugging
+	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
+	//region base methods
 	
 	@Override
 	public void close()
@@ -751,18 +923,19 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		LOGGER.info("Shutting down LodQuadTree...");
 		
 		DebugRenderer.unregister(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus);
+		Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.removeListener(this);
+		
 		
 		ThreadPoolExecutor mainCleanupExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getCleanupExecutor();
 		// closing every node may take a few moments
 		// so this is run on a separate thread to prevent lagging the render thread
 		mainCleanupExecutor.execute(() -> 
 		{
-			this.treeReadWriteLock.lock();
+			this.treeLock.lock();
 			try
 			{
 				// walk through each node
 				Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.nodeIterator();
-				ArrayList<CompletableFuture<Void>> renderDataBuildFutures = new ArrayList<>();
 				while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
 				{
 					QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode = nodeIterator.next();
@@ -776,7 +949,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			}
 			finally
 			{
-				this.treeReadWriteLock.unlock();
+				this.treeLock.unlock();
 			}
 		});
 		
@@ -784,6 +957,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		LOGGER.info("Finished shutting down LodQuadTree");
 	}
 	
+	//endregion base methods
+	
 	
 	
 }

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

@@ -19,8 +19,6 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
-import com.google.common.base.Supplier;
-import com.google.common.base.Suppliers;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
@@ -42,12 +40,10 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.DebugRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.BeaconRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.PerfRecorder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
-import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import javax.annotation.WillNotClose;
@@ -114,25 +110,13 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	 * different threads (buffer uploading is on the MC render thread) and need to be canceled separately.
 	 */
 	private CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> bufferUploadFuture = null;
-
-	/** 
-	 * should be an empty array if no positions need to be generated
-	 * 
-	 * @deprecated see the comment where this variable is set
-	 */
-	@Nullable
-	@Deprecated
-	private Supplier<LongArrayList> missingGenerationPosFunc;
-	private LongArrayList getMissingGenerationPos() { return this.missingGenerationPosFunc != null ? this.missingGenerationPosFunc.get() : null; }
-	
-	private boolean checkedIfFullDataSourceExists = false;
-	private boolean fullDataSourceExists = false;
 	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region constructor
 	
 	public LodRenderSection(
 			long pos, 
@@ -149,15 +133,18 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		
 		this.beaconRenderHandler = this.quadTree.beaconRenderHandler;
 		this.beaconBeamRepo = this.level.getBeaconBeamRepo();
-			
+		
 		DebugRenderer.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showRenderSectionStatus);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion constructor
+	
 	
 	
 	//======================================//
 	// render data generation and uploading //
 	//======================================//
+	//region render data uploading
 	
 	/** @return true if the upload started, false if it wasn't able to for any reason */
 	public synchronized boolean uploadRenderDataToGpuAsync()
@@ -254,24 +241,10 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 					// get the adjacent positions
 					// needs to be done async to prevent threads waiting on the same positions to be processed
 					final CompletableFuture<ColumnRenderSource>[] adjacentLoadFutures = new CompletableFuture[4];
-					
-					if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.onlyLoadCenterLods.get())
-					{
-						// TODO temporary test, long term something else should be done to so we can get adjacent lighting data
-						//  probably a change to the LOD data format
-						adjacentLoadFutures[0] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[1] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[2] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[3] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
-					}
-					else
-					{
-						adjacentLoadFutures[0] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.NORTH);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[1] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.SOUTH);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[2] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.EAST);
-						adjacentLoadFutures[3] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.WEST);
-					}
-					
+					adjacentLoadFutures[0] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.NORTH);
+					adjacentLoadFutures[1] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.SOUTH);
+					adjacentLoadFutures[2] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.EAST);
+					adjacentLoadFutures[3] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(this.pos, EDhDirection.WEST);
 					return CompletableFuture.allOf(adjacentLoadFutures).thenRun(() ->
 					{
 						try (ColumnRenderSource northRenderSource = adjacentLoadFutures[0].get();
@@ -314,7 +287,10 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 				}
 			});
 	}
-	/** async is done so each thread can run without waiting on others */
+	/** 
+	 * async is done so each thread can run without waiting on others 
+	 * @param direction the direction to load relative to the given position, null will return the given position
+	 */
 	private CompletableFuture<ColumnRenderSource> getRenderSourceForPosAsync(long pos, @Nullable EDhDirection direction) 
 	{
 		if (direction != null)
@@ -400,11 +376,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		});
 	}
 	
