Fully move getShade into the clientLevelWrapper

# Conflicts:
#	core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/api/internal/ClientApi.java
#	core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/level/ClientLevelModule.java

api/build.gradle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -51,14 +51,16 @@ public interface IDhApiRenderProxy
 	//=======================//
 	
 	/**
-	 * Returns the name of Distant Horizons' depth texture. <br>
-	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet.
+	 * Returns the OpenGL name of Distant Horizons' depth texture. <br>
+	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet
+	 * or a rendering API other than OpenGL is in use.
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<Integer> getDhDepthTextureId();
 	
 	/**
-	 * Returns the name of Distant Horizons' color texture. <br>
-	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet.
+	 * Returns the OpenGL name of Distant Horizons' color texture. <br>
+	 * Will return {@link DhApiResult#success} = false and {@link DhApiResult#payload} = -1 if the texture hasn't been created yet
+	 * or a rendering API other than OpenGL is in use
 	 */
 	DhApiResult<Integer> getDhColorTextureId();
 	

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

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3f;
 
 /**
  * Called before Distant Horizons starts rendering a buffer. <br>
- * This event cannot be cancelled, use {@link DhApiBeforeRenderEvent} if you want to cancel rendering.
+ * This event cannot be canceled, use {@link DhApiBeforeRenderEvent} if you want to cancel rendering.
  * 
  * @author James Seibel
  * @version 2023-1-31

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

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

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

@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiBlockMaterial;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.world.IDhApiLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.interfaces.IDhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiEventParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
+
+import java.awt.*;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
+
+/**
+ * Performance note: this event will be fired thousands of times on concurrent threads, 
+ * make it thread safe and as fast as possible. <Br><Br>
+ * 
+ * This event is fired when DH needs to convert a {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}
+ * into a color for rendering. This event is fired after DH attempts to determine
+ * the color itself (using the base color, tinting, etc.). <Br>
+ * Using this event will override the tinting config for this block
+ * unless you re-implement that logic yourself.
+ * <Br><Br>
+ * 
+ * This event will only trigger for {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper}s that have been registered
+ * via {@link DhApiBlockStateWrapperCreatedEvent.EventParam#setAllowApiColorOverride(boolean)}.
+ * 
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2026-04-14
+ * @since API 6.0.0
+ * @see IDhApiBlockStateWrapper
+ */
+public abstract class DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent.EventParam>
+{
+	public abstract void blockStateWrapperCreated(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event);
+	
+	
+	//=========================//
+	// internal DH API methods //
+	//=========================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public final void fireEvent(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event) { this.blockStateWrapperCreated(event); }
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// parameter object //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public static class EventParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+	{
+		private IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
+		private IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper = null;
+		private int colorAsInt = -1;
+		private int blockPosX = 0, blockPosY = 0, blockPosZ = 0;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		
+		public EventParam() {}
+		
+		public void update(
+			IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper,
+			IDhApiBlockStateWrapper blockStateWrapper, 
+			int colorAsInt,
+			int blockPosX, int blockPosY, int blockPosZ)
+		{
+			this.levelWrapper = levelWrapper;
+			this.blockStateWrapper = blockStateWrapper;
+			this.colorAsInt = colorAsInt;
+			
+			this.blockPosX = blockPosX;
+			this.blockPosY = blockPosY;
+			this.blockPosZ = blockPosZ;
+		}
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// getters/setters //
+		//=================//
+		
+		public IDhApiBlockStateWrapper getBlockStateWrapper() { return this.blockStateWrapper; }
+		
+		public IDhApiLevelWrapper getLevelWrapper() { return levelWrapper; }
+		
+		public int getColorAsInt() { return this.colorAsInt; }
+		public int getAlpha() { return ColorUtil.getAlpha(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getRed() { return ColorUtil.getRed(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getGreen() { return ColorUtil.getGreen(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public int getBlue() { return ColorUtil.getBlue(this.colorAsInt); }
+		public void setColor(int red, int green, int blue) throws IllegalArgumentException { this.setColor(this.getAlpha(), red, green, blue); }
+		/** 
+		 * Note: when if you set a partially transparent alpha channel the underlying {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper#getOpacity()}
+		 * method should also return a non-opaque value.
+		 * Otherwise LODs may behave incorrectly.
+		 */
+		public void setColor(int alpha, int red, int green, int blue) throws IllegalArgumentException
+		{
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("alpha", alpha);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("red", red);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("green", green);
+			ColorUtil.throwIfColorValueOutOfIntRange("blue", blue);
+			
+			this.colorAsInt = ColorUtil.argbToInt(alpha, red, green, blue);
+		}
+		
+		/** @return the block's X value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosX() { return blockPosX; }
+		/** @return the block's Y value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosY() { return blockPosY; }
+		/** @return the block's Z value in the world */
+		public int getBlockPosZ() { return blockPosZ; }
+		
+		
+		
+		/** 
+		 * Returns the same instance of this event.
+		 * Copying this event isn't supported
+		 * since the internal parameters must be mutated
+		 * by API users in order to be tracked by DH's internal
+		 * logic.
+		 */
+		@Override
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
+		
+		
+	}
+	
+}

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
  */
 public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDependencyInjector<BindableType> // Note to self: Don't try adding a generic type to IDhApiEvent, the constructor won't accept it
 {
-	protected final Map<Class<? extends BindableType>, ArrayList<BindableType>> dependencies = new HashMap<>();
+	protected final HashMap<Class<? extends BindableType>, ArrayList<BindableType>> dependencies = new HashMap<>();
 	
 	/** Internal class reference to BindableType since we can't get it any other way. */
 	protected final Class<? extends BindableType> bindableInterface;

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

@@ -31,23 +31,28 @@ public final class ModInfo
 	public static final String DEDICATED_SERVER_INITIAL_PATH = "dedicated_server_initial";
 	
 	/** Incremented every time any packets are added, changed or removed, with a few exceptions. */
-	public static final int PROTOCOL_VERSION = 13;
-	public static final String WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH = "message";
+	public static final int PROTOCOL_VERSION = 14;
+
+	/** 
+	 * The full plugin channel name (RESOURCE_NAMESPACE:WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH) 
+	 * must be 20 characters or fewer for compatibility with MC 1.13 and older. 
+	 */
+	public static final String WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH = "msg";
 	
 	/** The internal mod name */
 	public static final String NAME = "DistantHorizons";
 	/** Human-readable version of NAME */
 	public static final String READABLE_NAME = "Distant Horizons";
-	public static final String VERSION = "2.4.6-b-dev";
+	public static final String VERSION = "3.0.4-b-dev";
 	/** Returns true if the current build is an unstable developer build, false otherwise. */
 	public static final boolean IS_DEV_BUILD = VERSION.toLowerCase().contains("dev");
 	
 	/** This version should only be updated when breaking changes are introduced to the DH API */
 	public static final int API_MAJOR_VERSION = 6;
 	/** 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;
+	public static final int API_PATCH_VERSION = 1;
 	
 	/** If the config file has an older version it'll be re-created from scratch. */
 	public static final int CONFIG_FILE_VERSION = 4;

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

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

core/build.gradle

@@ -1,18 +1,23 @@
 plugins {
     id "java"
-    id "com.github.johnrengelman.shadow" version '8.1.1' apply false // Set this to true if you're using the standalone Core project
+    id "com.gradleup.shadow"
 }
 
-apply plugin: "application"
+repositories {
+    mavenCentral()
+    maven { url "https://repo.enonic.com/public/" }
+}
 
-application {
-    mainClass.set("com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.JarMain")
+tasks.withType(JavaCompile).configureEach {
+    options.release = 8
+    options.encoding = "UTF-8"
 }
 
 configurations {
     shadowedArtifact // Used by DH to specify that we want to implement the shadowed core JAR file instead of the regular JAR file
     shade
     implementation.extendsFrom shade
+    testImplementation.extendsFrom compileOnly
 }
 
 OperatingSystem os = org.gradle.nativeplatform.platform.internal.DefaultNativePlatform.currentOperatingSystem;
@@ -20,38 +25,45 @@ OperatingSystem os = org.gradle.nativeplatform.platform.internal.DefaultNativePl
 // Set the OS lwjgl is using to the current os
 project.ext.lwjglNatives = "natives-" + os.toFamilyName()
 
-dependencies { // All of these dependencies are in Vanilla Minecraft, but we need to depend on it as we arent importing Minecraft in the core
-    // Imports most of lwjgl's libraries (well, only the ones that we need)
-    implementation platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}")
+dependencies {
+    // API project dependency
+    implementation project(":api")
 
-    // REMEMBER: Dont shadow stuff here, these are just the libs that are included in Minecraft so that the core can use
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw"
-    // OpenGL is removed since DH now handles rendering in the "Common" project
-    // so we can use OpenGL for old MC versions and Blaze3D (IE Vulkan) for newer ones
-//    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-openal"
-//    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-opengl"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb"
-    implementation "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw::$lwjglNatives"
-//    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-openal::$lwjglNatives"
-//    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-opengl::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb::$lwjglNatives"
-    runtimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd::$lwjglNatives"
+    // MC-provided libraries (available at runtime via Minecraft)
+    compileOnly platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}")
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb"
+    compileOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd"
+    testRuntimeOnly platform("org.lwjgl:lwjgl-bom:${rootProject.lwjgl_version}")
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-assimp::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-glfw::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-stb::$lwjglNatives"
+    testRuntimeOnly "org.lwjgl:lwjgl-tinyfd::$lwjglNatives"
 
-    // FIXME for some reason this line doesn't actually shade in the library
-//    shade "it.unimi.dsi:fastutil:${rootProject.fastutil_version}" // Add our own fastutil version
+    compileOnly("org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-api:${rootProject.log4j_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.apache.logging.log4j:log4j-core:${rootProject.log4j_version}")
+    compileOnly("it.unimi.dsi:fastutil:${rootProject.fastutil_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.joml:joml:${rootProject.joml_version}")
+    compileOnly("io.netty:netty-buffer:${rootProject.netty_version}")
+    compileOnly("org.jetbrains:annotations:16.0.2")
+    compileOnly("com.google.code.findbugs:jsr305:3.0.2")
+    compileOnly("com.google.guava:guava:31.1-jre")
 
+    // DH's bundled libraries (shadowed + relocated in loader jars)
+    implementation("com.github.luben:zstd-jni:${rootProject.zstd_version}")
+    implementation("org.lz4:lz4-java:${rootProject.lz4_version}")
+    implementation("org.tukaani:xz:${rootProject.xz_version}")
+    implementation("org.xerial:sqlite-jdbc:${rootProject.sqlite_jdbc_version}")
+    implementation("com.electronwill.night-config:toml:${rootProject.nightconfig_version}")
+    implementation("com.electronwill.night-config:json:${rootProject.nightconfig_version}")
 
-    // Some other dependencies
-    implementation("org.jetbrains:annotations:16.0.2")
-    implementation("com.google.code.findbugs:jsr305:3.0.2")
-    implementation("com.google.common:google-collect:0.5")
-    implementation("com.google.guava:guava:31.1-jre")
-    
+    // JUnit (core tests only)
+    compileOnly("junit:junit:4.13")
+    compileOnly("org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter:5.8.2")
+    compileOnly("org.junit.jupiter:junit-jupiter-engine:5.8.2")
 }
 
 artifacts {

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

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

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

@@ -35,6 +35,6 @@ public class DhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig implements IDhApiAmbientOcclusionConfig
 	
 	@Override
 	public IDhApiConfigValue<Boolean> enabled()
-	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.enableSsao); }
+	{ return new DhApiConfigValue<Boolean, Boolean>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao); }
 	
 }

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

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

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

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.DhRenderState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ClientOnlySaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
@@ -40,8 +41,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IImmersivePortalsAccessor;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhMetaRenderer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhTerrainRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhVanillaFadeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhTestTriangleRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
@@ -52,7 +54,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiDebugRendering;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRendererMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IServerKeyedClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhClientWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
@@ -64,8 +65,10 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 import org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFW;
 
+import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.File;
 import java.util.*;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.LinkedBlockingQueue;
 import java.util.concurrent.RejectedExecutionException;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
@@ -85,6 +88,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
+	// Need to classload this field later because otherwise it will be null even when Immersive Portals is present.
+	public static class Late {
+		private static final IImmersivePortalsAccessor IMMERSIVE_PORTALS = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IImmersivePortalsAccessor.class);
+	}
+	
 	/** this includes the is dev build message and low allocated memory warning */
 	private static final int MS_BETWEEN_STATIC_STARTUP_MESSAGES = 4_000;
 	
@@ -117,7 +125,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 	
 	public boolean rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
 	
-	private final ClientPluginChannelApi pluginChannelApi = new ClientPluginChannelApi(this::clientLevelLoadEvent, this::clientLevelUnloadEvent);
+	private final ClientPluginChannelApi pluginChannelApi = new ClientPluginChannelApi();
 	
 	/** Delay loading the first level to give the server some time to respond with level to actually load */
 	private Timer firstLevelLoadTimer;
@@ -125,8 +133,8 @@ public class ClientApi
 	
 	/** Holds any levels that were loaded before the {@link ClientApi#onClientOnlyConnected} was fired. */
 	public final HashSet<IClientLevelWrapper> waitingClientLevels = new HashSet<>();
-	/** Holds any chunks that were loaded before the {@link ClientApi#clientLevelLoadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper)} was fired. */
-	public final HashMap<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>, IChunkWrapper> waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos = new HashMap<>();
+	/** Holds any chunks that were found before the client levels are loaded. */
+	public final Map<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>, IChunkWrapper> waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	
 	/** publicly available so {@link F3Screen} can display the error */
 	@Nullable
@@ -142,10 +150,24 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 * tracked should also be to keep the ratio roughly the same.
 	 * @see ClientApi#MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS
 	 */
-	public RollingAverage cameraSpeedRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(40);
+	private RollingAverage cameraSpeedRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(40);
 	private Vec3d lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = new Vec3d();
 	private long msSinceLastSpeedCheck = 0L;
+	public double getAvgCameraSpeed()
+	{
+		return cameraSpeedRollingAverage.getAverage();
+	}
 	
+	public static long firstRenderTimeMs = 0;
+	
+	/** 
+	 * keeping track of this is necessary to fix
+	 * out-of-date LODs from rendering when the shading
+	 * is changed by Iris, causing LODs to often
+	 * lack the side shading, which looks pretty bad
+	 * when shaders are disabled.
+	 */
+	private boolean irisShadersEnabledLastFrame = false;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -160,11 +182,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 	//==============//
 	// world events //
 	//==============//
-	///region
+	//region world events
 	
 	/**
 	 * May be fired slightly before or after the associated
-	 * {@link ClientApi#clientLevelLoadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper)} event
+	 * level is loaded
 	 * depending on how the host mod loader functions. <br><br>
 	 * 
 	 * Synchronized shouldn't be necessary, but is present to match {@see onClientOnlyDisconnected} and prevent any unforeseen issues. 
@@ -201,14 +223,6 @@ public class ClientApi
 			
 			this.pluginChannelApi.onJoinServer(world.networkState.getSession());
 			world.networkState.sendConfigMessage();
-			
-			LOGGER.info("Loading [" + this.waitingClientLevels.size() + "] waiting client level wrappers.");
-			for (IClientLevelWrapper level : this.waitingClientLevels)
-			{
-				this.clientLevelLoadEvent(level);
-			}
-			
-			this.waitingClientLevels.clear();
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -235,56 +249,23 @@ public class ClientApi
 		
 		// remove any waiting items
 		this.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.clear();
-		this.waitingClientLevels.clear();
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
-	///region
+	//region level events
 	
-	public void clientLevelUnloadEvent(IClientLevelWrapper level)
+	/** 
+	 * used in conjunction with the server networking to
+	 * handle level load requests. 
+	 */
+	public boolean canLoadClientLevel(IClientLevelWrapper wrapper) 
 	{
-		try
-		{
-			LOGGER.info("Unloading client level [" + level.getClass().getSimpleName() + "]-[" + level.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-			
-			if (level instanceof IServerKeyedClientLevel)
-			{
-				this.pluginChannelApi.onClientLevelUnload();
-			}
-			
-			AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
-			if (world != null)
-			{
-				world.unloadLevel(level);
-				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(level));
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.waitingClientLevels.remove(level);
-			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			// handle errors here to prevent blowing up a mixin or API up stream
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in ClientApi.clientLevelUnloadEvent(), error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void clientLevelLoadEvent(@Nullable IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
-	{
-		// can happen if there was an issue during level load
-		if (levelWrapper == null)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		
 		// wait a moment before loading the level to give the server a chance to handle the client's login request
 		if (MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer())
 		{
@@ -294,48 +275,41 @@ public class ClientApi
 				this.firstLevelLoadTimer.schedule(new TimerTask()
 				{
 					@Override
-					public void run() { ClientApi.this.clientLevelLoadEvent(levelWrapper); }
+					public void run() { canLoadClientLevel(wrapper); }
 				}, FIRST_LEVEL_LOAD_DELAY_IN_MS);
-				return;
+				return false;
 			}
+			
 			this.firstLevelLoadTimer.cancel();
 		}
 		
-		
-		try
+		if (!this.pluginChannelApi.allowLevelLoading(wrapper))
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Loading client level [" + levelWrapper + "]-[" + levelWrapper.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-			
+			LOGGER.debug("Client levels in this connection are managed by the server, skipping auto-load of: ["+wrapper+"]");
 			AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
-			if (world != null)
+			if (world == null)
 			{
-				if (!this.pluginChannelApi.allowLevelLoading(levelWrapper))
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Levels in this connection are managed by the server, skipping auto-load.");
-					
-					// Instead of attempting to load themselves, send the config and wait for a server provided level key.
-					((DhClientWorld) world).networkState.sendConfigMessage();
-					return;
-				}
-				
-				
-				world.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
-				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper));
-				
-				this.loadWaitingChunksForLevel(levelWrapper);
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				this.waitingClientLevels.add(levelWrapper);
+				return false;
 			}
+			
+			// Instead of attempting to load themselves, send the config and wait for a server provided level key.
+			((DhClientWorld) world).networkState.sendLevelInitRequest(wrapper.getDimensionName());
+			return false;
 		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			// handle errors here to prevent blowing up a mixin or API up stream
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in ClientApi.clientLevelLoadEvent(), error: "+e.getMessage(), e);
-		}
+		
+		return true;
 	}
-	private void loadWaitingChunksForLevel(IClientLevelWrapper level)
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//==============//
+	// level events //
+	//==============//
+	//region
+	
+	public void loadWaitingChunksForLevel(IClientLevelWrapper level)
 	{
 		HashSet<Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos>> keysToRemove = new HashSet<>();
 		for (Pair<IClientLevelWrapper, DhChunkPos> levelChunkPair : this.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.keySet())
@@ -357,14 +331,14 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//============//
 	// networking //
 	//============//
-	///region
+	//region networking
 	
 	/**
 	 * Forwards a decoded message into the registered handlers.
@@ -397,14 +371,14 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//===============//
 	// LOD rendering //
 	//===============//
-	///region
+	//region lod rendering
 	
 	/** Should be called before {@link ClientApi#renderDeferredLodsForShaders} */
 	public void renderLods() { this.renderLodLayer(false); }
@@ -415,261 +389,284 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 */
 	public void renderDeferredLodsForShaders() { this.renderLodLayer(true); }
 	
-	public static long firstRenderTimeMs = 0;
-	
 	private void renderLodLayer(boolean renderingDeferredLayer)
 	{
 		IProfilerWrapper profiler = MC_CLIENT.getProfiler();
-		profiler.push("DH-RenderLevel");
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// debugging //
-		//===========//
-		//region
-		
-		//DhApiTerrainDataRepo.asyncDebugMethod(
-		//	RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper,
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getX(),
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getY(),
-		//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getZ()
-		//);
-		
-		//endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//=====================//
-		// render thread tasks //
-		//=====================//
-		///region
-		
-		// only run these tasks once per frame
-		if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
+		try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock dhRender_profile = profiler.push("DH-RenderLevel"))
 		{
-			profiler.push("DH render thread tasks");
 			
 			
 			
-			//===============//
-			// chat messages //
-			//===============//
+			//===========//
+			// debugging //
+			//===========//
+			//region
 			
-			this.sendQueuedChatMessages();
-			
-			
-			
-			//======================//
-			// GL Proxy queued jobs //
-			//======================//
-			
-			try
+			// only run these tasks once per frame
+			if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 			{
-				// these tasks always need to be called, regardless of whether the renderer is enabled or not to prevent memory leaks
-				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.runRenderThreadTasks();
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue running render thread tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				//DhApiTerrainDataRepo.asyncDebugMethod(
+				//	RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper,
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getX(),
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getY(),
+				//	MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos().getZ()
+				//);
 			}
 			
+			//endregion
 			
 			
-			//==============//
-			// camera speed //
-			//==============//
 			
-			long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-			if (this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck + MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS < nowMs)
+			//=====================//
+			// render thread tasks //
+			//=====================//
+			//region
+			
+			// only run these tasks once per frame
+			if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 			{
-				// calc time since last check
-				double secSinceLastCheck = (nowMs - this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck) / 1_000.0;
-				this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck = nowMs;
-				
-				// get the distance traveled since last frame
-				Vec3d camPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
-				double distanceInBlocks = camPos.getDistance(this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck);
-				double speed = distanceInBlocks / secSinceLastCheck;
-				
-				// record new values for next check
-				this.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.add(speed);
-				this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = camPos;
+				try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock renderTask_profile = profiler.push("DH render thread tasks"))
+				{
+					//===============//
+					// chat messages //
+					//===============//
+					
+					this.sendQueuedChatMessages();
+					
+					
+					
+					//======================//
+					// GL Proxy queued jobs //
+					//======================//
+					//region
+					
+					try
+					{
+						// these tasks always need to be called, regardless of whether the renderer is enabled or not to prevent memory leaks
+						RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.runRenderThreadTasks();
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue running render thread tasks, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+					
+					
+					
+					//==============//
+					// camera speed //
+					//==============//
+					//region
+					
+					long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+					if (this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck + MIN_MS_BETWEEN_SPEED_CHECKS < nowMs && (Late.IMMERSIVE_PORTALS == null || !Late.IMMERSIVE_PORTALS.isRenderingPortal()))
+					{
+						// calc time since last check
+						double secSinceLastCheck = (nowMs - this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck) / 1_000.0;
+						this.msSinceLastSpeedCheck = nowMs;
+						
+						// get the distance traveled since last frame
+						Vec3d camPos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+						double distanceInBlocks = camPos.getDistance(this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck);
+						double speed = distanceInBlocks / secSinceLastCheck;
+						
+						// record new values for next check
+						this.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.add(speed);
+						this.lastCameraPosForSpeedCheck = camPos;
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+					
+					
+					
+					//====================//
+					// Iris data re-build //
+					//====================//
+					//region
+					
+					// delayed getter since ClientApi is created before this accessor is bound
+					IIrisAccessor irisAccessor = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IIrisAccessor.class);
+					if (irisAccessor != null)
+					{
+						boolean shadersActive = irisAccessor.isShaderPackInUse();
+						if (this.irisShadersEnabledLastFrame != shadersActive)
+						{
+							this.irisShadersEnabledLastFrame = shadersActive;
+							DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
+						}
+					}
+					
+					//endregion
+				}
 			}
 			
+			//endregion
 			
-			profiler.pop();
-		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		
-		//=================//
-		// parameter setup //
-		//=================//
-		///region
-		
-		EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
-		if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
-		{
-			if (renderingDeferredLayer)
+			
+			
+			
+			//=================//
+			// parameter setup //
+			//=================//
+			//region
+			
+			EDhApiRenderPass renderPass;
+			if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
 			{
-				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT;
+				if (renderingDeferredLayer)
+				{
+					renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT;
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE;
+				}
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE;
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE_AND_TRANSPARENT;
-		}
-		
-		// A global render state variable is used since MC has split up their
-		// render prep and actual rendering into different threads/methods
-		// this is annoying since it's possible to start a render with only
-		// partially complete info, but there isn't a better option at the moment
-		RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(renderPass, RENDER_STATE);
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//============//
-		// validation //
-		//============//
-		///region
-		
-		if (firstRenderTimeMs == 0)
-		{
-			firstRenderTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		}
-		
-		String validationMessage = renderParams.getValidationErrorMessage(firstRenderTimeMs);
-		if (validationMessage != null)
-		{
-			// store the error message so it can be seen on the F3 screen
-			this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = validationMessage;
-			return;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = null;
-		}
-		
-		if (this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions)
-		{
-			// re-enable rendering if the user toggles DH rendering
-			if (!Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.get())
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("DH Renderer re-enabled after exception. Some rendering issues may occur. Please reboot Minecraft if you see any rendering issues.");
-				this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
-				Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.set(true);
+				renderPass = EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE_AND_TRANSPARENT;
 			}
 			
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DISABLED)
-		{
-			return;
-		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// rendering //
-		//===========//
-		///region
-		
-		try
-		{
-			// render pass //
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
+			// A global render state variable is used since MC has split up their
+			// render prep and actual rendering into different threads/methods
+			// this is annoying since it's possible to start a render with only
+			// partially complete info, but there isn't a better option at the moment
+			RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(renderPass, RENDER_STATE);
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//============//
+			// validation //
+			//============//
+			//region
+			
+			if (firstRenderTimeMs == 0)
 			{
-				if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
+				firstRenderTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			}
+			
+			String validationMessage = renderParams.getValidationErrorMessage(firstRenderTimeMs);
+			if (validationMessage != null)
+			{
+				// store the error message so it can be seen on the F3 screen
+				this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = validationMessage;
+				return;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.lastRenderParamValidationMessage = null;
+			}
+			
+			if (this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions)
+			{
+				// re-enable rendering if the user toggles DH rendering
+				if (!Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.get())
 				{
-					boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-					if (!renderingCancelled)
+					LOGGER.info("DH Renderer re-enabled after exception. Some rendering issues may occur. Please reboot Minecraft if you see any rendering issues.");
+					this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = false;
+					Config.Client.quickEnableRendering.set(true);
+				}
+				
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DISABLED)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//===========//
+			// rendering //
+			//===========//
+			//region
+			
+			try
+			{
+				// render pass //
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
+				{
+					if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 					{
-						LodRenderer.INSTANCE.render(renderParams, profiler);
+						boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
+						if (!renderingCancelled)
+						{
+							LodRenderer.INSTANCE.render(renderParams, profiler);
+						}
+						
+						if (!DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+						{
+							ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						}
 					}
-					
-					if (!DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+					else
 					{
-						ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeDeferredRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
+						if (!renderingCancelled)
+						{
+							LodRenderer.INSTANCE.renderDeferred(renderParams, profiler);
+						}
+						
+						
+						if (DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+						{
+							ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						}
 					}
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					boolean renderingCancelled = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeDeferredRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-					if (!renderingCancelled)
+					if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
 					{
-						LodRenderer.INSTANCE.renderDeferred(renderParams, profiler);
-					}
-					
-					
-					if (DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.getDeferTransparentRendering())
-					{
-						ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiAfterRenderEvent.class, null);
+						IDhMetaRenderer metaRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhMetaRenderer.class);
+						IDhTestTriangleRenderer testRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class);
+						if (testRenderer != null
+							&& metaRenderer != null)
+						{
+							// meta renderer needed for render state/texture
+							// for setup on some APIs (IE openGL)
+							metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
+							
+							testRenderer.render(renderParams);
+							
+							metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
+						}
+						else
+						{
+							RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("Unable to find singleton [" + IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class.getSimpleName() + "]");
+						}
 					}
 				}
 			}
-			else
+			catch (Exception e)
 			{
-				if (!renderingDeferredLayer)
-				{
-					IDhMetaRenderer metaRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhMetaRenderer.class);
-					IDhTestTriangleRenderer testRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class);
-					if (testRenderer != null
-						&& metaRenderer != null)
-					{
-						// meta renderer needed for render state/texture
-						// for setup on some APIs (IE openGL)
-						metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
-						
-						testRenderer.render(renderParams);
-						
-						metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
-					}
-					else
-					{
-						RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("Unable to find singleton [" + IDhTestTriangleRenderer.class.getSimpleName() + "]");
-					}
-				}
+				this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = true;
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected Renderer error in render pass [" + renderPass + "]. Error: " + e.getMessage(), e);
+				
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "" + MinecraftTextFormat.BOLD + "ERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!" + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
+				MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Error: " + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + e);
 			}
-		}
-		catch (Exception e)
-		{
-			this.rendererDisabledBecauseOfExceptions = true;
-			LOGGER.error("Unexpected Renderer error in render pass [" + renderPass + "]. Error: " + e.getMessage(), e);
 			
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "" + MinecraftTextFormat.BOLD + "ERROR: Distant Horizons renderer has encountered an exception!" + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Renderer disabled to try preventing GL state corruption." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Toggle DH rendering via the config UI to re-activate DH rendering." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING);
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage(MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_RED + "Error: " + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + e);
+			//endregion
 		}
-		
-		///endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		profiler.pop(); // end LOD
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// fade rendering //
 	//================//
-	///region
+	//region fade rendering
 	
