remove dev from version number

Having separate threads for each task behind the scenes allows for easier performance monitoring vs having a single threadpool that handles everything.

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

@@ -55,15 +55,14 @@ public enum EDhApiDataCompressionMode
 	 */
 	LZ4(1),
 	
-	///**
-	// * Decent speed and good compression. <br><br> 
-	// *
-	// * Read Speed: 9.31 MS / DTO <br>
-	// * Write Speed: 15.13 MS / DTO <br>
-	// * Compression ratio: 0.2606 <br>
-	// */
-	////@DisallowSelectingViaConfigGui
-	//Z_STD(2),
+	/**
+	 * Decent speed and good compression. <br><br> 
+	 *
+	 * Read Speed: 9.31 MS / DTO <br>
+	 * Write Speed: 15.13 MS / DTO <br>
+	 * Compression ratio: 0.2606 <br>
+	 */
+	Z_STD(2),
 	
 	
 	/** 

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

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+/*
+ *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
+ *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
+ *
+ *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
+ *
+ *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
+ *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
+ *
+ *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
+ *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.factories.IDhApiWrapperFactory;
+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;
+
+/**
+ * Used to override which blocks may be stored in a given chunk.
+ * This can be used for X-ray prevention or to replace problematic mod blocks
+ * that don't fit into the {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} format DH requires
+ * (IE modded blocks that use NBT data
+ * to determine their model and/or texture). <br/><br/>
+ *
+ * This event is fired for each block or biome change when DH is processing a chunk.
+ * A change happens when DH finds a different block or biome while walking through a chunk.
+ * For example with the block sequence:<br/>
+ * <code> stone -> stone -> air -> stone </code> <br/>
+ * This event would be fired for the first, third, and forth blocks in the sequence
+ * (IE the first stone, first air, and last stone respectively). <br/> <br/>
+ * 
+ * The order DH will process blocks is undefined so a specific ordering shouldn't be relied upon for your logic to function. <br/> <br/>
+ * 
+ * <b>Threading note:</b> this event may be called concurrently across multiple threads. <br/>
+ * <b>Performance note:</b> this event will be called very frequently, avoid expensive lookups or other slow operations if possible. <br/>
+ * 
+ * @see DhApiLevelLoadEvent
+ * @see IDhApiWrapperFactory
+ *
+ * @author James Seibel
+ * @version 2025-09-29
+ * @since API 4.1.0
+ */
+public abstract class DhApiChunkProcessingEvent implements IDhApiEvent<DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.EventParam>
+{
+	public abstract void blockOrBiomeChangedDuringChunkProcessing(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event);
+	
+	
+	//=========================//
+	// internal DH API methods //
+	//=========================//
+	
+	@Override
+	public final void fireEvent(DhApiEventParam<EventParam> event) { this.blockOrBiomeChangedDuringChunkProcessing(event); }
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// parameter object //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public static class EventParam implements IDhApiEventParam
+	{
+		/** The saved level. */
+		public final IDhApiLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
+		
+		/** the processed chunk's X pos in chunk coordinates */
+		public final int chunkX;
+		/** the processed chunk's Z pos in chunk coordinates */
+		public final int chunkZ;
+		
+		
+		public int relativeBlockPosX;
+		public int blockPosY;
+		public int relativeBlockPosZ;
+		
+		public IDhApiBlockStateWrapper currentBlock;
+		public IDhApiBiomeWrapper currentBiome;
+		
+		private IDhApiBlockStateWrapper newBlock;
+		private IDhApiBiomeWrapper newBiome;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		
+		public EventParam(IDhApiLevelWrapper newLevelWrapper, int chunkX, int chunkZ)
+		{
+			this.levelWrapper = newLevelWrapper;
+			this.chunkX = chunkX;
+			this.chunkZ = chunkZ;
+		}
+		
+		/** 
+		 * Internal method use by Distant Horizons
+		 * to set up this event.
+		 */
+		public void updateForPosition(
+				int relativeBlockPosX, int blockPosY, int relativeBlockPosZ,
+				IDhApiBlockStateWrapper currentBlock,
+				IDhApiBiomeWrapper currentBiome)
+		{
+			this.relativeBlockPosX = relativeBlockPosX;
+			this.blockPosY = blockPosY;
+			this.relativeBlockPosZ = relativeBlockPosZ;
+			
+			this.newBlock = null;
+			this.newBiome = null;
+			
+			this.currentBlock = currentBlock;
+			this.currentBiome = currentBiome;
+		}
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// getters/setters //
+		//=================//
+		
+		/**
+		 * Sets the {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} that should be used at this event's current position in the chunk.
+		 * If you don't want to modify the block at this event's current position, 
+		 * either don't call this method or pass in null. <br>
+		 * Passing in null will remove the override, meaning the original block will be used. <br><br>
+		 *
+		 * A {@link IDhApiWrapperFactory} should be used to get the {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} that's returned. 
+		 * Attempting to create your own {@link IDhApiBlockStateWrapper} will cause a {@link ClassCastException}. <br/> <br/>
+		 *
+		 * If multiple API users are listening to this event the override may already have been set.
+		 * With that in mind it is recommended to check if an override has already been set via
+		 * {@link EventParam#getBlockOverride()} to handle that occurrence. <br>
+		 * Note that the order of API events firing is undefined so a specific order shouldn't be relied upon. <br><br>
+		 * 
+		 * @see IDhApiWrapperFactory
+		 */
+		public void setBlockOverride(IDhApiBlockStateWrapper block) { this.newBlock = block; }
+		/** 
+		 * Returns the currently overriding block for this position.
+		 * This will be null if no other API event has set the override.
+		 */
+		public IDhApiBlockStateWrapper getBlockOverride() { return this.newBlock; }
+		
+		
+		
+		/**
+		 * Sets the {@link IDhApiBiomeWrapper} that should be used at this event's current position in the chunk.
+		 * If you don't want to modify the biome at this event's current position, 
+		 * either don't call this method or pass in null. <br>
+		 * Passing in null will remove the override, meaning the original biome will be used. <br><br>
+		 *
+		 * A {@link IDhApiWrapperFactory} should be used to get the {@link IDhApiBiomeWrapper} that's returned. 
+		 * Attempting to create your own {@link IDhApiBiomeWrapper} will cause a {@link ClassCastException}. <br/> <br/>
+		 *
+		 * If multiple API users are listening to this event the override may already have been set.
+		 * With that in mind it is recommended to check if an override has already been set via
+		 * {@link EventParam#getBiomeOverride()} ()} to handle that occurrence. <br>
+		 * Note that the order of API events firing is undefined so a specific order shouldn't be relied upon. <br><br>
+		 *
+		 * @see IDhApiWrapperFactory
+		 */
+		public void setBiomeOverride(IDhApiBiomeWrapper biome) { this.newBiome = biome; }
+		/**
+		 * Returns the currently overriding biome for this position.
+		 * This will be null if no other API event has set the override.
+		 */
+		public IDhApiBiomeWrapper getBiomeOverride() { return this.newBiome; }
+		
+		
+		
+		/** 
+		 * Returns the same instance of this event.
+		 * Copying this event isn't recommended due to 
+		 * how often it would be called per chunk, creating
+		 * unnecessary garbage collector pressure.
+		 */
+		@Override
+		public EventParam copy() { return this; }
+		
+		@Override 
+		public boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return false; }
+		
+	}
+	
+}

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/api/methods/events/interfaces/IDhApiEventParam.java

@@ -9,5 +9,23 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.util.IDhApiCopyable;
  */
 public interface IDhApiEventParam extends IDhApiCopyable
 {
+	/** 
+	 * Internal DH use. <br> <br>
+	 * 
+	 * Most API events will clone their parameters
+	 * before firing to prevent API implementors
+	 * from modifying the properties causing
+	 * any subsequent listeners to see the wrong data. <br><br>
+	 * 
+	 * However, this can be overridden for API events that shouldn't 
+	 * be cloned before firing.
+	 * Generally that would be done for performance reasons
+	 * where an event may fire hundreds or thousands of times 
+	 * in quick succession or where the event parameter is needed
+	 * internally by DH after firing.
+	 * 
+	 * @since API 4.1.0 
+	 */
+	default boolean getCopyBeforeFire() { return true; }
 	
 }

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

@@ -143,19 +143,23 @@ public class ApiEventInjector extends DependencyInjector<IDhApiEvent> implements
 					
 					
 					// attempt to clone the event input if possible
-					// this is done to reduce the likely hood that one event listener 
-					// will make change the event parameter for other listeners 
+					// this is done to reduce the likelihood that one event listener 
+					// will change the event parameter for other listeners 
 					T input = eventInput;
 					if (eventInput instanceof IDhApiEventParam)
 					{
-						try
+						IDhApiEventParam dhApiEventParam = (IDhApiEventParam) eventInput;
+						if (dhApiEventParam.getCopyBeforeFire())
 						{
-							//noinspection unchecked
-							input = (T) ((IDhApiEventParam) eventInput).copy();
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("Unable to clone event parameter ["+eventInput.getClass().getSimpleName()+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+							try
+							{
+								//noinspection unchecked
+								input = (T) dhApiEventParam.copy();
+							}
+							catch (Exception e)
+							{
+								LOGGER.error("Unable to clone event parameter [" + eventInput.getClass().getSimpleName() + "], error: [" + e.getMessage() + "].", e);
+							}
 						}
 					}
 					

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

@@ -43,11 +43,9 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 	protected final boolean allowDuplicateBindings;
 	
 	
-	public DependencyInjector(Class<BindableType> newBindableInterface)
-	{
-		this.bindableInterface = newBindableInterface;
-		this.allowDuplicateBindings = false;
-	}
+	//==============//
+	// constructors //
+	//==============//
 	
 	public DependencyInjector(Class<BindableType> newBindableInterface, boolean newAllowDuplicateBindings)
 	{
@@ -57,12 +55,16 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 	
 	
 	
+	//=========//
+	// binding //
+	//=========//
 	
 	@Override
 	public void bind(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface, BindableType dependencyImplementation) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
 	{
 		// duplicate check if requested
-		if (this.dependencies.containsKey(dependencyInterface) && !this.allowDuplicateBindings)
+		if (this.dependencies.containsKey(dependencyInterface) 
+			&& !this.allowDuplicateBindings)
 		{
 			throw new IllegalStateException("The dependency [" + dependencyInterface.getSimpleName() + "] has already been bound.");
 		}
@@ -130,6 +132,54 @@ public class DependencyInjector<BindableType extends IBindable> implements IDepe
 	public boolean checkIfClassExtends(Class<?> classToTest, Class<?> extensionToLookFor) { return extensionToLookFor.isAssignableFrom(classToTest); }
 	
 	
+	
+	//===========//
+	// unbinding //
+	//===========//
+	
+	// TODO having a bindOrReplace method would probably be better since it wouldn't have the possiblity of having nothing bound
+	public void unbind(Class<? extends BindableType> dependencyInterface, BindableType dependencyImplementation) throws IllegalStateException, IllegalArgumentException
+	{
+		// check if this object is bound
+		if (!this.dependencies.containsKey(dependencyInterface))
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		
+		// make sure the given dependency implements the necessary interfaces
+		boolean implementsInterface = this.checkIfClassImplements(dependencyImplementation.getClass(), dependencyInterface)
+				|| this.checkIfClassExtends(dependencyImplementation.getClass(), dependencyInterface);
+		boolean implementsBindable = this.checkIfClassImplements(dependencyImplementation.getClass(), this.bindableInterface);
+		
+		// display any errors
+		if (!implementsInterface)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("The dependency [" + dependencyImplementation.getClass().getSimpleName() + "] doesn't implement or extend: [" + dependencyInterface.getSimpleName() + "].");
+		}
+		if (!implementsBindable)
+		{
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("The dependency [" + dependencyImplementation.getClass().getSimpleName() + "] doesn't implement the interface: [" + IBindable.class.getSimpleName() + "].");
+		}
+		
+		
+		// make sure the hashSet has an array to hold the dependency
+		if (!this.dependencies.containsKey(dependencyInterface))
+		{
+			this.dependencies.put(dependencyInterface, new ArrayList<BindableType>());
+		}
+		
+		// remove the dependency if present
+		this.dependencies.get(dependencyInterface).remove(dependencyImplementation);
+		this.dependencies.remove(dependencyInterface);
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//=========//
+	// getters //
+	//=========//
+	
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
 	@Override
 	public <T extends BindableType> T get(Class<T> interfaceClass) throws ClassCastException