+	//endregion render data uploading
 	
 	
-	//========================//
-	// getters and properties //
-	//========================//
+	
+	//====================//
+	// enabling rendering //
+	//====================//
+	//region enabling rendering
 	
 	public boolean canRender() { return this.bufferContainer != null; }
 	
@@ -439,111 +418,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	public boolean gpuUploadInProgress() { return this.getAndBuildRenderDataFuture != null; }
 	
-	
-	
-	//=================================//
-	// full data retrieval (world gen) //
-	//=================================//
-	
-	public boolean isFullyGenerated()
-	{
-		LongArrayList missingGenerationPos = this.getMissingGenerationPos();
-		return missingGenerationPos != null && missingGenerationPos.isEmpty();
-	}
-	/** Returns true if an LOD exists, regardless of what data is in it */
-	public boolean getFullDataSourceExists() 
-	{  
-		if (!this.checkedIfFullDataSourceExists)
-		{
-			this.fullDataSourceExists = this.fullDataSourceProvider.repo.existsWithKey(this.pos);
-			this.checkedIfFullDataSourceExists = true;
-		}
-		
-		return this.fullDataSourceExists;
-	}
-	public void updateFullDataSourceExists() 
-	{
-		// we don't have any ability to remove LODs so we only
-		// need to check if an LOD was previously missing
-		if (!this.fullDataSourceExists)
-		{
-			this.checkedIfFullDataSourceExists = false;
-			this.getFullDataSourceExists();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public boolean missingPositionsCalculated() { return this.getMissingGenerationPos() != null; }
-	public int ungeneratedPositionCount()
-	{
-		LongArrayList missingGenerationPos = this.getMissingGenerationPos();
-		return missingGenerationPos != null ? missingGenerationPos.size() : 0;
-	}
-	public int ungeneratedChunkCount()
-	{
-		LongArrayList missingGenerationPos = this.getMissingGenerationPos();
-		if (missingGenerationPos == null)
-		{
-			return 0;
-		}
-		
-		int chunkCount = 0;
-		// get the number of chunks each position contains
-		for (int i = 0; i < missingGenerationPos.size(); i++)
-		{
-			int chunkWidth = DhSectionPos.getChunkWidth(missingGenerationPos.getLong(i));
-			chunkCount += (chunkWidth * chunkWidth);
-		}
-		return chunkCount;
-	}
-	
-	public void tryQueuingMissingLodRetrieval()
-	{
-		if (this.fullDataSourceProvider.canRetrieveMissingDataSources() 
-			&& this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
-		{
-			// calculate the missing positions if not already done
-			if (this.missingGenerationPosFunc == null)
-			{
-				// TODO memoization is needed for multiplayer, otherwise
-				//  new retrieval requests won't be submitted.
-				// TODO why is that the case? Shouldn't the missing positions be un-changing?
-				// TODO setting this value to low can cause world gen to slow down significantly
-				//  due to a race condition where the world gen thinks it is finished, but the results
-				//  haven't been saved to file yet, causing the gen to fire again
-				this.missingGenerationPosFunc = Suppliers.memoizeWithExpiration(
-						() -> this.fullDataSourceProvider.getPositionsToRetrieve(this.pos),
-						10, TimeUnit.MINUTES);
-			}
-			
-			LongArrayList missingGenerationPos = this.getMissingGenerationPos();
-			if (missingGenerationPos != null)
-			{
-				// queue from last to first to prevent shifting the array unnecessarily
-				for (int i = missingGenerationPos.size() - 1; i >= 0; i--)
-				{
-					if (!this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
-					{
-						// the data source provider isn't accepting any more jobs
-						break;
-					}
-					
-					long pos = missingGenerationPos.removeLong(i);
-					boolean positionQueued = (this.fullDataSourceProvider.queuePositionForRetrieval(pos) != null);
-					if (!positionQueued)
-					{
-						// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
-						missingGenerationPos.add(pos);
-					}
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	}
+	//endregion enabling rendering
 	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// beacon handling //
 	//=================//
+	//region beacon handling
 	