 	/** 
 	 * The first fade pass.
@@ -692,8 +689,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 				// or if LOD-only mode is enabled (fading is used to remove the MC render pass)
 				|| Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode.get()
 			)
-			// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
-			&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+			&& shouldRenderFade())
 		{
 			RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(EDhApiRenderPass.OPAQUE, RENDER_STATE);
 			fadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
@@ -722,8 +718,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 					// or if LOD-only mode is enabled (fading is used to remove the MC render pass)
 					|| Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode.get()
 				)
-				// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
-				&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering();
+				&& shouldRenderFade();
 			if (renderFade)
 			{
 				RenderParams renderParams = new RenderParams(EDhApiRenderPass.TRANSPARENT, RENDER_STATE);
@@ -732,14 +727,33 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	private static boolean shouldRenderFade()
+	{
+		// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
+		if (DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		// When immersive portals and sodium are combined the fade renders on top of the portal, so turn it off when a portal is on-screen.
+		IImmersivePortalsAccessor immersivePortals = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IImmersivePortalsAccessor.class);
+		if (immersivePortals != null 
+			&& immersivePortals.wasPortalRecentlyVisible())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		return true;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//==========//
 	// keyboard //
 	//==========//
-	///region
+	//region keyboard
 	
 	/** Trigger once on key press, with CLIENT PLAYER. */
 	public void keyPressedEvent(int glfwKey)
@@ -763,19 +777,19 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 		else if (glfwKey == GLFW.GLFW_KEY_F8)
 		{
-			Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.set(EDhApiDebugRendering.next(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get()));
-			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("F8: Set debug mode to " + Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get());
+			Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.set(EDhApiDebugRendering.next(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get()));
+			MC_CLIENT.sendChatMessage("F8: Set debug mode to " + Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get());
 		}
 	}
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	
 	//======//
 	// chat //
 	//======//
-	///region
+	//region chat
 	
 	private void sendQueuedChatMessages()
 	{
@@ -909,7 +923,7 @@ public class ClientApi
 	 */
 	public void showOverlayMessageNextFrame(String message) { this.overlayMessageQueueForNextFrame.add(message); }
 	
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.AbstractDhWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
@@ -30,9 +31,6 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IKeyedClientLevelManager KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IKeyedClientLevelManager.class);
 	
-	private final Consumer<IServerKeyedClientLevel> levelLoadHandler;
-	private final Consumer<IClientLevelWrapper> levelUnloadHandler;
-	
 	@Nullable
 	public NetworkSession networkSession;
 	
@@ -42,10 +40,8 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 	
-	public ClientPluginChannelApi(Consumer<IServerKeyedClientLevel> levelLoadHandler, Consumer<IClientLevelWrapper> levelUnloadHandler)
+	public ClientPluginChannelApi()
 	{
-		this.levelLoadHandler = levelLoadHandler;
-		this.levelUnloadHandler = levelUnloadHandler;
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -90,28 +86,10 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 		
 		LOGGER.info("Server level key received: [" + msg.levelKey + "].");
 		
-		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("ClientPluginChannelApi onLevelInitMessage", () -> 
 		{
 			IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = MC.getWrappedClientLevel(true);
 			IServerKeyedClientLevel existingKeyedClientLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.getServerKeyedLevel();
-
-			if (existingKeyedClientLevel != null)
-			{
-				if (!existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey().equals(msg.levelKey))
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Unloading previous level with key: [" + existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerLevelKey() + "].");
-					this.levelUnloadHandler.accept(existingKeyedClientLevel);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					LOGGER.info("Level key matches the previous level key, ignoring the message.");
-				}
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				LOGGER.info("Unloading non-keyed level: [" + clientLevel.getDhIdentifier() + "].");
-				this.levelUnloadHandler.accept(clientLevel);
-			}
 			
 			if (existingKeyedClientLevel == null
 					|| !existingKeyedClientLevel.getServerKey().equals(msg.serverKey)
@@ -119,7 +97,11 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 			{
 				LOGGER.info("Loading level with key: [" + msg.levelKey + "].");
 				IServerKeyedClientLevel keyedLevel = KEYED_CLIENT_LEVEL_MANAGER.setServerKeyedLevel(clientLevel, msg.serverKey, msg.levelKey);
-				this.levelLoadHandler.accept(keyedLevel);
+				AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
+				if (world != null)
+				{
+					world.getOrLoadLevel(keyedLevel);
+				}
 			}
 		});
 	}

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

@@ -19,13 +19,10 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelLoadEvent;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.MessageRegistry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
@@ -77,7 +74,6 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// level events //
 	//==============//
@@ -90,7 +86,6 @@ public class ServerApi
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
 			serverWorld.getOrLoadLevel(levelWrapper);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper));
 		}
 	}
 	public void serverLevelUnloadEvent(IServerLevelWrapper level)
@@ -101,12 +96,10 @@ public class ServerApi
 		if (serverWorld != null)
 		{
 			serverWorld.unloadLevel(level);
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(level));
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	
 	//=======================//
 	// chunk modified events //
 	//=======================//
@@ -122,7 +115,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	
 	public void serverPlayerJoinEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -136,7 +129,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	public void serverPlayerDisconnectEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -150,7 +143,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	}
 	public void serverPlayerLevelChangeEvent(IServerPlayerWrapper player, IServerLevelWrapper originLevel, IServerLevelWrapper destinationLevel)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -170,7 +163,7 @@ public class ServerApi
 	 */
 	public void pluginMessageReceived(IServerPlayerWrapper player, @NotNull AbstractNetworkMessage message)
 	{
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}

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

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.AbstractDhRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
@@ -63,6 +64,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 	
 	@Nullable
 	private static AbstractDhWorld currentWorld;
+	private static final Object worldLockObject = new Object();
 	
 	
 	
@@ -72,7 +74,6 @@ public class SharedApi
 	//region
 	
 	private SharedApi() { }
-	public static void init() { Initializer.init(); }
 	
 	//endregion
 	
@@ -87,46 +88,51 @@ public class SharedApi
 	
 	public static void setDhWorld(AbstractDhWorld newWorld)
 	{
-		AbstractDhWorld oldWorld = currentWorld;
-		if (oldWorld != null)
+		synchronized (worldLockObject)
 		{
-			oldWorld.close();
-		}
-		currentWorld = newWorld;
-		
-		// starting and stopping the DataRenderTransformer is necessary to prevent attempting to
-		// access the MC level at inappropriate times, which can cause exceptions
-		if (currentWorld != null)
-		{
-			ThreadPoolUtil.setupThreadPools();
-			
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldLoadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldLoadEvent.EventParam());
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			ThreadPoolUtil.shutdownThreadPools();
-			
-			// delayed get because SharedApi will be created before the singleton has been bound 
-			AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer debugWireframeRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.class);
-			debugWireframeRenderer.clearRenderables();
-			
-			if (MC_RENDER != null)
+			AbstractDhWorld oldWorld = currentWorld;
+			if (oldWorld != null)
 			{
-				MC_RENDER.clearTargetFrameBuffer();
+				oldWorld.close();
 			}
+			currentWorld = newWorld;
 			
-			// shouldn't be necessary, but if we missed closing one of the connections this should make sure they're all closed
-			AbstractDhRepo.closeAllConnections();
-			// needs to be closed on world shutdown to clear out un-processed chunks
-			WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.clear();
-			
-			// recommend that the garbage collector cleans up any objects from the old world and thread pools
-			System.gc();
-			
-			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.EventParam());
-			
-			// fired after the unload event so API users can't change the read-only for any new worlds
-			DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.setReadOnly(false, false);
+			// starting and stopping the DataRenderTransformer is necessary to prevent attempting to
+			// access the MC level at inappropriate times, which can cause exceptions
+			if (currentWorld != null)
+			{
+				ThreadPoolUtil.setupThreadPools();
+				
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldLoadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldLoadEvent.EventParam());
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				ThreadPoolUtil.shutdownThreadPools();
+				
+				// delayed get because SharedApi will be created before the singleton has been bound 
+				AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer debugWireframeRenderer = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.class);
+				debugWireframeRenderer.clearRenderables();
+				
+				if (MC_RENDER != null)
+				{
+					MC_RENDER.clearTargetFrameBuffer();
+				}
+				
+				// shouldn't be necessary, but if we missed closing one of the connections this should make sure they're all closed
+				AbstractDhRepo.closeAllConnections();
+				// needs to be closed on world shutdown to clear out un-processed chunks
+				WORLD_CHUNK_UPDATE_MANAGER.clear();
+				
+				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.clearDebugStats();
+				
+				// recommend that the garbage collector cleans up any objects from the old world and thread pools
+				System.gc();
+				
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiWorldUnloadEvent.EventParam());
+				
+				// fired after the unload event so API users can't change the read-only for any new worlds
+				DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.setReadOnly(false, false);
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -198,14 +204,14 @@ public class SharedApi
 				// If the client world isn't loaded yet, keep track of which chunks were loaded so we can use them later.
 				// This may happen if the client world and client level load events happen out of order
 				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.put(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
 			}
 			
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		// ignore updates if the world is read-only
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -218,7 +224,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 			{
 				// the client level isn't loaded yet
 				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
-				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.replace(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.waitingChunkByClientLevelAndPos.put(new Pair<>(clientLevel, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()), chunkWrapper);
 			}
 			
 			return;

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

@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapp
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 
@@ -28,6 +30,9 @@ public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
 	/** singleton since we only expect to have one world loaded at a time */
 	public static final WorldChunkUpdateManager INSTANCE = new WorldChunkUpdateManager();
 	
+	public static final Set<String> LOGGED_GET_ERROR_MESSAGES = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<String, Boolean>());
+	
+	
 	/** 
 	 * Queues are only removed during world shutdown.
 	 * The assumption is that there will be a limited number of {@link ILevelWrapper}'s
@@ -37,6 +42,7 @@ public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
 	
 	
 	
+	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
@@ -62,6 +68,7 @@ public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
 		AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
 		if (world == null)
 		{
+			// world isn't loaded, no warnings need to be logged
 			return null;
 		}
 		
@@ -73,6 +80,8 @@ public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
 			// but this check confirms it
 			&& !(levelWrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper))
 		{
+			// how did we get a server level wrapper on the client?
+			// this shouldn't happen, but just in case
 			return null;
 		}
 		else if (
@@ -81,6 +90,7 @@ public class WorldChunkUpdateManager
 				// when hosting a server we only care about the server wrappers
 				&& !(levelWrapper instanceof IServerLevelWrapper))
 		{
+			// ignore client updates on the server
 			return null;
 		}
 		

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

@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.quickOptions.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.*;
@@ -27,14 +26,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGenerat
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers.presets.*;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.*;
 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.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -146,8 +143,11 @@ public class Config
 				public static ConfigCategory quality = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Quality.class).build();
 				public static ConfigUISpacer qualitySpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
-				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableSsao = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(Ssao.enableSsao);
-				public static ConfigCategory ssao = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Ssao.class).build();
+				
+				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableSsao = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+					.set(true)
+					.comment("Enable Screen Space Ambient Occlusion")
+					.build();
 				public static ConfigUISpacer ssaoSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
 				
@@ -358,17 +358,6 @@ public class Config
 							.build();	
 				}
 				
-				public static class Ssao
-				{
-					public static ConfigUIComment ssaoHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Ssao.class).build();
-					
-					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableSsao = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-							.set(true)
-							.comment("Enable Screen Space Ambient Occlusion")
-							.build();
-					
-				}
-				
 				public static class GenericRendering
 				{
 					public static ConfigUIComment genericRendererHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(GenericRendering.class).build();
@@ -424,14 +413,6 @@ public class Config
 							+ "Changes will only be seen when the world is re-loaded.\n"
 							+ "")
 						.build();
-					
-					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableInstancedRendering = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-							.set(true)
-							.comment(""
-									+ "Can be disabled to use much slower but more compatible direct rendering. \n"
-									+ "Disabling this can be used to fix some crashes on Mac. \n"
-									+ "")
-							.build();
 				}
 				
 				public static class Fog
@@ -565,7 +546,7 @@ public class Config
 								.build();
 						
 						public static ConfigEntry<Float> heightFogBaseHeight = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Float>()
-								.setMinDefaultMax(-4096.0f, 80.0f, 4096.0f)
+								.setMinDefaultMax(-3_000_000.0f, 80.0f, 3_000_000.0f)
 								.comment("If the height fog is calculated around a set height, what is that height position?")
 								.build();
 						
@@ -745,57 +726,56 @@ public class Config
 									+ "Disable this if shadows render incorrectly.")
 							.build();
 					
+					public static ConfigUISpacer ignoreCsvStartSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<String> ignoredRenderBlockCsv = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
 							.set("minecraft:barrier,minecraft:structure_void,minecraft:light,minecraft:tripwire,minecraft:brown_mushroom")
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ALL)
+						.addListener(RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler.INSTANCE)
 							.comment(""
 									+ "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();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<String> ignoredRenderCaveBlockCsv = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
-							.set("") // config is empty since most cave blocks will be automatically ignored due to being: transparent, non-solid, or liquids, but new blocks can be added here if needed
+							.set("")
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ALL)
+						.addListener(RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler.INSTANCE)
 							.comment(""
 									+ "A comma separated list of block resource locations that shouldn't be rendered \n"
 									+ "if they are in a 0 sky light underground area. \n"
 									+ "Air is always included in this list. \n"
-									+ "Requires a restart to change. \n"
+									+ "\n"
+									+ "Defaults to an empty list since most cave blocks will be automatically ignored due to being: \n"
+									+ "transparent, non-solid, or liquids, but new blocks can be added here if needed.\n"
 									+ "")
 							.build();
 					
+					public static ConfigEntry<String> waterSubSurfaceBlockReplacementCsv = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
+						.set("minecraft:kelp,minecraft:tall_seagrass,minecraft:seagrass")
+						.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ALL)
+						.addListener(RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler.INSTANCE)
+						.comment(""
+							+ "A comma separated list of block resource locations that will be replaced by water \n"
+							+ "if they're visible on the water's surface. \n"
+							+ "")
+						.build();
+					
+					public static ConfigEntry<String> waterSurfaceBlockReplacementCsv = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
+						.set("minecraft:lily_pad")
+						.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ALL)
+						.addListener(RenderBlockCacheCsvHandler.INSTANCE)
+						.comment(""
+							+ "A comma separated list of block resource locations that will be removed \n"
+							+ "when on top of water. \n"
+							+ "")
+						.build();
 					
-					static
-					{
-						ignoredRenderBlockCsv.addListener(new ConfigChangeListener<String>(ignoredRenderBlockCsv,
-								(blockCsv) ->
-								{
-									IWrapperFactory wrapperFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
-									if (wrapperFactory != null)
-									{
-										wrapperFactory.resetRendererIgnoredBlocksSet();
-										DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
-									}
-								}));
-						
-						ignoredRenderCaveBlockCsv.addListener(new ConfigChangeListener<String>(ignoredRenderCaveBlockCsv,
-								(blockCsv) ->
-								{
-									IWrapperFactory wrapperFactory = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
-									if (wrapperFactory != null)
-									{
-										wrapperFactory.resetRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks();
-										DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
-									}
-								}));
-					}
 				}
 				
 				public static class Experimental
@@ -834,8 +814,7 @@ public class Config
 						.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiRenderApi> renderingApi = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiRenderApi>()
-						.set(EDhApiRenderApi.AUTO)
-						.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // very experimental option and only supported 
+						.set(EDhApiRenderApi.AUTO) 
 						.comment(""
 							+ "Requires a restart to change. \n"
 							+ " \n"
@@ -908,11 +887,11 @@ public class Config
 								+ "What renderer is active? \n"
 								+ "\n"
 								+ EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT + ": Default lod renderer \n"
-								+ EDhApiRendererMode.DEBUG + ": Debug testing renderer \n"
+								+ EDhApiRendererMode.DEBUG_TRIANGLE + ": Debug testing renderer \n"
 								+ EDhApiRendererMode.DISABLED + ": Disable rendering")
 						.build();
 				
-				public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiDebugRendering> debugRendering = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiDebugRendering>()
+				public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiDebugRendering> debugRenderingColors = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiDebugRendering>()
 						.set(EDhApiDebugRendering.OFF)
 						.comment(""
 								+ "Should specialized colors/rendering modes be used? \n"
@@ -925,6 +904,13 @@ public class Config
 						.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 						.build();
 				
+				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableWhiteWorld = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+					.set(false)
+					.comment(""
+						+ "Stops vertex colors from being passed. \n"
+						+ "Useful for debugging shaders")
+					.build();
+				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> lodOnlyMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 						.set(false)
 						.comment(""
@@ -952,13 +938,6 @@ public class Config
 						+ "")
 					.build();
 				
-				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableWhiteWorld = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-						.set(false)
-						.comment(""
-								+ "Stops vertex colors from being passed. \n"
-								+ "Useful for debugging shaders")
-						.build();
-				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showOverlappingQuadErrors = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 						.set(false)
 						.comment(""
@@ -985,6 +964,7 @@ public class Config
 				public static ConfigCategory debugWireframe = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(DebugWireframe.class).build();
 				public static ConfigCategory openGl = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(OpenGl.class).build();
 				public static ConfigCategory columnBuilderDebugging = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(ColumnBuilderDebugging.class).build();
+				public static ConfigCategory positionFinderDebugging = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(PositionFinder.class).build();
 				public static ConfigCategory f3Screen = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(F3Screen.class).build();
 				public static ConfigCategory exampleConfigScreen = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(ExampleConfigScreen.class).build();
 				
@@ -1019,15 +999,6 @@ public class Config
 							.set(false)
 							.comment("Render LOD section status?")
 							.build();
-					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showRenderSectionToggling = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-							.set(false)
-							.comment("" +
-									"A white box will be drawn when an LOD starts rendering \n" +
-									"and a purple box when an LOD stops rendering. \n" +
-									"\n" +
-									"This can be used to debug Quad Tree holes.\n" +
-									"")
-							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showQuadTreeRenderStatus = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(false)
@@ -1080,13 +1051,6 @@ public class Config
 									+ "")
 							.build();
 					
-					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiGpuUploadMethod> glUploadMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiGpuUploadMethod>()
-							.set(EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.AUTO)
-							.comment(""
-									+ "\n"
-									+ "")
-							.build();
-					
 				}
 				
 				public static class ColumnBuilderDebugging
@@ -1132,6 +1096,36 @@ public class Config
 					
 				}
 				
+				public static class PositionFinder
+				{
+					//public static ConfigUIComment positionFinderHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(ColumnBuilderDebugging.class).build();
+
+					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> positionFinderEnable = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+						.set(false)
+						.build();
+					
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> positionFinderDetailLevel = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+						.set((int) DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL)
+						.build();
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> positionFinderXPos = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+						.set(0)
+						.build();
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> positionFinderZPos = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+						.set(0)
+						.build();
+					
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> positionFinderMinBlockY = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+						.set(-64)
+						.build();
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> positionFinderMaxBlockY = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+						.set(125)
+						.build();
+					public static ConfigEntry<Float> positionFinderMarginPercent = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Float>()
+						.set(0.0f)
+						.build();
+					
+				}
+				
 				public static class F3Screen
 				{
 					public static ConfigUIComment f3ScreenHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(F3Screen.class).build();
@@ -1153,6 +1147,11 @@ public class Config
 							.comment("Shows info about each thread pool.")
 							.build();
 					
+					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showRenderThreadTasks = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+							.set(false)
+							.comment("Shows info about the render thread tasks.")
+							.build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showCombinedObjectPools = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(false)
 							.comment("Shows the combined memory use and array counts for all DH pooled objects.")
@@ -1164,7 +1163,7 @@ public class Config
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showQueuedChunkUpdateCount = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
-							.comment("Shows how many chunks are queud for processing and the max count that can be queued.")
+							.comment("Shows how many chunks are queued for processing and the max count that can be queued.")
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showLevelStatus = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -1242,9 +1241,11 @@ public class Config
 					});
 					public static void onButtonPressed()
 					{
+						IMinecraftClientWrapper mcClient = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+						
 						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")+"]");
+						mcClient.showDialog("Button pressed!", "UITester dialog", "ok", "info");
+						LOGGER.info("dialog closed");
 					}
 					
 					public static ConfigCategory categoryTest = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(CategoryTest.class).build();

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -55,6 +55,16 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	@Nullable
 	private T apiValue;
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Will be null if un-set. <br> <br>
+	 * 
+	 * Some options aren't supported on all Minecraft versions,
+	 * in those cases this value will be set to override the 
+	 * config file option.
+	 */
+	@Nullable
+	private T mcVersionOverrideValue;
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -127,7 +137,14 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 		return this.allowApiOverride 
 				&& this.apiValue != null; 
 	}
-		
+	
+	/** setting to null will allow the config to be used normally */
+	public void setMcVersionOverrideValue(@Nullable T value)
+	{ this.mcVersionOverrideValue = value; }
+	
+	public boolean mcVersionOverridePresent()
+	{ return this.mcVersionOverrideValue != null; }
+	
 	/** 
 	 * Should only be used when loading the config from file. <Br>
 	 * Sets the value without informing the rest of the code (ie, it doesn't call listeners, or saving the value to file).
@@ -183,6 +200,12 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigBase<T>
 	@Override
 	public T get()
 	{
+		// always use the MC version specific option if defined
+		if (this.mcVersionOverrideValue != null)
+		{
+			return this.mcVersionOverrideValue;
+		}
+		
 		if (this.allowApiOverride 
 			&& this.apiValue != null)
 		{

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

@@ -59,9 +59,19 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 	
 	public boolean hasError = false;
 	
+	// Pre-computed sort keys to avoid recomputing on every comparison
+	// Slight increase in memory for reduction in cpu usage
+	public final long sortKeyEastWest;
+	public final long sortKeyNorthSouth;
 	
 	
-	BufferQuad(
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	//region
+	
+	public BufferQuad(
 			short x, short y, short z, short widthEastWest, short widthNorthSouthOrHeight,
 			int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte skylight, byte blockLight,
 			EDhDirection direction)
@@ -85,64 +95,46 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		this.skyLight = skylight;
 		this.blockLight = blockLight;
 		this.direction = direction;
+		this.sortKeyEastWest = computeSortKey(direction, true);
+		this.sortKeyNorthSouth = computeSortKey(direction, false);
 	}
-	
-	
-	
-	/** a rough but fast calculation */
-	double calculateDistance(double relativeX, double relativeY, double relativeZ)
+	private long computeSortKey(EDhDirection dir, boolean eastWest)
 	{
-		return Math.pow(relativeX - this.x, 2) + Math.pow(relativeY - this.y, 2) + Math.pow(relativeZ - this.z, 2);
+		if (eastWest)
+		{
+			switch (dir.axis)
+			{
+				case X: return (long) x << 48 | (long) y << 32 | (long) z << 16;
+				case Y: return (long) y << 48 | (long) z << 32 | (long) x << 16;
+				case Z: return (long) z << 48 | (long) y << 32 | (long) x << 16;
+				default: throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + dir.axis + "].");
+			}
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			switch (dir.axis)
+			{
+				case X: return (long) x << 48 | (long) z << 32 | (long) y << 16;
+				case Y: return (long) y << 48 | (long) x << 32 | (long) z << 16;
+				case Z: return (long) z << 48 | (long) x << 32 | (long) y << 16;
+				default: throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + dir.axis + "].");
+			}
+		}
 	}
 	
-	/** compares this quad's position to the given quad */
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	/** compares this quad's position to the given quad using pre-computed sort keys */
 	public int compare(BufferQuad quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum compareDirection)
 	{
 		if (this.direction != quad.direction)
 			throw new IllegalArgumentException("The other quad is not in the same direction: " + quad.direction + " vs " + this.direction);
 		
-		if (compareDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
-		{
-			switch (this.direction.axis)
-			{
-				case X:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.x, this.y, this.z, quad.x, quad.y, quad.z);
-				case Y:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.y, this.z, this.x, quad.y, quad.z, quad.x);
-				case Z:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.z, this.y, this.x, quad.z, quad.y, quad.x);
-				
-				default:
-					throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + this.direction.axis + "].");
-			}
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			switch (this.direction.axis)
-			{
-				case X:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.x, this.z, this.y, quad.x, quad.z, quad.y);
-				case Y:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.y, this.x, this.z, quad.y, quad.x, quad.z);
-				case Z:
-					return threeDimensionalCompare(this.z, this.x, this.y, quad.z, quad.x, quad.y);
-				
-				default:
-					throw new IllegalArgumentException("Invalid Axis enum: [" + this.direction.axis + "].");
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	/**
-	 * Compares two 3D points A and B. <br>
-	 * The X, Y, and Z coordinates can be passed into parameters 0, 1, and 2 in any order
-	 * provided they are in the same order for both A and B. <br>
-	 * With the 0th parameter being the most significant when comparing.
-	 */
-	private static int threeDimensionalCompare(short a0, short a1, short a2, short b0, short b1, short b2)
-	{
-		long a = (long) a0 << 48 | (long) a1 << 32 | (long) a2 << 16;
-		long b = (long) b0 << 48 | (long) b1 << 32 | (long) b2 << 16;
-		return Long.compare(a, b);
+		return compareDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest
+			? Long.compare(this.sortKeyEastWest, quad.sortKeyEastWest)
+			: Long.compare(this.sortKeyNorthSouth, quad.sortKeyNorthSouth);
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -154,11 +146,15 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 	public boolean tryMerge(BufferQuad quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum mergeDirection)
 	{
 		if (quad.hasError || this.hasError)
+		{
 			return false;
+		}
 		
 		// only merge quads that are in the same direction
 		if (this.direction != quad.direction)
+		{
 			return false;
+		}
 		
 		// make sure these quads share the same perpendicular axis
 		if ((mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest && this.y != quad.y)
@@ -175,7 +171,6 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		short otherParallelCompareStartPos;
 		switch (this.direction.axis)
 		{
-			default: // shouldn't normally happen, just here to make the compiler happy
 			case X:
 				if (mergeDirection == BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
 				{
@@ -232,6 +227,9 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 					otherParallelCompareStartPos = quad.z;
 				}
 				break;
+			
+			default: // shouldn't normally happen, just here to make the compiler happy
+				throw new IllegalArgumentException("Unsupported axis: ["+this.direction.axis+"]");
 		}
 		
 		// get the width of this quad in the relevant axis
@@ -333,4 +331,6 @@ public final class BufferQuad
 		return true;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

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

@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
@@ -60,6 +61,12 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// variable setup //
 		//================//
 		
+		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper();
+		if (clientLevelWrapper == null)
+		{
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("addBoxQuadsToBuilder getClientLevelWrapper should always succeed");
+		}
+		
 		short maxX = (short) (minX + width);
 		short maxY = (short) (minY + yHeight);
 		short maxZ = (short) (minZ + width);
@@ -122,7 +129,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isTopTransparent;
 			if (!skipTop)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadUp(minX, maxY, minZ, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(EDhDirection.UP)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightTop, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -133,7 +140,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 					&& !isBottomTransparent;
 			if (!skipBottom)
 			{
-				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
+				builder.addQuadDown(minX, minY, minZ, width, ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(EDhDirection.DOWN)), irisBlockMaterialId, skyLightBot, blockLight);
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -163,7 +170,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, 
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.NORTH, 
 						minX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
@@ -188,7 +195,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.SOUTH,
 						minX, minY, maxZ, width, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
@@ -213,7 +220,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.WEST, 
 						minX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
@@ -238,7 +245,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			else
 			{
 				makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-						builder, phantomArrayCheckout,
+						builder, phantomArrayCheckout, clientLevelWrapper,
 						adjCol, adjSameDetailLevel, caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection.EAST, 
 						maxX, minY, minZ, width, yHeight,
 						color, irisBlockMaterialId, blockLight);
@@ -247,7 +254,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 	}
 	
 	private static void makeAdjVerticalQuad(
-		LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout,
+		LodQuadBuilder builder, PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomArrayCheckout, IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper,
 		@NotNull ColumnRenderView adjColumnView, boolean adjacentIsSameDetailLevel, int caveCullingMaxY, EDhDirection direction,
 		short x, short yMin, short z, short horizontalWidth, short ySize,
 		int color, byte irisBlockMaterialId, byte blockLight)
@@ -263,7 +270,7 @@ public class ColumnBox
 		// no adjacent data //
 		//==================//
 		
-		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(direction));
+		color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, clientLevelWrapper.getShade(direction));
 		
 		if (adjColumnView.size == 0
 			|| RenderDataPointUtil.hasZeroHeight(adjColumnView.get(0)))
@@ -341,13 +348,24 @@ public class ColumnBox
 			