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

@@ -31,14 +31,14 @@ 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 = 12;
+	public static final int PROTOCOL_VERSION = 11;
 	public static final String WRAPPER_PACKET_PATH = "message";
 	
 	/** 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 = "2.3.5-b-dev";
+	public static final String VERSION = "2.3.5-b";
 	/** Returns true if the current build is an unstable developer build, false otherwise. */
 	public static final boolean IS_DEV_BUILD = VERSION.toLowerCase().contains("dev");
 	

api/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/coreapi/interfaces/config/IConfigEntry.java

@@ -36,12 +36,15 @@ public interface IConfigEntry<T>
 	
 	void setApiValue(T newApiValue);
 	T getApiValue();
+	/** @return true if this config is able to be overridden by the API and an API user has set it */
+	boolean apiIsOverriding();
 	
 	/** Returns true if this config can be set via the API. */
 	boolean getAllowApiOverride();
 	
 	void set(T newValue);
 	T get();
+	/** gets the option ignoring what the API has overridden */
 	T getTrueValue();
 	
 	/** Sets the value without saving */

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

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core;
 
+import com.github.luben.zstd.ZstdOutputStream;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericRenderObjectFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.DatabaseUpdater;
@@ -54,8 +55,9 @@ public class Initializer
 		{
 			// if any library isn't present in the jar its class
 			// will throw an error (not an exception)
-			Class<?> fastCompressor = LZ4FrameOutputStream.class;
-			Class<?> smallCompressor = XZOutputStream.class;
+			Class<?> lz4Compressor = LZ4FrameOutputStream.class;
+			Class<?> zstdCompressor = ZstdOutputStream.class;
+			Class<?> lzmaCompressor = XZOutputStream.class;
 			//Class<?> networking = ByteBuf.class;
 			Class<?> config = com.electronwill.nightconfig.core.Config.class;
 			Class<?> oldFastUtil = it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList.class; // available in 8.2.1
@@ -63,30 +65,6 @@ public class Initializer
 			Class<?> sqliteJava = org.sqlite.SQLiteConnection.class;
 			Class<?> sqliteNative = org.sqlite.core.NativeDB.class;
 			
-			//// maybe these lines are needed to shade SQLite, James isn't sure.
-			//// Although they never seemed to fail, which is a bit odd.
-			//try
-			//{
-			//	// needed by Forge to load the Java database connection
-			//	Class.forName("org.sqlite.JDBC");
-			//	LOGGER.info("loaded normal SQLITE");
-			//}
-			//catch (ClassNotFoundException e)
-			//{
-			//	LOGGER.warn("normal: " + e.getMessage(), e);
-			//}
-			//
-			//try
-			//{
-			//	// needed by Forge to load the Java database connection
-			//	Class.forName("DistantHorizons.libraries.sqlite.JDBC");
-			//	LOGGER.info("loaded shaded SQLITE");
-			//}
-			//catch (ClassNotFoundException e)
-			//{
-			//	LOGGER.warn("shaded: " + e.getMessage(), e);
-			//}
-			
 			boolean sqliteLoaded = SQLiteJDBCLoader.initialize();
 			if (!sqliteLoaded)
 			{

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

@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ public class DhApiTerrainDataRepo implements IDhApiTerrainDataRepo
 		
 		// this will throw a cast exception if the chunk object array isn't correct
 		IChunkWrapper chunk = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class).createChunkWrapper(chunkObjectArray);
-		SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, dhLevel.getLevelWrapper(), true);
+		SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, dhLevel.getLevelWrapper(), true, true);
 		
 		
 		return DhApiResult.createSuccess();

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.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering.RenderState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.structure.ClientOnlySaveStructure;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.MessageRegistry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
@@ -399,21 +400,27 @@ public class ClientApi
 	//===========//
 	
 	/** Should be called before {@link ClientApi#renderDeferredLodsForShaders} */
-	public void renderLods(IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks)
-	{ this.renderLodLayer(levelWrapper, mcModelViewMatrix, mcProjectionMatrix, partialTicks, false); }
+	public void renderLods() { this.renderLodLayer(false); }
 	
 	/** 
 	 * Only necessary when Shaders are in use.
 	 * Should be called after {@link ClientApi#renderLods} 
 	 */
-	public void renderDeferredLodsForShaders(IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks)
-	{ this.renderLodLayer(levelWrapper, mcModelViewMatrix, mcProjectionMatrix, partialTicks, true); }
+	public void renderDeferredLodsForShaders() { this.renderLodLayer(true); }
 	
-	
-	private void renderLodLayer(
-			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks,
-			boolean renderingDeferredLayer)
+	private void renderLodLayer(boolean renderingDeferredLayer)
 	{
+		// 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
+		IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper = RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper;
+		Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix = RENDER_STATE.mcModelViewMatrix;
+		Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix = RENDER_STATE.mcProjectionMatrix;
+		float partialTicks = RENDER_STATE.frameTime;
+		
+		
+		
 		// logging //
 		
 		this.sendQueuedChatMessages();
@@ -580,8 +587,11 @@ public class ClientApi
 		}
 	}
 	
-	/** should be called after DH and MC finish rendering so we can smooth the transition between the two */
-	public void renderFadeOpaque(Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks, IClientLevelWrapper level)
+	/** 
+	 * The first fade pass.
+	 * Called after MC finishes rendering the opaque passes. 
+	 */
+	public void renderFadeOpaque()
 	{
 		// only fade when DH is rendering
 		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT
@@ -590,20 +600,32 @@ public class ClientApi
 			// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
 			&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
 		{
-			FadeRenderer.INSTANCE.render(mcModelViewMatrix, mcProjectionMatrix, partialTicks, level);
+			FadeRenderer.INSTANCE.render(RENDER_STATE.mcModelViewMatrix, RENDER_STATE.mcProjectionMatrix, RENDER_STATE.frameTime, RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper);
 		}
 	}
-	/** should be called after DH and MC finish rendering so we can smooth the transition between the two */
-	public void renderFade(Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks, IClientLevelWrapper level)
+	/** 
+	 * The second fade pass.
+	 * Called after MC finishes rendering both opaque
+	 * and transparent passes. 
+	 */
+	public void renderFadeTransparent()
 	{
 		// only fade when DH is rendering
-		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT
-			// only fade when requested
-			&& Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.vanillaFadeMode.get() != EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode.NONE
-			// don't fade when Iris shaders are active, otherwise the rendering can get weird
-			&& !DhApiRenderProxy.INSTANCE.getDeferTransparentRendering())
+		if (Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.rendererMode.get() == EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
 		{
-			FadeRenderer.INSTANCE.render(mcModelViewMatrix, mcProjectionMatrix, partialTicks, level);
+			boolean renderFade =
+				(
+					// only fade when requested
+					Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.vanillaFadeMode.get() != EDhApiMcRenderingFadeMode.NONE
+					// 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();
+			if (renderFade)
+			{
+				FadeRenderer.INSTANCE.render(RENDER_STATE.mcModelViewMatrix, RENDER_STATE.mcProjectionMatrix, RENDER_STATE.frameTime, RENDER_STATE.clientLevelWrapper);
+			}
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -776,45 +798,4 @@ public class ClientApi
 	
 	
 	
-	//================//
-	// helper classes //
-	//================//
-	
-	public static class RenderState
-	{
-		public Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
-		public Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
-		public float frameTime = -1;
-		
-		
-		public void canRenderOrThrow() throws IllegalStateException
-		{
-			String errorReasons = "";
-			
-			if (this.mcModelViewMatrix == null)
-			{
-				errorReasons += "no MVM Matrix, ";
-			}
-			
-			if (this.mcProjectionMatrix == null)
-			{
-				errorReasons += "no Projection Matrix, ";
-			}
-			
-			if (this.frameTime == -1)
-			{
-				errorReasons += "no Frame Time, ";
-			}
-			
-			
-			if (!errorReasons.isEmpty())
-			{
-				throw new IllegalStateException(errorReasons);
-			}
-			
-		}
-	}
-	
-	
-	
 }

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

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.session.NetworkSession;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.checkerframework.checker.nullness.qual.NonNull;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.Objects;
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public class ClientPluginChannelApi
 	//================//
 	
 	/** fired when this client connects to a server with DH support */
-	public void onJoinServer(@NonNull NetworkSession networkSession)
+	public void onJoinServer(@NotNull NetworkSession networkSession)
 	{
 		Objects.requireNonNull(networkSession);
 		this.networkSession = networkSession;

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

@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ public class ServerApi
 	// chunk modified events //
 	//=======================//
 	
-	public void serverChunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, false); }
-	public void serverChunkSaveEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, true); }
+	public void serverChunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, false, false); }
+	public void serverChunkSaveEvent(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level) { SharedApi.INSTANCE.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, true, false); }
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiWorldLoadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiWorldUnloadEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.Initializer;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateData;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating.ChunkUpdateQueueManager;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
@@ -65,20 +67,20 @@ public class SharedApi
 	private static final IMinecraftClientWrapper MC_CLIENT = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftClientWrapper.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
 	
-	private static final UpdateChunkPosManager UPDATE_POS_MANAGER = new UpdateChunkPosManager();
+	public static final ChunkUpdateQueueManager CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER = new ChunkUpdateQueueManager();
 	/** 
 	 * how many chunks can be queued for updating per thread + player (in multiplayer), 
 	 * used to prevent updates from infinitely pilling up if the user flies around extremely fast 
 	 */
-	private static final int MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER = 1_000;
+	public static final int MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER = 1_000;
 	
 	/** how many milliseconds must pass before an overloaded message can be sent in chat or the log */
-	private static final int MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE = 30_000;
+	public static final int MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE = 30_000;
 	
 	
+	@Nullable
 	private static AbstractDhWorld currentWorld;
 	private static int lastWorldGenTickDelta = 0;
-	private static long lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = 0;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -127,7 +129,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 			// 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
-			UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.clear();
+			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.clear();
 			
 			// recommend that the garbage collector cleans up any objects from the old world and thread pools
 			System.gc();
@@ -149,6 +151,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 		}
 	}
 	
+	@Nullable
 	public static AbstractDhWorld getAbstractDhWorld() { return currentWorld; }
 	/** returns null if the {@link SharedApi#currentWorld} isn't a {@link DhClientServerWorld} */
 	public static DhClientServerWorld getDhClientServerWorld() { return (currentWorld instanceof DhClientServerWorld) ? (DhClientServerWorld) currentWorld : null; }
@@ -168,10 +171,10 @@ public class SharedApi
 	 * This is important since asking MC for a chunk is slow and may block the render thread.
 	 */
 	public static boolean isChunkAtBlockPosAlreadyUpdating(int blockPosX, int blockPosZ)
-	{ return UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(new DhBlockPos2D(blockPosX, blockPosZ))); }
+	{ return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(new DhBlockPos2D(blockPosX, blockPosZ))); }
 	
 	public static boolean isChunkAtChunkPosAlreadyUpdating(int chunkPosX, int chunkPosZ)
-	{ return UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(chunkPosX, chunkPosZ)); }
+	{ return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(new DhChunkPos(chunkPosX, chunkPosZ)); }
 	
 	/** 
 	 * This is often fired when unloading a level.
@@ -179,17 +182,18 @@ public class SharedApi
 	 * rapidly changing dimensions.
 	 * (IE prevent DH from infinitely allocating memory 
 	 */
-	public void clearQueuedChunkUpdates() { UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.clear(); }
+	public void clearQueuedChunkUpdates() { CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.clear(); }
 	
-	public int getQueuedChunkUpdateCount() { return UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.closestQueue.size(); }
+	public int getQueuedChunkUpdateCount() { return CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.getQueuedCount(); }
 	
 	
 	
 	/** handles both block place and break events */
-	public void chunkBlockChangedEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true); }
-	public void chunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, false); }
+	public void chunkBlockChangedEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, false); }
+	public void chunkLoadEvent(IChunkWrapper chunk, ILevelWrapper level) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunk, level, true, true); }
 	
-	public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean updateNeighborChunks)
+	//public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks) { this.applyChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, level, canGetNeighboringChunks, false); }
+	public void applyChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, ILevelWrapper level, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks, boolean newlyLoaded)
 	{
 		//========================//
 		// world and level checks //
@@ -245,7 +249,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 		}
 		