 	/** gets the active beacon list and stops/starts beacon rendering as necessary */
 	private void getAndRefreshRenderingBeacons()
@@ -617,11 +499,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion beacon handling
+	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
+	//region base methods
 	
 	@Override
 	public void debugRender(DebugRenderer debugRenderer)
@@ -681,13 +566,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		{
 			// remove the task from our executor if present
 			// note: don't cancel the task since that prevents cleanup, we just don't want it to run
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
-			if (executor != null && !executor.isTerminated())
+			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderLoaderExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
+			if (renderLoaderExecutor != null 
+				&& !renderLoaderExecutor.isTerminated())
 			{
 				Runnable runnable = this.getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable;
 				if (runnable != null)
 				{
-					executor.remove(runnable);
+					renderLoaderExecutor.remove(runnable);
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -698,16 +584,10 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			uploadFuture.cancel(true);
 		}
 		
-		
-		
-		// remove any active world gen requests that may be for this position
-		ThreadPoolExecutor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getCleanupExecutor();
-		// while this should generally be a fast operation 
-		// this is run on a separate thread to prevent lag on the render thread
-		executor.execute(() -> this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(this.pos, genPos)));
-		
 	}
 	
+	//endregion base methods
+	
 	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/GLProxy.java

@@ -56,13 +56,13 @@ public class GLProxy
 	
 	public static final Set<String> LOGGED_GL_MESSAGES = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<String, Boolean>());
 	
+	private static final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<Runnable> RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+	
 	
 	
 	private static GLProxy instance = null;
 	
 	
-	private final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<Runnable> renderThreadRunnableQueue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
-	
 	/** Minecraft's GL capabilities */
 	public final GLCapabilities glCapabilities;
 	
@@ -231,7 +231,7 @@ public class GLProxy
 		return uploadOverride;
 	}
 	
-	public boolean runningOnRenderThread()
+	public static boolean runningOnRenderThread()
 	{
 		long currentContext = GLFW.glfwGetCurrentContext();
 		return currentContext != 0L; // if the context isn't null, it's the MC context
@@ -243,12 +243,12 @@ public class GLProxy
 	// Worker Thread Runnables //
 	//=========================//
 	
-	public void queueRunningOnRenderThread(Runnable renderCall)
+	public static void queueRunningOnRenderThread(Runnable renderCall)
 	{
 		StackTraceElement[] stackTrace = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
-		this.renderThreadRunnableQueue.add(() -> this.runOpenGlCall(renderCall, stackTrace));
+		RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.add(() -> runOpenGlCall(renderCall, stackTrace));
 	}
-	private void runOpenGlCall(Runnable renderCall, StackTraceElement[] stackTrace)
+	private static void runOpenGlCall(Runnable renderCall, StackTraceElement[] stackTrace)
 	{
 		try
 		{
@@ -266,11 +266,11 @@ public class GLProxy
 	 * Doesn't do any thread/GL Context validation.
 	 * Running this outside of the render thread may cause crashes or other issues. 
 	 */
-	public void runRenderThreadTasks()
+	public static void runRenderThreadTasks()
 	{
 		long startTime = System.nanoTime();
 		