 			
 			// Apply light to the range [adjMinY, adjMaxY)
-			applyLightToRange(segments, newSegments, adjMinY, adjMaxY, lightToApply);
+			applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(segments, newSegments, adjMinY, adjMaxY, lightToApply);
+			{
+				// swap references so we can use the newly populated segments
+				LongArrayList temp = segments;
+				segments = newSegments;
+				newSegments = temp;
+			}
 			
 			// Fill overhang area [adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY) with adjSkyLight
 			short adjAboveMinY = RenderDataPointUtil.getYMin(adjAbovePoint);
 			if (adjMaxY < adjAboveMinY)
 			{
-				applyLightToRange(segments, newSegments, adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY, adjSkyLight);
+				applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(segments, newSegments, adjMaxY, adjAboveMinY, adjSkyLight);
+				{
+					LongArrayList temp = segments;
+					segments = newSegments;
+					newSegments = temp;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -373,10 +391,11 @@ public class ColumnBox
 	/**
 	 * Apply the new light value over the given y range,
 	 * splitting segments as needed
+	 * and putting the new segments into "newSegments"
 	 * <p>
 	 * source: claude.ai
 	 */
-	private static void applyLightToRange(
+	private static void applyLightToRangeAndPopulateNewSgements(
 			LongArrayList segments, LongArrayList newSegments, 
 			short rangeStart, short rangeEnd, 
 			byte newLight)
@@ -419,9 +438,6 @@ public class ColumnBox
 				newSegments.add(YSegmentUtil.encode(rangeEnd, endY, skyLight));
 			}
 		}
-		
-		segments.clear();
-		segments.addAll(newSegments);
 	}
 	
 	private static void tryAddVerticalFaceWithSkyLightToBuilder(

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

@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListChec
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnRenderView;
@@ -55,26 +55,6 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 	// vbo building //
 	//==============//
 	
-	/** @link adjData should be null for adjacent sections that cross detail level boundaries */
-	public static CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadBuffersAsync(
-			IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
-			long pos,
-			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder
-		)
-	{
-		DhBlockPos minBlockPos = new DhBlockPos(DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos), clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(), DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos));
-		LodBufferContainer bufferContainer = new LodBufferContainer(pos, minBlockPos);
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = bufferContainer.makeAndUploadBuffersAsync(quadBuilder);
-		uploadFuture.whenComplete((uploadedBuffer, exception) -> 
-		{
-			// clean up if not uploaded
-			if (uploadedBuffer != null && !uploadedBuffer.buffersUploaded)
-			{
-				uploadedBuffer.close();
-			}
-		});
-		return uploadFuture;
-	}
 	public static void makeLodRenderData(
 			LodQuadBuilder quadBuilder, ColumnRenderSource renderSource, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
 			ColumnRenderSource[] adjRegions, boolean[] isSameDetailLevel)
@@ -328,7 +308,7 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 		
 		int color;
 		boolean fullBright = false;
-		EDhApiDebugRendering debugging = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get();
+		EDhApiDebugRendering debugging = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get();
 		switch (debugging)
 		{
 			case OFF:

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

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
+
+import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
+
+import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
+import java.nio.ByteOrder;
+
+public class IndexBufferBuilder
+{
+	
+	
+	//==========//
+	// building //
+	//==========//
+	//region
+	
+	/** Buffer should be freed by {@link MemoryUtil#memFree} */
+	public static ByteBuffer createBuffer(int quadCount)
+	{
+		int indexCount = quadCount * 6; // 2 triangles per quad
+		ByteBuffer buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(indexCount * Integer.BYTES);
+		buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
+		buildBufferInt(quadCount, buffer);
+		
+		return buffer;
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferByte(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 1));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 2));
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 2));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex + 3));
+			buffer.put((byte) (vIndex));
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferShort(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 1));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 2));
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 2));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex + 3));
+			buffer.putShort((short) (vIndex));
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	private static void buildBufferInt(int quadCount, ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < quadCount; i++)
+		{
+			int vIndex = i * 4;
+			// First triangle
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 1);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 2);
+			// Second triangle
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 2);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex + 3);
+			buffer.putInt(vIndex);
+		}
+		if (buffer.hasRemaining())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException("QuadElementBuffer is not full somehow after building");
+		}
+		buffer.rewind();
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

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

@@ -20,22 +20,23 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.objects.ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhTerrainRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.objects.IVertexBufferWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
 
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
 
 /**
  * Java representation of one or more OpenGL buffers for rendering.
@@ -47,6 +48,7 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
 	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
+	private static final AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition RENDER_DEF = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition.class);
 	
 	
 	/** the position closest to minimum X/Z infinity and the level's lowest Y */
@@ -55,13 +57,11 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	public boolean buffersUploaded = false;
 	
-	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbos;
-	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbosTransparent;
+	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboOpaqueWrappers;
+	public IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboTransparentWrappers;
 	
 	public ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper uniformContainer = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createLodContainerUniformWrapper();
 	
-	private final AtomicReference<CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer>> uploadFutureRef = new AtomicReference<>(null);
-	
 	
 	
 	//==============//
@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	//==============//
 	//region
 	
-	public LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
+	private LodBufferContainer(long pos, DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos)
 	{
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.minCornerBlockPos = minCornerBlockPos;
-		this.vbos = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
-		this.vbosTransparent = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
+		this.vboOpaqueWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
+		this.vboTransparentWrappers = new IVertexBufferWrapper[0];
 		
 		this.uniformContainer.createUniformData(this);
 	}
@@ -89,94 +89,182 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	//region
 	
 	/** Should be run on a DH thread. */
-	public synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> makeAndUploadBuffersAsync(LodQuadBuilder builder)
+	public static CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(
+		long pos, IDhClientLevel clientLevel,
+		LodQuadBuilder builder)
 	{
-		// separate variable to prevent race condition when checking null
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> oldFuture = this.uploadFutureRef.get();
-		if (oldFuture != null)
-		{
-			// upload already in process
-			return oldFuture;
-		}
-		
 		// new upload needed
 		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
-		future.handle((lodBufferContainer, throwable) -> 
-		{
-			if (!this.uploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(future, null))
-			{
-				LOGGER.warn("upload future ref changed for pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
-			}
-			
-			return null;
-		});
-		
-		if (!this.uploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
-		{
-			oldFuture = this.uploadFutureRef.get();
-			LodUtil.assertTrue(oldFuture != null, "Concurrency error");
-			return oldFuture;
-		}
 		
 		
 		
-		// make the buffers
+		//================//
+		// create buffers //
+		//================//
+		//region
+		
+		DhBlockPos minCornerBlockPos = new DhBlockPos(
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos),
+			clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(),
+			DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos));
+		LodBufferContainer bufferContainer = new LodBufferContainer(pos, minCornerBlockPos);
+		
+		// create CPU vertex buffers
 		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueBuffers = builder.makeOpaqueVertexBuffers();
 		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentBuffers = builder.makeTransparentVertexBuffers();
 		
-		this.vbos = resizeBufferArray(this.vbos, opaqueBuffers.size());
-		this.vbosTransparent = resizeBufferArray(this.vbosTransparent, transparentBuffers.size());
+		// update arrays to contain buffers
+		bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers.size());
+		bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers = resizeWrapperArray(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers.size());
+		
+		// create CPU index buffers if needed.
+		// Mac requires separate IBO objects for each VBO when using OpenGL,
+		// all other OS's can share a single IBO for quicker loading times
+		boolean useSingleIbo = RENDER_DEF.useSingleIbo();
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> opaqueIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(opaqueBuffers);
+		@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> transparentIndexBuffers = useSingleIbo ? null : bufferContainer.createIndexBuffers(transparentBuffers);
+		
+		//endregion
 		
 		
-		// upload on MC's render thread
-		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		
+		//=============//
+		// create VBOs //
+		//=============//
+		//region	
+		
+		CompletableFuture<Void> createFuture = new CompletableFuture<Void>();
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Setup", () ->
 		{
 			try
 			{
 				// skip this event if requested
-				if (Thread.interrupted() 
+				if (Thread.interrupted()
 					|| future.isCancelled())
 				{
 					throw new InterruptedException();
 				}
 				
-				// upload on the render thread
-				uploadBuffers(this.vbos, opaqueBuffers);
-				uploadBuffers(this.vbosTransparent, transparentBuffers);
-				this.buffersUploaded = true;
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers);
+				createBufferWrappers(bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers);
 				
-				// success
-				future.complete(this);
-			}
-			catch (InterruptedException ignore) 
-			{
-				future.complete(this);
+				createFuture.complete(null);
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffer ["+this.minCornerBlockPos +"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-				
-				future.completeExceptionally(e);
-			}
-			finally
-			{
-				// all the buffers must be manually freed to prevent memory leaks
-				
-				for (ByteBuffer buffer : opaqueBuffers)
+				if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
 				{
-					MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
-				}
-				
-				for (ByteBuffer buffer : transparentBuffers)
-				{
-					MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating buffers for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(bufferContainer.pos)+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
 				}
+
+				bufferContainer.close();
+				createFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
 			}
 		});
 		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//====================//
+		// upload VBOs to GPU //
+		//====================//
+		//region
+		
+		createFuture.exceptionally((Throwable e) ->
+		{
+			// create VBOs failed //
+			if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating buffer [" + bufferContainer.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+			}
+			
+			bufferContainer.close();
+			future.completeExceptionally(e);
+			return null;
+		});
+		createFuture.thenRun(() ->
+		{
+			CompletableFuture<Void> opaqueFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, bufferContainer.vboOpaqueWrappers, opaqueBuffers, opaqueIndexBuffers);
+			CompletableFuture<Void> transparentFuture = uploadBuffersAsync(future, bufferContainer.vboTransparentWrappers, transparentBuffers, transparentIndexBuffers);
+			CompletableFuture<Void> uploadFuture = CompletableFuture.allOf(opaqueFuture, transparentFuture);
+			uploadFuture.exceptionally((Throwable e) ->
+			{
+				// upload failed //
+				if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffer [" + bufferContainer.minCornerBlockPos + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
+				
+				bufferContainer.close();
+				future.completeExceptionally(e);
+				return null;
+			});
+			uploadFuture.thenRun(() ->
+			{
+				// upload success //
+				bufferContainer.buffersUploaded = true;
+				future.complete(bufferContainer);
+			});
+		});
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//====================//
+		// CPU Buffer cleanup //
+		//====================//
+		//region
+		
+		future.whenComplete((LodBufferContainer lodBufferContainer, Throwable throwable) -> 
+		{
+			// all the buffers must be manually freed to prevent memory leaks
+			
+			tryFreeByteBufferList(opaqueBuffers);
+			tryFreeByteBufferList(transparentBuffers);
+			
+			tryFreeByteBufferList(opaqueIndexBuffers);
+			tryFreeByteBufferList(transparentIndexBuffers);
+			
+		});
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
 		return future;
 	}
-	private static IVertexBufferWrapper[] resizeBufferArray(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbos, int newSize)
+	private static void tryFreeByteBufferList(@Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> list)
+	{
+		if (list != null) 
+		{
+			for (ByteBuffer buffer : list) 
+			{
+				MemoryUtil.memFree(buffer);
+			} 
+		}
+	}
+	
+	
+	private ArrayList<ByteBuffer> createIndexBuffers(ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
+	{
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> indexBuffers = new ArrayList<>();
+		
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
+		{
+			ByteBuffer buffer = vertexBuffers.get(i);
+			int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
+			int maxVertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+			int quadCount = (maxVertexCount / 4);
+			ByteBuffer indexBuffer = IndexBufferBuilder.createBuffer(quadCount);
+			indexBuffers.add(indexBuffer);
+		}
+		
+		return indexBuffers;
+	}
+	
+	private static IVertexBufferWrapper[] resizeWrapperArray(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbos, int newSize)
 	{
 		if (vbos.length == newSize)
 		{
@@ -197,46 +285,141 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 		}
 		return newVbos;
 	}
-	private static void uploadBuffers(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vbos, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> byteBuffers) throws InterruptedException
+	
+	private static void createBufferWrappers(IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers)
 	{
-		int vboIndex = 0;
-		for (int i = 0; i < byteBuffers.size(); i++)
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
 		{
-			if (vboIndex >= vbos.length)
+			if (i >= vboWrappers.length)
+			{
+				throw new RuntimeException("Too many vertex buffers!!");
+			}
+			
+			if (vboWrappers[i] == null)
+			{
+				vboWrappers[i] = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createVboWrapper("distantHorizons:McLodRenderer");
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** Index buffers should be null if {@link AbstractDhRenderApiDefinition#useSingleIbo()} returns true. */
+	private static CompletableFuture<Void> uploadBuffersAsync(
+		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> parentFuture,
+		IVertexBufferWrapper[] vboWrappers, 
+		ArrayList<ByteBuffer> vertexBuffers, @Nullable ArrayList<ByteBuffer> indexBuffers
+		)
+	{
+		ArrayList<CompletableFuture<Void>> uploadFutureList = new ArrayList<>();
+		int vboIndex = 0;
+		for (int i = 0; i < vertexBuffers.size(); i++)
+		{
+			if (vboIndex >= vboWrappers.length)
 			{
 				throw new RuntimeException("Too many vertex buffers!!");
 			}
 			
 			
-			// get or create the VBO
-			if (vbos[vboIndex] == null)
-			{
-				vbos[vboIndex] = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class).createVboWrapper("distantHorizons:McLodRenderer");
-			}
-			IVertexBufferWrapper vbo = vbos[vboIndex];
 			
-			ByteBuffer buffer = byteBuffers.get(i);
-			int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
-			int vertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+			// final variables for use in lambdas //
 			
-			try
+			final IVertexBufferWrapper finalVboWrapper = vboWrappers[vboIndex];
+			
+			final ByteBuffer finalVertexBuffer = vertexBuffers.get(vboIndex);
+			// index buffers are optional
+			@Nullable final ByteBuffer finalIndexBuffer = (indexBuffers != null) ? indexBuffers.get(vboIndex) : null;
+			
+			final int finalVertexCount = vertexByteBufferToVertexCount(finalVertexBuffer);
+			
+			
+			
+			//===============//
+			// vertex upload //
+			//===============//
+			//region
+			
+			CompletableFuture<Void> vertexUploadFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+			uploadFutureList.add(vertexUploadFuture);
+			
+			
+			final StackTraceElement[] stackTraceElements = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
+			RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer VBO Upload", () ->
 			{
-				vbo.upload(buffer, vertexCount);
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
+				try
+				{
+					// skip this event if requested
+					if (Thread.interrupted()
+						|| parentFuture.isCancelled())
+					{
+						throw new InterruptedException();
+					}
+					
+					finalVboWrapper.uploadVertexBuffer(finalVertexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
+					vertexUploadFuture.complete(null);
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					vertexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
+				}
+			});
+			
+			//endregion
+			
+			
+			
+			//==============//
+			// index upload //
+			//==============//
+			//region
+			
+			if (finalIndexBuffer != null)
 			{
-				vbos[vboIndex] = null;
-				vbo.close();
-				LOGGER.error("Failed to upload buffer. Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				CompletableFuture<Void> indexUploadFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
+				uploadFutureList.add(indexUploadFuture);
+				
+				RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer IBO Upload", () ->
+				{
+					try
+					{
+						// skip this event if requested
+						if (Thread.interrupted()
+							|| parentFuture.isCancelled())
+						{
+							throw new InterruptedException();
+						}
+						
+						finalVboWrapper.uploadIndexBuffer(finalIndexBuffer, finalVertexCount);
+						indexUploadFuture.complete(null);
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						finalVboWrapper.close();
+						indexUploadFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
+					}
+				});
 			}
+			//endregion
+			
+			
 			
 			vboIndex++;
 		}
 		
-		if (vboIndex < vbos.length)
+		if (vboIndex < vboWrappers.length)
 		{
 			throw new RuntimeException("Too few vertex buffers!!");
 		}
+		
+		
+		
+		// merge futures //
+		
+		CompletableFuture<?>[] futureArray = new CompletableFuture[uploadFutureList.size()];
+		for (int i = 0; i < uploadFutureList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			futureArray[i] = uploadFutureList.get(i);
+		}
+		return CompletableFuture.allOf(futureArray);
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -248,29 +431,34 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	//================//
 	//region
 	
+	private static int vertexByteBufferToVertexCount(ByteBuffer buffer)
+	{
+		int size = buffer.limit() - buffer.position();
+		int vertexCount = size / LodQuadBuilder.BYTES_PER_VERTEX;
+		return vertexCount;
+	}
+	
 	/** can be used when debugging */
-	public boolean hasNonNullVbos() { return this.vbos != null || this.vbosTransparent != null; }
+	public boolean hasNonNullVbos() { return this.vboOpaqueWrappers != null || this.vboTransparentWrappers != null; }
 	
 	/** can be used when debugging */
 	public int vboBufferCount() 
 	{
 		int count = 0;
 		
-		if (this.vbos != null)
+		if (this.vboOpaqueWrappers != null)
 		{
-			count += this.vbos.length;
+			count += this.vboOpaqueWrappers.length;
 		}
 		
-		if (this.vbosTransparent != null)
+		if (this.vboTransparentWrappers != null)
 		{
-			count += this.vbosTransparent.length;
+			count += this.vboTransparentWrappers.length;
 		}
 		
 		return count;
 	}
 	
-	public boolean uploadInProgress() { return this.uploadFutureRef.get() != null; }
-	
 	//endregion
 	
 	
@@ -291,28 +479,31 @@ public class LodBufferContainer implements AutoCloseable
 	{
 		this.buffersUploaded = false;
 		
-		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() -> 
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodBufferContainer Close", () -> 
 		{
-			for (IVertexBufferWrapper buffer : this.vbos)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.close();
-				}
-			}
-			
-			for (IVertexBufferWrapper buffer : this.vbosTransparent)
-			{
-				if (buffer != null)
-				{
-					buffer.close();
-				}
-			}
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboOpaqueWrappers);
+			tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(this.vboTransparentWrappers);
 			
 			this.uniformContainer.close();
 		});
 	}
 	
+	private static void tryCloseBufferWrapperArray(@Nullable IVertexBufferWrapper[] bufferWrappers)
+	{
+		if (bufferWrappers != null)
+		{
+			for (int i = 0; i < bufferWrappers.length; i++)
+			{
+				IVertexBufferWrapper buffer = bufferWrappers[i];
+				bufferWrappers[i] = null;
+				if (buffer != null)
+				{
+					buffer.close();
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
 	//endregion
 	
 	

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

@@ -30,9 +30,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhTerrainRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import org.lwjgl.system.MemoryUtil;
 
@@ -57,11 +56,12 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	private final EDhApiDebugRendering debugRenderingMode;
 	private final EDhApiGrassSideRendering grassSideRenderingMode;
 	
-	/** the number of bytes for */
-	public static final int BYTES_PER_VERTEX = 14;
+	/** the number of bytes for a single vertex */
+	public static final int BYTES_PER_VERTEX = 16;
+	public static final int BYTES_PER_QUAD = BYTES_PER_VERTEX * 4;
 	
 	public static final int[][][] DIRECTION_VERTEX_IBO_QUAD = new int[][][]
-	///region
+	//region
 		{
 			// X,Z //
 			{ // UP
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 				{0, 0}, // 3
 			},
 		};
-	///endregion
+	//endregion
 	
 	private int premergeCount = 0;
 	
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		
 		this.clientLevelWrapper = clientLevelWrapper;
 		
-		this.debugRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering.get();
+		this.debugRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRenderingColors.get();
 		this.grassSideRenderingMode = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.grassSideRendering.get();
 		
 	}
@@ -308,7 +308,8 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 			{
 				// if this is the first iteration or the buffer is full, 
 				// create a new buffer
-				if (buffer == null || !buffer.hasRemaining())
+				if (buffer == null 
+					|| buffer.remaining() < BYTES_PER_QUAD)
 				{
 					buffer = MemoryUtil.memAlloc(getMaxBufferByteSize());
 					byteBufferList.add(buffer);
@@ -393,7 +394,7 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 								// for horizontal and bottom faces of grass blocks, use the  dirt color to
 								// prevent green cliff walls
 								color = this.clientLevelWrapper.getDirtBlockColor();
-								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, MC_RENDER.getShade(quad.direction));
+								color = ColorUtil.applyShade(color, this.clientLevelWrapper.getShade(quad.direction));
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -498,16 +499,18 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 			return maxBufferByteSize;
 		}
 		
-		// number of bytes a single quad takes
-		int QUADS_BYTE_SIZE = BYTES_PER_VERTEX * 4;
-		// how big a single VBO can be in bytes
-		int MAX_VBO_BYTE_SIZE = 10 * 1024 * 1024; // 10 MB
-		int MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER = MAX_VBO_BYTE_SIZE / QUADS_BYTE_SIZE;
-		int FULL_SIZED_BUFFER = MAX_QUADS_PER_BUFFER * QUADS_BYTE_SIZE;
+		// 2 MB
+		// note: this is relatively small (10 MB was the previous max) to reduce stuttering
+		// during the upload process by having smaller upload steps
+		int maxVboByteSize = 2 * 1024 * 1024; 
 		
-		maxBufferByteSize = FULL_SIZED_BUFFER;
+		int maxQuadsPerBuffer = maxVboByteSize / BYTES_PER_QUAD;
+		// integer truncation to remove decimal component
+		int fullSizedBuffer = maxQuadsPerBuffer * BYTES_PER_QUAD;
 		
-		return FULL_SIZED_BUFFER;
+		maxBufferByteSize = fullSizedBuffer;
+		
+		return fullSizedBuffer;
 	}
 	
 	///endregion

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

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrappe
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongOpenHashSet;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -128,6 +129,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView = ColumnRenderView.getPooled();
 			RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList = new RenderDataPointReducingList())
 		{
+			DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable();
 			for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
 			{
 				for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
@@ -141,7 +143,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 						baseX + BitShiftUtil.pow(x, dataDetail), baseZ + BitShiftUtil.pow(z, dataDetail),
 						columnArrayView, dataColumn,
 						// pooled references so we don't need to re-allocate/get them 4000 times per render source
-						phantomCheckout, tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList);
+						phantomCheckout, tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList, mutableBlockPos);
 				}
 			}
 		}
@@ -156,7 +158,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			ColumnRenderView columnArrayView, 
 			LongArrayList fullDataColumn,
 			// pooled references
-			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout, ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList)
+			PhantomArrayListCheckout phantomCheckout, ColumnRenderView tempExpandingColumnView, RenderDataPointReducingList reducingList, DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos)
 	{
 		// we can't do anything if the full data is missing or empty
 		if (fullDataColumn == null 
@@ -169,7 +171,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		if (fullDataLength <= columnArrayView.maxVerticalSliceCount)
 		{
 			// Directly use the arrayView since it fits.
-			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn, mutableBlockPos);
 		}
 		else
 		{
@@ -177,7 +179,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			
 			// expand the ColumnArrayView to fit the new larger max vertical size
 			tempExpandingColumnView.populate(dataArrayList, fullDataLength, 0, fullDataLength);
-			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, tempExpandingColumnView, fullDataColumn);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, tempExpandingColumnView, fullDataColumn, mutableBlockPos);
 			
 			columnArrayView.changeVerticalSizeFrom(tempExpandingColumnView, reducingList);
 		}
@@ -185,7 +187,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 	private static void setRenderColumnView(
 			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource,
 			int blockX, int blockZ,
-			ColumnRenderView renderColumnData, LongArrayList fullColumnData)
+			ColumnRenderView renderColumnData, LongArrayList fullColumnData, DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos)
 	{
 		//===============//
 		// config values //
@@ -194,8 +196,12 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		boolean ignoreNonCollidingBlocks = (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.blocksToIgnore.get() == EDhApiBlocksToAvoid.NON_COLLIDING);
 		boolean colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.tintWithAvoidedBlocks.get();
 		
-		ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(levelWrapper);
-		ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> waterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> waterSurfaceReplacementBlocks = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterSurfaceReplacementBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		final IBlockStateWrapper water = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterBlockStateWrapper(levelWrapper);
+		
 		
 		// build snow block cache if needed
 		if (snowLayerBlockStates == null)
@@ -223,6 +229,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		int colorToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
 		int lastColor = 0;
 		int lastBottom = -10_000;
+		IBlockStateWrapper lastBlock = null;
 		
 		int skylightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
 		int blocklightToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
@@ -236,7 +243,8 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		
 		FullDataPointIdMap fullDataMapping = fullDataSource.mapping;
 		
-		DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable(blockX, 0, blockZ);
+		mutableBlockPos.setX(blockX);
+		mutableBlockPos.setZ(blockZ);
 		
 		// goes from the top down
 		for (int fullDataIndex = 0; fullDataIndex < fullColumnData.size(); fullDataIndex++)
@@ -283,6 +291,12 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			// cave culling check //
 			//====================//
 			
+			if (waterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks.contains(block)
+				&& (lastBlock == null || lastBlock.isAir()))
+			{
+				block = water;
+			}
+			
 			boolean ignoreBlock = blockStatesToIgnore.contains(block);
 			boolean caveBlock = caveBlockStatesToIgnore.contains(block);
 			if (caveBlock
@@ -328,6 +342,9 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			else if (ignoreBlock)
 			{
 				// this is an ignored block, but shouldn't be merged like a cave block
+				
+				// applying this sky light to the next block should prevent black spots for opaque covering blocks 
+				skylightToApplyToNextBlock = skyLight;
 				continue;
 			}
 			
@@ -343,21 +360,37 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				&& !block.isLiquid()
 				&& block.getOpacity() != LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE;
 			
-			// merge snow into the block below it
-			if (snowLayerBlockStates.contains(block))
+			// handle height reduction
+			boolean isSnowLayer = snowLayerBlockStates.contains(block);
+			boolean isWaterSurfaceReplacement = waterSurfaceReplacementBlocks.contains(block);
+			if (isSnowLayer || isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
 			{
-				// sometimes a snow datapoint will be multiple blocks tall,
+				if (isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
+				{
+					// replace the block with water
+					block = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getWaterBlockStateWrapper(levelWrapper);
+				}
+				
+				// sometimes a datapoint will be multiple blocks tall,
 				// in that case we just want to drop the top by 1
 				blockHeight -= 1;
 				if (blockHeight == 0)
 				{
-					// this snow block was entirely removed, just color the block below it
+					// this block was entirely removed, just color the block below it
 					ignoreNonSolidBlock = true;
 					
-					// snow is a special case where it should always tint the block
-					// below it, if not done grass will appear as gray
-					int snowColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
-					colorToApplyToNextBlock = ColorUtil.setAlpha(snowColor, 255);
+					
+					if (isSnowLayer)
+					{
+						// snow is a special case where it should always tint the block
+						// below it, if not done grass will appear as gray
+						int snowColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+						colorToApplyToNextBlock = ColorUtil.setAlpha(snowColor, 255);
+					}
+					else //if (isWaterSurfaceReplacement)
+					{
+						colorToApplyToNextBlock = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+					}
 				}
 			}
 			
@@ -419,8 +452,17 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				// use the previous block's color
 				color = colorToApplyToNextBlock;
 				colorToApplyToNextBlock = -1;
-				skyLight = skylightToApplyToNextBlock;
-				blockLight = blocklightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				
+				// use the skylight override if present
+				if (skylightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					skyLight = skylightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				}
+				
+				if (blocklightToApplyToNextBlock != -1)
+				{
+					blockLight = blocklightToApplyToNextBlock;
+				}
 			}
 			
 			
@@ -449,6 +491,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			}
 			lastBottom = bottomY;
 			lastColor = color;
+			lastBlock = block;
 		}
 		
 		

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ 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;
@@ -93,7 +92,8 @@ public class PregenManager
 		private final AtomicInteger nextSectionSpiralIndex = new AtomicInteger(0);
 		
 		private final AtomicLong lastTaskFinishTime = new AtomicLong(System.currentTimeMillis());
-		private final RollingAverage averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs = new RollingAverage(1000);
+		private RollingAverage averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs = new RollingAverage(1000);
+		private final RollingAverage averageTaskCompletionIntervalMsShort = new RollingAverage(50);
 		
 		private final AtomicLong lastLogTime = new AtomicLong();
 		
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ public class PregenManager
 					
 					long timeSincePreviousTaskFinish = System.currentTimeMillis() - this.lastTaskFinishTime.getAndSet(System.currentTimeMillis());
 					this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs.add(timeSincePreviousTaskFinish);
+					this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMsShort.add(timeSincePreviousTaskFinish);
 					