 		// shoudln't normally happen, but just in case
-		if (UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
+		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
 		{
 			// TODO this will prevent some LODs from updating across dimensions if multiple levels are loaded
 			return;
@@ -257,23 +261,53 @@ public class SharedApi
 		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
 		//===============================//
 		
-		if (!updateNeighborChunks)
+		if (!canGetNeighboringChunks)
 		{
 			// only update the center chunk
-			
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, null, dhLevel);
+			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, null, dhLevel, false);
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighboringChunkList = getNeighborChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper, dhLevel);
+		
+		if (newlyLoaded)
+		{
+			// this means this chunkWrapper is a newly loaded chunk 
+			// which may be missing some neighboring chunk data
+			// because it is bordering the render distance
+			// thus, only the chunks neighboring this chunkWrapper will get updated
+			// because those are more likely to have their full neighboring chunk data
+			//TODO this does not prevent those neighboring chunks from updating
+			// this newly loaded chunk that were just skipped
+			// leading to occasional lighting issues
+			for (IChunkWrapper neighboringChunk : neighboringChunkList)
+			{
+				if (neighboringChunk == chunkWrapper)
+				{
+					continue;
+				}
+				
+				this.applyChunkUpdate(neighboringChunk, level, true, false);
+			}
 		}
 		else
 		{
+			// if not all neighboring chunk data is available, do not try to update
+			if (neighboringChunkList.size() < 9)
+			{
+				return;
+			}
+			
 			// update the center with any existing neighbour chunks. 
 			// this is done so lighting changes are propagated correctly
-			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, getNeighbourChunkListForChunk(chunkWrapper,dhLevel), dhLevel);
+			queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, neighboringChunkList, dhLevel, true);
 		}
 	}
-	private static ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> getNeighbourChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
+	private static ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> getNeighborChunkListForChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, IDhLevel dhLevel)
 	{
 		// get the neighboring chunk list
-		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = new ArrayList<>(9);
 		for (int xOffset = -1; xOffset <= 1; xOffset++)
 		{
 			for (int zOffset = -1; zOffset <= 1; zOffset++)
@@ -281,80 +315,36 @@ public class SharedApi
 				if (xOffset == 0 && zOffset == 0)
 				{
 					// center chunk
-					neighbourChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+					neighborChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
 				}
 				else
 				{
-					// neighboring chunk
-					DhChunkPos neighbourPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
-					IChunkWrapper neighbourChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(neighbourPos);
-					if (neighbourChunk != null)
+					// neighboring chunk 
+					DhChunkPos neighborPos = new DhChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX() + xOffset, chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ() + zOffset);
+					IChunkWrapper neighborChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(neighborPos);
+					if (neighborChunk != null)
 					{
-						neighbourChunkList.add(neighbourChunk);
+						neighborChunkList.add(neighborChunk);
 					}
 				}
 			}
 		}
-		return neighbourChunkList;
+		return neighborChunkList;
 	}
 	
-	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel) 
-	{ queueChunkUpdate(chunkWrapper, neighbourChunkList, dhLevel,false); }
-	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean lightUpdateOnly)
+	private static void queueChunkUpdate(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean canGetNeighboringChunks)
 	{
-		int maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
-		if (MC_CLIENT != null && MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
-		{
-			// Local worlds & multiplayer
-			UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.setCenter(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerChunkPos());
-			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer() ? 1 : MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			// Dedicated servers
-			// Also includes spawn chunks since they're likely to be intentionally utilized with updates
-			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = 1 + MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
-		}
-		
-		UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.maxSize = MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER
-				* Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get()
-				* maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
-		
-		UpdateChunkData updateData = new UpdateChunkData(chunkWrapper, neighbourChunkList, dhLevel, lightUpdateOnly);
-		if(lightUpdateOnly)
-		{
-			UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.removeItem(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos());
-		}
-		int remainingCapacity = UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.addItem(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), updateData);
-		if (remainingCapacity <= 0)
-		{
-			// limit how often an overloaded message can be sent
-			long msBetweenLastLog = System.currentTimeMillis() - lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime;
-			if (msBetweenLastLog >= MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE)
-			{
-				lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
 				
-				String message = "\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + "\u00A7r" +
-						"\nThis may result in holes in your LODs. " +
-						"\nFix: move through the world slower, decrease your vanilla render distance, slow down your world pre-generator (IE Chunky), or increase the Distant Horizons' CPU thread counts. " +
-						"\nMax queue count ["+UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.maxSize+"] (["+ MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER +"] per thread+players).";
-				
-				boolean showWarningInChat = Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showUpdateQueueOverloadedChatWarning.get();
-				if (showWarningInChat)
-				{
-					ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
-				}
-				
-				// Don't log warnings in singleplayer or in hosted LAN since it usually isn't a problem (and if it is it's easy to notice).
-				// Servers should always log since being overloaded is harder to notice. 
-				EWorldEnvironment environment = SharedApi.getEnvironment();
-				if (showWarningInChat || environment == EWorldEnvironment.SERVER_ONLY)
-				{
-					LOGGER.warn(message);
-				}
-			}
+		// return if the chunk is already queued
+		if (CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.contains(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()))
+		{
+			return;
 		}
+			
 		
+		// add chunk update data to preUpdate queue
+		ChunkUpdateData updateData = new ChunkUpdateData(chunkWrapper, neighborChunkList, dhLevel, canGetNeighboringChunks);
+		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToPreUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), updateData);
 		
 		
 		// queue updates up to the number of CPU cores allocated for the job
@@ -365,7 +355,7 @@ public class SharedApi
 		{
 			try
 			{
-				executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueuedChunkUpdate);
+				executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueue);
 			}
 			catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
 			{
@@ -373,94 +363,158 @@ public class SharedApi
 			}
 		}
 	}
+	
+	private static void processQueue()
+	{
+		// update the center & max size of the queue manager
+		int maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
+		if (MC_CLIENT != null && MC_CLIENT.playerExists())
+		{
+			// Local worlds & multiplayer
+			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.setCenter(MC_CLIENT.getPlayerChunkPos());
+			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = MC_CLIENT.clientConnectedToDedicatedServer() ? 1 : MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			// Dedicated servers
+			// Also includes spawn chunks since they're likely to be intentionally utilized with updates
+			maxUpdateSizeMultiplier = 1 + MC_SHARED.getPlayerCount();
+		}
+		
+		CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize = MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER
+				* Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get()
+				* maxUpdateSizeMultiplier;
+		
+		
+		
+		//===============================//
+		// update the necessary chunk(s) //
+		//===============================//
+		
+		// process preUpdate queue
+		processQueuedChunkPreUpdate();
+		
+		// process update queue
+		processQueuedChunkUpdate();
+		
+		// queue the next position if there are still positions to process
+		AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
+		if (executor != null && !CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.isEmpty())
+		{
+			try
+			{
+				executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueue);
+			}
+			catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
+			{
+				// the executor was shut down, it should be back up shortly and able to accept new jobs
+			}
+		}
+		
+	}
+	
+	private static void processQueuedChunkPreUpdate()
+	{
+		ChunkUpdateData preUpdateData = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.preUpdateQueue.popClosest();
+		if (preUpdateData == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		IDhLevel dhLevel = preUpdateData.dhLevel;
+		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = preUpdateData.chunkWrapper;
+		boolean canGetNeighboringChunks = preUpdateData.canGetNeighboringChunks;
+		ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList = preUpdateData.neighborChunkList;
+		
+		try
+		{
+			// check if this chunk has been converted into an LOD already
+			boolean checkChunkHash = !Config.Common.LodBuilding.disableUnchangedChunkCheck.get();
+			if (checkChunkHash)
+			{
+				int oldChunkHash = dhLevel.getChunkHash(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()); // shouldn't happen on the render thread since it may take a few moments to run
+				int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
+				
+				boolean hasNewChunkHash = (oldChunkHash != newChunkHash);
+				if (!hasNewChunkHash)
+				{
+					// do not update the chunk if the hash is the same
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				// if this chunk will update and can get neighbors
+				// then queue neighboring chunks to update as well
+				// neighboring chunk will get added directly to the update queue
+				// so they won't queue further chunk updates
+				if (neighborChunkList != null 
+					&& !neighborChunkList.isEmpty())
+				{
+					for (IChunkWrapper adjacentChunk : neighborChunkList)
+					{
+						// pulling a new chunkWrapper is necessary to prevent concurrent modification on the existing chunkWrappers
+						IChunkWrapper newCenterChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(adjacentChunk.getChunkPos());
+						if (newCenterChunk != null)
+						{
+							ChunkUpdateData newUpdateData;
+							if (canGetNeighboringChunks)
+							{
+								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, getNeighborChunkListForChunk(newCenterChunk, dhLevel), dhLevel, true);
+							}
+							else
+							{
+								newUpdateData = new ChunkUpdateData(newCenterChunk, null, dhLevel, false);
+							}
+							
+							CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(newCenterChunk.getChunkPos(), newUpdateData);
+						}
+					}
+				}
+			}
+			
+			CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.addItemToUpdateQueue(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos(), preUpdateData);
+		}
+		catch (Exception e)
+		{
+			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when pre-updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
+		}
+	}
+	
 	private static void processQueuedChunkUpdate()
 	{
 		//LOGGER.trace(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + " " + executor.getActiveCount() + " / " + executor.getQueue().size() + " - " + executor.getCompletedTaskCount());
 		
-		UpdateChunkData updateData = UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.popClosest();
+		ChunkUpdateData updateData = CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.updateQueue.popClosest();
 		if (updateData == null)
 		{
 			return;
 		}
 		
 		IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = updateData.chunkWrapper;
-		@Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList = updateData.neighbourChunkList;
 		IDhLevel dhLevel = updateData.dhLevel;
+		// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
+		@Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = updateData.neighborChunkList; 
 		
+		// a non-null list is needed for the lighting engine
+		if (nearbyChunkList == null)
+		{
+			nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<IChunkWrapper>();
+			nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+		}
 		
 		try
 		{
-			boolean checkChunkHash = !Config.Common.LodBuilding.disableUnchangedChunkCheck.get();
-			
-			// check if this chunk has been converted into an LOD already
-			int oldChunkHash = dhLevel.getChunkHash(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos()); // shouldn't happen on the render thread since it may take a few moments to run
-			int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
-			if (checkChunkHash)
-			{
-				if (oldChunkHash == newChunkHash && !updateData.lightUpdateOnly)
-				{
-					// if the chunk hashes are the same then we don't need to bother with lighting the chunk
-					// or creating/updating the LODs
-					return;
-				}
-			}
-			
-			
-			// having a list of the nearby chunks is needed for lighting and beacon generation
-			ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList;
-			if (neighbourChunkList != null)
-			{
-				nearbyChunkList = neighbourChunkList;
-			}
-			else
-			{
-				nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<>(1);
-				nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
-			}
-			
-			// if this chunk will update its lighting
-			// then queue adjacent chunks to update theirs as well
-			// adjacent chunk will have 'lightUpdateOnly' true 
-			// so they won't schedule further chunk updates
-			if (!updateData.lightUpdateOnly)
-			{
-				for (IChunkWrapper adjacentChunk : nearbyChunkList)
-				{
-					// pulling a new chunkWrapper is necessary to prevent concurrent modification on the existing chunkWrappers
-					IChunkWrapper newCenterChunk = dhLevel.getLevelWrapper().tryGetChunk(adjacentChunk.getChunkPos());
-					if (newCenterChunk != null)
-					{
-						queueChunkUpdate(newCenterChunk, getNeighbourChunkListForChunk(newCenterChunk, dhLevel), dhLevel, true);
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			
 			// sky lighting is populated later at the data source level
 			DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, dhLevel.hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT);
 			
 			dhLevel.updateBeaconBeamsForChunk(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList);
+			
+			int newChunkHash = chunkWrapper.getBlockBiomeHashCode();
 			dhLevel.updateChunkAsync(chunkWrapper, newChunkHash);
 		}
 		catch (Exception e)
 		{
 			LOGGER.error("Unexpected error when updating chunk at pos: [" + chunkWrapper.getChunkPos() + "]", e);
 		}
-		finally
-		{
-			// queue the next position if there are still positions to process
-			AbstractExecutorService executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
-			if (executor != null && !UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.updateDataByChunkPos.isEmpty())
-			{
-				try
-				{
-					executor.execute(SharedApi::processQueuedChunkUpdate);
-				}
-				catch (RejectedExecutionException ignore)
-				{
-					// the executor was shut down, it should be back up shortly and able to accept new jobs
-				}
-			}
-		}
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -471,161 +525,13 @@ public class SharedApi
 	
 	public String getDebugMenuString()
 	{
-		String updatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.closestQueue.size());
-		String maxUpdateCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(UPDATE_POS_MANAGER.maxSize);
-		return "Queued chunk updates: "+updatingCountStr+" / "+maxUpdateCountStr;
-	}
-	
-	
-	
-	//================//
-	// helper classes //
-	//================//
-	
-	/** contains the objects needed to update a chunk */
-	private static class UpdateChunkData
-	{
-		public IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper;
-		@Nullable
-		public ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList;
-		public IDhLevel dhLevel;
-		/** adjacent chunks will only update their light */
-		public boolean lightUpdateOnly;
+		String preUpdatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.preUpdateQueue.getQueuedCount());
+		String updatingCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.updateQueue.getQueuedCount());
+		String queuedCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.getQueuedCount());
 		