-		Runnable runnable = this.renderThreadRunnableQueue.poll();
+		Runnable runnable = RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.poll();
 		while(runnable != null)
 		{
 			runnable.run();
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ public class GLProxy
 				break;
 			}
 			
-			runnable = this.renderThreadRunnableQueue.poll();
+			runnable = RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.poll();
 		}
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/buffer/GLBuffer.java

@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ public class GLBuffer implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	protected void create(boolean asBufferStorage)
 	{
-		if (!GLProxy.getInstance().runningOnRenderThread())
+		if (!GLProxy.runningOnRenderThread())
 		{
 			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Thread ["+Thread.currentThread()+"] tried to create a GLBuffer outside the MC render thread.");
 		}
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ public class GLBuffer implements AutoCloseable
 			BUFFER_ID_TO_PHANTOM.remove(id);
 		}
 		
-		GLProxy.getInstance().queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
+		GLProxy.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
 		{
 			// destroy the buffer if it exists,
 			// the buffer may not exist if the destroy method is called twice
@@ -198,8 +198,8 @@ public class GLBuffer implements AutoCloseable
 		
 		switch (uploadMethod)
 		{
-			case NONE:
-				return;
+			//case NONE:
+			//	return;
 			case AUTO:
 				LodUtil.assertNotReach("GpuUploadMethod AUTO must be resolved before call to uploadBuffer()!");
 			case BUFFER_STORAGE:

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/buffer/QuadElementBuffer.java

@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ public class QuadElementBuffer extends GLElementBuffer
 	
 	public int getCapacity()
 	{
-		return super.getSize() / GLEnums.getTypeSize(getType());
+		return super.getSize() / GLEnums.getTypeSize(this.getType());
 	}
 	
 	private static void buildBufferByte(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
@@ -140,7 +140,6 @@ public class QuadElementBuffer extends GLElementBuffer
 			return;
 		}
 		int vertexCount = quadCount * 4; // 4 vertices per quad
-		GLProxy gl = GLProxy.getInstance();
 		
 		if (vertexCount < 255)
 		{ // Reserve 1 for the reset index
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ public class QuadElementBuffer extends GLElementBuffer
 		
 		ByteBuffer buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(this.indicesCount * GLEnums.getTypeSize(this.type));
 		buildBuffer(quadCount, buffer, this.type);
-		if (!gl.bufferStorageSupported)
+		if (!GLProxy.getInstance().bufferStorageSupported)
 		{
 			
 			this.bind();

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/shader/ShaderProgram.java

@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ public class ShaderProgram
 		
 		for (int i = 0; i < attributes.length; i++)
 		{
-			GL32.glBindAttribLocation(id, i, attributes[i]);
+			GL32.glBindAttribLocation(this.id, i, attributes[i]);
 		}
 		GL32.glLinkProgram(this.id);
 		

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/texture/DHDepthTexture.java

@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ public class DHDepthTexture
 		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, GL13C.GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
 		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_T, GL13C.GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
 		
+		// disable mip-mapping since DH is just going to draw straight to the screen
+		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_BASE_LEVEL, 0);
+		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_MAX_LEVEL, 0);
+		
 		GL43C.glBindTexture(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
 	}
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/texture/DhColorTexture.java

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ public class DhColorTexture
 		this.id = GL43C.glGenTextures();
 		
 		boolean isPixelFormatInteger = builder.internalFormat.getPixelFormat().isInteger();
-		this.setupTexture(this.id, builder.width, builder.height, !isPixelFormatInteger);
+		this.setupTexture(this.id, builder.width, builder.height, !isPixelFormatInteger); // this binds the texture
 		
 		// Clean up after ourselves
 		// This is strictly defensive to ensure that other buggy code doesn't tamper with our textures
@@ -67,6 +67,10 @@ public class DhColorTexture
 		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, allowsLinear ? GL11C.GL_LINEAR : GL11C.GL_NEAREST);
 		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, GL13C.GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
 		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL11C.GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_T, GL13C.GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+		
+		// disable mip-mapping since DH is just going to draw straight to the screen
+		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_BASE_LEVEL, 0);
+		GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_MAX_LEVEL, 0);
 	}
 	
 	private void resizeTexture(int texture, int width, int height)