 					PregenState.this.fillPendingQueue();
 				})
@@ -181,7 +182,14 @@ public class PregenManager
 			double chunksToGenerate = Math.ceil(Math.sqrt(this.sectionsToGenerate) / 2 * 4 * 10) / 10; // ceil to nearest 0.1
 			int chunkRatePerSecond = (int) (1000 / this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs.getAverage() * 4 * 4);
 			double etaMs = this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs.getAverage() * (this.sectionsToGenerate - this.nextSectionSpiralIndex.get());
-			
+
+			// Reset long rolling average if short average diverged too much (<0.5 / >2.0)
+			double averageRatio = this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMsShort.getAverage() / this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs.getAverage();
+			if (averageRatio < 0.5 || averageRatio > 2.0)
+			{
+				this.averageTaskCompletionIntervalMs = new RollingAverage(1000);
+			}
+
 			return MessageFormat.format("Generated radius: {0,number,#.###} / {1,number,#.#} chunks ({2} cps, {3,number,#.###%}), ETA: {4}",
 					this.generatedRadius.getValue(),
 					chunksToGenerate,

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

@@ -0,0 +1,227 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhServerLevel;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.FormatUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
+
+import java.time.Duration;
+import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
+import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
+
+/** 
+ * Handles the {@link IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue} and any other necessary world gen information. 
+ * 
+ * @see LodRequestModule
+ * @see IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue
+ */
+public abstract class AbstractLodRequestState
+{
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+	
+	/** static so we only send the disable message once per session */
+	private static long firstProgressMessageSentMs = 0;
+	
+	
+	
+	public final IDhLevel dhLevel;
+	public final IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue;
+	
+	private final ThreadPoolExecutor progressUpdaterThread = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("World Gen Progress Updater");
+	private boolean progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
+	
+	
+	
+	//===========================//
+	// request queue and logging //
+	//===========================//
+	//region
+	
+	public AbstractLodRequestState(IDhLevel dhLevel, IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue)
+	{
+		this.dhLevel = dhLevel;
+		this.retrievalQueue = retrievalQueue;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//===========================//
+	// request queue and logging //
+	//===========================//
+	//region
+	
+	/** @param targetPosForRequest the position that world generation should be centered around */
+	public void startRequestQueueAndSetTargetPos(DhBlockPos2D targetPosForRequest)
+	{
+		this.retrievalQueue.startAndSetTargetPos(targetPosForRequest);
+		this.startProgressUpdateThread();
+	}
+	private void startProgressUpdateThread()
+	{
+		// only start the thread once
+		if (!this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
+		{
+			this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = true;
+			
+			progressUpdaterThread.execute(() ->
+			{
+				while (this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
+				{
+					try
+					{
+						this.sendRetrievalProgress();
+						
+						// sleep so we only see an update once in a while
+						int sleepTimeInSec = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisplayIntervalInSeconds.get();
+						Thread.sleep(sleepTimeInSec * 1_000L);
+					}
+					catch (Exception e)
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue displaying chunk retrieval progress [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+				}
+			});
+		}
+	}
+	private void sendRetrievalProgress()
+	{
+		// format the remaining chunks
+		int remainingChunkCount = this.retrievalQueue.getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount();
+		remainingChunkCount += this.retrievalQueue.getQueuedChunkCount();
+		String remainingChunkCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(remainingChunkCount);
+		
+		String message = "DH is generating chunks. ";
+		if (this.dhLevel.getClass() == DhServerLevel.class)
+		{
+			// server levels can have multiple world generators running at once,
+			// this helps us track of which queue is which
+			message += "For " + this.dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().getDimensionName() + " ";
+		}
+		message += remainingChunkCountStr + " left.";
+		
+		// show a message about how to disable progress logging if requested
+		int msToShowDisableInstructions = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisableMessageDisplayTimeInSeconds.get() * 1_000;
+		if (msToShowDisableInstructions > 0)
+		{
+			long timeSinceFirstMessageInMs = (System.currentTimeMillis() - firstProgressMessageSentMs);
+			// always show this message for the first tick
+			if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0
+				// show this message if there is still time
+				|| timeSinceFirstMessageInMs < msToShowDisableInstructions)
+			{
+				// append to the current message
+				message += " This message can be hidden in the DH config.";
+			}
+		}
+		
+		// add the remaining time estimate if available
+		double chunksPerSec = this.getEstimatedChunksPerSecond();
+		if (chunksPerSec > 0)
+		{
+			long estimatedRemainingTime = (long) (remainingChunkCount / chunksPerSec);
+			message += " ETA: " + FormatUtil.formatEta(Duration.ofSeconds(estimatedRemainingTime));
+			
+			if (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressIncludeChunksPerSecond.get())
+			{
+				message += " at " + F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(chunksPerSec) + " chunks/sec";
+			}
+		}
+		
+		// only log if there are chunks needing to be generated
+		if (remainingChunkCount != 0)
+		{
+			// determine where to log
+			EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation displayLocation = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.showGenerationProgress.get();
+			if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.OVERLAY)
+			{
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.showOverlayMessageNextFrame(message);
+			}
+			else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.CHAT)
+			{
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
+			}
+			else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.LOG)
+			{
+				LOGGER.info(message);
+			}
+			
+			
+			// mark when the first message was sent
+			if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0)
+			{
+				firstProgressMessageSentMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** @return -1 if this method isn't supported or available */
+	public double getEstimatedChunksPerSecond()
+	{
+		RollingAverage avg = this.retrievalQueue.getRollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs();
+		if (avg == null)
+		{
+			return -1;
+		}
+		
+		
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
+		int threadCount = 1;
+		if (executor != null)
+		{
+			threadCount = executor.getPoolSize();
+		}
+		
+		// convert chunk generation time in milliseconds to chunks per second
+		double chunksPerSecond = (1 / avg.getAverage()) * 1_000;
+		// estimate the number of chunks that can be processed per second by all threads
+		// Note: this is probably higher than the actual number, we might want to drop this by 1 or 2 to give a more realistic estimate
+		chunksPerSecond = threadCount * chunksPerSecond;
+		
+		return chunksPerSecond;
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	public CompletableFuture<Void> closeAsync(boolean doInterrupt)
+	{
+		// this should stop the updater thread
+		this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
+		
+		return this.retrievalQueue.startClosingAsync(true, doInterrupt)
+			.exceptionally(e ->
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Error during first stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					return null;
+				}
+			).thenRun(this.retrievalQueue::close)
+			.exceptionally(e ->
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Error during second stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				return null;
+			});
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

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

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.DataSourceRetrievalResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
  * Used by both world gen and server networking.
  * 
  * @see LodQuadTree
+ * @see AbstractLodRequestState
+ * @see LodRequestModule
  */
 public interface IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue extends Closeable
 {

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

@@ -17,39 +17,35 @@
  *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.FormatUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.DhApiWorldProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
-import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.List;
-import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 /**
  * Handles both single-player/server-side world gen and client side LOD requests.
+ * 
+ * @see AbstractLodRequestState
+ * @see IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue
  */
 public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	
+	private final IDhLevel level;
 	private final GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider.IOnWorldGenCompleteListener onWorldGenCompleteListener;
 	private final ThreadPoolExecutor tickerThread;
 	
@@ -63,6 +59,7 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	public LodRequestModule(
 			IDhLevel level,
@@ -71,29 +68,50 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 			Supplier<? extends AbstractLodRequestState> worldGenStateSupplier
 		)
 	{
+		this.level = level;
 		this.onWorldGenCompleteListener = onWorldGenCompleteListener;
 		this.dataSourceProvider = dataSourceProvider;
 		this.worldGenStateSupplier = worldGenStateSupplier;
 		
-		String levelId = level.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier();
+		String levelId = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier();
 		this.tickerThread = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("Request Module Ticker ["+levelId+"]");
 		this.tickerThread.execute(this::tickLoop);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// ticking //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	private void tickLoop()
 	{
 		try
 		{
+			// Initial wait is to prevent an issue
+			// where this starts before the child object's constructor finishes,
+			// causing null pointers on final non-null references.
+			// The try-catch in the while loop should also handle this
+			// but this way we shouldn't have error logs.
+			Thread.sleep(500);
+			
+			// run until the threadpool is shut down
 			while (!Thread.interrupted())
 			{
-				Thread.sleep(20);
-				this.tick();
+				try
+				{
+					Thread.sleep(20);
+					
+					this.tick();
+				}
+				catch (InterruptedException e) { throw e; }
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in [" + LodRequestModule.class.getSimpleName() + "] tick loop, error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
@@ -101,8 +119,11 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 	private void tick()
 	{
 		boolean shouldDoWorldGen = this.onWorldGenCompleteListener.shouldDoWorldGen();
+		
 		// if the world is read only don't generate anything
-		shouldDoWorldGen &= !DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly();
+		shouldDoWorldGen &= !DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly();
+		
+		
 		
 		boolean isWorldGenRunning = this.isWorldGenRunning();
 		if (shouldDoWorldGen && !isWorldGenRunning)
@@ -130,11 +151,14 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//===================//
 	// world gen control //
 	//===================//
+	//region
 	
 	public void startWorldGen(GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider dataFileHandler, AbstractLodRequestState newWgs)
 	{
@@ -168,15 +192,19 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 			}
 		}
 		dataFileHandler.clearRetrievalQueue();
-		worldGenState.closeAsync(true).join(); //TODO: Make it async.
+		// synchronized shutdown necessary to make sure the tasks are all handled correctly
+		worldGenState.closeAsync(true).join();
 		dataFileHandler.removeWorldGenCompleteListener(this.onWorldGenCompleteListener);
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=======================//
 	// base method overrides //
 	//=======================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public void close()
@@ -198,16 +226,20 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 			
 			if (worldGenState != null)
 			{
-				worldGenState.closeAsync(true).join(); //TODO: Make it async.
+				// synchronized shutdown necessary to make sure the tasks are all handled correctly
+				worldGenState.closeAsync(true).join();
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=========//
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
+	//region
 	
 	public boolean isWorldGenRunning() { return this.lodRequestStateRef.get() != null; }
 	
@@ -239,170 +271,7 @@ public class LodRequestModule implements Closeable
 		worldGenState.retrievalQueue.addDebugMenuStringsToList(messageList);
 	}
 	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// helper classes //
-	//================//
-	
-	/** Handles the {@link IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue} and any other necessary world gen information. */
-	public static abstract class AbstractLodRequestState
-	{
-		/** static so we only send the disable message once per session */
-		private static long firstProgressMessageSentMs = 0;
-		
-		public IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue retrievalQueue;
-		
-		private static final ThreadPoolExecutor PROGRESS_UPDATER_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("World Gen Progress Updater");
-		private boolean progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
-		
-		
-		
-		/** @param targetPosForRequest the position that world generation should be centered around */
-		public void startRequestQueueAndSetTargetPos(DhBlockPos2D targetPosForRequest) 
-		{ 
-			this.retrievalQueue.startAndSetTargetPos(targetPosForRequest);
-			this.startProgressUpdateThread();
-		}
-		private void startProgressUpdateThread()
-		{
-			// only start the thread once
-			if (!this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
-			{
-				this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = true;
-				
-				PROGRESS_UPDATER_THREAD.execute(() -> 
-				{
-					while (this.progressUpdateThreadRunning)
-					{
-						try
-						{
-							this.sendRetrievalProgress();
-							
-							// sleep so we only see an update once in a while
-							int sleepTimeInSec = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisplayIntervalInSeconds.get();
-							Thread.sleep(sleepTimeInSec * 1_000L);
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue displaying chunk retrieval progress [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
-						}
-					}
-				});
-			}
-		}
-		private void sendRetrievalProgress()
-		{
-			// format the remaining chunks
-			int remainingChunkCount = this.retrievalQueue.getRetrievalEstimatedRemainingChunkCount();
-			remainingChunkCount += this.retrievalQueue.getQueuedChunkCount();
-			String remainingChunkCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(remainingChunkCount);
-			
-			String message = "DH is generating chunks. " + remainingChunkCountStr + " left."; // TODO getting stuck at 32 chunks remaining
-			
-			// show a message about how to disable progress logging if requested
-			int msToShowDisableInstructions = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisableMessageDisplayTimeInSeconds.get() * 1_000;
-			if (msToShowDisableInstructions > 0)
-			{
-				long timeSinceFirstMessageInMs = (System.currentTimeMillis() - firstProgressMessageSentMs);
-				// always show this message for the first tick
-				if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0
-						// show this message if there is still time
-						|| timeSinceFirstMessageInMs < msToShowDisableInstructions)
-				{
-					// append to the current message
-					message += " This message can be hidden in the DH config.";
-				}
-			}
-			
-			// add the remaining time estimate if available
-			double chunksPerSec = this.getEstimatedChunksPerSecond();
-			if (chunksPerSec > 0)
-			{
-				long estimatedRemainingTime = (long) (remainingChunkCount / chunksPerSec);
-				message += " ETA: " + FormatUtil.formatEta(Duration.ofSeconds(estimatedRemainingTime));
-				
-				if (Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressIncludeChunksPerSecond.get())
-				{
-					message += " at " + F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(chunksPerSec) + " chunks/sec";
-				}
-			}
-			
-			// only log if there are chunks needing to be generated
-			if (remainingChunkCount != 0)
-			{
-				// determine where to log
-				EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation displayLocation = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.showGenerationProgress.get();
-				if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.OVERLAY)
-				{
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showOverlayMessageNextFrame(message);
-				}
-				else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.CHAT)
-				{
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
-				}
-				else if (displayLocation == EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.LOG)
-				{
-					LOGGER.info(message);
-				}
-				
-				
-				// mark when the first message was sent
-				if (firstProgressMessageSentMs == 0)
-				{
-					firstProgressMessageSentMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		
-		/** @return -1 if this method isn't supported or available */
-		public double getEstimatedChunksPerSecond()
-		{
-			RollingAverage avg = this.retrievalQueue.getRollingAverageChunkGenTimeInMs();
-			if (avg == null)
-			{
-				return -1;
-			}
-			
-			
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
-			int threadCount = 1;
-			if (executor != null)
-			{
-				threadCount = executor.getPoolSize();
-			}
-			
-			// convert chunk generation time in milliseconds to chunks per second
-			double chunksPerSecond = (1 / avg.getAverage()) * 1_000;
-			// estimate the number of chunks that can be processed per second by all threads
-			// Note: this is probably higher than the actual number, we might want to drop this by 1 or 2 to give a more realistic estimate
-			chunksPerSecond = threadCount * chunksPerSecond;
-			
-			return chunksPerSecond;
-		}
-		
-		
-		CompletableFuture<Void> closeAsync(boolean doInterrupt)
-		{
-			// this should stop the updater thread
-			this.progressUpdateThreadRunning = false;
-			
-			return this.retrievalQueue.startClosingAsync(true, doInterrupt)
-					.exceptionally(e ->
-							{
-								LOGGER.error("Error during first stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-								return null;
-							}
-					).thenRun(this.retrievalQueue::close)
-					.exceptionally(e ->
-					{
-						LOGGER.error("Error during second stage of generation queue shutdown, Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-						return null;
-					});
-		}
-		
-		
-	}
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation;
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.WorldGenUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -28,16 +28,13 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.GitlabGetter;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.ModrinthGetter;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.installer.WebDownloader;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.NativeDialogUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IVersionConstants;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.jar.DeleteOnUnlock;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 
-import javax.swing.*;
-import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.*;
 import java.net.URLEncoder;
 import java.nio.file.Files;
@@ -59,6 +56,8 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	
+	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	
 	/** As we cannot delete(or replace) the jar while the mod is running, we just have this to delete it once the game closes */
 	public static boolean deleteOldJarOnJvmShutdown = false;
 	
@@ -264,7 +263,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
+					MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -287,7 +286,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
+				MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			
@@ -386,7 +385,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
+					MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, successMessage, "ok", "info");
 				}
 				catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			}).start();
@@ -424,7 +423,7 @@ public class SelfUpdater
 			LOGGER.error(failMessage, e);
 			try
 			{
-				NativeDialogUtil.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
+				MC_CLIENT.showDialog(ModInfo.READABLE_NAME, failMessage, "ok", "error");
 			}
 			catch (Exception ignore) { }
 			

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

@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	protected AbstractDhLevel() { }
 	
@@ -135,11 +136,14 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// default methods //
 	//=================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public void updateChunkAsync(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, int chunkHash)
@@ -208,11 +212,14 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 			});
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=======//
 	// repos //
 	//=======//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public int getChunkHash(DhChunkPos pos)
@@ -226,11 +233,14 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 		return (dto != null) ? dto.chunkHash : 0;
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=================//
 	// beacon handling //
 	//=================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override
 	public void updateBeaconBeamsForSectionPos(long sectionPos, List<BeaconBeamDTO> activeBeamList)
@@ -362,6 +372,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 	@Nullable
 	public BeaconBeamRepo getBeaconBeamRepo() { return this.beaconBeamRepo; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//

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

@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.FullDataSourceRequestH
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.ServerPlayerState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.ServerPlayerStateManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RequestOutOfRangeException;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RequestRejectedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.SectionRequiresSplittingException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractTrackableMessage;
@@ -98,7 +97,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 	
 	@Override
 	public boolean shouldDoWorldGen()
-	{ return Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.get() && !this.worldGenPlayerCenteringQueue.isEmpty(); }
+	{ return Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.get(); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public DhBlockPos2D getTargetPosForGeneration()
@@ -200,26 +199,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 		
 		LodUtil.assertTrue(message.getSession().serverPlayer != null);
 		
-		// Check if the player is in this dimension,
-		// since handling multiple dimensions isn't allowed
-		if (message.getSession().serverPlayer.getLevel() != this.getLevelWrapper())
-		{
-			// If the message can be replied to - reply with an error, otherwise just ignore
-			if (message instanceof AbstractTrackableMessage)
-			{
-				((AbstractTrackableMessage) message).sendResponse(
-						new RequestRejectedException(
-								"Generation not allowed. " +
-										"Requested dimension: ["+((ILevelRelatedMessage) message).getLevelName()+"], " +
-										"player dimension: [" + message.getSession().serverPlayer.getLevel().getDhIdentifier() + "], " +
-										"handler dimension: [" + this.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier() + "]"
-						)
-				);
-			}
-			
-			return false;
-		}
-		
 		return true;
 	}
 	

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

@@ -21,16 +21,21 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.IDataSourceUpdateListenerFunc;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree.LodQuadTree;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IImmersivePortalsAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
@@ -44,6 +49,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 {
 	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
 	
 	private final IDhClientLevel clientLevel;
@@ -106,7 +112,10 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 			this.ClientRenderStateRef.set(clientRenderState);
 		}
 		
-		clientRenderState.quadtree.tryTick(new DhBlockPos2D(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerBlockPos()));
+		// use camera position instead of player pos so free cam mods work better
+		Vec3d cameraDoublePos = MC_RENDER.getCameraExactPosition();
+		DhBlockPos2D cameraBlockPos = new DhBlockPos2D((int)cameraDoublePos.x, (int)cameraDoublePos.z);
+		clientRenderState.quadtree.tryTick(cameraBlockPos);
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -170,6 +179,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 		}
 		
 		this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeDataSourceUpdateListener(this);
+		this.genericRenderer.close();
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -259,7 +269,7 @@ public class ClientLevelModule implements Closeable, IDataSourceUpdateListenerFu
 		@Override
 		public void close()
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Shutting down " + ClientRenderState.class.getSimpleName());
+			//LOGGER.info("Shutting down " + ClientRenderState.class.getSimpleName());
 			this.quadtree.close();
 		}
 		

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

@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.RemoteFullDataSourceProvider;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ISaveStructure;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.AbstractLodRequestState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.queues.LodRequestModule;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.ClientNetworkState;
@@ -165,15 +167,17 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 			}
 			
 			
+			// Check this before decoding data to prevent errors if multiple client levels 
+			// are receiving data at once (Immersive Portals compatibility).
+			boolean isSameLevel = message.isSameLevelAs(this.levelWrapper);
+			//NETWORK_LOGGER.debug("Buffer ["+message.payload.dtoBufferId+"] isSameLevel: ["+isSameLevel+"]");
+			if (!isSameLevel)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
 			try (FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(message.payload))
 			{
-				boolean isSameLevel = message.isSameLevelAs(this.levelWrapper);
-				NETWORK_LOGGER.debug("Buffer ["+message.payload.dtoBufferId+"] isSameLevel: ["+isSameLevel+"]");
-				if (!isSameLevel)
-				{
-					return;
-				}
-				
 				
 				Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
 				if (executor != null)
@@ -182,7 +186,6 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 					{
 						try
 						{
-							// TODO this has a lock which can cause stuttering/lag issues
 							this.updateBeaconBeamsForSectionPos(dataSourceDto.pos, message.payload.beaconBeams);
 						}
 						catch (Exception e)
@@ -218,6 +221,7 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	{
 		try
 		{
+			if (MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel() == null || MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel().getDhLevel() != this) return;
 			this.clientside.clientTick();
 			
 			if (this.syncOnLoadRequestQueue != null)
@@ -397,12 +401,10 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	//================//
 	//region
 	
-	private static class LodRequestState extends LodRequestModule.AbstractLodRequestState
+	private static class LodRequestState extends AbstractLodRequestState
 	{
 		LodRequestState(DhClientLevel clientLevel, ClientNetworkState networkState)
-		{
-			this.retrievalQueue = new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, clientLevel);
-		}
+		{ super(clientLevel, new RemoteWorldRetrievalQueue(networkState, clientLevel)); }
 	}
 	
 	//endregion

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

@@ -71,7 +71,11 @@ public class DhClientServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel implements IDhCli
 	//region
 	
 	@Override
-	public void clientTick() { this.clientside.clientTick(); }
+	public void clientTick()
+	{
+		if (MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel() == null || MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel().getDhLevel() != this) return;
+		this.clientside.clientTick();
+	}
 	
 	//endregion
 	

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

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

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

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.ModJarInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
@@ -149,6 +150,13 @@ public class F3Screen
 			messageList.add("");
 		}
 		
+		// render thread tasks
+		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.F3Screen.showRenderThreadTasks.get())
+		{
+			RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.addDebugMenuStringsToList(messageList);
+			messageList.add("");
+		}
+		
 		// combined object pools
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.F3Screen.showCombinedObjectPools.get())
 		{

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.AbstractDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.config.SessionConfig;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.FullDataPayloadSender;
@@ -9,20 +10,25 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.SharedBandwidthLimit
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.IncompatibleMessageInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.CloseReasonMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.LevelInitMessage;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.RequestLevelInitMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base.SessionConfigMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.internal.CloseInternalEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.exceptions.RateLimitedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSourceRequestMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ratelimiting.SupplierBasedRateAndConcurrencyLimiter;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.io.Closeable;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 {
+	private final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
+	
 	private final ConfigChangeListener<String> levelKeyPrefixChangeListener
 			= new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Server.levelKeyPrefix, this::onLevelKeyPrefixConfigChanged);
 	private final SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener configAnyChangeListener = new SessionConfig.AnyChangeListener(this::sendConfigMessage);
@@ -66,6 +72,12 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 			this.sendConfigMessage();
 		});
 		
+		this.networkSession.registerHandler(RequestLevelInitMessage.class, (requestLevelKeyMessage) ->
+		{
+			sendLevelKey(requestLevelKeyMessage.clientLevelKey);
+		});
+		
+		
 		this.networkSession.registerHandler(CloseInternalEvent.class, event -> {
 			// No-op. prevents "Unhandled message" log entries
 		});
@@ -85,12 +97,27 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 	//=================//
 	
 	private void onLevelKeyPrefixConfigChanged(String newLevelKey) { this.sendLevelKey(); }
+	
+	private void sendLevelKey(String clientLevelKey)
+	{
+		sendLevelKey(() -> 
+			MC_SHARED
+			.getWrappedServerLevel(clientLevelKey)
+			.getKeyedLevelDimensionName());
+	}
 	private void sendLevelKey()
+	{
+		sendLevelKey(() -> 
+			this.getServerPlayer()
+				.getLevel()
+				.getKeyedLevelDimensionName());
+	}
+	private void sendLevelKey(Supplier<String> levelKeySupplier)
 	{
 		if (Config.Server.sendLevelKeys.get())
 		{
+			String levelKey = levelKeySupplier.get();
 			// let the client's know about the change
-			String levelKey = this.getServerPlayer().getLevel().getKeyedLevelDimensionName();
 			if (!levelKey.equals(this.lastLevelKey))
 			{
 				this.lastLevelKey = levelKey;

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

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

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

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.base;
+
+import com.google.common.base.MoreObjects;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
+import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
+
+/** used for full DH support */
+public class RequestLevelInitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
+{
+	public String clientLevelKey;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public RequestLevelInitMessage() { }
+	public RequestLevelInitMessage(String clientLevelKey) { this.clientLevelKey = clientLevelKey; }
+	
+	
+	
+	//===============//
+	// serialization //
+	//===============//
+	
+	@Override
+	public void encode(ByteBuf out) { this.writeString(this.clientLevelKey, out); }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void decode(ByteBuf in) { this.clientLevelKey = this.readString(in); }
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// base overrides //
+	//================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public MoreObjects.ToStringHelper toStringHelper()
+	{
+		return super.toStringHelper()
+				.add("levelKey", this.clientLevelKey);
+	}
+	
+}

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

@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ public class DhApiRenderProxy implements IDhApiRenderProxy
 			}
 		}
 		
+		// TODO clear tint handler too
+		
 		return DhApiResult.createSuccess();
 	}
 	

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

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.EDhDirection;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.V2.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
@@ -34,9 +35,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.BeaconRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.WorldGenUtil;
@@ -54,10 +58,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 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.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
@@ -96,8 +97,19 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	private final AtomicBoolean queueThreadRunningRef = new AtomicBoolean(false);
 	
 	
+	/**
+	 * contains the list of beacons currently being rendered in this section 
+	 * if this list is modified the {@link LodQuadTree#beaconRenderHandler} should be updated to match.
+	 */
+	private final ArrayList<BeaconRenderHandler.BeaconBeamWithWidth> beaconList = new ArrayList<>();
 	@Nullable
-	public final BeaconRenderHandler beaconRenderHandler;
+	private final BeaconRenderHandler beaconRenderHandler;
+	@Nullable
+	private final BeaconBeamRepo beaconBeamRepo;
+	/** used to prevent updating the beacons concurrently */
+	@NotNull
+	private CompletableFuture<Void> beaconUpdateFuture = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
+	
 	
 	/** the smallest numerical detail level number that can be rendered */
 	private byte maxLeafRenderDetailLevel;
@@ -137,7 +149,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			int initialPlayerBlockX, int initialPlayerBlockZ,
 			FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
 	{
-		super(viewDiameterInBlocks, new DhBlockPos2D(initialPlayerBlockX, initialPlayerBlockZ), DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+		super(viewDiameterInBlocks, FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH, 
+			new DhBlockPos2D(initialPlayerBlockX, initialPlayerBlockZ), DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
 		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus);
 		
@@ -148,6 +161,8 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		IDhGenericRenderer genericObjectRenderer = this.level.getGenericRenderer();
 		this.beaconRenderHandler = (genericObjectRenderer != null) ? new BeaconRenderHandler(genericObjectRenderer) : null;
 		
+		this.beaconBeamRepo = this.level.getBeaconBeamRepo();
+		
 		Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.addListener(this);
 		Config.Server.enableServerGeneration.addListener(this);
 		
@@ -232,17 +247,38 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//===================//
 		//region
 		
-		this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, (renderSection) ->
-		{
-			// removing out of bounds sections
-			if (renderSection != null)
+		// remove out of bound sections
+		this.setCenterBlockPos(playerPos, 
+			// remove completely out of bound nodes
+			// (the root node is no longer in bounds)
+			(renderSection) ->
 			{
-				this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
-				this.missingGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
-				this.queuedGenerationPosSet.remove(renderSection.pos);
-				renderSection.close();
+				if (renderSection != null)
+				{
+					this.fullDataSourceProvider.removeRetrievalRequestIf((long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					
+					// unfortunately we have to fully go through each set
+					// since a removed position may be larger than the multiple generated positions
+					// it contains
+					this.missingGenerationPosSet.removeIf((Long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					this.queuedGenerationPosSet.removeIf((Long genPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(renderSection.pos, genPos));
+					
+					renderSection.close();
+				}
+			},
+			// mutate partially out of bound nodes
+			// (the root node is still in bounds, but this individual child node isn't)
+			(renderSection) ->
+			{
+				if (renderSection != null)
+				{
+					// when this node comes back into render distance
+					// we'll need to re-load it since the full data
+					// may have been modified while it was out of bounds
+					renderSection.renderDataDirty = true;
+				}
 			}
-		});
+		);
 		
 		//endregion
 		
@@ -291,7 +327,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 					continue;
 				}
 				
-				node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = false;
+				node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = false;
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -359,28 +395,35 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//=========================//
 		//region
 		