-		public UpdateChunkData(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighbourChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean lightUpdateOnly)
-		{
-			this.chunkWrapper = chunkWrapper;
-			this.neighbourChunkList = neighbourChunkList;
-			this.dhLevel = dhLevel;
-			this.lightUpdateOnly = lightUpdateOnly;
-		}
-	}
-	
-	/** keeps track of which chunks need to be updated */
-	private static class UpdateChunkPosManager
-	{
-		private final PriorityBlockingQueue<DhChunkPos> closestQueue;
-		private final PriorityBlockingQueue<DhChunkPos> furthestQueue;
-		private final ConcurrentHashMap<DhChunkPos, UpdateChunkData> updateDataByChunkPos;
-		
-		private DhChunkPos center;
-		private int maxSize = 500;
-		
-		
-		
-		//=============//
-		// constructor //
-		//=============//
-		
-		public UpdateChunkPosManager()
-		{
-			this.closestQueue = new PriorityBlockingQueue<>(500, Comparator.comparingDouble(pos -> pos.squaredDistance(this.center)));
-			this.furthestQueue = new PriorityBlockingQueue<>(500, Comparator.comparingDouble(pos -> ((DhChunkPos)pos).squaredDistance(this.center)).reversed());
-			this.updateDataByChunkPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-			// defaulting to 0,0 is fine since it'll be updated once we start adding items 
-			this.center = new DhChunkPos(0, 0);
-		}
-		
-		
-		
-		//==================//
-		// list/set methods //
-		//==================//
-		
-		public boolean contains(DhChunkPos pos) { return this.updateDataByChunkPos.containsKey(pos); }
-		
-		public void clear()
-		{
-			this.updateDataByChunkPos.clear();
-			this.closestQueue.clear();
-			this.furthestQueue.clear();
-		}
-		
-		public void removeItem(DhChunkPos pos)
-		{
-			this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(pos);
-			this.closestQueue.remove(pos);
-			this.furthestQueue.remove(pos);
-		}
-		
-		/**
-		 * Adds an item to the queue of chunks that need to be updated.
-		 * If there are no more slots, replaces the item furthest from the center.
-		 *
-		 * @return The number of remaining slots available in the queue.
-		 */
-		public int addItem(DhChunkPos pos, UpdateChunkData updateData)
-		{
-			int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.updateDataByChunkPos.size();
-			if (this.updateDataByChunkPos.containsKey(pos))
-			{
-				// Chunk is already present in queue, no need to insert
-				return remainingSlots;
-			}
-			
-			// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
-			if (remainingSlots <= 0)
-			{
-				DhChunkPos furthest = this.furthestQueue.poll();
-				if (furthest != null)
-				{
-					this.closestQueue.remove(furthest);
-					this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(furthest);
-				}
-			}
-			
-			this.updateDataByChunkPos.put(pos, updateData);
-			this.closestQueue.add(pos);
-			this.furthestQueue.add(pos);
-			
-			return remainingSlots;
-		}
-		
-		
-		
-		//==================//
-		// position methods //
-		//==================//
-		
-		public void setCenter(DhChunkPos newCenter)
-		{
-			// if the rebuild time takes too long 
-			// (in James' testing a queue of 500 items only took around 0.1 milliseconds)
-			// this equation could be changed to only update after moving 2 or 4 chunks from the center
-			if (newCenter.equals(this.center))
-			{
-				return;
-			}
-			
-			this.center = newCenter;
-			
-			// rebuild the priority queues to match the new center
-			this.closestQueue.clear();
-			this.furthestQueue.clear();
-			for (DhChunkPos pos : this.updateDataByChunkPos.keySet())
-			{
-				this.closestQueue.add(pos);
-				this.furthestQueue.add(pos);
-			}
-		}
-		
-		public UpdateChunkData popClosest()
-		{
-			if (this.closestQueue.isEmpty())
-			{
-				return null;
-			}
-			
-			DhChunkPos closest = this.closestQueue.poll();
-			if (closest == null)
-			{
-				return null;
-			}
-			
-			this.furthestQueue.remove(closest);
-			return this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(closest);
-		}
+		String maxUpdateCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize);
 		
+		return "Queued chunk updates: "+"( "+preUpdatingCountStr+" + "+updatingCountStr+" )  [ "+queuedCountStr+" / "+maxUpdateCountStr+" ]";
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+
+import java.util.Comparator;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+import java.util.concurrent.PriorityBlockingQueue;
+
+public class ChunkPosQueue
+{
+	private final PriorityBlockingQueue<DhChunkPos> closestQueue;
+	private final PriorityBlockingQueue<DhChunkPos> furthestQueue;
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<DhChunkPos, ChunkUpdateData> updateDataByChunkPos;
+	
+	private DhChunkPos center;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public ChunkPosQueue()
+	{
+		this.closestQueue = new PriorityBlockingQueue<>(500, Comparator.comparingDouble(pos -> pos.squaredDistance(this.center)));
+		this.furthestQueue = new PriorityBlockingQueue<>(500, Comparator.comparingDouble(pos -> ((DhChunkPos)pos).squaredDistance(this.center)).reversed());
+		this.updateDataByChunkPos = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
+		// defaulting to 0,0 is fine since it'll be updated once we start adding items 
+		this.center = new DhChunkPos(0, 0);
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//==============//
+	// list methods //
+	//==============//
+	
+	public boolean contains(DhChunkPos pos) { return this.updateDataByChunkPos.containsKey(pos); }
+	
+	public void clear()
+	{
+		this.updateDataByChunkPos.clear();
+		this.closestQueue.clear();
+		this.furthestQueue.clear();
+	}
+	
+	public void addItem(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{
+		if (this.updateDataByChunkPos.containsKey(pos))
+		{
+			// Chunk is already present in queue, no need to insert
+			return;
+		}
+		this.updateDataByChunkPos.put(pos, updateData);
+		this.closestQueue.add(pos);
+		this.furthestQueue.add(pos);
+	}
+	
+	public int getQueuedCount() { return this.updateDataByChunkPos.size(); }
+	
+	public boolean isEmpty() { return this.updateDataByChunkPos.isEmpty(); }
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// position methods //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public void setCenter(DhChunkPos newCenter)
+	{
+		// if the rebuild time takes too long 
+		// (in James' testing a queue of 500 items only took around 0.1 milliseconds)
+		// this equation could be changed to only update after moving 2 or 4 chunks from the center
+		if (newCenter.equals(this.center))
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		this.center = newCenter;
+		
+		// rebuild the priority queues to match the new center
+		this.closestQueue.clear();
+		this.furthestQueue.clear();
+		for (DhChunkPos pos : this.updateDataByChunkPos.keySet())
+		{
+			this.closestQueue.add(pos);
+			this.furthestQueue.add(pos);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public ChunkUpdateData popClosest()
+	{
+		if (this.closestQueue.isEmpty())
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		DhChunkPos closest = this.closestQueue.poll();
+		if (closest == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		this.furthestQueue.remove(closest);
+		return this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(closest);
+	}
+	public ChunkUpdateData popFurthest()
+	{
+		if (this.furthestQueue.isEmpty())
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		DhChunkPos furthest = this.furthestQueue.poll();
+		if (furthest == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
+		this.closestQueue.remove(furthest);
+		return this.updateDataByChunkPos.remove(furthest);
+	}
+}
+		

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

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+
+public class ChunkUpdateData
+{
+	public IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper;
+	@Nullable
+	public ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList;
+	public IDhLevel dhLevel;
+	public boolean canGetNeighboringChunks;
+	
+	
+	
+	public ChunkUpdateData(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, @Nullable ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> neighborChunkList, IDhLevel dhLevel, boolean canGetNeighborChunks)
+	{
+		this.chunkWrapper = chunkWrapper;
+		this.neighborChunkList = neighborChunkList;
+		this.dhLevel = dhLevel;
+		this.canGetNeighboringChunks = canGetNeighborChunks;
+	}
+}

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

@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.chunkUpdating;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.SharedApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.world.EWorldEnvironment;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+
+public class ChunkUpdateQueueManager
+{
+	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
+	
+	
+	public final ChunkPosQueue updateQueue;
+	public final ChunkPosQueue preUpdateQueue;
+	
+	public int maxSize = 500;
+	
+	private static long lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = 0;
+	
+	
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public ChunkUpdateQueueManager()
+	{
+		this.updateQueue = new ChunkPosQueue();
+		this.preUpdateQueue = new ChunkPosQueue();
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// list/set methods //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public boolean contains(DhChunkPos pos) { return this.updateQueue.contains(pos) || this.preUpdateQueue.contains(pos); }
+	
+	public void clear()
+	{
+		this.updateQueue.clear();
+		this.preUpdateQueue.clear();
+	}
+	public int getQueuedCount() { return this.updateQueue.getQueuedCount() + this.preUpdateQueue.getQueuedCount(); }
+	public boolean isEmpty()
+	{
+		return this.updateQueue.isEmpty()
+				&& this.preUpdateQueue.isEmpty();
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Adds an item to the pre-update queue of chunks that might need to be updated.
+	 * If there are no more slots, replaces the item furthest from the center in the update queue.
+	 */
+	public void addItemToPreUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{
+		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
+		
+		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
+		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
+		{
+			if (!this.updateQueue.isEmpty())
+			{
+				this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				this.preUpdateQueue.popFurthest();
+			}
+		}
+		this.preUpdateQueue.addItem(pos, updateData);
+		
+		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
+		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
+		{
+			this.sendOverloadMessage();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public void addItemToUpdateQueue(DhChunkPos pos, ChunkUpdateData updateData)
+	{
+		int remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
+		
+		// If no slots are left, get one by removing the item furthest from the center
+		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
+		{
+			this.updateQueue.popFurthest();
+		}
+		
+		this.updateQueue.addItem(pos,updateData);
+		
+		remainingSlots = this.maxSize - this.getQueuedCount();
+		if (remainingSlots <= 0)
+		{
+			this.sendOverloadMessage();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	private void sendOverloadMessage()
+	{
+		// limit how often an overloaded message can be sent
+		long msBetweenLastLog = System.currentTimeMillis() - lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime;
+		if (msBetweenLastLog >= SharedApi.MIN_MS_BETWEEN_OVERLOADED_LOG_MESSAGE)
+		{
+			lastOverloadedLogMessageMsTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			
+			String message = "\u00A76" + "Distant Horizons overloaded, too many chunks queued for LOD processing. " + "\u00A7r" +
+					"\nThis may result in holes in your LODs. " +
+					"\nFix: move through the world slower, decrease your vanilla render distance, slow down your world pre-generator (IE Chunky), or increase the Distant Horizons' CPU thread counts. " +
+					"\nMax queue count [" + SharedApi.CHUNK_UPDATE_QUEUE_MANAGER.maxSize + "] ([" + SharedApi.MAX_UPDATING_CHUNK_COUNT_PER_THREAD_AND_PLAYER + "] per thread+players).";
+			
+			boolean showWarningInChat = Config.Common.Logging.Warning.showUpdateQueueOverloadedChatWarning.get();
+			if (showWarningInChat)
+			{
+				ClientApi.INSTANCE.showChatMessageNextFrame(message);
+			}
+			
+			// Don't log warnings in singleplayer or in hosted LAN since it usually isn't a problem (and if it is it's easy to notice).
+			// Servers should always log since being overloaded is harder to notice. 
+			EWorldEnvironment environment = SharedApi.getEnvironment();
+			if (showWarningInChat || environment == EWorldEnvironment.SERVER_ONLY)
+			{
+				LOGGER.warn(message);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//==================//
+	// position methods //
+	//==================//
+	
+	public void setCenter(DhChunkPos newCenter)
+	{
+		this.updateQueue.setCenter(newCenter);
+		this.preUpdateQueue.setCenter(newCenter);
+	}
+	
+	
+}