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/glObject/vertexAttribute/VertexPointer.java

@@ -59,8 +59,10 @@ public final class VertexPointer
 	/** Always aligned to 4 bytes */
 	public static VertexPointer addUnsignedBytePointer(boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(1, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, normalized, 4, useInteger); }
 	/** aligned to 4 bytes */
-	public static VertexPointer addUnsignedBytesPointer(int elementCount, boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(elementCount, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, normalized, _align(elementCount), useInteger); }
-	public static VertexPointer addUnsignedShortsPointer(int elementCount, boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(elementCount, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT, normalized, _align(elementCount * 2), useInteger); }
+	public static VertexPointer addUnsignedBytesPointer(int elementCount, boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) 
+	{ return new VertexPointer(elementCount, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_BYTE, normalized, _align(elementCount), useInteger); }
+	public static VertexPointer addUnsignedShortsPointer(int elementCount, boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) 
+	{ return new VertexPointer(elementCount, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT, normalized, _align(elementCount * 2), useInteger); }
 	public static VertexPointer addShortsPointer(int elementCount, boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(elementCount, GL32.GL_SHORT, normalized, _align(elementCount * 2), useInteger); }
 	public static VertexPointer addIntPointer(boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(1, GL32.GL_INT, normalized, 4, useInteger); }
 	public static VertexPointer addIVec2Pointer(boolean normalized, boolean useInteger) { return new VertexPointer(2, GL32.GL_INT, normalized, 8, useInteger); }

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

@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRen
 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 org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL32;
@@ -213,7 +212,7 @@ public class DebugRenderer
 		
 		// particle rendering		
 		BoxParticle head = null;
-		while ((head = this.particles.poll()) != null && head.isDead(System.nanoTime()))
+		while ((head = this.particles.poll()) != null && head.isDead())
 		{ /* remove dead particles */ }
 		if (head != null)
 		{
@@ -311,52 +310,50 @@ public class DebugRenderer
 	public static final class BoxParticle implements Comparable<BoxParticle>
 	{
 		public Box box;
-		public long startTime;
-		public long duration;
+		public long startMsTime;
+		public long durationInMs;
 		public float yChange;
 		
-		public BoxParticle(Box box, long startTime, long duration, float yChange)
+		private BoxParticle(Box box, long startMsTime, long durationInMs, float yChange)
 		{
 			this.box = box;
-			this.startTime = startTime;
-			this.duration = duration;
+			this.startMsTime = startMsTime;
+			this.durationInMs = durationInMs;
 			this.yChange = yChange;
 		}
 		
-		public BoxParticle(Box box, long nanoSecondDuratoin, float yChange) { this(box, System.nanoTime(), nanoSecondDuratoin, yChange); }
-		
-		public BoxParticle(Box box, double secondDuration, float yChange) { this(box, System.nanoTime(), (long) (secondDuration * 1000000000), yChange); }
+		public BoxParticle(Box box, double secondDuration, float yChange) { this(box, System.currentTimeMillis(), (long) (secondDuration * 1_000), yChange); }
 		
 		
 		@Override
 		public int compareTo(@NotNull BoxParticle particle)
 		{
-			return Long.compare(this.startTime + this.duration, particle.startTime + particle.duration);
+			return Long.compare(this.startMsTime + this.durationInMs, particle.startMsTime + particle.durationInMs);
 		}
 		
 		public Box getBox()
 		{
-			long now = System.nanoTime();
-			float percent = (now - this.startTime) / (float) this.duration;
+			long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			float percent = (nowMs - this.startMsTime) / (float) this.durationInMs;
 			percent = (float) Math.pow(percent, 4);
 			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), this.box.color);
 		}
 		