-		// also handles disabling beacons
-		
 		for (QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node : this.tickNodeHolder.getDisableNodes())
 		{
 			if (node == null || node.value == null) { continue; }
 			
 			node.value.setRenderingEnabled(false);
-			node.value.tryDisableBeacons();
 		}
 		
 		for (QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node : this.tickNodeHolder.getEnableDeleteChildrenNodes())
 		{
-			if (node == null || node.value == null) { continue; }
-			
-			node.deleteAllChildren((childRenderSection) ->
+			if (node == null
+				|| node.value == null
+				// only clear the children if there are children to clear
+				|| node.getDirectChildCount() == 0) 
 			{
-				if (childRenderSection != null)
+				continue; 
+			}
+			
+			// run this on the render thread to hopefully prevent
+			// closing render data while rendering is happening
+			RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("LodQuadTree delayed child cleanup", () -> 
+			{
+				node.deleteAllChildren((childRenderSection) ->
 				{
-					childRenderSection.setRenderingEnabled(false);
-					childRenderSection.tryDisableBeacons();
-					childRenderSection.close();
-				}
+					if (childRenderSection != null)
+					{
+						childRenderSection.setRenderingEnabled(false);
+						childRenderSection.close();
+					}
+				});
 			});
 		}
 		
@@ -393,21 +436,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		//=================//
 		//region
 		
-		// must be handled after beacon disabling
-		// otherwise the beacons will be missing
-		
-		for (QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node : this.tickNodeHolder.getEnabledNodes())
-		{
-			if (node == null || node.value == null) { continue; }
-
-			node.value.tryEnableBeacons();
-		}
-		for (QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node : this.tickNodeHolder.getEnableDeleteChildrenNodes())
-		{
-			if (node == null || node.value == null) { continue; }
-			
-			node.value.tryEnableBeacons();
-		}
+		this.tryRefreshRenderingBeaconsAsync(playerPos);
 		
 		//endregion
 		
@@ -441,9 +470,9 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 						
 						// since this section wants to render
 						// check if it needs any generation to do so
-						if (!node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival)
+						if (!node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval)
 						{
-							node.value.retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = true;
+							node.value.queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = true;
 							this.tryQueuePosForRetrieval(node.value.pos); // can be quite slow
 						}
 					}
@@ -468,9 +497,10 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	//=========================//
 	// tick - recursive update //
 	//=========================//
-	///region
+	//region
 	
-	private void recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
 		@NotNull DhBlockPos2D playerPos, 
 		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, 
 		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode, 
@@ -482,19 +512,22 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		// get/create the node //
 		// and render section  //
 		//=====================//
-		///region
+		//region
 		
-		// create the node
-		if (quadNode == null)
-		{   
-			rootNode.setValue(sectionPos, new LodRenderSection(sectionPos, this, this.level, this.fullDataSourceProvider));
-			quadNode = rootNode.getNode(sectionPos);
-		}
-		if (quadNode == null)
+		quadNode = this.tryAddNodeToTree(rootNode, quadNode, sectionPos);
+		
+		
+		// Skip sections that are out-of-bounds.
+		// If not done some sections will appear and/or generate 
+		// outside the desired render distance
+		if (!this.isSectionPosInBounds(quadNode.sectionPos))
 		{
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Unable to add node with pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos)+"] to tree root ["+rootNode+"].");
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(quadNode);
+			return true;
 		}
 		
+		
 		// make sure the render section is created (shouldn't be necessary, but just in case)
 		LodRenderSection renderSection = quadNode.value;
 		if (renderSection == null)
@@ -503,7 +536,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			quadNode.setValue(sectionPos, renderSection);
 		}
 		
-		///endregion
+		//endregion
 		
 		
 		
@@ -511,7 +544,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		// handle enabling, loading,     //
 		// and disabling render sections //
 		//===============================//
-		///region
+		//region
 		
 		// load every node for rendering
 		if (!renderSection.gpuUploadInProgress()
@@ -527,94 +560,153 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		
 		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) > expectedDetailLevel)
 		{
-			this.onDetailLevelTooHigh(playerPos, rootNode, quadNode);
+			return this.onDetailLevelTooLow(playerPos, rootNode, quadNode);
 		}
 		// the (expectedDetailLevel-1) fixes corners being cut out due to distance calculations using the LOD center 
 		else if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) == expectedDetailLevel 
 			|| DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(quadNode.sectionPos) == expectedDetailLevel - 1)
 		{
-			this.onDesiredDetailLevel(quadNode, parentNode);
+			return this.onDesiredDetailLevel(quadNode, parentNode);
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			throw new IllegalStateException("LodQuadTree shouldn't be updating renderSections below the expected detail level: [" + expectedDetailLevel + "].");
 		}
 		
-		///endregion
+		//endregion
 	}
-	private void onDetailLevelTooHigh(
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean onDetailLevelTooLow(
 		@NotNull DhBlockPos2D playerPos, 
-		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, @NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode, 
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
 	{
 		// recursively update each child node
-		boolean allChildNodesCanRender = true;
+		int childNodeRenderCount = 0;
 		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 		{
-			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
 			long childPos = DhSectionPos.getChildByIndex(quadNode.sectionPos, i);
-			this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
-				playerPos, 
-				rootNode, quadNode, childNode, childPos);
-			childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i); // needs to be gotten again in case a new node was added to the tree (this will often happen when moving into new areas where the children were deleted)
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
 			
-			// nodes shouldn't be null, but just in case
-			if (childNode != null
-				&& childNode.value != null
-				&& !childNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
+			boolean childCanRender = this.recursivelyUpdateRenderSectionNode(
+				playerPos,
+				rootNode, quadNode, childNode, childPos);
+			if (childCanRender)
 			{
-				// the node is present but not uploaded yet
-				allChildNodesCanRender = false;
+				// node can be rendered
+				childNodeRenderCount++;
 			}
 		}
 		
-		
-		if (allChildNodesCanRender)
+		boolean isRootNode = (quadNode == rootNode);
+		if (isRootNode)
 		{
-			// all child nodes can render, this node isn't needed
+			// Never render the root node.
+			// This is done to prevent flashing when moving across root node
+			// boundaries.
+			// Otherwise, when moving, new empty nodes will be added at the edge of the tree
+			// which will require the root node to render to cover the "empty" area.
 			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			return false;
+		}
+		else if (childNodeRenderCount >= 4)
+		{
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			
+			// all children can render,
+			// the area will be filled when rendering
+			return true;
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			// not all child positions are loaded yet, this one should be rendered instead
-			this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableNode(quadNode);
+			boolean nodeCanRender = quadNode.value != null
+									&& quadNode.value.canRender();
+			if (nodeCanRender)
+			{
+				// not all child positions are loaded yet, this one should be rendered instead
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableNode(quadNode);
+				this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(quadNode);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			}
+			
+			return nodeCanRender;
 		}
 	}
-	private void onDesiredDetailLevel(
-		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode, @Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode)
+	
+	/** @return true if the node at this position has uploaded its render data */
+	private boolean onDesiredDetailLevel(
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode,
+		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode)
 	{
-		boolean allAdjNodesCanRender = true;
-		
-		// if the parent node is null, that means we're at the root node
-		// and we should always render
-		if (parentNode != null)
+		// Skip sections that are out-of-bounds.
+		// If not done some sections will appear and/or generate 
+		// outside the desired render distance
+		if (!this.isSectionPosInBounds(quadNode.sectionPos))
 		{
-			// check if all adjacent nodes are ready to render
-			// this check is done to prevent some overlapping due to the parent node
-			// still being active
-			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+			return true;
+		}
+		
+		if (quadNode.value != null 
+			&& quadNode.value.canRender())
+		{
+			if (!this.tickNodeHolder.getEnabledNodes().contains(parentNode))
 			{
-				QuadNode<LodRenderSection> adjNode = parentNode.getChildByIndex(i);
-				// nodes shouldn't be null, but just in case there's an issue
-				if (adjNode != null
-					&& adjNode.value != null
-					&& !adjNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
-				{
-					// the node is present but not uploaded yet
-					allAdjNodesCanRender = false;
-				}
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableDeleteChildrenNode(quadNode);
+				return true;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+				return false;
 			}
 		}
-		
-		if (allAdjNodesCanRender
-			&& quadNode.value != null 
-			&& quadNode.value.gpuUploadComplete())
+		else
 		{
-			this.tickNodeHolder.addEnableDeleteChildrenNode(quadNode);
+			this.tickNodeHolder.addDisableNode(quadNode);
+			return false;
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	///endregion
+	@NotNull
+	private QuadNode<LodRenderSection> tryAddNodeToTree(
+		@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> rootNode,
+		@Nullable QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode,
+		long sectionPos // section pos is needed here since the quad node may be null
+		)
+	{
+		// create the node
+		if (quadNode == null)
+		{
+			rootNode.setValue(sectionPos, new LodRenderSection(sectionPos, this, this.level, this.fullDataSourceProvider));
+			quadNode = rootNode.getNode(sectionPos);
+		}
+		if (quadNode == null)
+		{
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Unable to add node with pos ["+DhSectionPos.toString(sectionPos)+"] to tree root ["+rootNode+"].");
+		}
+		
+		return quadNode;
+	}
+	
+	private void recursivelyDisableChildNodes(@NotNull QuadNode<LodRenderSection> quadNode)
+	{
+		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+		{
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
+			this.tickNodeHolder.removeEnableAndDisableNode(childNode);
+			
+			if (childNode != null)
+			{
+				this.recursivelyDisableChildNodes(childNode);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	//=====================//
 	// tick - work queuing //
@@ -860,6 +952,133 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	
 	
 	
+	//=================//
+	// beacon handling //
+	//=================//
+	//region beacon handling
+	
+	/** gets the active beacon list and stops/starts beacon rendering as necessary */
+	private void tryRefreshRenderingBeaconsAsync(DhBlockPos2D playerPos)
+	{
+		// do nothing if beacon rendering or repos are unavailable
+		if (this.beaconBeamRepo == null
+			|| this.beaconRenderHandler == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+		if (executor == null)
+		{
+			// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		if (!this.beaconUpdateFuture.isDone())
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		CompletableFuture<Void> future = new CompletableFuture<>();
+		this.beaconUpdateFuture = future;
+		
+		try
+		{
+			executor.execute(() ->
+			{
+				this.refreshRenderingBeacons(playerPos);
+				
+				try { Thread.sleep(2_000); } catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
+				future.complete(null);
+			});
+		}
+		catch (RejectedExecutionException e)
+		{
+			// the thread pool was probably shut down because it's size is being changed, just wait a sec and it should be back
+			future.completeExceptionally(e);
+		}
+	}
+	private void refreshRenderingBeacons(DhBlockPos2D playerPos)
+	{
+		if (this.beaconBeamRepo == null
+			|| this.beaconRenderHandler == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		try
+		{
+			// Synchronized to prevent two threads for accessing the array at once
+			synchronized (this.beaconList)
+			{
+				// get beacons //
+				
+				int blockDistanceRadius = (this.blockRenderDistanceDiameter / 2);
+				int minBlockPosX = playerPos.x - blockDistanceRadius;
+				int minBlockPosZ = playerPos.z - blockDistanceRadius;
+				int maxBlockPosX = playerPos.x + blockDistanceRadius;
+				int maxBlockPosZ = playerPos.z + blockDistanceRadius;
+				
+				ArrayList<BeaconBeamDTO> dbBeacons = this.beaconBeamRepo.getAllBeamsInBlockPosRange(
+					minBlockPosX, maxBlockPosX,
+					minBlockPosZ, maxBlockPosZ
+				);
+				
+				
+				// convert DB beacons //
+				
+				ArrayList<BeaconRenderHandler.BeaconBeamWithWidth> newBeaconList = new ArrayList<>(this.beaconList.size());
+				for (BeaconBeamDTO beaconBeam : dbBeacons)
+				{
+					byte beaconDetailLevel = this.calcExpectedDetailLevel(playerPos, beaconBeam.blockPos.getX(), beaconBeam.blockPos.getZ());
+					newBeaconList.add(new BeaconRenderHandler.BeaconBeamWithWidth(beaconBeam, beaconDetailLevel));
+				}
+				
+				
+				boolean replaceBeacons = false;
+				if (this.beaconList.size() != newBeaconList.size())
+				{
+					// lists are different sizes
+					replaceBeacons = true;
+				}
+				else
+				{
+					// sort the beacons so they can be compared
+					this.beaconList.sort(BeaconRenderHandler.NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator.INSTANCE);
+					newBeaconList.sort(BeaconRenderHandler.NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator.INSTANCE);
+					
+					for (int i = 0; i < this.beaconList.size(); i++)
+					{
+						BeaconRenderHandler.BeaconBeamWithWidth oldBeam = this.beaconList.get(i);
+						BeaconRenderHandler.BeaconBeamWithWidth newBeam = newBeaconList.get(i);
+						if (!oldBeam.equals(newBeam))
+						{
+							replaceBeacons = true;
+							break;
+						}
+					}
+				}
+				
+				
+				// only replace the beacons if something changed
+				// this is done to prevent constantly re-uploading the render data
+				if (replaceBeacons)
+				{
+					this.beaconList.clear();
+					this.beaconList.addAll(newBeaconList);
+					this.beaconRenderHandler.replaceRenderingBeacons(this.beaconList);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue updating beacons, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion beacon handling
+	
+	
+	
 	//====================//
 	// detail level logic //
 	//====================//
@@ -873,9 +1092,11 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	 * @return detail level of this section pos
 	 */
 	public byte calcExpectedDetailLevel(DhBlockPos2D playerPos, long sectionPos) 
+	{ return this.calcExpectedDetailLevel(playerPos, DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPosX(sectionPos), DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPosZ(sectionPos)); }
+	public byte calcExpectedDetailLevel(DhBlockPos2D playerPos, int targetBlockPosX, int targetBlockPosZ)
 	{
-		double blockDistance = playerPos.dist(DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPosX(sectionPos), DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPosZ(sectionPos));
-		return this.calcDetailLevelFromDistance(blockDistance); 
+		double blockDistance = playerPos.dist(targetBlockPosX, targetBlockPosZ);
+		return this.calcDetailLevelFromDistance(blockDistance);
 	}
 	
 	private void updateDetailLevelVariables()
@@ -990,7 +1211,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 			{
 				color = Color.ORANGE;
 			}
-			else if (!renderSection.gpuUploadComplete())
+			else if (!renderSection.canRender())
 			{
 				// uploaded but the buffer is missing
 				color = Color.PINK;
@@ -1032,7 +1253,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	@Override
 	public void close()
 	{
-		LOGGER.info("Shutting down LodQuadTree...");
+		//LOGGER.info("Shutting down LodQuadTree...");
 		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.unregister(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showQuadTreeRenderStatus);
 		Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration.removeListener(this);
@@ -1067,7 +1288,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		});
 		
 		
-		LOGGER.info("Finished shutting down LodQuadTree");
+		//LOGGER.info("Finished shutting down LodQuadTree");
 	}
 	
 	//endregion base methods

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

@@ -34,11 +34,9 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.BeaconRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.IDebugRenderable;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding.LodBufferContainer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
@@ -48,10 +46,8 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import javax.annotation.WillNotClose;
 import java.awt.*;
-import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicReference;
-import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
 /**
  * A render section represents an area that could be rendered.
@@ -67,31 +63,24 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	public final long pos;
 	
-	private final IDhClientLevel level;
+	private final IDhClientLevel clientLevel;
 	private final IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
 	@WillNotClose
 	private final FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider;
 	private final LodQuadTree quadTree;
 	
-	/** 
-	 * contains the list of beacons currently being rendered in this section 
-	 * if this list is modified the {@link LodRenderSection#beaconRenderHandler} should be updated to match.
-	 */
-	private final ArrayList<BeaconBeamDTO> activeBeaconList = new ArrayList<>();
-	@Nullable
-	public final BeaconRenderHandler beaconRenderHandler;
-	@Nullable
-	public final BeaconBeamRepo beaconBeamRepo;
-	/** 
-	 * locking is necessary to prevent some weird threading issues 
-	 * causing beacons to appear/disappear at the wrong times.
-	 */
-	private final ReentrantLock beaconRenderHandlingLock = new ReentrantLock(); 
-	
 	
 	private boolean renderingEnabled = false;
-	private boolean beaconsRendering = false;
-	public boolean retreivedMissingSectionsForRetreival = false;
+	/** 
+	 * Used when a node goes out of render distance
+	 * but isn't removed from the underlying quad tree structure. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * In those cases we should act as if the node was removed
+	 * for cached render data caching purposes, but not
+	 * for re-creating missing nodes.
+	 */
+	public boolean renderDataDirty = false;
+	public boolean queuedMissingSectionsForRetrieval = false;
 	
 	/** this reference is necessary so we can determine what VBO to render */
 	public LodBufferContainer renderBufferContainer; 
@@ -109,13 +98,6 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	 */
 	private Runnable getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable = null;
 	
-	/** 
-	 * Represents just uploading the {@link LodQuadBuilder} to the GPU. <br>
-	 * Separate from {@link LodRenderSection#getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef} because they run on
-	 * different threads (buffer uploading is on the MC render thread) and need to be canceled separately.
-	 */
-	private final AtomicReference<CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer>> bufferUploadFutureRef = new AtomicReference<>(null);
-	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
@@ -126,17 +108,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	public LodRenderSection(
 			long pos, 
 			LodQuadTree quadTree, 
-			IDhClientLevel level, FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
+			IDhClientLevel clientLevel, FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider)
 	{
 		this.pos = pos;
 		this.quadTree = quadTree;
-		this.level = level;
-		this.levelWrapper = level.getClientLevelWrapper();
+		this.clientLevel = clientLevel;
+		this.levelWrapper = clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper();
 		this.fullDataSourceProvider = fullDataSourceProvider;
 		
-		this.beaconRenderHandler = this.quadTree.beaconRenderHandler;
-		this.beaconBeamRepo = this.level.getBeaconBeamRepo();
-		
 		DEBUG_RENDERER.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showRenderSectionStatus);
 	}
 	
@@ -176,6 +155,8 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		
 		try
 		{
+			// shouldn't happen since this method is synchronized, but just in case
+			// make sure we only ever start one upload task
 			if (!this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
 			{
 				CompletableFuture<Void> oldFuture = this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.get();
@@ -188,8 +169,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					this.refreshActiveBeaconList();
-					
+					// build LOD data on a DH thread
 					LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = this.getAndBuildRenderData();
 					if (lodQuadBuilder == null)
 					{
@@ -197,7 +177,8 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 						return;
 					}
 					
-					this.uploadToGpuAsync(lodQuadBuilder)
+					// uploading will primarily happen on the render thread
+					this.uploadToGpuAsync(future, lodQuadBuilder)
 						.thenRun(() ->
 						{
 							// the future is passed in separately (IE not using the local var) to prevent any possible race condition null pointers
@@ -207,7 +188,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
 					LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue creating render data for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-					future.complete(null);
+					future.completeExceptionally(e);
 				}
 			};
 			executor.execute(this.getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable);
@@ -222,6 +203,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			return false;
 		}
 	}
+	
+	
+	//=======================//
+	// Get LOD ID data       //
+	// and build render data //
+	//=======================//
+	//region
+	
 	@Nullable
 	private synchronized LodQuadBuilder getAndBuildRenderData()
 	{
@@ -235,7 +224,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			
 			
 			boolean enableTransparency = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled;
-			LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = new LodQuadBuilder(enableTransparency, this.level.getClientLevelWrapper());
+			LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder = new LodQuadBuilder(enableTransparency, this.clientLevel.getClientLevelWrapper());
 			
 			
 			// get the adjacent positions
@@ -258,7 +247,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 
 				// the render sources are only needed by this synchronous method,
 				// then they can be closed
-				ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.makeLodRenderData(lodQuadBuilder, thisRenderSource, this.level, adjacentRenderSections, adjIsSameDetailLevel);
+				ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.makeLodRenderData(lodQuadBuilder, thisRenderSource, this.clientLevel, adjacentRenderSections, adjIsSameDetailLevel);
 				return lodQuadBuilder;
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
@@ -308,52 +297,63 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		detailLevel += DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL;
 		return detailLevel == DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos);
 	}
-	private synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadToGpuAsync(LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder)
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	private synchronized CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadToGpuAsync(
+		CompletableFuture<Void> parentFuture, 
+		LodQuadBuilder lodQuadBuilder)
 	{
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> oldFuture = this.bufferUploadFutureRef.getAndSet(null);
-		if (oldFuture != null)
+		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = LodBufferContainer.tryMakeAndUploadBuffersAsync(this.pos, this.clientLevel, lodQuadBuilder);
+		uploadFuture.whenComplete((bufferContainer, e) ->
 		{
-			// canceling the previous future
-			// prevents the CPU from working on something that won't be used
-			oldFuture.cancel(true);
-		}
-		
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> future = ColumnRenderBufferBuilder.uploadBuffersAsync(this.level, this.pos, lodQuadBuilder);
-		future.handle((lodBufferContainer, throwable) -> 
-		{
-			if (!this.bufferUploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(future, null)
-				// if the old future is canceled then the future ref will be different and that's expected
-				&& !future.isCancelled()
-				// if the old future is already done, then we don't care about the ref being swapped
-				&& !future.isDone())
+			try
 			{
-				LOGGER.warn("Buffer upload future ref changed for pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
+				// handle errors and early shutdown
+				if (e != null)
+				{
+					if (!ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+					{
+						LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue uploading buffers for pos: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos) + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+					}
+					
+					if (bufferContainer != null)
+					{
+						// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+						bufferContainer.close();
+					}
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				// close the old container
+				LodBufferContainer oldContainer = this.renderBufferContainer;
+				this.renderBufferContainer = bufferContainer.buffersUploaded ? bufferContainer : null;
+				if (oldContainer != null)
+				{
+					oldContainer.close();
+				}
+				
+				// upload complete
+				this.renderDataDirty = false;
+				
+				
+				if (parentFuture.isCancelled())
+				{
+					// if the parent future was canceled that likely means
+					// this LodRenderSection was closed before this point,
+					// meaning this buffer will become homeless, 
+					// so we need to clean it up here
+					bufferContainer.close();
+				}
 			}
-			
-			return null;
-		});
-		
-		future.thenAccept((LodBufferContainer buffer) ->
-		{
-			// needed to clean up the old data
-			LodBufferContainer previousContainer = this.renderBufferContainer;
-			
-			// upload complete
-			this.renderBufferContainer = buffer.buffersUploaded ? buffer : null;
-			
-			if (previousContainer != null)
+			catch (Exception finishEx)
 			{
-				previousContainer.close();
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected buffer finish exception: ["+finishEx.getMessage()+"]", finishEx);
 			}
 		});
 		
-		
-		if (!this.bufferUploadFutureRef.compareAndSet(null, future))
-		{
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("Buffer upload future ref couldn't be set due to concurrency error, pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos)+"].");
-		}
-		
-		return future;
+		return uploadFuture;
 	}
 	
 	//endregion render data uploading
@@ -365,7 +365,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	//=================//
 	//region
 	
-	public boolean gpuUploadComplete() { return this.renderBufferContainer != null; }
+	public boolean canRender() { return this.renderBufferContainer != null; }
+	public boolean gpuUploadComplete() 
+	{ 
+		return this.renderBufferContainer != null
+			// render dirty is here so we can trigger new GPU uploads
+			// even if the render data is present
+			&& !this.renderDataDirty; 
+	}
 	
 	public boolean getRenderingEnabled() { return this.renderingEnabled; }
 	public void setRenderingEnabled(boolean enabled) { this.renderingEnabled = enabled;}
@@ -376,130 +383,6 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	
 	
-	//=================//
-	// beacon handling //
-	//=================//
-	//region beacon handling
-	
-	/** gets the active beacon list and stops/starts beacon rendering as necessary */
-	private void refreshActiveBeaconList()
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.lock();
-			
-			// do nothing if beacon rendering or repos are unavailable
-			if (this.beaconBeamRepo == null
-				|| this.beaconRenderHandler == null)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			
-			
-			// Synchronized to prevent two threads for accessing the array at once
-			synchronized (this.activeBeaconList)
-			{
-				ArrayList<BeaconBeamDTO> activeBeacons = this.beaconBeamRepo.getAllBeamsForPos(this.pos);
-				
-				// swap old and new active beacon list
-				this.activeBeaconList.clear();
-				this.activeBeaconList.addAll(activeBeacons);
-				
-				// if the beacons are currently rendering, 
-				// re-create them so we can see any potential changes
-				if (this.beaconsRendering)
-				{
-					this.tryDisableBeacons();
-					this.tryEnableBeacons();
-				}
-			}
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void tryDisableBeacons()
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.lock();
-			
-			
-			// do nothing if beacon rendering is unavailable
-			if (this.beaconRenderHandler == null)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			if (!this.beaconsRendering)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			this.beaconsRendering = false;
-			
-			
-			
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showRenderSectionStatus.get())
-			{
-				// show that this position has just been disabled
-				DEBUG_RENDERER.makeParticle(
-					new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.BoxParticle(
-						new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.Box(this.pos, 128f, 156f, 0.09f, Color.CYAN.darker()),
-						0.2, 32f
-					)
-				);
-			}
-			
-			synchronized (this.activeBeaconList)
-			{
-				this.beaconRenderHandler.stopRenderingBeaconsInRange(this.pos);
-			}
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void tryEnableBeacons()
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.lock();
-			
-			
-			// do nothing if beacon rendering is unavailable 
-			if (this.beaconRenderHandler == null)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			if (this.beaconsRendering)
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			this.beaconsRendering = true;
-			
-			
-			synchronized (this.activeBeaconList)
-			{
-				byte absoluteDetailLevel = (byte)(DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
-				this.beaconRenderHandler.startRenderingBeacons(this.activeBeaconList, absoluteDetailLevel);
-			}
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.beaconRenderHandlingLock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	//endregion beacon handling
-	
-	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
@@ -518,14 +401,14 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		{
 			color = Color.yellow;
 		}
-		else if (this.gpuUploadComplete())
+		else if (this.canRender())
 		{
 			//color = Color.cyan;
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		int levelMinY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
-		int levelMaxY = this.level.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight();
+		int levelMinY = this.clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight();
+		int levelMaxY = this.clientLevel.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight();
 		
 		// show the wireframe a bit lower than world max height,
 		// since most worlds don't render all the way up to the max height
@@ -562,14 +445,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		}
 		
 		
-		this.tryDisableBeacons();
-		
-		if (this.renderBufferContainer != null)
-		{
-			this.renderBufferContainer.close();
-		}
-		
-		// removes any in-progress futures since they aren't needed any more
+		// render loading is no longer needed
 		CompletableFuture<Void> buildFuture = this.getAndBuildRenderDataFutureRef.get();
 		if (buildFuture != null)
 		{
@@ -585,12 +461,17 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 					renderLoaderExecutor.remove(runnable);
 				}
 			}
+			
+			// cancel the future after removing the runnable
+			// to make sure the runnable is properly removed
+			buildFuture.cancel(true);
 		}
 		
-		CompletableFuture<LodBufferContainer> uploadFuture = this.bufferUploadFutureRef.get();
-		if (uploadFuture != null)
+		
+		this.setRenderingEnabled(false);
+		if (this.renderBufferContainer != null)
 		{
-			uploadFuture.cancel(true);
+			this.renderBufferContainer.close();
 		}
 		
 	}

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

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

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

@@ -4,19 +4,17 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiRenderPass;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.DhRenderState;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.EPlatform;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Vec3d;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.IDhClientWorld;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.ILightMapWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.AbstractOptifineAccessor;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IOptifineAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.IDhGenericRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 
@@ -30,6 +28,8 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 	
+	private static final IOptifineAccessor OPTIFINE_ACCESSOR = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IOptifineAccessor.class);
+	
 	private static final long TIME_FOR_MAC_TO_FINISH_COMPILING_IN_MS = 10_000;
 	private static boolean initialLoadingComplete = false;
 	
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 		this.dhClientWorld = SharedApi.tryGetDhClientWorld();
 		if (this.dhClientWorld != null)
 		{
-			this.dhClientLevel = (IDhClientLevel) this.dhClientWorld.getLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
+			this.dhClientLevel = this.dhClientWorld.getOrLoadClientLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
 			if (this.dhClientLevel != null)
 			{
 				this.renderBufferHandler = this.dhClientLevel.getRenderBufferHandler();
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 			return "No MVM or Proj Matrix Given";
 		}
 		
-		if (AbstractOptifineAccessor.optifinePresent()
+		if (OPTIFINE_ACCESSOR != null
 			&& MC_RENDER.getTargetFramebuffer() == -1)
 		{
 			// wait for MC to finish setting up their renderer
@@ -172,45 +172,6 @@ public class RenderParams extends DhApiRenderParam
 		}
 		