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

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.rendering;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.api.internal.ClientApi;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
+
+/**
+ * Used to track the rendering state for the current frame.
+ * 
+ * @see ClientApi
+ */
+public class RenderState
+{
+	public Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix = null;
+	public Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix = null;
+	public float frameTime = -1;
+	public IClientLevelWrapper clientLevelWrapper = null;
+	
+	
+	
+	//========//
+	// checks //
+	//========//
+	
+	public String unableToRenderBecause()
+	{
+		String errorReasons = "";
+		
+		// the matrix may be the identity matrix or and old/incorrect matrix
+		// but we did set it at least once before this
+		if (this.mcModelViewMatrix == null)
+		{
+			errorReasons += "no MVM Matrix, ";
+		}
+		
+		if (this.mcProjectionMatrix == null)
+		{
+			errorReasons += "no Projection Matrix, ";
+		}
+		
+		if (this.frameTime == -1)
+		{
+			errorReasons += "no Frame Time, ";
+		}
+		
+		if (this.clientLevelWrapper == null)
+		{
+			errorReasons += "no Level Wrapper, ";
+		}
+		
+		return errorReasons;
+	}
+	
+	public boolean canRender()
+	{
+		// separated variable to allow for easy checking with the debugger
+		String errorReasons = this.unableToRenderBecause();
+		return errorReasons.isEmpty();
+	}
+	
+	public void canRenderOrThrow() throws IllegalStateException
+	{
+		String errorReasons = this.unableToRenderBecause();
+		if (!errorReasons.isEmpty())
+		{
+			throw new IllegalStateException(errorReasons);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+}

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

@@ -131,6 +131,8 @@ public class Config
 			// since they aren't part of "client" config class
 			// TODO determine their destination programically instead of hard coding the value
 			
+			public static ConfigUIComment advancedHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Advanced.class).build();
+			
 			public static ConfigCategory graphics = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Graphics.class).build();
 			public static ConfigCategory worldGenerator = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Common.WorldGenerator.class).setDestination("common.worldGenerator").build();
 			public static ConfigCategory multiplayer = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Multiplayer.class).build();
@@ -146,23 +148,32 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class Graphics
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment advancedGraphicsHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Graphics.class).build();
+				
 				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 ConfigUISpacer ssaoSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
+				
 				
 				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableGenericRendering = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(GenericRendering.enableGenericRendering);
 				public static ConfigCategory genericRendering = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(GenericRendering.class).build();
+				public static ConfigUISpacer genericRenderingSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
 				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableDhFog = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(Fog.enableDhFog);
 				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableMcFog = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(Fog.enableVanillaFog);
 				public static ConfigCategory fog = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Fog.class).build();
+				public static ConfigUISpacer fogSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
 				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableNoiseTexture = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(NoiseTexture.enableNoiseTexture);
 				public static ConfigCategory noiseTexture = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(NoiseTexture.class).build();
+				public static ConfigUISpacer noiseTextureSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
 				public static ConfigUiLinkedEntry quickEnableCaveCulling = new ConfigUiLinkedEntry(Culling.enableCaveCulling);
 				public static ConfigCategory culling = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Culling.class).build();
+				public static ConfigUISpacer cullingSpacer = new ConfigUISpacer.Builder().build();
 				
 				public static ConfigCategory experimental = new ConfigCategory.Builder().set(Experimental.class).build();
 				
@@ -170,6 +181,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class Quality
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment qualityHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Quality.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> lodChunkRenderDistanceRadius = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.setMinDefaultMax(32, 256, 4096)
 							.comment("" +
@@ -202,6 +215,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ "Lowest Quality: " + EDhApiMaxHorizontalResolution.CHUNK + "\n"
 									+ "Highest Quality: " + EDhApiMaxHorizontalResolution.BLOCK)
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.MEDIUM)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiVerticalQuality> verticalQuality = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiVerticalQuality>()
@@ -215,7 +229,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ "Lowest Quality: " + EDhApiVerticalQuality.HEIGHT_MAP + "\n"
 									+ "Highest Quality: " + EDhApiVerticalQuality.EXTREME)
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.VERY_HIGH)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiTransparency> transparency = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiTransparency>()
@@ -228,7 +242,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ EDhApiTransparency.DISABLED + ": LODs will be opaque. \n"
 									+ "")
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.MEDIUM)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid> blocksToIgnore = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid>()
@@ -240,7 +254,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ EDhApiBlocksToAvoid.NON_COLLIDING + ": Only represent solid blocks in the LODs (tall grass, torches, etc. won't count for a LOD's height) \n"
 									+ "")
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.NONE)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> tintWithAvoidedBlocks = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -252,7 +266,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ "False: skipped blocks will not change color of surface below them. "
 									+ "")
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.NONE)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Double> lodBias = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Double>()
@@ -273,7 +287,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ EDhApiLodShading.DISABLED + ": All LOD sides will be rendered with the same brightness. \n"
 									+ "")
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.NONE)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiGrassSideRendering> grassSideRendering = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiGrassSideRendering>()
@@ -286,7 +300,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ EDhApiGrassSideRendering.AS_DIRT + ": sides render entirely as dirt. \n"
 									+ "")
 							.setPerformance(EConfigEntryPerformance.NONE)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> ditherDhFade = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -319,7 +333,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ "0 = black \n"
 									+ "1 = normal \n"
 									+ "2 = near white")
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Double> saturationMultiplier = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Double>() // TODO: Make this a float (the ClassicConfigGUI doesnt support floats)
@@ -330,26 +344,26 @@ public class Config
 									+ "0 = black and white \n"
 									+ "1 = normal \n"
 									+ "2 = very saturated")
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
-					// TODO fixme
-					//public static ConfigEntry<Integer> lodBiomeBlending = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-					//		.setMinDefaultMax(0,1,7)
-					//		.comment(""
-					//				+ "This is the same as vanilla Biome Blending settings for Lod area. \n"
-					//				+ "    Note that anything other than '0' will greatly effect Lod building time \n"
-					//				+ "     and increase triangle count. The cost on chunk generation speed is also \n"
-					//				+ "     quite large if set too high.\n"
-					//				+ "\n"
-					//				+ "    '0' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '1x1' or 'OFF', \n"
-					//				+ "    '1' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '3x3', \n"
-					//				+ "    '2' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '5x5'...")
-					//		.build();	
+					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> lodBiomeBlending = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+							.setMinDefaultMax(0,3,3) // going higher than 3 causes banding issues for blending across LOD borders and an exponential increase in load times
+							.comment(""
+									+ "This is the same as vanilla Biome Blending settings for Lod area. \n"
+									+ "    Note that anything other than '0' will greatly effect Lod building time. \n"
+									+ "\n"
+									+ "    '0' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '1x1' or 'OFF', \n"
+									+ "    '1' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '3x3', \n"
+									+ "    '2' equals to Vanilla Biome Blending of '5x5'...")
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
+							.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")
@@ -412,6 +426,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class GenericRendering
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment genericRendererHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(GenericRendering.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableGenericRendering = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
 							.comment(""
@@ -459,6 +475,8 @@ public class Config
 					
 					
 					
+					public static ConfigUIComment fogHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Fog.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableDhFog = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
 							.comment(""
@@ -560,6 +578,8 @@ public class Config
 					
 					public static class HeightFog
 					{
+						public static ConfigUIComment heightFogHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(HeightFog.class).build();
+						
 						public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiHeightFogMixMode> heightFogMixMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiHeightFogMixMode>()
 								.set(EDhApiHeightFogMixMode.SPHERICAL)
 								.comment(""
@@ -655,6 +675,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class NoiseTexture
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment noiseTextureHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(NoiseTexture.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableNoiseTexture = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
 							.comment(""
@@ -689,8 +711,10 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class Culling
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment cullingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Culling.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Double> overdrawPrevention = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Double>()
-							.setMinDefaultMax(0.0, 0.0, 1.0)
+							.setMinDefaultMax(0.0, 0.0, 1.0) // TODO change -1 to auto
 							.comment(""
 									+ "Determines how far from the camera Distant Horizons will start rendering. \n"
 									+ "Measured as a percentage of the vanilla render distance.\n"
@@ -717,7 +741,7 @@ public class Config
 									+ " Tweaking the caveCullingHeight, can resolve some \n"
 									+ " of those issues. \n"
 									+ "")
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> caveCullingHeight = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
@@ -725,7 +749,7 @@ public class Config
 							.comment(""
 									+ "At what Y value should cave culling start? \n"
 									+ "Lower this value if you get walls for areas with 0 light.")
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> disableBeaconDistanceCulling = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -813,6 +837,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class Experimental
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment experimentalHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Experimental.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> earthCurveRatio = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.setMinDefaultMax(0, 0, 5000)
 							.comment(""
@@ -835,6 +861,8 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class AutoUpdater
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment autoUpdaterHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(AutoUpdater.class).build();
+				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableAutoUpdater = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 						.set(!isRunningInDevEnvironment())
 						.comment(""
@@ -862,6 +890,8 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class Multiplayer
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment multiplayerHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Multiplayer.class).build();
+				
 				public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiServerFolderNameMode> serverFolderNameMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiServerFolderNameMode>()
 						.set(EDhApiServerFolderNameMode.NAME_ONLY)
 						.comment(""
@@ -878,6 +908,8 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class Debugging
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment debuggingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Debugging.class).build();
+				
 				public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiRendererMode> rendererMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiRendererMode>()
 						.set(EDhApiRendererMode.DEFAULT)
 						.comment(""
@@ -898,6 +930,7 @@ public class Config
 								+ EDhApiDebugRendering.SHOW_BLOCK_MATERIAL + ": LODs' color will be based on their material. \n"
 								+ EDhApiDebugRendering.SHOW_OVERLAPPING_QUADS + ": LODs will be drawn with total white, but overlapping quads will be drawn with red. \n"
 								+ "")
+						.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.DELAYED_INSTANCE)
 						.build();
 				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> lodOnlyMode = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
@@ -965,6 +998,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class DebugWireframe
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment debugWireframeHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(DebugWireframe.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableRendering = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(false)
 							.comment(""
@@ -1014,6 +1049,8 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class OpenGl
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment openGlHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(OpenGl.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> overrideVanillaGLLogger = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
 							.comment(""
@@ -1061,50 +1098,54 @@ public class Config
 				
 				public static class ColumnBuilderDebugging
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment columnBuilderDebuggingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(ColumnBuilderDebugging.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> columnBuilderDebugEnable = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(false)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugDetailLevel = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set((int) DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugXPos = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set(0)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugZPos = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set(0)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugXRow = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set(-1)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugZRow = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set(-1)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> columnBuilderDebugColumnIndex = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.set(-1)
 							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI)
-							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE)
+							.addListener(ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler.INSTANT_INSTANCE)
 							.build();
 					