-		public boolean isDead(long time) { return (time - this.startTime) > this.duration; }
+		public boolean isDead() { return (System.currentTimeMillis() - this.startMsTime) > this.durationInMs; }
 		
 	}
 	
 	public static final class BoxWithLife implements IDebugRenderable, Closeable
 	{
 		public Box box;
-		public BoxParticle particaleOnClose;
+		public BoxParticle particleOnClose;
 		
 		
 		public BoxWithLife(Box box, long ns, float yChange, Color deathColor)
 		{
 			this.box = box;
-			this.particaleOnClose = new BoxParticle(new Box(box.minPos, box.maxPos, deathColor), -1, ns, yChange);
+			this.particleOnClose = new BoxParticle(new Box(box.minPos, box.maxPos, deathColor), -1, ns, yChange);
 			register(this, null);
 		}
 		
@@ -366,7 +363,7 @@ public class DebugRenderer
 		public BoxWithLife(Box box, double s, float yChange, Color deathColor)
 		{
 			this.box = box;
-			this.particaleOnClose = new BoxParticle(new Box(box.minPos, box.maxPos, deathColor), s, yChange);
+			this.particleOnClose = new BoxParticle(new Box(box.minPos, box.maxPos, deathColor), s, yChange);
 		}
 		
 		public BoxWithLife(Box box, double s, float yChange) { this(box, s, yChange, box.color); }
@@ -377,7 +374,7 @@ public class DebugRenderer
 		@Override
 		public void close()
 		{
-			makeParticle(new BoxParticle(this.particaleOnClose.getBox(), System.nanoTime(), this.particaleOnClose.duration, this.particaleOnClose.yChange));
+			makeParticle(new BoxParticle(this.particleOnClose.getBox(), System.nanoTime(), this.particleOnClose.durationInMs, this.particleOnClose.yChange));
 			unregister(this, null);
 		}
 		

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

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLW
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IProfilerWrapper;
 import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL32;
+import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL43C;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 
@@ -95,11 +96,19 @@ public class DhFadeRenderer
 		}
 		
 		this.fadeTexture = GL32.glGenTextures();
-		GLMC.glBindTexture(this.fadeTexture);
-		GL32.glTexImage2D(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA16, width, height, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT_4_4_4_4, (ByteBuffer) null);
-		GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
-		GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
+		{
+			GLMC.glBindTexture(this.fadeTexture);
+			GL32.glTexImage2D(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA16, width, height, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT_4_4_4_4, (ByteBuffer) null);
+			GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
+			GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
+			
+			// disable mip-mapping since DH is just going to draw straight to the screen
+			GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_BASE_LEVEL, 0);
+			GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_MAX_LEVEL, 0);
+		}
+		
 		GL32.glFramebufferTexture2D(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL32.GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, this.fadeTexture, 0);
+		
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.override.rendering.IDhApiShader
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding.LodQuadBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.shader.Shader;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.shader.ShaderProgram;
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3f;
 
 /**
  * Handles rendering the normal LOD terrain.
+ * @see LodQuadBuilder 
  */
 public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShaderProgram
 {
@@ -46,16 +48,14 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 	public int uCombinedMatrix = -1;
 	public int uModelOffset = -1;
 	public int uWorldYOffset = -1;
-	public int uDitherDhRendering = -1;
 	
 	public int uMircoOffset = -1;
-	
 	public int uEarthRadius = -1;
-	
 	public int uLightMap = -1;
 	
-	// Fog/Clip Uniforms
+	// fragment shader uniforms
 	public int uClipDistance = -1;
+	public int uDitherDhRendering = -1;
 	
 	// Noise Uniforms
 	public int uNoiseEnabled = -1;
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 	public int uNoiseDropoff = -1;
 	