 		
-		// potential fix for a segfault when
-		// Sodium and DH are running together
-		if (EPlatform.get() == EPlatform.MACOS
-			&& !initialLoadingComplete)
-		{
-			// Once MC starts rendering, wait a few seconds so
-			// MC/Sodium can finish their shader compiling before DH does its own.
-			// This will allow DH to compile its own shaders after Sodium finishes
-			// compiling its own.
-			long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-			long firstAllowedRenderTimeMs = firstRenderTimeMs + TIME_FOR_MAC_TO_FINISH_COMPILING_IN_MS;
-			if (nowMs < firstAllowedRenderTimeMs)
-			{
-				return "Waiting for initial MC compile...";
-			}
-			
-			
-			// null shouldn't happen, but just in case
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderLoadExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
-			if (renderLoadExecutor == null)
-			{
-				return "Waiting for DH Threadpool...";
-			}
-			
-			// wait for DH to finish loading, by the time that's done
-			// java should have finished all of DH's JIT compiling,
-			// which will hopefully mean less concurrency and thus a lower
-			// chance of breaking
-			// (plus this gives Sodium/vanill a bit longer to finish their setup)
-			int taskCount = renderLoadExecutor.getQueueSize();
-			if (taskCount > 0)
-			{
-				return "Waiting for DH JIT compiling...";
-			}
-			
-			initialLoadingComplete = true;
-		}
-		
-		
 		return null;
 	}
 	

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

@@ -2,32 +2,62 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
+import java.text.NumberFormat;
+import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Timer;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentLinkedQueue;
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.LongAdder;
 
 public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 {
-	public static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder()
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder()
 		.fileLevelConfig(Config.Common.Logging.logRendererEventToFile)
 		.build();
 	
-	private static final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<Runnable> RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+	private static final DhLogger RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder()
+		.fileLevelConfig(Config.Common.Logging.logRendererEventToFile)
+		.maxCountPerSecond(4)
+		.build();
+	
+	private static final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<QueuedRunnable> RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+	
+	private static final ConcurrentHashMap<String, RollingAverage> AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+	private static final LongAdder COMPLETED_TASK_COUNTER = new LongAdder();
+	private static final NumberFormat DECIMAL_NUMBER_FORMAT = NumberFormat.getNumberInstance();
+	private static final NumberFormat INT_NUMBER_FORMAT = NumberFormat.getIntegerInstance();
+	private static final boolean LOG_SLOW_TASKS = false;
 	
 	private static final Timer TIMER = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("Cleanup timer");
 	private static final long MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS = 1_000L;
-	private static final long MS_BEFORE_RUN_CLEANUP_TIMER = 1_000L;
+	private static final long NANOS_BEFORE_RUN_CLEANUP_TIMER = TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS.convert(1_000L, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS);
 	
 	
 	public static final RenderThreadTaskHandler INSTANCE = new RenderThreadTaskHandler();
 	
 	
-	private long msSinceGlTasksRun = System.currentTimeMillis();
+	private long nanoSinceTasksRun = System.nanoTime();
+	private final boolean running; 
+	
+	private Thread renderThread;
+	/** 
+	 * the currently running {@link QueuedRunnable}
+	 * will be null if nothing is running.
+	 */
+	private volatile @Nullable QueuedRunnable currentQueuedRunnable;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -36,7 +66,22 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	//=============//
 	//region
 	
-	private RenderThreadTaskHandler() { TIMER.scheduleAtFixedRate(TimerUtil.createTimerTask(this::manualCleanupTick), MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS, MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS); }
+	private RenderThreadTaskHandler() 
+	{
+		// we only want to run this when the client is available
+		IMinecraftSharedWrapper mcShared = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
+		if (!mcShared.isDedicatedServer())
+		{
+			LOGGER.debug("Starting ["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"]...");
+			this.running = true;
+			TIMER.scheduleAtFixedRate(TimerUtil.createTimerTask(this::manualCleanupTick), MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS, MS_BETWEEN_CLEANUP_TICKS);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			this.running = false;
+			LOGGER.debug("Skipping ["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"] startup due to running on a dedicated server.");
+		}
+	}
 	
 	//endregion
 	
@@ -47,23 +92,24 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	//==============//
 	//region
 	
-	public void queueRunningOnRenderThread(Runnable renderCall)
+	public void queueRunningOnRenderThread(String name, Runnable renderCall)
 	{
-		StackTraceElement[] stackTrace = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
-		RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.add(() -> this.createRenderThreadRunnable(renderCall, stackTrace));
-	}
-	private void createRenderThreadRunnable(Runnable renderCall, StackTraceElement[] stackTrace)
-	{
-		try
+		// don't queuing tasks if they'll never be run
+		if (!this.running)
 		{
-			renderCall.run();
+			return;
 		}
-		catch (Exception e)
+		
+		
+		// don't get the stacktrace on release to reduce GC pressure
+		StackTraceElement[] stackTrace = null;
+		if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
 		{
-			RuntimeException error = new RuntimeException("Uncaught Exception during GL call execution:", e);
-			error.setStackTrace(stackTrace);
-			LOGGER.error("[" + Thread.currentThread().getName() + "] ran into an unexpected error running a GL call, Error: ["+ e.getMessage() +"].", error);
+			stackTrace = Thread.currentThread().getStackTrace();
 		}
+		
+		QueuedRunnable runnable = new QueuedRunnable(name, renderCall, stackTrace);
+		RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.add(runnable);
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -83,31 +129,72 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	{
 		IMinecraftRenderWrapper MC_RENDER = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftRenderWrapper.class);
 		
+		// https://fpstoms.com/
 		int frameLimit = MC_RENDER.getFrameLimit();
 		if (frameLimit <= 1)
 		{
-			frameLimit = 4; // 240 FPS
+			frameLimit = 240;
 		}
 		
-		// https://fpstoms.com/
-		int msPerFrame = 1000 / frameLimit;
-		this.runRenderThreadTasks(msPerFrame);
-	}
-	private void runRenderThreadTasks(long msMaxRunTime)
-	{
-		long startTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		this.msSinceGlTasksRun = startTimeMs;
 		
-		Runnable runnable = RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.poll();
+		int msPerFrame = 1000 / frameLimit;
+		long nanoPerFrame = msPerFrame * 1_000_000L;
+		nanoPerFrame /= 2; // divide the time in half so we can only impact half of the framerate at worst
+		this.runRenderThreadTasks(nanoPerFrame);
+	}
+	private void runRenderThreadTasks(long nanoMaxRunTime)
+	{
+		long loopStartTimeNano = System.nanoTime();
+		this.nanoSinceTasksRun = loopStartTimeNano;
+		
+		
+		if (this.renderThread == null)
+		{
+			this.renderThread = Thread.currentThread();
+		}
+		
+		
+		QueuedRunnable runnable = RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.poll();
 		while(runnable != null)
 		{
+			long taskStartNano = System.nanoTime();
+			
+			this.currentQueuedRunnable = runnable;
 			runnable.run();
+			this.currentQueuedRunnable = null;
 			
 			// only try running for a limited amount of time to prevent lag spikes
-			long currentTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-			long runDuration = currentTimeMs - startTimeMs;
-			if (runDuration > msMaxRunTime)
+			long taskNano = System.nanoTime() - taskStartNano;
+			long totalLoopNano = System.nanoTime() - loopStartTimeNano;
+			
+			// stat tracking
+			if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
 			{
+				if (!AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME.containsKey(runnable.name))
+				{
+					AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME.put(runnable.name, new RollingAverage(1_000));
+				}
+				AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME.get(runnable.name).add(totalLoopNano);
+				
+				COMPLETED_TASK_COUNTER.increment();
+			}
+			
+			
+			// estimate when our ending nano-time would be once the next task is run
+			long expectedNextTaskNano = totalLoopNano
+				// doubling this task's time gives a rough over-estimate of how long the next task should take	
+				+ (taskNano * 2);
+			// If the next task would push us over the max run time, stop now.
+			// This prevents stuttering at the cost of lower throughput. 
+			if (expectedNextTaskNano >= nanoMaxRunTime)
+			{
+				if (LOG_SLOW_TASKS 
+					&& totalLoopNano > nanoMaxRunTime)
+				{
+					// this task took longer than what we wanted
+					RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("["+runnable.name+"] slow, actual ["+totalLoopNano+"], allowed ["+nanoMaxRunTime+"].");
+				}
+				
 				break;
 			}
 			
@@ -121,9 +208,9 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 	 */
 	private void manualCleanupTick()
 	{
-		long nowMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
-		long msSinceLast = nowMs - this.msSinceGlTasksRun;
-		if (msSinceLast > MS_BEFORE_RUN_CLEANUP_TIMER)
+		long nowNano = System.nanoTime();
+		long nanoSinceLast = nowNano - this.nanoSinceTasksRun;
+		if (nanoSinceLast < NANOS_BEFORE_RUN_CLEANUP_TIMER)
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -132,11 +219,186 @@ public class RenderThreadTaskHandler
 		// this means we could have GL jobs building up.
 		// Run the queued tasks on MC's executor (hopefully this should always run,
 		// even if DH's render code isn't being hit).
-		IMinecraftClientWrapper MC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
-		MC.executeOnRenderThread(() -> this.runRenderThreadTasks(1_000));
+		IMinecraftClientWrapper mcClient = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
+		if (mcClient != null)
+		{
+			mcClient.executeOnRenderThread(() -> this.runRenderThreadTasks(500 * 1_000_000L));
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// shouldn't happen, but just in case
+			
+			// somehow the timer started when there wasn't a client wrapper
+			// this probably means the timer was started on a dedicated server
+			RATE_LIMITED_LOGGER.warn("["+RenderThreadTaskHandler.class.getSimpleName()+"] timer started when ["+IMinecraftClientWrapper.class.getSimpleName()+"] is null. This shouldn't happen but can likely be ignored.");
+		}
 	}
 	
-	//end region
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//===========//
+	// debugging //
+	//===========//
+	//region
+	
+	/** 
+	 * if tasks are currently queued the debug
+	 * stats may not be zero after this method has been called.
+	 */
+	public void clearDebugStats()
+	{
+		AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME.clear();
+		COMPLETED_TASK_COUNTER.reset();
+	}
+	
+	public void addDebugMenuStringsToList(List<String> messageList)
+	{
+		if (!ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		
+		String o = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE;
+		String g = MinecraftTextFormat.GREEN;
+		String b = MinecraftTextFormat.DARK_BLUE;
+		String y = MinecraftTextFormat.YELLOW;
+		String cf = MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING;
+		
+		
+		
+		String queueSize = DECIMAL_NUMBER_FORMAT.format(RENDER_THREAD_RUNNABLE_QUEUE.size());
+		String completedCount = DECIMAL_NUMBER_FORMAT.format(COMPLETED_TASK_COUNTER.sum());
+		
+		String messageHeader = "Render Tasks, Queue: "+o+queueSize+cf+", Done: "+g+completedCount+cf;
+		messageList.add(messageHeader);
+		
+		AVERAGE_NANO_RUN_TIME_BY_TASK_NAME.forEach((name, rollingAverage) -> 
+		{
+			// thread runtime
+			String runTimeAvgStr;
+			double runTimeAvgInNano = rollingAverage.getAverage();
+			if (!Double.isNaN(runTimeAvgInNano))
+			{
+				double runTimeAvgInMs = runTimeAvgInNano / 1_000_000.0;
+				runTimeAvgStr = DECIMAL_NUMBER_FORMAT.format(runTimeAvgInMs);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				runTimeAvgStr = "<0";
+			}
+			
+			String lifetimeCount = INT_NUMBER_FORMAT.format(rollingAverage.getLifetimeCount());
+			
+			String message = name+" Avg: "+b+runTimeAvgStr+"ms"+cf+" #: "+y+lifetimeCount+cf;
+			messageList.add(message);
+		});
+	}
+	
+	
+	/** Returns true if the currently running thread is being run by this handler */
+	public boolean isCurrentThread() 
+	{
+		if (this.renderThread != null)
+		{
+			return Thread.currentThread() == this.renderThread;
+		}
+		
+		// shouldn't normally be needed, but can be used if this
+		// handler hasn't been run yet
+		return Thread.currentThread().getName().equals("Render thread");
+	}
+	
+	/** 
+	 * Only recommended to be used by the task that's currently being run.
+	 * Use {@link RenderThreadTaskHandler#isCurrentThread()} to check. <br>
+	 * Can be used to get stack traces for render thread tasks while they're being run. 
+	 */
+	public @Nullable QueuedRunnable getCurrentlyRunningTask() { return this.currentQueuedRunnable; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// helper classes //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	public static class QueuedRunnable implements Runnable
+	{
+		/** used to easily track what's being done on the render thread */
+		public final String name;
+		public final Runnable renderCall;
+		/** will be null on release build to reduce GC pressure */
+		@Nullable
+		public final StackTraceElement[] stackTrace;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		//region
+		
+		public QueuedRunnable(String name, Runnable renderCall, @Nullable StackTraceElement[] stackTrace)
+		{
+			this.name = name;
+			this.renderCall = renderCall;
+			this.stackTrace = stackTrace;
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//=========//
+		// running //
+		//=========//
+		//region
+		
+		@Override
+		public void run()
+		{
+			try
+			{
+				this.renderCall.run();
+			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
+				if (ExceptionUtil.isShutdownException(e))
+				{
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				RuntimeException error = new RuntimeException("Uncaught Exception during GL call execution. StackTrace: ["+(this.stackTrace != null ? "Present" : "Missing")+"] Error: ["+e.getMessage()+"]", e);
+				if (this.stackTrace != null)
+				{
+					error.setStackTrace(this.stackTrace);
+				}
+				LOGGER.error("[" + Thread.currentThread().getName() + "] ran into an unexpected error running a GL call, Error: ["+ e.getMessage() +"].", error);
+			}
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//================//
+		// base overrides //
+		//================//
+		//region
+		
+		@Override
+		public String toString() { return this.name; }
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.RejectedExecutionException;
 import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
-import java.util.function.Predicate;
 
 public class BeaconRenderHandler
 {
@@ -57,8 +56,6 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 	/** how often should we check if a beacon should be culled? */
 	private static final int MAX_CULLING_FREQUENCY_IN_MS = 1_000;
 	
-	private static final Comparator<BeaconBeamDTO> NEGATIVE_BLOCKPOS_COMPARATOR = new NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator();
-	
 	
 	
 	private final ReentrantLock updateLock = new ReentrantLock();
@@ -67,8 +64,6 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 	private final IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup;
 	/** contains all beacons that could be rendered (including those that are being culled) */
 	private final ArrayList<DhApiRenderableBox> fullBeaconBoxList = new ArrayList<>();
-	/** contains all beacons that could be rendered */
-	private final HashSet<DhBlockPos> fullBeaconBlockPosSet = new HashSet<>();
 	
 	private boolean cullingThreadRunning = false;
 	private boolean updateRenderDataNextFrame = false;
@@ -96,126 +91,12 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 	
 	
 	
-	//=================//
-	// render handling //
-	//=================//
+	//===============//
+	// before render //
+	//===============//
 	//region
 	
-	public void startRenderingBeacons(ArrayList<BeaconBeamDTO> beaconList, byte detailLevel)
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			this.updateLock.lock();
-			
-			
-			// how wide should each beacon be?
-			int beaconBlockWidth = 1;
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.expandDistantBeacons.get())
-			{
-				beaconBlockWidth = DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(detailLevel);
-			}
-			
-			
-			ArrayList<BeaconBeamDTO> sortedBeaconList = new ArrayList<>(beaconList);
-			
-			// merge distant beams if requested
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.expandDistantBeacons.get())
-			{
-				// sort beacons from neg inf -> pos inf
-				// so we can consistently merge adjacent beacons
-				sortedBeaconList.sort(NEGATIVE_BLOCKPOS_COMPARATOR);
-				
-				// go through each beacon...
-				for (int outerIndex = 0; outerIndex < sortedBeaconList.size(); outerIndex++)
-				{
-					BeaconBeamDTO outerBeacon = sortedBeaconList.get(outerIndex);
-					DhBlockPos outerBlockPos = outerBeacon.blockPos;
-					
-					// ...and remove any beacons that are within the block width to prevent overlaps
-					for (int mergeIndex = outerIndex + 1; mergeIndex < sortedBeaconList.size(); mergeIndex++)
-					{
-						BeaconBeamDTO beaconToMerge = sortedBeaconList.get(mergeIndex);
-						DhBlockPos mergeBlockPos = beaconToMerge.blockPos;
-						
-						int xDiff = mergeBlockPos.getX() - outerBlockPos.getX();
-						int zDiff = mergeBlockPos.getZ() - outerBlockPos.getZ();
-						
-						// merge (remove) this beacon if
-						// it's close to the outer beacon
-						if (xDiff < beaconBlockWidth
-							&& zDiff < beaconBlockWidth)
-						{
-							sortedBeaconList.remove(mergeIndex);
-							mergeIndex--; // minus 1 so we don't go past the end of the array when incrementing in the for loop up top
-						}
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			
-			
-			//LOGGER.info("startRenderingBeacons ["+sortedBeaconList+"]");
-			
-			// add each beacon to the renderer
-			for (int i = 0; i < sortedBeaconList.size(); i++)
-			{
-				BeaconBeamDTO beacon = sortedBeaconList.get(i);
-				if (!this.fullBeaconBlockPosSet.add(beacon.blockPos))
-				{
-					// skip already present beacons
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				
-				int maxBeaconBeamHeight = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.beaconRenderHeight.get();
-				DhApiRenderableBox beaconBox = new DhApiRenderableBox(
-					new DhApiVec3d(beacon.blockPos.getX(), beacon.blockPos.getY() + 1, beacon.blockPos.getZ()),
-					new DhApiVec3d(beacon.blockPos.getX() + beaconBlockWidth, maxBeaconBeamHeight, beacon.blockPos.getZ() + beaconBlockWidth),
-					beacon.color,
-					EDhApiBlockMaterial.ILLUMINATED
-				);
-				
-				this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.add(beaconBox);
-				this.fullBeaconBoxList.add(beaconBox);
-				this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.triggerBoxChange();
-			}
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.updateLock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void stopRenderingBeaconsInRange(long pos)
-	{
-		try
-		{
-			this.updateLock.lock();
-			
-			Predicate<DhApiRenderableBox> removeBoxPredicate = (DhApiRenderableBox box) ->
-			{
-				DhBlockPos blockPos = new DhBlockPos((int)box.minPos.x, (int)box.minPos.y, (int)box.minPos.z);
-				boolean contains = DhSectionPos.contains(pos, blockPos);
-				//if (contains)
-				//{
-				//	LOGGER.info("stopRenderingBeaconsInRange ["+DhSectionPos.toString(pos)+"] ["+blockPos+"]");
-				//}
-				return contains;
-			};
-			this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.removeIf(removeBoxPredicate);
-			this.fullBeaconBoxList.removeIf(removeBoxPredicate);
-			
-			this.fullBeaconBlockPosSet.removeIf((DhBlockPos blockPos) -> DhSectionPos.contains(pos, blockPos));
-			
-			this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.triggerBoxChange();
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			this.updateLock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	private void beforeRender(DhApiRenderParam renderEventParam) 
+	private void beforeRender(DhApiRenderParam renderEventParam)
 	{
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.disableBeaconDistanceCulling.get())
 		{
@@ -237,7 +118,7 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 	private void tryUpdateBeaconCullingAsync()
 	{
 		ThreadPoolExecutor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getBeaconCullingExecutor();
-		if (executor != null 
+		if (executor != null
 			&& !this.cullingThreadRunning)
 		{
 			this.cullingThreadRunning = true;
@@ -304,15 +185,136 @@ public class BeaconRenderHandler
 	
 	
 	
+	//==============//
+	// registration //
+	//==============//
+	//region
+	
+	public void replaceRenderingBeacons(ArrayList<BeaconBeamWithWidth> beaconList)
+	{
+		try
+		{
+			this.updateLock.lock();
+			
+			ArrayList<BeaconBeamWithWidth> sortedBeaconList = new ArrayList<>(beaconList);
+			
+			// merge distant beams if requested
+			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.expandDistantBeacons.get())
+			{
+				// sort beacons from neg inf -> pos inf
+				// so we can consistently merge adjacent beacons
+				sortedBeaconList.sort(NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator.INSTANCE);
+				
+				// go through each beacon...
+				for (int outerIndex = 0; outerIndex < sortedBeaconList.size(); outerIndex++)
+				{
+					BeaconBeamWithWidth outerBeacon = sortedBeaconList.get(outerIndex);
+					DhBlockPos outerBlockPos = outerBeacon.blockPos;
+					
+					// ...and remove any beacons that are within the block width to prevent overlaps
+					for (int mergeIndex = outerIndex + 1; mergeIndex < sortedBeaconList.size(); mergeIndex++)
+					{
+						BeaconBeamWithWidth beaconToMerge = sortedBeaconList.get(mergeIndex);
+						DhBlockPos mergeBlockPos = beaconToMerge.blockPos;
+						
+						int xDiff = mergeBlockPos.getX() - outerBlockPos.getX();
+						int zDiff = mergeBlockPos.getZ() - outerBlockPos.getZ();
+						
+						// merge (remove) this beacon if
+						// it's close to the outer beacon
+						if (xDiff < beaconToMerge.beaconBlockWidth
+							&& zDiff < beaconToMerge.beaconBlockWidth)
+						{
+							sortedBeaconList.remove(mergeIndex);
+							mergeIndex--; // minus 1 so we don't go past the end of the array when incrementing in the for loop up top
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			
+			
+			this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.clear();
+			this.fullBeaconBoxList.clear();
+			
+			// add each beacon to the renderer
+			for (int i = 0; i < sortedBeaconList.size(); i++)
+			{
+				BeaconBeamWithWidth beacon = sortedBeaconList.get(i);
+				int maxBeaconBeamHeight = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.beaconRenderHeight.get();
+				DhApiRenderableBox beaconBox = new DhApiRenderableBox(
+					new DhApiVec3d(beacon.blockPos.getX(), beacon.blockPos.getY() + 1, beacon.blockPos.getZ()),
+					new DhApiVec3d(beacon.blockPos.getX() + beacon.beaconBlockWidth, maxBeaconBeamHeight, beacon.blockPos.getZ() + beacon.beaconBlockWidth),
+					beacon.color,
+					EDhApiBlockMaterial.ILLUMINATED
+				);
+				
+				this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.add(beaconBox);
+				this.fullBeaconBoxList.add(beaconBox);
+			}
+			
+			this.activeBeaconBoxRenderGroup.triggerBoxChange();
+		}
+		finally
+		{
+			this.updateLock.unlock();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
 	//================//
  	// helper classes //
  	//================//
 	//region
 	
-	private static class NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator implements Comparator<BeaconBeamDTO>
+	public static class BeaconBeamWithWidth extends BeaconBeamDTO
 	{
+		public final int beaconBlockWidth;
+		
+		public BeaconBeamWithWidth(BeaconBeamDTO beaconBeamDTO, byte lodDetailLevel)
+		{
+			super(beaconBeamDTO.blockPos, beaconBeamDTO.color);
+		
+			
+			// how wide should each beacon be?
+			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.expandDistantBeacons.get())
+			{
+				this.beaconBlockWidth = DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(lodDetailLevel);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.beaconBlockWidth = 1;
+			}
+		}
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean equals(Object obj)
+		{
+			if (obj == null 
+				|| obj.getClass() != this.getClass())
+			{
+				return false;
+			}
+			
+			BeaconBeamWithWidth that = (BeaconBeamWithWidth) obj;
+			if (that.beaconBlockWidth != this.beaconBlockWidth)
+			{
+				return false;
+			}
+			
+			return super.equals(that);
+		}
+		
+	}
+	
+	public static class NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator implements Comparator<BeaconBeamWithWidth>
+	{
+		public static final NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator INSTANCE = new NegativeInfiniteBlockPosComparator();
+		
 		@Override
-		public int compare(BeaconBeamDTO beacon1, BeaconBeamDTO beacon2)
+		public int compare(BeaconBeamWithWidth beacon1, BeaconBeamWithWidth beacon2)
 		{
 			DhBlockPos blockPos1 = beacon1.blockPos;
 			DhBlockPos blockPos2 = beacon2.blockPos;

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

@@ -96,9 +96,6 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 		};
 	
 	
-	private boolean disabledWarningLogged = false;
-	
-	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
@@ -287,7 +284,7 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 				CloudParams cloudParams = new CloudParams(textureWidth, x, z);
 				boxGroup.setPreRenderFunc((renderParam) -> this.preRender(renderParam, cloudParams));
 				
-				renderer.add(boxGroup);
+				this.renderer.add(boxGroup);
 				this.boxGroupByOffset[x+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT][z+CLOUD_INSTANCE_RADIUS_COUNT] = boxGroup;
 			}
 		}
@@ -319,17 +316,6 @@ public class CloudRenderHandler
 			return;
 		}
 		
-		//if (!this.renderer.getInstancedRenderingAvailable())
-		//{
-		//	if (!this.disabledWarningLogged)
-		//	{
-		//		this.disabledWarningLogged = true;
-		//		LOGGER.warn("Instanced rendering unavailable, cloud rendering disabled.");
-		//	}
-		//	boxGroup.setActive(false);
-		//	return;
-		//}
-		
 		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = this.level.getClientLevelWrapper();
 		if (clientLevelWrapper == null)
 		{

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

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.DhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderParams;
@@ -36,6 +37,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccess
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.render.renderPass.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 
+import java.awt.*;
+
 /**
  * This is where all the magic happens. <br>
  * This is where LODs are draw to the world.
@@ -101,7 +104,7 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	 * otherwise it will only render opaque LODs.
 	 */
 	public void render(RenderParams renderParams, IProfilerWrapper profiler)
-	{  this.renderLodPass(renderParams, profiler, false);  }
+	{  this.renderTerrain(renderParams, profiler, false);  }
 	
 	/**
 	 * This method is designed for Iris to be able 
@@ -110,9 +113,9 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	 * but shouldn't be activated as per deferWaterRendering.
 	 */
 	public void renderDeferred(RenderParams renderParams, IProfilerWrapper profiler)
-	{ this.renderLodPass(renderParams, profiler, true); }
+	{ this.renderTerrain(renderParams, profiler, true); }
 	
-	private void renderLodPass(RenderParams renderParams, IProfilerWrapper profiler, boolean runningDeferredPass)
+	private void renderTerrain(RenderParams renderParams, IProfilerWrapper profiler, boolean runningDeferredPass)
 	{
 		//====================//
 		// validate rendering //
@@ -143,179 +146,212 @@ public class LodRenderer
 		//region
 		
 		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderSetupEvent.class, renderParams);
-		profiler.push("LOD GL setup");
-		
-		if (!this.renderersBound)
+		try (IProfilerWrapper.IProfileBlock terrainRender_profile = profiler.push("LOD GL setup")) // starts the new profile block for most DH rendering
 		{
-			this.bindRenderers();
-			this.renderersBound = true;
-		}
-		
-		RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler = renderParams.renderBufferHandler;
-		IDhGenericRenderer genericRenderer = renderParams.genericRenderer;
-		
-		
-		this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
-		
-		if (!this.vanillaSettingsOverridden)
-		{
-			// only do this once, that way they can still be reverted if desired
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings.get())
+			
+			if (!this.renderersBound)
 			{
-				LOGGER.info("Overriding vanilla MC settings to better fit Distant Horizons... This behavior can be disabled in the Distant Horizons config.");
+				this.bindRenderers();
+				this.renderersBound = true;
+			}
+			
+			RenderBufferHandler renderBufferHandler = renderParams.renderBufferHandler;
+			IDhGenericRenderer genericRenderer = renderParams.genericRenderer;
+			
+			
+			this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassSetup(renderParams);
+			
+			if (!this.vanillaSettingsOverridden)
+			{
+				// only do this once, that way they can still be reverted if desired
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.overrideVanillaGraphicsSettings.get())
+				{
+					LOGGER.info("Overriding vanilla MC settings to better fit Distant Horizons... This behavior can be disabled in the Distant Horizons config.");
+					
+					MC.disableVanillaClouds();
+					MC.disableVanillaChunkFadeIn();
+					MC.disableFabulousTransparency();
+				}
 				
-				MC.disableVanillaClouds();
-				MC.disableVanillaChunkFadeIn();
-				MC.disableFabulousTransparency();
+				this.vanillaSettingsOverridden = true;
 			}
 			
-			this.vanillaSettingsOverridden = true;
-		}
-		
-		if (firstPass)
-		{
-			// we only need to sort/cull the LODs at the start of the frame
-			profiler.popPush("LOD build render list");
-			renderBufferHandler.buildRenderList(renderParams);
-		}
-		
-		//endregion
-		
-		
-		
-		//===========//
-		// rendering //
-		//===========//
-		
-		if (!runningDeferredPass)
-		{
-			this.metaRenderer.clearDhDepthAndColorTextures(renderParams);
-			
-			
-			
-			//=========================//
-			// opaque and non-deferred //
-			// transparent rendering   //
-			//=========================//
-			
-			// opaque LODs
-			profiler.popPush("LOD Opaque");
-			
-			this.renderLodPass(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ true, profiler);
-			
-			// custom objects with SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+			if (firstPass)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
-				genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, true);
-			}
-			
-			// SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.enableSsao.get())
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD SSAO");
-				this.ssaoRenderer.render(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-			// custom objects without SSAO
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
-				genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, false);
-			}
-			
-			// combined pass transparent rendering
-			if (!deferTransparentRendering 
-				&& Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
-				this.renderLodPass(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
-			}
-			
-			// far plane clip fading
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.dhFadeFarClipPlane.get()
-				&& IRIS_ACCESSOR == null)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("Fade Far Clip Fade");
-				this.farFadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-			// fog
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get() 
-				// this is done to fix issues with: underwater fog, blindness effect, etc.
-				|| renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
-
-				this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				// we only need to sort/cull the LODs at the start of the frame
+				profiler.popPush("LOD build render list");
+				renderBufferHandler.buildRenderList(renderParams);
 			}
 			