 				}
 				
 				public static class F3Screen
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment f3ScreenHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(F3Screen.class).build();
+					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showPlayerPos = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(true)
-							.comment("Shows info about each thread pool.")
+							.comment("Shows the player's LOD position.")
 							.build();
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> playerPosSectionDetailLevel = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 							.setMinDefaultMax(6, 6, 16)
@@ -1145,8 +1186,10 @@ public class Config
 				// This will throw a warning when opened in the default ui to tell you about it not showing
 				public static class ExampleConfigScreen
 				{
+					public static ConfigUIComment exampleConfigHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(ExampleConfigScreen.class).build();
+					
 					// Defined in the lang, just a note about this screen
-					public static ConfigUIComment debugConfigScreenNote = new ConfigUIComment();
+					public static ConfigUIComment debugConfigScreenNote = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setTextPosition(EConfigCommentTextPosition.CENTER_OF_SCREEN).build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> boolTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 							.set(false)
@@ -1154,6 +1197,7 @@ public class Config
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Byte> byteTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Byte>()
 							.set((byte) 8)
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Integer> intTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
@@ -1166,14 +1210,17 @@ public class Config
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Short> shortTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Short>()
 							.set((short) 69)
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Long> longTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Long>()
 							.set(42069L)
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Float> floatTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Float>()
 							.set(0.42069f)
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<String> stringTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<String>()
@@ -1182,10 +1229,12 @@ public class Config
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<List<String>> listTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<List<String>>()
 							.set(new ArrayList<String>(Arrays.asList("option 1", "option 2", "option 3")))
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigEntry<Map<String, String>> mapTest = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Map<String, String>>()
 							.set(new HashMap<String, String>())
+							.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE) // no GUI renderer set up currently
 							.build();
 					
 					public static ConfigUIButton uiButtonTest = new ConfigUIButton(() -> 
@@ -1229,6 +1278,8 @@ public class Config
 	{
 		public static class WorldGenerator
 		{
+			public static ConfigUIComment worldGeneratorHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(WorldGenerator.class).build();
+			
 			public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> enableDistantGeneration = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 					.setChatCommandName("generation.enable")
 					.set(true)
@@ -1282,7 +1333,7 @@ public class Config
 					.build();
 			
 			public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation> showGenerationProgress = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation>()
-					.set(EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.OVERLAY)
+					.set(EDhApiDistantGeneratorProgressDisplayLocation.DISABLED)
 					.comment(""
 							+ "How should distant generator progress be displayed? \n"
 							+ "\n"
@@ -1309,10 +1360,21 @@ public class Config
 							+ "")
 					.build();
 			
+			public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> generationProgressIncludeChunksPerSecond = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
+					.set(true)
+					.comment(""
+							+ "When logging generation progress also include the rate at which chunks \n"
+							+ "are being generated. \n"
+							+ "This can be useful for troubleshooting performance. \n"
+							+ "")
+					.build();
+			
 		}
 		
 		public static class LodBuilding
 		{
+			public static ConfigUIComment lodBuildingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(LodBuilding.class).build();
+			
 			public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> disableUnchangedChunkCheck = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 					.set(false)
 					// enabling this can be quite detrimental to performance,
@@ -1332,7 +1394,7 @@ public class Config
 					.build();
 			
 			public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiDataCompressionMode> dataCompression = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiDataCompressionMode>()
-					.set(EDhApiDataCompressionMode.LZMA2)
+					.set(EDhApiDataCompressionMode.Z_STD)
 					.comment(""
 							+ "What algorithm should be used to compress new LOD data? \n"
 							+ "This setting will only affect new or updated LOD data, \n"
@@ -1342,14 +1404,20 @@ public class Config
 							+ EDhApiDataCompressionMode.UNCOMPRESSED + " \n"
 							+ "Should only be used for testing, is worse in every way vs ["+EDhApiDataCompressionMode.LZ4+"].\n"
 							+ "Expected Compression Ratio: 1.0\n"
-							+ "Estimated average DTO read speed: 3.25 milliseconds\n"
-							+ "Estimated average DTO write speed: 5.99 milliseconds\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO read speed: 6.09 milliseconds\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO write speed: 6.01 milliseconds\n"
 							+ "\n"
 							+ EDhApiDataCompressionMode.LZ4 + " \n"
 							+ "A good option if you're CPU limited and have plenty of hard drive space.\n"
-							+ "Expected Compression Ratio: 0.26\n"
-							+ "Estimated average DTO read speed: 1.85 ms\n"
-							+ "Estimated average DTO write speed: 9.46 ms\n"
+							+ "Expected Compression Ratio: 0.4513\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO read speed: 3.25 ms\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO write speed: 5.99 ms\n"
+							+ "\n"
+							+ EDhApiDataCompressionMode.Z_STD + " \n"
+							+ "A good option if you're CPU limited and have plenty of hard drive space.\n"
+							+ "Expected Compression Ratio: 0.2606\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO read speed: 9.31 ms\n"
+							+ "Estimated average DTO write speed: 15.13 ms\n"
 							+ "\n"
 							+ EDhApiDataCompressionMode.LZMA2 + " \n"
 							+ "Slow but very good compression.\n"
@@ -1428,6 +1496,8 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class Experimental
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment experimentalHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Experimental.class).build();
+				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> upsampleLowerDetailLodsToFillHoles = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 						.set(false)
 						.comment(""
@@ -1450,6 +1520,8 @@ public class Config
 		
 		public static class MultiThreading
 		{
+			public static ConfigUIComment multiThreadingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(MultiThreading.class).build();
+			
 			public static final ConfigEntry<Integer> numberOfThreads = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
 					.setChatCommandName("threading.numberOfThreads")
 					.setMinDefaultMax(1,
@@ -1478,6 +1550,8 @@ public class Config
 		
 		public static class Logging
 		{
+			public static ConfigUIComment loggingHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Logging.class).build();
+			
 			// TODO add change all option
 			// TODO default to error chat and info file
 			public static ConfigEntry<EDhApiLoggerMode> logWorldGenEvent = new ConfigEntry.Builder<EDhApiLoggerMode>()
@@ -1532,6 +1606,7 @@ public class Config
 			
 			public static class Warning
 			{
+				public static ConfigUIComment warningHeader = new ConfigUIComment.Builder().setParentConfigClass(Warning.class).build();
 				
 				public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> showLowMemoryWarningOnStartup = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
 						.set(true)
@@ -1705,20 +1780,19 @@ public class Config
 		
 		
 		// Common
-		public static ConfigEntry<Boolean> allowLocalChunkUse = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Boolean>()
-				.setChatCommandName("common.allowLocalChunkUse")
-				.setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_FILE)
-				.set(true)
-				.comment(""
-						+ "If true, clients will be able to update LODs using chunks they load."
-						+ "")
-				.build();
-		
-		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> maxDataTransferSpeed = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
-				.setChatCommandName("common.maxDataTransferSpeed")
+		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> playerBandwidthLimit = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+				.setChatCommandName("common.playerBandwidthLimit")
 				.setMinDefaultMax(0, 500, 1000000 /* 1 GB/s */)
 				.comment(""
-						+ "Maximum speed for uploading LODs to the clients, in KB/s.\n"
+						+ "Maximum per-player speed for uploading LODs to the clients, in KB/s.\n"
+						+ "Value of 0 disables the limit."
+						+ "")
+				.build();
+		public static ConfigEntry<Integer> globalBandwidthLimit = new ConfigEntry.Builder<Integer>()
+				.setChatCommandName("common.globalBandwidthLimit")
+				.setMinDefaultMax(0, 0, 10000000 /* 10 GB/s */)
+				.comment(""
+						+ "Maximum global speed for uploading LODs to the clients, in KB/s.\n"
 						+ "Value of 0 disables the limit."
 						+ "")
 				.build();
@@ -1780,7 +1854,6 @@ public class Config
 				RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
 				QuickRenderToggleConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
 				QuickShowWorldGenProgressConfigEventHandler.INSTANCE.setUiOnlyConfigValues();
-				RenderCacheConfigEventHandler.getInstance();
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{

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

@@ -19,46 +19,38 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.file.ConfigFileHandling;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.file.ConfigFileHandler;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.AbstractConfigType;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigCategory;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigUiLinkedEntry;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.config.ILangWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
+import java.lang.invoke.MethodHandles;
 import java.lang.reflect.Field;
 import java.nio.file.Path;
 import java.util.*;
 
 /**
- * Indexes and sets everything up for the file handling and gui
+ * Indexes and sets everything up for the file handling and gui.
+ * This should be init after singletons have been bound
  *
  * @author coolGi
  * @author Ran
  * @version 2023-8-26
  */
-// Init the config after singletons have been blinded
 public class ConfigBase
 {
 	/** Our own config instance, don't modify unless you are the DH mod */
 	public static ConfigBase INSTANCE;
-	public ConfigFileHandling configFileINSTANCE;
-	
-	private final Logger logger;
-	public final String modID;
-	public final String modName;
-	public final int configVersion;
-	
-	public boolean isLoaded = false;
-	
 	
+	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
 	
 	/**
-	 *      What the config works with
+	 * What the config works with
 	 * <br> 
 	 * <br> {@link Enum}
 	 * <br> {@link Boolean}
@@ -77,61 +69,74 @@ public class ConfigBase
 	 * <br> Map<String, T>
 	 * <br> HashMap<String, T>
 	 */
-	public static final List<Class<?>> acceptableInputs = new ArrayList<Class<?>>()
+	public static final List<Class<?>> ACCEPTABLE_INPUTS = new ArrayList<Class<?>>()
 	{{
-		add(Boolean.class);
-		add(Byte.class);
-		add(Integer.class);
-		add(Double.class);
-		add(Short.class);
-		add(Long.class);
-		add(Float.class);
-		add(String.class);
+		this.add(Boolean.class);
+		this.add(Byte.class);
+		this.add(Integer.class);
+		this.add(Double.class);
+		this.add(Short.class);
+		this.add(Long.class);
+		this.add(Float.class);
+		this.add(String.class);
 		
 		// TODO[CONFIG]: Check the type of these is valid
-		add(List.class);
-		add(ArrayList.class);
-		add(Map.class);
-		add(HashMap.class);
+		this.add(List.class);
+		this.add(ArrayList.class);
+		this.add(Map.class);
+		this.add(HashMap.class);
 	}};
 	
+	
+	
+	public ConfigFileHandler configFileHandler;
+	
+	public final int configVersion;
+	
+	public boolean isLoaded = false;
+	
 	/** Disables the minimum and maximum of any variable */
 	public boolean disableMinMax = false; // Very fun to use, but should always be disabled by default
 	public final List<AbstractConfigType<?, ?>> entries = new ArrayList<>();
 	
 	
-	public ConfigBase(String modID, String modName, Class<?> configClass)
+	
+	//=============//
+	// constructor //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public static void RunFirstTimeSetup()
 	{
-		this(modID, modName, configClass, getConfigPath(modName), -1);
-	}
-	public ConfigBase(String modID, String modName, Class<?> configClass, Path configPath)
-	{
-		this(modID, modName, configClass, configPath, -1);
-	}
-	public ConfigBase(String modID, String modName, Class<?> configClass, int configVersion)
-	{
-		this(modID, modName, configClass, getConfigPath(modName), configVersion);
+		if (INSTANCE != null)
+		{
+			LOGGER.debug("ConfigBase setup already run, ignoring.");
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		INSTANCE = new ConfigBase(Config.class, ModInfo.CONFIG_FILE_VERSION);
 	}
 	
-	public ConfigBase(String modID, String modName, Class<?> configClass, Path configPath, int configVersion)
+	private ConfigBase(Class<?> configClass, int configVersion)
 	{
-		this.logger = LogManager.getLogger(this.getClass().getSimpleName() + ", " + modID);
+		LOGGER.info("Initialising config for [" + ModInfo.NAME + "]");
 		
-		this.logger.info("Initialising config for " + modName);
-		this.modID = modID;
-		this.modName = modName;
 		this.configVersion = configVersion;
 		
 		this.initNestedClass(configClass, ""); // Init root category
 		
-		// File handling (load from file)
-		this.configFileINSTANCE = new ConfigFileHandling(this, configPath);
-		this.configFileINSTANCE.loadFromFile();
+		Path configPath = getConfigPath(ModInfo.NAME);
+		this.configFileHandler = new ConfigFileHandler(this, configPath);
+		this.configFileHandler.loadFromFile();
 		
 		this.isLoaded = true;
-		this.logger.info("Config for " + modName + " initialised");
+		LOGGER.info("Config for [" + ModInfo.NAME + "] initialised");
+	}
+	/** Gets the default config path given a mod name */
+	private static Path getConfigPath(String modName)
+	{
+		return SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class)
+				.getInstallationDirectory().toPath().resolve("config").resolve(modName + ".toml");
 	}
-	
 	private void initNestedClass(Class<?> configClass, String category)
 	{
 		// Put all the entries in entries
@@ -146,7 +151,7 @@ public class ConfigBase
 				}
 				catch (IllegalAccessException exception)
 				{
-					this.logger.warn(exception);
+					LOGGER.warn(exception);
 				}
 				