 	// Debug Uniform
-	public int uWhiteWorld = -1;
+	public int uIsWhiteWorld = -1;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -76,19 +76,16 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 	public DhTerrainShaderProgram()
 	{
 		super(
-				() -> Shader.loadFile(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.get() != 0 
-								? "shaders/curve.vert"
-								: "shaders/standard.vert",
-						false, new StringBuilder()).toString(),
-				() -> Shader.loadFile("shaders/flat_shaded.frag", false, new StringBuilder()).toString(),
-				"fragColor", new String[]{"vPosition", "color"});
+			() -> Shader.loadFile("shaders/standard.vert", false, new StringBuilder()).toString(),
+			() -> Shader.loadFile("shaders/flat_shaded.frag", false, new StringBuilder()).toString(),
+			"fragColor", new String[]{"vPosition", "color"});
 		
 		this.uCombinedMatrix = this.getUniformLocation("uCombinedMatrix");
 		this.uModelOffset = this.getUniformLocation("uModelOffset");
-		this.uWorldYOffset = this.tryGetUniformLocation("uWorldYOffset");
-		this.uDitherDhRendering = this.tryGetUniformLocation("uDitherDhRendering");
+		this.uWorldYOffset = this.getUniformLocation("uWorldYOffset");
+		this.uDitherDhRendering = this.getUniformLocation("uDitherDhRendering");
 		this.uMircoOffset = this.getUniformLocation("uMircoOffset");
-		this.uEarthRadius = this.tryGetUniformLocation("uEarthRadius");
+		this.uEarthRadius = this.getUniformLocation("uEarthRadius");
 		
 		this.uLightMap = this.getUniformLocation("uLightMap");
 		
@@ -102,7 +99,7 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 		this.uNoiseDropoff = this.getUniformLocation("uNoiseDropoff");
 		
 		// Debug Uniform
-		this.uWhiteWorld = this.getUniformLocation("uWhiteWorld");
+		this.uIsWhiteWorld = this.getUniformLocation("uIsWhiteWorld");
 		
 		
 		// TODO: Add better use of the LODFormat thing
@@ -117,10 +114,13 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 		}
 		this.vao.bind();
 		
-		// TODO comment what each attribute represents
-		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 0, VertexPointer.addUnsignedShortsPointer(4, false, true)); // 2+2+2+2 // TODO probably color, blockpos
-		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 1, VertexPointer.addUnsignedBytesPointer(4, true, false)); // +4 // TODO ?
-		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 2, VertexPointer.addUnsignedBytesPointer(4, true, true)); // +4 // TODO probably normal index and Iris block ID
+		// short: x, y, z, meta
+		//      meta: byte skylight, byte blocklight, byte microOffset
+		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 0, VertexPointer.addUnsignedShortsPointer(4, false, true));
+		// byte: r, g, b, a
+		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 1, VertexPointer.addUnsignedBytesPointer(4, true, false));
+		// byte: iris material ID, normal index, 2 spacers
+		this.vao.setVertexAttribute(0, 2, VertexPointer.addUnsignedBytesPointer(4, true, true));
 		
 		try
 		{
@@ -178,12 +178,21 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 		// setUniform(skyLightUniform, skyLight);
 		this.setUniform(this.uLightMap, 0); // TODO this should probably be passed in
 		
-		if (this.uWorldYOffset != -1) this.setUniform(this.uWorldYOffset, (float) renderParameters.worldYOffset);
+		this.setUniform(this.uWorldYOffset, (float) renderParameters.worldYOffset);
 		
-		if (this.uDitherDhRendering != -1) this.setUniform(this.uDitherDhRendering, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.ditherDhFade.get());
+		this.setUniform(this.uDitherDhRendering, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.ditherDhFade.get());
 		
-		if (this.uEarthRadius != -1) this.setUniform(this.uEarthRadius,
-				/*6371KM*/ 6371000.0f / Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.get());
+		float curveRatio = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.get();
+		if (curveRatio < -1.0f || curveRatio > 1.0f)
+		{
+			curveRatio = /*6371KM*/ 6371000.0f / curveRatio;
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// disable curvature if the config value is between -1 and 1
+			curveRatio = 0.0f;
+		}
+		this.setUniform(this.uEarthRadius, curveRatio);
 		