 			
-			
-			//=================//
-			// debug rendering //
-			//=================//
-			
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.enableRendering.get())
+			boolean renderFog;
+			Boolean apiFogOverride = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.getApiValue();
+			if (apiFogOverride != null)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Debug wireframes");
-
-				// Note: this can be very slow if a lot of boxes are being rendered
-				this.debugWireframeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				// use whatever the API dictates if set
+				// (this could cause issues when underwater if a shader or something
+				// doesn't add their own, but that's relatively unlikely)
+				renderFog = apiFogOverride;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				renderFog = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get();
+				// allow enabling fog when: underwater fog, blind, etc.
+				// otherwise LODs won't appear correctly
+				renderFog |= renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled;
 			}
 			
+			//endregion
 			
 			
-			//=============================//
-			// Apply to the MC Framebuffer //
-			//=============================//
 			
-			boolean cancelApplyShader = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeApplyShaderRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
-			if (!cancelApplyShader)
+			//===========//
+			// rendering //
+			//===========//
+			
+			if (!runningDeferredPass)
 			{
-				profiler.popPush("Apply to MC");
-				this.metaRenderer.applyToMcTexture(renderParams);
-			}
-			
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			//====================//
-			// deferred rendering //
-			//====================//
-
-			if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
-			{
-				profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
-				this.renderLodPass(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
-
-
-				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Fog.enableDhFog.get()
-					// this is done to fix issues with: underwater fog, blindness effect, etc.
-					|| renderParams.vanillaFogEnabled)
+				// needs to be fired after all the textures have been created/bound
+				boolean clearTextures = !ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeTextureClearEvent.class, renderParams);
+				if (clearTextures)
+				{
+					this.metaRenderer.clearDhDepthAndColorTextures(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=========================//
+				// opaque and non-deferred //
+				// transparent rendering   //
+				//=========================//
+				
+				// opaque LODs
+				profiler.popPush("LOD Opaque");
+				
+				this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ true, profiler);
+				
+				// custom objects with SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
+					genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, true);
+				}
+				
+				// SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.enableSsao.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD SSAO");
+					this.ssaoRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				// custom objects without SSAO
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Custom Objects");
+					genericRenderer.render(renderParams, profiler, false);
+				}
+				
+				// combined pass transparent rendering
+				if (!deferTransparentRendering
+					&& Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
+					this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
+				}
+				
+				// far plane clip fading
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.dhFadeFarClipPlane.get()
+					&& IRIS_ACCESSOR == null)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Fade Far Clip Fade");
+					this.farFadeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				// fog
+				
+				if (renderFog)
 				{
 					profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
-
+					
 					this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams);
 				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=================//
+				// debug rendering //
+				//=================//
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.enableRendering.get())
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Debug wireframes");
+					
+					// Note: this can be very slow if a lot of boxes are being rendered
+					this.debugWireframeRenderer.render(renderParams);
+				}
+				
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderEnable.get())
+				{
+					// can be used to find specific positions when debugging
+					this.debugWireframeRenderer.renderBox(new AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer.Box(
+						DhSectionPos.encode(
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderDetailLevel.get().byteValue(),
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderXPos.get(),
+							Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderZPos.get()),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMinBlockY.get(),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMaxBlockY.get(),
+						Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.PositionFinder.positionFinderMarginPercent.get(),
+						Color.GREEN
+					));
+				}
+				
+				
+				
+				//=============================//
+				// Apply to the MC Framebuffer //
+				//=============================//
+				
+				boolean cancelApplyShader = ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeApplyShaderRenderEvent.class, renderParams);
+				if (!cancelApplyShader)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("Apply to MC");
+					this.metaRenderer.applyToMcTexture(renderParams);
+				}
+				
 			}
+			else
+			{
+				//====================//
+				// deferred rendering //
+				//====================//
+				
+				if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency.get().transparencyEnabled)
+				{
+					profiler.popPush("LOD Transparent");
+					this.renderTerrain(this.terrainRenderer, renderBufferHandler, renderParams, /*opaquePass*/ false, profiler);
+					
+					
+					if (renderFog)
+					{
+						profiler.popPush("LOD Fog");
+						
+						this.fogRenderer.render(renderParams);
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			
+			
+			
+			//================//
+			// render cleanup //
+			//================//
+			
+			profiler.popPush("LOD cleanup");
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderCleanupEvent.class, renderParams);
+			
+			this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
 		}
-		
-		
-		
-		//================//
-		// render cleanup //
-		//================//
-		
-		profiler.popPush("LOD cleanup");
-		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderCleanupEvent.class, renderParams);
-		
-		this.metaRenderer.runRenderPassCleanup(renderParams);
-		
-		
-		
-		// end of internal LOD profiling
-		profiler.pop();
 	}
 	
 	//endregion
@@ -327,18 +363,16 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	//===============//
 	//region
 	
-	private void renderLodPass(IDhTerrainRenderer lodRenderer, RenderBufferHandler lodBufferHandler, RenderParams renderEventParam, boolean opaquePass, IProfilerWrapper profilerWrapper)
+	private void renderTerrain(IDhTerrainRenderer terrainRenderer, RenderBufferHandler lodBufferHandler, RenderParams renderEventParam, boolean opaquePass, IProfilerWrapper profilerWrapper)
 	{
 		//===========//
 		// rendering //
 		//===========//
 		
-		ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderPassEvent.class, renderEventParam);
-		
 		SortedArraySet<LodBufferContainer> lodBufferContainer = lodBufferHandler.getColumnRenderBuffers();
 		if (lodBufferContainer != null)
 		{
-			lodRenderer.render(renderEventParam, opaquePass, lodBufferContainer, profilerWrapper);
+			terrainRenderer.render(renderEventParam, opaquePass, lodBufferContainer, profilerWrapper);
 		}
 	}
 	

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

@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 	
 	public boolean active = true;
 	public boolean ssaoEnabled = true;
-	private boolean vertexDataDirty = true;
+	private boolean vertexDataDirty = false;
 	
 	public byte skyLight = LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT;
 	public byte blockLight = LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 		if (this.altVertexBufferContainer.getState() == IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer.EState.READY_TO_UPLOAD)
 		{
 			this.altVertexBufferContainer.uploadDataToGpu();
+			this.altVertexBufferContainer.setState(IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer.EState.RENDER);
 			
 			// swap VBO references for rendering
 			IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer temp = this.vertexBufferContainer;
@@ -248,6 +249,7 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 				try
 				{
 					this.altVertexBufferContainer.updateVertexData(this.uploadBoxList);
+					this.altVertexBufferContainer.setState(IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer.EState.READY_TO_UPLOAD);
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
@@ -346,7 +348,7 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 	@Override 
 	public void close()
 	{
-		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread(() ->
+		RenderThreadTaskHandler.INSTANCE.queueRunningOnRenderThread("RenderBoxGroup Close", () ->
 		{
 			this.vertexBufferContainer.close();
 			this.altVertexBufferContainer.close();

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

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderParams;
+
+/**
+ * Used to prevent attempts to render debug stuff on the server side.
+ */
+public class StubDebugWireframeRenderer extends AbstractDebugWireframeRenderer
+{
+	@Override
+	public void render(RenderParams renderParams) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void renderBox(Box box) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void makeParticle(BoxParticle particle) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void register(IDebugRenderable renderable, ConfigEntry<Boolean> config) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void addRenderer(IDebugRenderable renderable, ConfigEntry<Boolean> config) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void unregister(IDebugRenderable renderable, ConfigEntry<Boolean> config) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void removeRenderer(IDebugRenderable renderable, ConfigEntry<Boolean> config) { }
+	
+	@Override
+	public void clearRenderables() { }
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/sql/dto/BeaconBeamDTO.java

@@ -72,6 +72,20 @@ public class BeaconBeamDTO implements IBaseDTO<DhBlockPos>, INetworkObject
 	@Override
 	public DhBlockPos getKey() { return this.blockPos; }
 	
+	@Override 
+	public boolean equals(Object obj)
+	{
+		if (obj == null
+			|| obj.getClass() != this.getClass())
+		{
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		BeaconBeamDTO that = (BeaconBeamDTO)obj;
+		return this.blockPos.equals(that.blockPos) 
+			&& this.color.equals(that.color);
+	}
+	
 	@Override
 	public void close()
 	{ /* no closing needed */ }

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

@@ -25,9 +25,11 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DatabaseUpdater;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DbConnectionClosedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.IBaseDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.phantoms.AutoClosableTrackingWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ExceptionUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.KeyedLockContainer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.io.File;
@@ -496,20 +498,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 				Connection connection = CONNECTIONS_BY_CONNECTION_STRING.remove(connectionString);
 				if (connection != null)
 				{
+					// don't try closing an already closed connection
 					if (!connection.isClosed())
 					{
 						LOGGER.info("Closing database connection: [" + connectionString + "]");
 						connection.close();
 					}
-					else
-					{
-						// these warnings can be ignored in release builds, as long as the connection is closed it doesn't really matter
-						// TODO fix duplicate closes
-						if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
-						{
-							LOGGER.warn("Attempting to close already closed database connection: [" + connectionString + "]");
-						}
-					}
 				}
 			}
 			catch(SQLException e)
@@ -560,22 +554,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhRepo<TKey, TDTO extends IBaseDTO<TKey>> implemen
 						LOGGER.warn(stringBuilder.toString());
 					}
 					
-					
+					// don't try closing an already closed connection
 					if (!this.connection.isClosed())
 					{
 						LOGGER.info("Closing database connection: [" + this.connectionString + "]...");
 						this.connection.close();
 						LOGGER.info("Finished closing database connection: [" + this.connectionString + "]");
 					}
-					else
-					{
-						// these warnings can be ignored in release builds, as long as the connection is closed it doesn't really matter
-						// TODO fix duplicate closes
-						if (ModInfo.IS_DEV_BUILD)
-						{
-							LOGGER.warn("Attempting to close already closed database connection: [" + this.connectionString + "]");
-						}
-					}
 				}
 				ACTIVE_CONNECTION_STRINGS_BY_REPO.remove(this);
 			}

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

@@ -451,6 +451,21 @@ public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 			this.setBigger(smaller, bigger);
 		}
 		
+		if (writeIndex == 0)
+		{
+			// if every data point in the list is NULL (0) the write index will be 0,
+			// and in order to prevent accessing index -1 below, 
+			// setting the write index to 1 is needed.
+			
+			// This shouldn't happen normally, however if the lod data is slightly malformed
+			// (which is specifically the case for the commonly shared wyncraft LODs)
+			// this check is needed.
+			// It would probably be best to fix the 6 or so NULL datapoints that are next
+			// to each other in the full data source, but for now this fix works.
+			
+			writeIndex = 1;
+		}
+		
 		this.smallest = this.sortingArray.getShort(0);
 		this.biggest = this.sortingArray.getShort(writeIndex - 1);
 		this.setSmaller(this.getSmallest(), NULL);

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

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.ColorUtil;
 
 
 /**
@@ -246,10 +247,7 @@ public class RenderDataPointUtil
 		{
 			return "Y+:" + getYMax(dataPoint) +
 					" Y-:" + getYMin(dataPoint) +
-					" argb:" + getAlpha(dataPoint) + " " +
-					getRed(dataPoint) + " " +
-					getGreen(dataPoint) + " " +
-					getBlue(dataPoint) +
+					" argb:" + getAlpha(dataPoint) + "," + getRed(dataPoint) + "," + getGreen(dataPoint) + "," + getBlue(dataPoint) +
 					" BL:" + getLightBlock(dataPoint) +
 					" SL:" + getLightSky(dataPoint) +
 					" MAT:" + getBlockMaterialId(dataPoint) + "["+ EDhApiBlockMaterial.getFromIndex(getBlockMaterialId(dataPoint))+"]";

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

@@ -19,12 +19,17 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiMat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.ModAccessorInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
@@ -35,8 +40,11 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
  */
 public class RenderUtil
 {
+	private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().maxCountPerSecond(1).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 IIrisAccessor IRIS_ACCESSOR = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(IIrisAccessor.class);
 	
 	/** 
 	 * all speeds are measured in blocks per second 
@@ -79,7 +87,7 @@ public class RenderUtil
 			nearClipDist = Math.min(nearClipDist, 7.5f);
 		}
 		
-		float farClipDist = (float) RenderUtil.getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks();
+		float farClipDist = RenderUtil.getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks();
 		
 		// Create a copy of the current matrix, so it won't be modified.
 		Mat4f lodProj = new Mat4f(mcProjMat);
@@ -115,7 +123,16 @@ public class RenderUtil
 			// At low render distances this hides the vanilla RD border
 			
 			int chunkRenderDistance = MC_RENDER.getRenderDistance();
-			if (chunkRenderDistance <= 2)
+			
+			if (IRIS_ACCESSOR != null
+				&& IRIS_ACCESSOR.isShaderPackInUse())
+			{
+				// shaders handle the near clip plane/overdraw differently, best to play it
+				// safe and have the plane really close otherwise
+				// there might be cutouts on the screen edges
+				overdraw = 0.2f;
+			}
+			else if (chunkRenderDistance <= 2)
 			{
 				overdraw = 0.2f;
 			}
@@ -146,7 +163,7 @@ public class RenderUtil
 		
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.reduceOverdrawWithFastMovement.get())
 		{
-			double avgSpeed = ClientApi.INSTANCE.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.getAverage();
+			double avgSpeed = ClientApi.INSTANCE.getAvgCameraSpeed();
 			if (avgSpeed >= DynamicOverdraw.MIN_SPEED)
 			{
 				// if the player is moving fast enough,
@@ -245,12 +262,31 @@ public class RenderUtil
 	
 	//region
 	
-	public static int getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks()
+	public static float getFarClipPlaneDistanceInBlocks()
 	{
-		int lodChunkDist = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodChunkRenderDistanceRadius.get();
-		int lodBlockDist = lodChunkDist * LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH;
-		// * 2 to prevent clipping when high above the world
-		return (lodBlockDist + LodUtil.REGION_WIDTH) * 2;
+		if (IRIS_ACCESSOR != null)
+		{
+			// Iris doesn't use the far clip plane DH generates, instead
+			// they use a manually generated one, which causes problems.
+			// This is a hack so DH's far clip plane matches up with what Iris thinks it is,
+			// fixing projection/depth mapping.
+			// https://github.com/IrisShaders/Iris/issues/2534
+			
+			int lodChunkDist = DhApi.Delayed.configs.graphics().chunkRenderDistance().getValue();
+			int lodBlockDist = lodChunkDist * 16; /* 16 = chunk width in blocks */
+			// sqrt 2 to prevent the corners from being cut off
+			return (float) ((lodBlockDist + 512 /* 512 = region width in blocks */) * Math.sqrt(2));
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// Current DH logic
+			// uses a farther depth to help when far above the world
+			
+			int lodChunkDist = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodChunkRenderDistanceRadius.get();
+			int lodBlockDist = lodChunkDist * LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH;
+			// * 2 to prevent clipping when high above the world
+			return (lodBlockDist + LodUtil.REGION_WIDTH) * 2;
+		}
 	}
 	
 	//endregion

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/RollingAverage.java

@@ -17,12 +17,15 @@ public class RollingAverage
 	private int index = 0;
 	private double sum = 0.0;
 	private final Lock arrayLock = new ReentrantLock();
+	/** how many items have been added to this average over its lifetime */
+	private long lifetimeCount = 0;
 	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
+	//region
 	
 	public RollingAverage(int size)
 	{
@@ -35,11 +38,14 @@ public class RollingAverage
 		this.values = new double[size];
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//=======//
 	// input //
 	//=======//
+	//region
 	
 	public void add(double value)
 	{
@@ -56,6 +62,8 @@ public class RollingAverage
 			this.index = (this.index + 1) % this.maxSize;
 			
 			this.currentSize = Math.max(this.index+1, this.currentSize);
+			
+			this.lifetimeCount++;
 		}
 		finally
 		{
@@ -71,6 +79,7 @@ public class RollingAverage
 			this.sum = 0;
 			this.index = 0;
 			this.currentSize = 0;
+			this.lifetimeCount = 0;
 			Arrays.fill(this.values, 0);
 		}
 		finally
@@ -79,11 +88,14 @@ public class RollingAverage
 		}
 	}
 	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//========//
 	// output //
 	//========//
+	//region
 	
 	/** Gets the current rolling average. */
 	public double getAverage()
@@ -101,14 +113,23 @@ public class RollingAverage
 	/** rounded to two decimals*/
 	public String getAverageRoundedString() { return String.format("%.2f", this.getAverage()); }
 	
+	/** how many items have been added to the rolling average since it's last {@link RollingAverage#clear()} */
+	public long getLifetimeCount() { return this.lifetimeCount; }
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
+	//region
 	
 	@Override 
 	public String toString() { return "avg: ["+this.getAverageRoundedString()+"], count: ["+this.currentSize+"], max count: ["+this.maxSize+"]."; }
 	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
 }
 

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

@@ -185,24 +185,34 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 				else
 				{
 					// this reference is pointing to null,
-					// the checkout must have been garbage collected,
-					// that means we don't have enough memory
+					// the checkout was garbage collected
 					if (!lowMemoryWarningLogged)
 					{
-						lowMemoryWarningLogged = true;
+						// Complain if there isn't much free ram.
+						// Some garbage collectors may remove our soft references unnecessarily
+						// even when there is free space, and this should prevent the warning from
+						// popping up unnecessarily.
 						
-						String message = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons: Insufficient memory detected." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+						long freeMemoryBytes = Runtime.getRuntime().freeMemory();
+						
+						long expectedFreeMemoryBytes = 1_073_741_824 /* 1 Gibibyte */ / 8; // 128 MibiBytes
+						if (freeMemoryBytes < expectedFreeMemoryBytes)
+						{
+							lowMemoryWarningLogged = true;
+							
+							String message = MinecraftTextFormat.ORANGE + "Distant Horizons: Insufficient memory detected." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
 								"This may cause stuttering or crashing. \n" +
 								"Potential causes: \n" +
 								"1. your allocated memory isn't high enough \n" +
 								"2. your DH CPU preset is too high \n" +
 								"3. your DH quality preset is too high \n" +
 								"4. you have other memory hungry mod(s)";
-						
-						LOGGER.warn(message);
-						if (Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showPoolInsufficientMemoryWarning.get())
-						{
-							ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
+							
+							LOGGER.warn(message);
+							if (Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showPoolInsufficientMemoryWarning.get())
+							{
+								ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
+							}
 						}
 					}
 					
@@ -319,9 +329,9 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 							pool.returnCheckout(checkout);
 							
 							if (pool.logGarbageCollectedStacks
-									&& checkout.allocationStackTrace != null) // stack trace shouldn't be null, but just in case
+								&& checkout.allocationStackTrace != null) // stack trace shouldn't be null, but just in case
 							{
-								putAndIncrementTrackingString(checkout.allocationStackTrace, allocationStackTraceCountPairList);
+								PhantomLoggingHelper.putAndIncrementTrackingString(checkout.allocationStackTrace, allocationStackTraceCountPairList);
 							}
 						}
 						else
@@ -353,18 +363,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 							// log stack traces if present
 							if (pool.logGarbageCollectedStacks)
 							{
-								// high numbers first
-								allocationStackTraceCountPairList.sort((a, b) -> Integer.compare(b.second.get(), a.second.get()));
-								
-								StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder();
-								for (int j = 0; j < allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size(); j++)
-								{
-									int count = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(j).second.get();
-									String stack = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(j).first;
-									
-									stringBuilder.append(count).append(". ").append(stack).append("\n");
-								}
-								LOGGER.warn("Stacks: ["+ allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size()+"]\n" + stringBuilder.toString());
+								PhantomLoggingHelper.LogAllocationStackTracePairCounts(LOGGER, allocationStackTraceCountPairList);
 							}
 						}
 					}
@@ -379,36 +378,6 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	/**
-	 * This was separated out so it could be used for other string pair lists.
-	 * James originally had an idea to add a shorter static string
-	 * ID to each allocated {@link PhantomArrayListCheckout} as a simpler version of the stack trace,
-	 * however it became a bit more difficult and messy than he wanted to deal with, so for now we just
-	 * have the stack trace.
-	 */
-	private static void putAndIncrementTrackingString(
-			String key,
-			ArrayList<Pair<String, AtomicInteger>> allocationStackTraceCountPairList)
-	{
-		// sequential search, for the number of elements we're dealing with (less than 20)
-		// this should be sufficiently fast
-		boolean pairFound = false;
-		for (int i = 0; i < allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size(); i++)
-		{
-			Pair<String, AtomicInteger> possiblePair = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(i);
-			if (possiblePair.first.equals(key))
-			{
-				possiblePair.second.getAndIncrement();
-				pairFound = true;
-				break;
-			}
-		}
-		
-		if (!pairFound)
-		{
-			allocationStackTraceCountPairList.add(new Pair<>(key, new AtomicInteger(1)));
-		}
-	}
 	
 	///endregion
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/pooling/PhantomLoggingHelper.java

@@ -0,0 +1,232 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.pooling;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ThreadUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.Pair;
+
+import java.lang.ref.PhantomReference;
+import java.lang.ref.Reference;
+import java.lang.ref.ReferenceQueue;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
+
+public class PhantomLoggingHelper
+{
+	/**
+	 * This was separated out so it could be used for other string pair lists.
+	 * James originally had an idea to add a shorter static string
+	 * ID to each allocated {@link PhantomArrayListCheckout} as a simpler version of the stack trace,
+	 * however it became a bit more difficult and messy than he wanted to deal with, so for now we just
+	 * have the stack trace.
+	 */
+	public static void putAndIncrementTrackingString(
+		String key,
+		ArrayList<Pair<String, AtomicInteger>> allocationStackTraceCountPairList)
+	{
+		// sequential search, for the number of elements we're dealing with (less than 20)
+		// this should be sufficiently fast
+		boolean pairFound = false;
+		for (int i = 0; i < allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size(); i++)
+		{
+			Pair<String, AtomicInteger> possiblePair = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(i);
+			if (possiblePair.first.equals(key))
+			{
+				possiblePair.second.getAndIncrement();
+				pairFound = true;
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+		
+		if (!pairFound)
+		{
+			allocationStackTraceCountPairList.add(new Pair<>(key, new AtomicInteger(1)));
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public static void LogAllocationStackTracePairCounts(DhLogger logger, ArrayList<Pair<String, AtomicInteger>> allocationStackTraceCountPairList)
+	{
+		// high numbers first
+		allocationStackTraceCountPairList.sort((a, b) -> Integer.compare(b.second.get(), a.second.get()));
+		
+		StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder();
+		for (int j = 0; j < allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size(); j++)
+		{
+			int count = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(j).second.get();
+			String stack = allocationStackTraceCountPairList.get(j).first;
+			
+			stringBuilder.append(count).append(". ").append(stack).append("\n");
+		}
+		logger.warn("Stacks: ["+ allocationStackTraceCountPairList.size()+"]\n" + stringBuilder.toString());
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// helper classes //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	/**
+	 * Can be quickly added to a {@link AutoCloseable} implementing
+	 * class to confirm it's being properly closed.
+	 */
+	public static class BasicPhantomReference implements AutoCloseable
+	{
+		private static final DhLogger LOGGER = new DhLoggerBuilder().build();
+		
+		/** if enabled the number of GC'ed buffers will be logged */
+		private static final boolean LOG_PHANTOM_RECOVERY = true;
+		/**
+		 * If enabled the GC'ed buffers allocation/upload stacks will be logged. 
+		 * Note: due to how the buffers are often run on the render thread,
+		 * these stacks will likely only be of limited use.
+		 * For more robust debugging it would likely be best to somehow track
+		 * the stacks of where these calls are happening before they're queued
+		 * for the render thread.
+		 */
+		private static final boolean LOG_PHANTOM_ALLOCATION_STACKS = true;
+		
+		private static final int PHANTOM_REF_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS = 5 * 1000;
+		private static final ReferenceQueue<BasicPhantomReference> PHANTOM_REFERENCE_QUEUE = new ReferenceQueue<>();
+		private static final ConcurrentHashMap<PhantomReference<? extends BasicPhantomReference>, Class<?>> PHANTOM_TO_PARENT_CLASS = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+		
+		private static final ThreadPoolExecutor CLEANUP_THREAD = ThreadUtil.makeSingleDaemonThreadPool("BasicPhantom Cleanup");
+		
+		
+		private final Class<?> parentClass;
+		private final PhantomReference<? extends BasicPhantomReference> phantomReference; 
+		
+		
+		
+		//==============//
+		// constructors //
+		//==============//
+		//region
+		
+		static { CLEANUP_THREAD.execute(() -> runPhantomReferenceCleanupLoop()); }
+		
+		public BasicPhantomReference(Class<?> parentClass)
+		{
+			this.parentClass = parentClass;
+			this.phantomReference = new PhantomReference<>(this, PHANTOM_REFERENCE_QUEUE);
+			PHANTOM_TO_PARENT_CLASS.put(this.phantomReference, this.parentClass);
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//================//
+		// base overrides //
+		//================//
+		//region
+		
+		@Override 
+		public void close()
+		{
+			this.phantomReference.clear();
+			PHANTOM_TO_PARENT_CLASS.remove(this.phantomReference);
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+		
+		//================//
+		// static cleanup //
+		//================//
+		//region
+		
+		private static void runPhantomReferenceCleanupLoop()
+		{
+			// these arrays are stored here so they don't have to be re-allocated each loop
+			ArrayList<Pair<String, AtomicInteger>> allocationStackTraceCountPairList = new ArrayList<>();
+			ArrayList<Pair<String, AtomicInteger>> parentClassNameCountPairList = new ArrayList<>();
+			
+			while (true)
+			{
+				allocationStackTraceCountPairList.clear();
+				parentClassNameCountPairList.clear();
+				
+				try
+				{
+					try
+					{
+						Thread.sleep(PHANTOM_REF_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS);
+					}
+					catch (InterruptedException ignore) { }
+					
+					int collectedCount = 0;
+					
+					Reference<? extends BasicPhantomReference> phantomRef = PHANTOM_REFERENCE_QUEUE.poll();
+					while (phantomRef != null)
+					{
+						// destroy the buffer if it hasn't been cleared yet
+						Class<?> parentClass = PHANTOM_TO_PARENT_CLASS.remove((PhantomReference<? extends BasicPhantomReference>)phantomRef); // cast to make IntelliJ happy
+						{
+							String parentClassName = "NULL";
+							if (parentClass != null)
+							{
+								parentClassName = parentClass.getSimpleName();
+							}
+							
+							PhantomLoggingHelper.putAndIncrementTrackingString(parentClassName, parentClassNameCountPairList);
+							//LOGGER.info("Phantom collected for class: [" + parentClassName + "]");
+						}
+							
+						
+						//if (LOG_PHANTOM_ALLOCATION_STACKS) // stack trace shouldn't be null, but just in case
+						//{
+						//	String stack = BUFFER_ID_TO_ALLOCATION_STRING.get(idRef);
+						//	if (stack != null)
+						//	{
+						//		PhantomLoggingHelper.putAndIncrementTrackingString(stack, allocationStackTraceCountPairList);
+						//	}
+						//}
+						
+						
+						collectedCount++;
+						phantomRef = PHANTOM_REFERENCE_QUEUE.poll();
+					}
+					
+					
+					
+					if (LOG_PHANTOM_RECOVERY)
+					{
+						// we only want to log when something has been returned
+						if (collectedCount != 0)
+						{
+							LOGGER.warn("Phantoms collected: ["+ F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(collectedCount)+"].");
+							
+							PhantomLoggingHelper.LogAllocationStackTracePairCounts(LOGGER, parentClassNameCountPairList);
+							
+							//// log stack traces if present
+							//if (LOG_PHANTOM_ALLOCATION_STACKS)
+							//{
+							//	PhantomLoggingHelper.LogAllocationStackTracePairCounts(LOGGER, allocationStackTraceCountPairList);
+							//}
+						}
+					}
+					
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unexpected error in buffer cleanup thread: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		
+		//endregion
+		
+		
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
+	
+	
+}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/quadTree/QuadNode.java