 				AbstractConfigType<?, ?> entry = this.entries.get(this.entries.size() - 1);
@@ -155,11 +160,12 @@ public class ConfigBase
 				entry.configBase = this;
 				
 				if (ConfigEntry.class.isAssignableFrom(field.getType()))
-				{ // If item is type ConfigEntry
+				{ 
+					// If item is type ConfigEntry
 					if (!isAcceptableType(entry.getType()))
 					{
-						this.logger.error("Invalid variable type at [" + (category.isEmpty() ? "" : category + ".") + field.getName() + "].");
-						this.logger.error("Type [" + entry.getType() + "] is not one of these types [" + acceptableInputs.toString() + "]");
+						LOGGER.error("Invalid variable type at [" + (category.isEmpty() ? "" : category + ".") + field.getName() + "].");
+						LOGGER.error("Type [" + entry.getType() + "] is not one of these types [" + ACCEPTABLE_INPUTS.toString() + "]");
 						this.entries.remove(this.entries.size() - 1); // Delete the entry if it is invalid so the game can still run
 					}
 				}
@@ -177,32 +183,31 @@ public class ConfigBase
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	
 	private static boolean isAcceptableType(Class<?> Clazz)
 	{
 		if (Clazz.isEnum())
+		{
 			return true;
-		return acceptableInputs.contains(Clazz);
+		}
+		
+		return ACCEPTABLE_INPUTS.contains(Clazz);
 	}
 	
 	
-	/** Gets the default config path given a mod name */
-	public static Path getConfigPath(String modName)
-	{
-		return SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class)
-				.getInstallationDirectory().toPath().resolve("config").resolve(modName + ".toml");
-	}
 	
+	//===============//
+	// lang handling //
+	//===============//
 	
 	/**
-	 * Used for checking that all the lang files for the config exist
+	 * Used for checking that all the lang files for the config exist.
+	 * This is just to re-format the lang or check if there is something in the lang that is missing
 	 *
-	 * @param onlyShowNew If disabled then it would basically remake the config lang
+	 * @param onlyShowMissing If false then this will remake the entire config lang
 	 * @param checkEnums Checks if all the lang for the enum's exist
 	 */
-	// This is just to re-format the lang or check if there is something in the lang that is missing
 	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-	public String generateLang(boolean onlyShowNew, boolean checkEnums)
+	public String generateLang(boolean onlyShowMissing, boolean checkEnums)
 	{
 		ILangWrapper langWrapper = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(ILangWrapper.class);
 		List<Class<? extends Enum<?>>> enumList = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -213,50 +218,86 @@ public class ConfigBase
 		String separator = "\":\n    \"";
 		String ending = "\",\n";
 		
+		// config entries
 		for (AbstractConfigType<?, ?> entry : this.entries)
 		{
-			String entryPrefix = "lod.config." + entry.getNameWCategory();
+			String entryPrefix = "distanthorizons.config." + entry.getNameWCategory();
 			
-			if (checkEnums && entry.getType().isEnum() && !enumList.contains(entry.getType()))
-			{ // Put it in an enum list to work with at the end
+			if (checkEnums 
+				&& entry.getType().isEnum() 
+				&& !enumList.contains(entry.getType()))
+			{ 
+				// Put it in an enum list to work with at the end
 				enumList.add((Class<? extends Enum<?>>) entry.getType());
 			}
-			if (!onlyShowNew || langWrapper.langExists(entryPrefix))
+			
+			
+			// config file items don't need lang entries
+			if (!entry.getAppearance().showInGui)
 			{
-				if (!ConfigUiLinkedEntry.class.isAssignableFrom(entry.getClass()))
-				{ // If it is a linked item, dont generate the base lang
-					generatedLang += starter
-							+ entryPrefix
-							+ separator
-							+ langWrapper.getLang(entryPrefix)
-							+ ending
-					;
-				}
-				// Adds tooltips
-				if (langWrapper.langExists(entryPrefix + ".@tooltip"))
-				{
-					generatedLang += starter
-							+ entryPrefix + ".@tooltip"
-							+ separator
-							+ langWrapper.getLang(entryPrefix + ".@tooltip")
-							.replaceAll("\n", "\\\\n")
-							.replaceAll("\"", "\\\\\"")
-							+ ending
-					;
-				}
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			// some entries don't need localization
+			if (ConfigUiLinkedEntry.class.isAssignableFrom(entry.getClass())
+				|| ConfigUISpacer.class.isAssignableFrom(entry.getClass()))
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			if (ConfigUIComment.class.isAssignableFrom(entry.getClass())
+				&& ((ConfigUIComment)entry).parentConfigPath != null)
+			{
+				// TODO this could potentially add the same item multiple times
+				entryPrefix = "distanthorizons.config." + ((ConfigUIComment)entry).parentConfigPath;
+			}
+			
+			
+			if (langWrapper.langExists(entryPrefix)
+				&& onlyShowMissing)
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			
+			generatedLang += starter
+					+ entryPrefix
+					+ separator
+					+ langWrapper.getLang(entryPrefix)
+					+ ending
+			;
+			
+			// only add tooltips for entries that are also missing
+			// their primary lang
+			// this is done since not all menu items need a tooltip
+			if (!langWrapper.langExists(entryPrefix + ".@tooltip") 
+				|| !onlyShowMissing)
+			{
+				generatedLang += starter
+						+ entryPrefix + ".@tooltip"
+						+ separator
+						+ langWrapper.getLang(entryPrefix + ".@tooltip")
+						.replaceAll("\n", "\\\\n")
+						.replaceAll("\"", "\\\\\"")
+						+ ending
+				;
 			}
 		}
+		
+		
+		// enums
 		if (!enumList.isEmpty())
 		{
 			generatedLang += "\n"; // Separate the main lang with the enum's
 			
 			for (Class<? extends Enum> anEnum : enumList)
 			{
-				for (Object enumStr : new ArrayList<>(EnumSet.allOf(anEnum)))
+				for (Object enumStr : new ArrayList<Object>(EnumSet.allOf(anEnum)))
 				{
-					String enumPrefix = "lod.config.enum." + anEnum.getSimpleName() + "." + enumStr.toString();
+					String enumPrefix = "distanthorizons.config.enum." + anEnum.getSimpleName() + "." + enumStr.toString();
 					
-					if (!onlyShowNew || langWrapper.langExists(enumPrefix))
+					if (!langWrapper.langExists(enumPrefix) 
+						|| !onlyShowMissing)
 					{
 						generatedLang += starter
 								+ enumPrefix
@@ -272,4 +313,6 @@ public class ConfigBase
 		return generatedLang;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

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

@@ -48,7 +48,9 @@ public class ConfigEntryWithPresetOptions<TQuickEnum, TConfig>
 	
 	public HashSet<TQuickEnum> getPossibleQualitiesFromCurrentOptionValue()
 	{
-		TConfig inputOptionValue = this.configEntry.get();
+		// get true value so we can ignore API overrides,
+		// users find this confusing if their preset is set to "CUSTOM" 
+		TConfig inputOptionValue = this.configEntry.getTrueValue();
 		HashSet<TQuickEnum> possibleQualities = new HashSet<>();
 		
 		for (TQuickEnum key : this.configOptionByQualityOption.keySet())

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

@@ -22,13 +22,77 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderProxy;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
+
+import java.util.Timer;
+import java.util.TimerTask;
 
 public class ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
 {
-	public static ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler INSTANCE = new ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler();
+	/** 
+	 * 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);
+	/** 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 //
+	//=============//
+	
+	public ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler(long timeoutInMs)
+	{
+		this.timeoutInMs = timeoutInMs;
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//========//
+	// events //
+	//========//
 	
 	@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()
 	{
 		IDhApiRenderProxy renderProxy = DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy;
 		if (renderProxy != null)
@@ -37,4 +101,5 @@ public class ReloadLodsConfigEventHandler implements IConfigListener
 		}
 	}
 	
+	
 }

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

@@ -1,114 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.eventHandlers;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.DhApi;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.*;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiDebugRendering;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiTransparency;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
-
-import java.util.Timer;
-import java.util.TimerTask;
-
-/**
- * Listens to the config and will automatically
- * clear the current render cache if certain settings are changed. <br> <br>
- *
- * Note: if additional settings should clear the render cache, add those to this listener, don't create a new listener
- */
-public class RenderCacheConfigEventHandler
-{
-	private static RenderCacheConfigEventHandler INSTANCE;
-	
-	
-	// previous values used to check if a watched setting was actually modified
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiMaxHorizontalResolution> horizontalResolutionChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiVerticalQuality> verticalQualityChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiTransparency> transparencyChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiBlocksToAvoid> blocksToIgnoreChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<Boolean> tintWithAvoidedBlocksChangeListener;
-	
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<Double> brightnessMultiplierChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<Double> saturationMultiplierChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiLodShading> lodShadingChangeListener;
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiGrassSideRendering> grassSideChangeListener;
-	
-	private final ConfigChangeListener<EDhApiDebugRendering> debugRenderingChangeListener;
-	
-	/** how long to wait in milliseconds before applying the config changes */
-	private static final long TIMEOUT_IN_MS = 4_000L;
-	private Timer cacheClearingTimer;
-	
-	
-	
-	public static RenderCacheConfigEventHandler getInstance()
-	{
-		if (INSTANCE == null)
-		{
-			INSTANCE = new RenderCacheConfigEventHandler();
-		}
-		
-		return INSTANCE;
-	}
-	
-	/** private since we only ever need one handler at a time */
-	private RenderCacheConfigEventHandler()
-	{
-		this.horizontalResolutionChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.maxHorizontalResolution, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.verticalQualityChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.verticalQuality, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.transparencyChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.transparency, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.blocksToIgnoreChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.blocksToIgnore, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.tintWithAvoidedBlocksChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.tintWithAvoidedBlocks, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		
-		this.brightnessMultiplierChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.brightnessMultiplier, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.saturationMultiplierChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.saturationMultiplier, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.lodShadingChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodShading, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		this.grassSideChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.grassSideRendering, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		
-		this.debugRenderingChangeListener = new ConfigChangeListener<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.debugRendering, (newValue) -> this.refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout());
-		
-	}
-	
-	
-	/** Calling this method multiple times will reset the timer */
-	private void refreshRenderDataAfterTimeout()
-	{
-		// 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()
-			{
-				DhApi.Delayed.renderProxy.clearRenderDataCache();
-			}
-		};
-		this.cacheClearingTimer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("RenderCacheClearConfigTimer");
-		this.cacheClearingTimer.schedule(timerTask, TIMEOUT_IN_MS);
-	}
-	
-}

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

@@ -114,6 +114,15 @@ public class RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler extends AbstractPresetConfigE
 				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.HIGH, false);
 				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.EXTREME, false);
 			}});
+	private final ConfigEntryWithPresetOptions<EDhApiQualityPreset, Integer> biomeBlending = new ConfigEntryWithPresetOptions<>(Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.lodBiomeBlending,
+			new HashMap<EDhApiQualityPreset, Integer>()
+			{{
+				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.MINIMUM, 0);
+				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.LOW, 1);
+				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.MEDIUM, 3);
+				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.HIGH, 3);
+				this.put(EDhApiQualityPreset.EXTREME, 3);
+			}});
 		
 	
 	
@@ -133,6 +142,7 @@ public class RenderQualityPresetConfigEventHandler extends AbstractPresetConfigE
 		this.configList.add(this.vanillaFade);
 		this.configList.add(this.dhDither);
 		this.configList.add(this.caveCulling);
+		this.configList.add(this.biomeBlending);
 		
 		
 		for (ConfigEntryWithPresetOptions<EDhApiQualityPreset, ?> config : this.configList)

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

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftSharedWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
@@ -41,10 +42,9 @@ import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
  * @author coolGi
  * @version 2023-8-26
  */
-public class ConfigFileHandling
+public class ConfigFileHandler
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
-	private static final IMinecraftSharedWrapper MC_SHARED = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftSharedWrapper.class);
 	
 	
 	public final ConfigBase configBase;
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 	
-	public ConfigFileHandling(ConfigBase configBase, Path configPath)
+	public ConfigFileHandler(ConfigBase configBase, Path configPath)
 	{
-		this.logger = LogManager.getLogger(this.getClass().getSimpleName() + ", " + configBase.modID);
+		this.logger = LogManager.getLogger(this.getClass().getSimpleName() + ", " + ModInfo.ID);
 		this.configBase = configBase;
 		this.configPath = configPath;
 		