 		// Noise Uniforms
 		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseEnabled, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.enableNoiseTexture.get());
@@ -192,7 +201,7 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseDropoff, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseDropoff.get());
 		
 		// Debug
-		this.setUniform(this.uWhiteWorld, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.enableWhiteWorld.get());
+		this.setUniform(this.uIsWhiteWorld, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.enableWhiteWorld.get());
 		
 		// Clip Uniform
 		float dhNearClipDistance = RenderUtil.getNearClipPlaneInBlocksForFading(renderParameters.partialTicks);

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

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL32;
+import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL43C;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 
@@ -87,11 +88,17 @@ public class FogRenderer
 		GLMC.glBindFramebuffer(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, this.fogFramebuffer);
 		
 		this.fogTexture = GLMC.glGenTextures();
-		GLMC.glBindTexture(this.fogTexture);
-		GL32.glTexImage2D(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA16, width, height, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT_4_4_4_4, (ByteBuffer) null);
-		GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
-		GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
-		GL32.glFramebufferTexture2D(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL32.GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, this.fogTexture, 0);
+		{
+			GLMC.glBindTexture(this.fogTexture);
+			GL32.glTexImage2D(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA16, width, height, 0, GL32.GL_RGBA, GL32.GL_UNSIGNED_SHORT_4_4_4_4, (ByteBuffer) null);
+			GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
+			GL32.glTexParameteri(GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL32.GL_LINEAR);
+			GL32.glFramebufferTexture2D(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL32.GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL32.GL_TEXTURE_2D, this.fogTexture, 0);
+			
+			// disable mip-mapping since DH is just going to draw straight to the screen
+			GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_BASE_LEVEL, 0);
+			GL43C.glTexParameteri(GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL43C.GL_TEXTURE_MAX_LEVEL, 0);
+		}
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.shaders.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.SortedArraySet;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IProfilerWrapper;
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			.maxCountPerSecond(4)
 			.build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftGLWrapper GLMC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftGLWrapper.class);
 	private static final IIrisAccessor IRIS_ACCESSOR = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IIrisAccessor.class);
@@ -174,6 +176,13 @@ public class LodRenderer
 				return;
 			}
 			
+			// only do this once, that way they can still be reverted if desired
+			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings.get())
+			{
+				MC.disableVanillaClouds();
+				MC.disableVanillaChunkFadeIn();
+			}
+			
 			this.renderObjectsCreated = true;
 		}
 		
@@ -484,12 +493,8 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		if (!GLProxy.hasInstance())
-		{
-			// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
-			LOGGER.warn("Renderer setup called but GLProxy has not yet been setup!");
-			return false;
-		}
+		// GLProxy should have already been created by this point, but just in case create it now
+		GLProxy.getInstance();
 		
 		
 		

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

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	
 	public IDhClientWorld dhClientWorld;
 	public IDhClientLevel dhClientLevel;
+	/** more specific override of the API value {@link DhApiRenderParam#clientLevelWrapper} */
 	public IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper;
 	public ILightMapWrapper lightmap;
 	public RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler;
@@ -56,7 +57,8 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 			RenderUtil.getNearClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks(newPartialTicks), RenderUtil.getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks(),
 			newMcProjectionMatrix, newMcModelViewMatrix,
 			RenderUtil.createLodProjectionMatrix(newMcProjectionMatrix, newPartialTicks), RenderUtil.createLodModelViewMatrix(newMcModelViewMatrix),
-			clientLevelWrapper.getMinHeight());
+			clientLevelWrapper.getMinHeight(),
+			clientLevelWrapper);
 		
 		
 		this.dhClientWorld = SharedApi.tryGetDhClientWorld();