@@ -86,6 +86,17 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 	
 	
 	
+	/** @return the number of non-null direct child nodes */
+	public int getDirectChildCount()
+	{
+		int count = 0;
+		if (this.nwChild != null) { count++; }
+		if (this.neChild != null) { count++; }
+		if (this.swChild != null) { count++; }
+		if (this.seChild != null) { count++; }
+		return count;
+	}
+	
 	/**
 	 * Use {@link QuadNode#getNonNullChildCount()} if you want the number of non-null child values.
 	 *
@@ -314,7 +325,7 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 	
 	public void deleteAllChildren() { this.deleteAllChildren(null); }
 	/** @param removedItemConsumer is only fired for non-null nodes, however the value passed in may be null */
-	public void deleteAllChildren(Consumer<? super T> removedItemConsumer)
+	public void deleteAllChildren(@Nullable Consumer<? super T> removedItemConsumer)
 	{
 		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 		{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/quadTree/QuadTree.java

@@ -19,10 +19,12 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.QuadTree.LodQuadTree;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
@@ -61,6 +63,11 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	private final MovableGridRingList<QuadNode<T>> topRingList;
 	
 	private DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos;
+	/** 
+	 * defines how many blocks the center needs to move in blocks
+	 * before we check for out-of-bound nodes.
+	 */
+	private int blockDistanceForNodeClearing;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -74,10 +81,13 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	 *
 	 * @param diameterInBlocks equivalent to the distance between the two opposing sides
 	 */
-	public QuadTree(int diameterInBlocks, DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos, byte treeLeafDetailLevel)
+	public QuadTree(
+		int diameterInBlocks, int blockDistanceForNodeClearing,
+		DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos, byte treeLeafDetailLevel)
 	{
 		this.centerBlockPos = centerBlockPos;
 		this.diameterInBlocks = diameterInBlocks;
+		this.blockDistanceForNodeClearing = blockDistanceForNodeClearing;
 		
 		this.treeLeafDetailLevel = treeLeafDetailLevel;
 		// the min detail level must be greater than 0 (to prevent divide by 0 errors) and greater than the maximum detail level
@@ -130,18 +140,22 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	public int leafNodeCount()
 	{
 		int count = 0;
-		for (QuadNode<T> node : this.topRingList)
+		for (QuadNode<T> rootNode : this.topRingList)
 		{
-			if (node == null)
+			if (rootNode == null)
 			{
 				continue;
 			}
 			
-			Iterator<QuadNode<T>> leafNodeIterator = node.getLeafNodeIterator();
+			Iterator<QuadNode<T>> leafNodeIterator = rootNode.getLeafNodeIterator();
 			while (leafNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
-				leafNodeIterator.next();
-				count++;
+				QuadNode<T> node = leafNodeIterator.next();
+				if (node != null
+					&& this.isSectionPosInBounds(node.sectionPos))
+				{
+					count++;
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		
@@ -236,32 +250,32 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		int ringListPosX = DhSectionPos.getX(rootPos);
 		int ringListPosZ = DhSectionPos.getZ(rootPos);
 		
-		QuadNode<T> topQuadNode = this.topRingList.get(ringListPosX, ringListPosZ);
-		if (topQuadNode == null)
+		QuadNode<T> rootQuadNode = this.topRingList.get(ringListPosX, ringListPosZ);
+		if (rootQuadNode == null)
 		{
 			if (!setNewValue)
 			{
 				return null;
 			}
 			
-			topQuadNode = new QuadNode<T>(rootPos, this.treeLeafDetailLevel);
-			boolean successfullyAdded = this.topRingList.set(ringListPosX, ringListPosZ, topQuadNode);
+			rootQuadNode = new QuadNode<T>(rootPos, this.treeLeafDetailLevel);
+			boolean successfullyAdded = this.topRingList.set(ringListPosX, ringListPosZ, rootQuadNode);
 			if (!successfullyAdded)
 			{
-				LodUtil.assertNotReach("Failed to add top quadTree node at position: " + rootPos);
+				LodUtil.assertNotReach("Failed to add root quadTree node at position: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(rootPos)+"]");
 			}
 		}
 		
-		if (!DhSectionPos.contains(topQuadNode.sectionPos, pos))
+		if (!DhSectionPos.contains(rootQuadNode.sectionPos, pos))
 		{
-			LodUtil.assertNotReach("failed to get a root node that contains the input position: " + pos + " root node pos: " + topQuadNode.sectionPos);
+			LodUtil.assertNotReach("failed to get a root node that contains the input position: " + pos + " root node pos: " + rootQuadNode.sectionPos);
 		}
 		
 		
-		QuadNode<T> returnNode = topQuadNode.getNode(pos);
+		QuadNode<T> returnNode = rootQuadNode.getNode(pos);
 		if (setNewValue)
 		{
-			topQuadNode.setValue(pos, newValue);
+			rootQuadNode.setValue(pos, newValue);
 		}
 		return returnNode;
 	}
@@ -354,32 +368,103 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	//================//
 	//region
 	
-	public void setCenterBlockPos(DhBlockPos2D newCenterPos) { this.setCenterBlockPos(newCenterPos, null); }
-	public void setCenterBlockPos(DhBlockPos2D newCenterPos, Consumer<? super T> removedItemConsumer)
+	public void setCenterBlockPos(DhBlockPos2D newCenterPos) { this.setCenterBlockPos(newCenterPos, null, null); }
+	/**
+	 * @param removedConsumer fired when a root node is completely removed from the underlying data structure
+	 * @param mutateOutOfBoundConsumer fired when a child node is out of bounds, but not removed from the underlying data structure
+	 */
+	public void setCenterBlockPos(
+		DhBlockPos2D newCenterPos, 
+		@Nullable Consumer<? super T> removedConsumer, 
+		@Nullable Consumer<? super T> mutateOutOfBoundConsumer)
 	{
-		this.centerBlockPos = newCenterPos;
-		
-		MovableGridRingList.Pos2D expectedCenterPos = new MovableGridRingList.Pos2D(
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.x, this.treeRootDetailLevel),
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.z, this.treeRootDetailLevel));
-		
-		if (this.topRingList.getCenter().equals(expectedCenterPos))
+		// did we move significantly?
+		boolean ringListMoved = false;
+		int newCenterPosX = BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(newCenterPos.x, this.treeRootDetailLevel);
+		int newCenterPosZ = BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(newCenterPos.z, this.treeRootDetailLevel);
+		if (this.topRingList.getCenter().getX() != newCenterPosX
+			|| this.topRingList.getCenter().getY() != newCenterPosZ)
 		{
-			// tree doesn't need to be moved
+			ringListMoved = true;
+		}
+		
+		// did we move a little bit?
+		boolean recalculateOutOfBoundNodes = false;
+		int centerBlockDistance = this.centerBlockPos.manhattanDist(newCenterPos);
+		if (centerBlockDistance >= this.blockDistanceForNodeClearing)
+		{
+			recalculateOutOfBoundNodes = true;
+		}
+		
+		if (!ringListMoved
+			&& !recalculateOutOfBoundNodes)
+		{
+			// the tree didn't move enough that we need
+			// to re-calculate anything
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		
-		// remove out of bounds root nodes
-		this.topRingList.moveTo(expectedCenterPos.getX(), expectedCenterPos.getY(), (quadNode) ->
+		
+		this.centerBlockPos = newCenterPos;
+		
+		// remove out of bound root nodes
+		this.topRingList.moveTo(newCenterPosX, newCenterPosZ, (quadNode) ->
 		{
-			if (quadNode != null && removedItemConsumer != null)
+			if (quadNode != null)
 			{
-				quadNode.deleteAllChildren(removedItemConsumer);
+				quadNode.deleteAllChildren(removedConsumer);
 				
-				removedItemConsumer.accept(quadNode.value);
+				if (removedConsumer != null)
+				{
+					removedConsumer.accept(quadNode.value);
+				}
 			}
 		});
+		
+		// mutate out of bound child nodes
+		this.topRingList.forEach((rootNode) ->
+		{
+			this.mutateOutOfBoundChildNodes(rootNode, mutateOutOfBoundConsumer);
+		});
+	}
+	/** 
+	 * we don't want to actually remove nodes or node data 
+	 * since that can cause the {@link LodQuadTree} to
+	 * flash low-detail LODs when moving into previously-loaded
+	 * LODs, which is really disorienting.
+	 */
+	private void mutateOutOfBoundChildNodes(@Nullable QuadNode<T> quadNode, @Nullable Consumer<? super T> mutateOutOfBoundConsumer)
+	{
+		// nodes shouldn't be null, but just in case
+		if (quadNode == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		// go over each child node
+		for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
+		{
+			QuadNode<T> childNode = quadNode.getChildByIndex(i);
+			if (childNode == null
+				|| childNode.value == null)
+			{
+				// no need to go any deeper if this node is already empty
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			// mutate nodes from the bottom up
+			this.mutateOutOfBoundChildNodes(childNode, mutateOutOfBoundConsumer);
+			
+			// mutate this node if out of bounds
+			if (!this.isSectionPosInBounds(childNode.sectionPos))
+			{
+				if (mutateOutOfBoundConsumer != null)
+				{
+					mutateOutOfBoundConsumer.accept(childNode.value);
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 	
 	public final DhBlockPos2D getCenterBlockPos() { return this.centerBlockPos; }
@@ -484,7 +569,7 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	
 	private class QuadTreeNodeIterator implements Iterator<QuadNode<T>>
 	{
-		private final QuadTreeRootPosIterator rootNodeIterator;
+		private final QuadTreeRootPosIterator rootNodePosIterator;
 		private Iterator<QuadNode<T>> currentNodeIterator;
 		
 		private QuadNode<T> lastNode = null;
@@ -497,7 +582,7 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		
 		public QuadTreeNodeIterator(boolean onlyReturnLeaves, @Nullable INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc)
 		{
-			this.rootNodeIterator = new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(false, stopIteratingFunc);
+			this.rootNodePosIterator = new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(false, stopIteratingFunc);
 			this.onlyReturnLeaves = onlyReturnLeaves;
 			
 			this.stopIteratingFunc = stopIteratingFunc;
@@ -508,7 +593,7 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		@Override
 		public boolean hasNext()
 		{
-			if (!this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext() 
+			if (!this.rootNodePosIterator.hasNext() 
 				&& this.currentNodeIterator != null 
 				&& !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
@@ -544,9 +629,9 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		{
 			Iterator<QuadNode<T>> nodeIterator = null;
 			while ((nodeIterator == null || !nodeIterator.hasNext()) 
-					&& this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext())
+					&& this.rootNodePosIterator.hasNext())
 			{
-				long sectionPos = this.rootNodeIterator.nextLong();
+				long sectionPos = this.rootNodePosIterator.nextLong();
 				
 				// try-get to prevent concurrency errors if the tree is being moved while we walk through it
 				QuadNode<T> rootNode = QuadTree.this.tryGetNode(sectionPos);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/threading/RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor.java

@@ -73,10 +73,17 @@ public class RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor extends ThreadPoolExecutor
 	{
 		super.afterExecute(runnable, throwable);
 		
+		double ratio = this.runTimeRatioConfig.get();
+		if (ratio >= 1.0)
+		{
+			// Avoid sleeping for 0 time
+			return;
+		}
+		
 		try
 		{
 			long runTime = System.nanoTime() - this.runStartTime.get();
-			Thread.sleep(TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS.toMillis((long) (runTime / this.runTimeRatioConfig.get() - runTime)));
+			Thread.sleep(TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS.toMillis((long) (runTime / ratio - runTime)));
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException ignore)
 		{

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/threading/ThreadPoolUtil.java

@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ public class ThreadPoolUtil
 	 */
 	public static boolean worldGenThreadsCanRun()
 	{
-		double cameraSpeed = ClientApi.INSTANCE.cameraSpeedRollingAverage.getAverage();
+		double cameraSpeed = ClientApi.INSTANCE.getAvgCameraSpeed();
 		// stop these threads if moving a little bit slower than max elytra speed
 		double maxAllowedSpeed = (LodUtil.ROCKET_ELYTRA_SPEED_IN_BLOCKS_PER_SEC - 10.0);
 		if (cameraSpeed > maxAllowedSpeed)
@@ -179,13 +179,13 @@ public class ThreadPoolUtil
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = getRenderLoadingExecutor();
-		if (executor != null
-			&& executor.getQueueSize() > 0)
-		{
-			// pause if LODs are being loaded for rendering
-			return false;
-		}
+		//PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = getRenderLoadingExecutor();
+		//if (executor != null
+		//	&& executor.getQueueSize() > 0)
+		//{
+		//	// pause if LODs are being loaded for rendering
+		//	return false;
+		//}
 		
 		return true;
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/AbstractDhServerWorld.java

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.LocalSaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.AbstractDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server.ServerPlayerStateManag
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -138,6 +140,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerWorld<TDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhSer
 			if (serverLevelWrapper != null)
 			{
 				serverLevelWrapper.onUnload();
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(serverLevelWrapper));
 			}
 			
 			

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/AbstractDhWorld.java

@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhWorld implements IDhWorld, Closeable
 		String levelCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(this.getLoadedLevelCount());
 		
 		String readOnlyStr = "";
-		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		if (DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.tryGetReadOnly())
 		{
 			readOnlyStr += " - ReadOnly";
 		}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/DhApiWorldProxy.java

@@ -113,6 +113,23 @@ public class DhApiWorldProxy implements IDhApiWorldProxy
 		return this.isReadOnly; 
 	}
 	
+	/** 
+	 * Returns false if no world is loaded.
+	 * Can be used in places where the world state might be a bit more questionable
+	 * without having to worry about the {@link IllegalStateException} thrown by
+	 * {@link DhApiWorldProxy#getReadOnly()}
+	 */
+	public boolean tryGetReadOnly()
+	{
+		if (SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld() == null)
+		{
+			// no world is loaded, use the default value for the next world
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		return this.isReadOnly;
+	}
+	
 	
 	
 	//================//

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/DhClientServerWorld.java

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelLoadEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientServerLevel;
@@ -27,6 +29,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.util.*;
@@ -34,7 +37,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 
 public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLevel> implements IDhClientWorld
 {
-	private final Set<DhClientServerLevel> dhLevels = Collections.synchronizedSet(new HashSet<>());
+	private final Map<DhClientServerLevel, Set<ILevelWrapper>> dhLevels = Collections.synchronizedMap(new HashMap<>());
 	
 	private final Timer clientTickTimer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("ClientTickTimer");
 	
@@ -54,7 +57,7 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 			@Override 
 			public void run()
 			{
-				DhClientServerWorld.this.dhLevels.forEach(DhClientServerLevel::clientTick);
+				DhClientServerWorld.this.dhLevels.keySet().forEach(DhClientServerLevel::clientTick);
 			}
 		}, 0, IDhClientWorld.TICK_RATE_IN_MS);
 	}
@@ -75,7 +78,8 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 				try
 				{
 					DhClientServerLevel level = new DhClientServerLevel(this.saveStructure, (IServerLevelWrapper) levelWrapper, this.getServerPlayerStateManager());
-					this.dhLevels.add(level);
+					this.dhLevels.computeIfAbsent(level, k -> Collections.synchronizedSet(new HashSet<>()));
+					ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(wrapper));
 					return level;
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
@@ -92,6 +96,10 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 		}
 		else
 		{
+			if (wrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper)
+			{
+				((IClientLevelWrapper) wrapper).markAccessed();
+			}
 			return this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.computeIfAbsent(wrapper, (levelWrapper) ->
 			{
 				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = (IClientLevelWrapper) levelWrapper;
@@ -111,13 +119,14 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 				
 				level.startRenderer();
 				clientLevelWrapper.setDhLevel(level);
+				dhLevels.get(level).add(wrapper);
 				return level;
 			});
 		}
 	}
 	
 	@Override
-	public void unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
+	public boolean unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
 	{
 		if (this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.containsKey(wrapper))
 		{
@@ -135,9 +144,18 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 				// If the level wrapper is a Client Level Wrapper, then that means the client side leaves the level,
 				// but note that the server side still has the level loaded. So, we don't want to unload the level,
 				// we just want to stop rendering it.
-				this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.remove(wrapper).stopRenderer(); // Ignore resource warning. The level obj is referenced elsewhere.
+				DhClientServerLevel level = this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.remove(wrapper); // Ignore resource warning. The level obj is referenced elsewhere.
+				Set<ILevelWrapper> wrappers = dhLevels.get(level);
+				if (wrappers != null) wrappers.remove(wrapper);
+				if ((wrappers == null || wrappers.isEmpty()) && level.isRendering()) {
+					level.stopRenderer();
+				}
+				wrapper.onUnload(); // We still want to unload the wrapper though.
 			}
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(wrapper));
+			return true;
 		}
+		return false;
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -155,13 +173,21 @@ public class DhClientServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhClientServerLev
 		synchronized (this.dhLevels)
 		{
 			// close each level
-			for (DhClientServerLevel level : this.dhLevels)
+			for (DhClientServerLevel level : this.dhLevels.keySet())
 			{
 				// level wrapper shouldn't be null, but just in case
 				IServerLevelWrapper serverLevelWrapper = level.getServerLevelWrapper();
 				if (serverLevelWrapper != null)
 				{
 					serverLevelWrapper.onUnload();
+					ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(serverLevelWrapper));
+				}
+				
+				IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = level.getClientLevelWrapper();
+				if (clientLevelWrapper != null)
+				{
+					clientLevelWrapper.onUnload();
+					ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(clientLevelWrapper));
 				}
 				
 				// close levels asynchronously to speed up

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/DhClientWorld.java

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelLoadEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ClientOnlySaveStructure;
@@ -28,18 +30,17 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.ClientNetworkState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Timer;
-import java.util.TimerTask;
+import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 
 public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 {
-	private final ConcurrentHashMap<IClientLevelWrapper, DhClientLevel> levels;
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<String, DhClientLevel> levels;
+	private final Map<String, Set<IClientLevelWrapper>> levelWrappers = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	public final ClientOnlySaveStructure saveStructure;
 	public final ClientNetworkState networkState = new ClientNetworkState();
 	
@@ -76,6 +77,32 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 	// methods //
 	//=========//
 	
+	private DhClientLevel createClientLevel(@NotNull IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper) {
+		try
+		{
+			if (!ClientApi.INSTANCE.canLoadClientLevel(clientLevelWrapper))
+			{
+				return null;
+			}
+			
+			DhClientLevel level = new DhClientLevel(this.saveStructure, clientLevelWrapper, this.networkState);
+			levelWrappers.computeIfAbsent(clientLevelWrapper.getDhIdentifier(), k -> Collections.synchronizedSet(new HashSet<>())).add(clientLevelWrapper);
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(clientLevelWrapper));
+			ClientApi.INSTANCE.loadWaitingChunksForLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
+			return level;
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.fatal("Failed to load client level, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+			
+			ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(
+				MinecraftTextFormat.RED + "Distant Horizons: Client level loading failed." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
+					"Unable to load level ["+clientLevelWrapper.getDhIdentifier()+"], LODs may not appear. See log for more information.");
+			
+			return null;
+		}
+	}
+	
 	@Override
 	public DhClientLevel getOrLoadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
 	{
@@ -83,25 +110,20 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 		{
 			return null;
 		}
-		
-		return this.levels.computeIfAbsent((IClientLevelWrapper) wrapper,
-			(clientLevelWrapper) ->
+		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = (IClientLevelWrapper) wrapper;
+		clientLevelWrapper.markAccessed();
+		DhClientLevel storedLevel = this.levels.computeIfAbsent(wrapper.getDhIdentifier(),
+			(key) -> createClientLevel(clientLevelWrapper)
+		);
+		if (storedLevel != null && storedLevel.getClientLevelWrapper() != wrapper) {
+			unloadLevel(storedLevel.getLevelWrapper());
+			storedLevel = createClientLevel(clientLevelWrapper);
+			if (storedLevel != null)
 			{
-				try
-				{
-					return new DhClientLevel(this.saveStructure, clientLevelWrapper, this.networkState);
-				}
-				catch (Exception e)
-				{
-					LOGGER.fatal("Failed to load client level, error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-					
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(
-						MinecraftTextFormat.RED + "Distant Horizons: Client level loading failed." + MinecraftTextFormat.CLEAR_FORMATTING + "\n" +
-						"Unable to load level ["+clientLevelWrapper.getDhIdentifier()+"], LODs may not appear. See log for more information.");
-					
-					return null;
-				}
-			});
+				this.levels.put(wrapper.getDhIdentifier(), storedLevel);
+			}
+		}
+		return storedLevel;
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -112,7 +134,7 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 			return null;
 		}
 		
-		return this.levels.get(wrapper);
+		return this.levels.get(wrapper.getDhIdentifier());
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -121,19 +143,26 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 	public int getLoadedLevelCount() { return this.levels.size(); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public void unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
+	public boolean unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
 	{
 		if (!(wrapper instanceof IClientLevelWrapper))
 		{
-			return;
+			return false;
 		}
 		
-		if (this.levels.containsKey(wrapper))
+		if (this.levels.containsKey(wrapper.getDhIdentifier()))
 		{
-			LOGGER.info("Unloading level " + this.levels.get(wrapper));
+			LOGGER.info("Unloading level " + this.levels.get(wrapper.getDhIdentifier()));
 			wrapper.onUnload();
-			this.levels.remove(wrapper).close();
+			Set<IClientLevelWrapper> wrappers = this.levelWrappers.get(wrapper.getDhIdentifier());
+			wrappers.remove(wrapper);
+			if (wrappers.isEmpty()) {
+				this.levels.remove(wrapper.getDhIdentifier()).close();
+			}
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(wrapper));
+			return true;
 		}
+		return false;
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -156,6 +185,7 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 			if (clientLevelWrapper != null)
 			{
 				clientLevelWrapper.onUnload();
+				ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(clientLevelWrapper));
 			}
 			
 			
@@ -178,6 +208,7 @@ public class DhClientWorld extends AbstractDhWorld implements IDhClientWorld
 		}
 		
 		this.levels.clear();
+		this.levelWrappers.clear();
 		this.clientTickTimer.cancel();
 		LOGGER.info("Closed DhWorld of type [" + this.environment + "].");
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/DhServerWorld.java

@@ -19,15 +19,25 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelLoadEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiLevelUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.enums.MinecraftTextFormat;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.PregenManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
+import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
+
 public class DhServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhServerLevel>
 {
+	private final PregenManager pregenManager = new PregenManager();
+	public PregenManager getPregenManager() { return this.pregenManager; }
+	
+	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
@@ -57,7 +67,9 @@ public class DhServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhServerLevel>
 			{
 				try
 				{
-					return new DhServerLevel(this.saveStructure, (IServerLevelWrapper) serverLevelWrapper, this.getServerPlayerStateManager());
+					DhServerLevel level = new DhServerLevel(this.saveStructure, (IServerLevelWrapper) serverLevelWrapper, this.getServerPlayerStateManager());
+					ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelLoadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelLoadEvent.EventParam(wrapper));
+					return level;
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
@@ -73,19 +85,34 @@ public class DhServerWorld extends AbstractDhServerWorld<DhServerLevel>
 	}
 	
 	@Override
-	public void unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
+	public boolean unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper wrapper)
 	{
 		if (!(wrapper instanceof IServerLevelWrapper))
 		{
-			return;
+			return false;
 		}
 		
 		if (this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.containsKey(wrapper))
 		{
-			DhServerLevel level = this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.get(wrapper);
 			wrapper.onUnload();
 			this.dhLevelByLevelWrapper.remove(wrapper).close();
+			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.class, new DhApiLevelUnloadEvent.EventParam(wrapper));
+			return true;
 		}
+		return false;
+	}
+	
+	@Override
+	public void close()
+	{
+		CompletableFuture<Void> runningPregen = this.pregenManager.getRunningPregen();
+		if (runningPregen != null)
+		{
+			LOGGER.info("Stopping the running pregen task.");
+			runningPregen.cancel(true);
+		}
+		
+		super.close();
 	}
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/world/IDhWorld.java

@@ -49,6 +49,6 @@ public interface IDhWorld extends Closeable
 	Iterable<? extends IDhLevel> getAllLoadedLevels();
 	int getLoadedLevelCount();
 	
-	void unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
+	boolean unloadLevel(@NotNull ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/IWrapperFactory.java

@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ public interface IWrapperFactory extends IDhApiWrapperFactory, IBindable
 	
 	IBlockStateWrapper deserializeBlockStateWrapper(String str, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper) throws IOException;
 	IBlockStateWrapper getAirBlockStateWrapper();
+	IBlockStateWrapper getWaterBlockStateWrapper(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
 	default IBlockStateWrapper deserializeBlockStateWrapperOrGetDefault(String str, ILevelWrapper levelWrapper)
 	{
 		IBlockStateWrapper blockState;
@@ -92,10 +93,10 @@ public interface IWrapperFactory extends IDhApiWrapperFactory, IBindable
 	 */
 	ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
 	
+	ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> getWaterSubsurfaceReplacementBlocks(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
+	ObjectOpenHashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> getWaterSurfaceReplacementBlocks(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper);
 	/** clears the cached values */
-	void resetRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks();
-	/** clears the cached values */
-	void resetRendererIgnoredBlocksSet();
+	void resetCachedIgnoredBlocksSets();
 	
 	
 	/**
@@ -109,9 +110,7 @@ public interface IWrapperFactory extends IDhApiWrapperFactory, IBindable
 	
 	IVertexBufferWrapper createVboWrapper(String name);
 	ILodContainerUniformBufferWrapper createLodContainerUniformWrapper();
-	
 	IDhGenericObjectVertexBufferContainer createGenericObjectVboContainer();
-	
 	IDhGenericRenderer createGenericRenderer();
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/block/IBlockStateWrapper.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 
 import java.awt.*;
@@ -59,6 +60,11 @@ public interface IBlockStateWrapper extends IDhApiBlockStateWrapper
 	 * IE Iron, diamond, gold, etc. 
 	 */
 	boolean isBeaconBaseBlock();
+	/**
+	 * if true this block can have its color overridden
+	 * by {@link DhApiBlockColorOverrideEvent}
+	 */
+	boolean allowApiColorOverride();
 	
 	Color getMapColor();
 	Color getBeaconTintColor();

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/minecraft/IMinecraftClientWrapper.java

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderThreadTaskHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindable;
 
@@ -113,17 +114,19 @@ public interface IMinecraftClientWrapper extends IBindable
 	void crashMinecraft(String errorMessage, Throwable exception);
 	
 	/** 
-	 * This is only designed to be used internally by {@link GLProxy}
+	 * This is only designed to be used internally by {@link RenderThreadTaskHandler}
 	 * since it handles task frame limiting (reducing/preventing stuttering)
 	 * whereas this method causes the task to be run whenever MC decides to 
 	 * (likely all at once the next frame). <br><br>
 	 * 
 	 * Any tasks submitted here will be run on the render thread. 
 	 * 
-	 * @see GLProxy#queueRunningOnRenderThread(Runnable) 
+	 * @see RenderThreadTaskHandler 
 	 */
 	void executeOnRenderThread(Runnable runnable);
 	
+	void showDialog(String title, String message, String dialogType, String iconType);
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/minecraft/IMinecraftRenderWrapper.java

@@ -68,8 +68,6 @@ public interface IMinecraftRenderWrapper extends IBindable
 	
 	Color getSkyColor();
 	
-	double getFov(float partialTicks);
-	
 	/** Measured in chunks */
 	int getRenderDistance();
 	
@@ -98,8 +96,6 @@ public interface IMinecraftRenderWrapper extends IBindable
 	@Nullable
 	ILightMapWrapper getLightmapWrapper(@NotNull ILevelWrapper level);
 	
-	float getShade(EDhDirection lodDirection);
-	
 	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/minecraft/IMinecraftSharedWrapper.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IServerLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindable;
 
 import java.io.File;
@@ -31,6 +32,6 @@ public interface IMinecraftSharedWrapper extends IBindable
 	
 	int getPlayerCount();
 	
-	
+	IServerLevelWrapper getWrappedServerLevel(String levelKey);
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/minecraft/IProfilerWrapper.java

@@ -21,20 +21,26 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IBindable;
 
-/**
- * @author James Seibel
- * @version 11-20-2021
- */
 public interface IProfilerWrapper extends IBindable
 {
-	// Note to self:
-	// if "unspecified" shows up in the pie chart, it is
-	// possibly because the amount of time between sections
-	// is too small for the profiler to measures
-	void push(String newSection);
-	
+	IProfileBlock push(String newSection);
 	void popPush(String newSection);
 	
-	void pop();
+	
+	
+	//================//
+	// helper classes //
+	//================//
+	//region
+	
+	/** used to auto-pop blocks to prevent accidentally unevenly pushing/popping */
+	public static interface IProfileBlock extends AutoCloseable
+	{
+		@Override
+		public void close();
+	}
+	
+	//endregion
+	
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/wrapperInterfaces/modAccessor/AbstractOptifineAccessor.java

@@ -70,8 +70,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractOptifineAccessor implements IOptifineAccessor
 		return null;
 	}
 	
-	public static boolean optifinePresent() { return getOptifineFogField() != null; }
-	
 	
 	
 	//===================//