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 	
 	
 	
+	//====================//
+	// entire config file //
+	//====================//
 	
 	/** Saves the entire config to the file */
 	public void saveToFile() { this.saveToFile(this.nightConfig); }
@@ -161,7 +164,7 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 			}
 			else // if (currentCfgVersion < configBase.configVersion)
 			{
-				this.logger.warn(this.configBase.modName + " config is of an older version, currently there is no config updater... so resetting config");
+				this.logger.warn(ModInfo.NAME + " config is of an older version, currently there is no config updater... so resetting config");
 				try
 				{
 					Files.delete(this.configPath);
@@ -223,6 +226,9 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 	
 	
 	
+	//=======================//
+	// single config entries //
+	//=======================//
 	
 	// Save an entry when only given the entry
 	public void saveEntry(ConfigEntry<?> entry)
@@ -240,7 +246,7 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 		else if (entry.getTrueValue() == null)
 		{
 			// TODO when can this happen?
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Entry [" + entry.getNameWCategory() + "] is null, this may be a problem with [" + this.configBase.modName + "]. Please contact the authors.");
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Entry [" + entry.getNameWCategory() + "] is null, this may be a problem with [" + ModInfo.NAME + "]. Please contact the authors.");
 		}
 		
 		workConfig.set(entry.getNameWCategory(), ConfigTypeConverters.attemptToConvertToString(entry.getType(), entry.getTrueValue()));
@@ -319,10 +325,12 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 	
 	
 	
-	
+	//=============//
+	// nightconfig //
+	//=============//
 	
 	/**
-	 * Uses {@link ConfigFileHandling#nightConfig} to do {@link CommentedFileConfig#load()} but with error checking
+	 * Uses {@link ConfigFileHandler#nightConfig} to do {@link CommentedFileConfig#load()} but with error checking
 	 *
 	 * @apiNote This overwrites any value currently stored in the config
 	 */
@@ -361,6 +369,10 @@ public class ConfigFileHandling
 	
 	
 	
+	//===============//
+	// file handling //
+	//===============//
+	
 	public static void reCreateFile(Path path)
 	{
 		try

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

@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import javax.swing.*;
 import java.awt.*;
+import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
 import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
 import java.awt.event.KeyListener;
 
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@ public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
 	public static boolean firstRun = true;
 	public final Component jComponent;
 	
+	
+	
 	static
 	{
 		// Note: this code can cause Mac
@@ -54,19 +57,25 @@ public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
 	public void init()
 	{
 		if (firstRun)
+		{
 			frame = EmbeddedFrameUtil.embeddedFrameCreate(this.minecraftWindow); // Don't call this multiple times
+		}
 		
-		frame.add(jComponent);
+		frame.add(this.jComponent);
+		frame.setBackground(new Color(0, 125, 155));
 		
 		JavaScreenHandlerScreen thiss = this;
 		
-		frame.addKeyListener(new KeyListener() {
+		frame.addKeyListener(new KeyListener() 
+		{
 			@Override
 			public void keyPressed(KeyEvent keyEvent)
 			{
 				System.out.println("Key pressed code=" + keyEvent.getKeyCode() + ", char=" + keyEvent.getKeyChar());
 				if (keyEvent.getKeyCode() == KeyEvent.VK_ESCAPE)
+				{
 					thiss.close = true;
+				}
 			}
 			
 			@Override
@@ -80,8 +89,8 @@ public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
 			EmbeddedFrameUtil.embeddedFrameSetBounds(frame, 0, 0, this.width, this.height);
 			firstRun = false;
 		}
-		else
-			EmbeddedFrameUtil.showFrame(frame);
+		
+		EmbeddedFrameUtil.showFrame(frame);
 	}
 	
 	/** A testing/debug screen */
@@ -89,13 +98,43 @@ public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
 	{
 		public ExampleScreen()
 		{
-			setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
-			GridBagConstraints constraints = new GridBagConstraints();
-			constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.HORIZONTAL;
-			constraints.weightx = 0.5;
-			constraints.gridx = 0;
-			constraints.gridy = 0;
-			add(new JLabel("Hello World!"), constraints);
+			this.setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
+			this.setBackground(new Color(255, 0, 0)); // doesn't appear to be used
+			
+			GridBagConstraints helloWorldConstraints = new GridBagConstraints();
+			helloWorldConstraints.weightx = 0.5;
+			helloWorldConstraints.gridx = 0;
+			helloWorldConstraints.gridy = 0;
+			//helloWorldConstraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
+			this.add(new JLabel("Hello World!"), helloWorldConstraints);
+			
+			
+			GridBagConstraints buttonConstraints = new GridBagConstraints();
+			buttonConstraints.weightx = 0.5;
+			buttonConstraints.gridx = 0;
+			buttonConstraints.gridy = 1;
+			//buttonConstraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
+			JButton button = new JButton();
+			button.setBackground(Color.GREEN);
+			button.setFocusable(false); // otherwise we can't use escape to leave
+			button.setAction(new ExampleButtonEventHandler("Button text"));
+			this.add(button, buttonConstraints);
+		}
+		
+		private class ExampleButtonEventHandler extends AbstractAction
+		{
+			public ExampleButtonEventHandler(String text)
+			{
+				super(text);
+				//this.putValue(SHORT_DESCRIPTION, text);
+				//this.putValue(MNEMONIC_KEY, text);
+			}
+			
+			@Override
+			public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
+			{
+				System.out.println("button pressed");
+			}
 		}
 		
 	}
@@ -116,8 +155,10 @@ public class JavaScreenHandlerScreen extends AbstractScreen
 	@Override
 	public void onClose()
 	{
-		frame.remove(jComponent);
+		frame.remove(this.jComponent);
 		EmbeddedFrameUtil.hideFrame(frame);
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

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

@@ -1,126 +0,0 @@
-/*
- *    This file is part of the Distant Horizons mod
- *    licensed under the GNU LGPL v3 License.
- *
- *    Copyright (C) 2020 James Seibel
- *
- *    This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
- *    it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
- *    the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
- *
- *    This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
- *    but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
- *    MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
- *    GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
- *
- *    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License
- *    along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
- */
-
-package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.gui;
-
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGpuUploadMethod;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.buffer.GLVertexBuffer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.shader.ShaderProgram;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.vertexAttribute.AbstractVertexAttribute;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.vertexAttribute.VertexPointer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLWrapper;
-import org.lwjgl.opengl.GL32;
-
-import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
-import java.nio.ByteOrder;
-
-/**
- * @author coolGi
- */
-public class OpenGLConfigScreen extends AbstractScreen
-{
-	private static final IMinecraftGLWrapper GLMC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftGLWrapper.class);
-	
-	private ShaderProgram basicShader;
-	private GLVertexBuffer sameContextBuffer;
-	private GLVertexBuffer sharedContextBuffer;
-	private AbstractVertexAttribute va;
-	
-	
-	
-	@Override
-	public void init()
-	{
-		System.out.println("init");
-		
-		this.va = AbstractVertexAttribute.create();
-		this.va.bind();
-		// Pos
-		this.va.setVertexAttribute(0, 0, VertexPointer.addVec2Pointer(false));
-		// Color
-		this.va.setVertexAttribute(0, 1, VertexPointer.addVec4Pointer(false));
-		this.va.completeAndCheck(Float.BYTES * 6);
-		this.basicShader = new ShaderProgram("shaders/test/vert.vert", "shaders/test/frag.frag",
-						"fragColor", new String[]{"vPosition", "color"});
-		this.createBuffer();
-	}
-	
-	// Render a square with uv color
-	private static final float[] vertices = {
-			// PosX,Y, ColorR,G,B,A
-			-0.5f, -0.5f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
-			0.4f, -0.4f, 1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f,
-			0.3f, 0.3f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f,
-			-0.2f, 0.2f, 0.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f, 1.0f
-	};
-	
-	private static GLVertexBuffer createTextingBuffer()
-	{
-		ByteBuffer buffer = ByteBuffer.allocateDirect(vertices.length * Float.BYTES);
-		// Fill buffer with the vertices.
-		buffer = buffer.order(ByteOrder.nativeOrder());
-		buffer.asFloatBuffer().put(vertices);
-		buffer.rewind();
-		GLVertexBuffer vbo = new GLVertexBuffer(false);
-		vbo.bind();
-		vbo.uploadBuffer(buffer, 4, EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.DATA, vertices.length * Float.BYTES);
-		return vbo;
-	}
-	
-	private void createBuffer()
-	{
-		this.sharedContextBuffer = createTextingBuffer();
-		this.sameContextBuffer = createTextingBuffer();
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void render(float delta)
-	{
-		System.out.println("Updated config screen with the delta of " + delta);
-		
-		GL32.glViewport(0, 0, this.width, this.height);
-		GL32.glPolygonMode(GL32.GL_FRONT_AND_BACK, GL32.GL_FILL);
-		GLMC.disableFaceCulling();
-		GLMC.disableDepthTest();
-		GLMC.disableBlend();
-		
-		this.basicShader.bind();
-		this.va.bind();
-		
-		// Switch between the two buffers per second
-		if (System.currentTimeMillis() % 2000 < 1000)
-		{
-			this.sameContextBuffer.bind();
-			this.va.bindBufferToAllBindingPoints(this.sameContextBuffer.getId());
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			this.sameContextBuffer.bind();
-			this.va.bindBufferToAllBindingPoints(this.sharedContextBuffer.getId());
-		}
-		// Render the square
-		GL32.glDrawArrays(GL32.GL_TRIANGLE_FAN, 0, 4);
-		GL32.glClear(GL32.GL_DEPTH_BUFFER_BIT);
-	}
-	
-	@Override
-	public void tick() { System.out.println("Ticked"); }
-	
-}

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

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types;
 
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.NumberUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.file.ConfigFileHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigEntryAppearance;
@@ -94,13 +95,15 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigType<T, ConfigEntry<T>> implem
 	}
 	@Override
 	public T getApiValue() { return this.apiValue; }
+	@Override 
+	public boolean apiIsOverriding() { return this.allowApiOverride && this.apiValue != null; }
 	@Override
 	public boolean getAllowApiOverride() { return this.allowApiOverride; }
 	
 	/** 
 	 * DONT USE THIS IN YOUR CODE <br>
 	 * Sets the value without informing the rest of the code (ie, doesnt call listeners, or saves the value). <br>
-	 * Should only be used when loading the config from the file (in places like the {@link com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.file.ConfigFileHandling} or {@link com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.ConfigBase})
+	 * Should only be used when loading the config from the file (in places like the {@link ConfigFileHandler} or {@link com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.ConfigBase})
 	 */
 	public void pureSet(T newValue) {
 		super.set(newValue);
@@ -305,9 +308,9 @@ public class ConfigEntry<T> extends AbstractConfigType<T, ConfigEntry<T>> implem
 	}
 	
 	/** This should normally not be called since set() automatically calls this */
-	public void save() { configBase.configFileINSTANCE.saveEntry(this); }
+	public void save() { configBase.configFileHandler.saveEntry(this); }
 	/** This should normally not be called except for special circumstances */
-	public void load() { configBase.configFileINSTANCE.loadEntry(this); }
+	public void load() { configBase.configFileHandler.loadEntry(this); }
 	
 	
 	@Override

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

@@ -19,7 +19,13 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigCommentTextPosition;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigEntryAppearance;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 /**
  * Adds something like a ConfigEntry but without a button to change the input
@@ -28,11 +34,25 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigEntryAppearance
  */
 public class ConfigUIComment extends AbstractConfigType<String, ConfigUIComment>
 {
-	public ConfigUIComment()
+	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
+	
+	
+	public String parentConfigPath = null;
+	@Nullable
+	public EConfigCommentTextPosition textPosition = null;
+	
+	
+	
+	public ConfigUIComment() { this(null, null); }
+	public ConfigUIComment(String parentConfigPath, EConfigCommentTextPosition textPosition)
 	{
 		super(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI, "");
+		this.parentConfigPath = parentConfigPath;
+		this.textPosition = textPosition;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 	/** Appearance shouldn't be changed */
 	@Override
 	public void setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance newAppearance) { }
@@ -41,26 +61,102 @@ public class ConfigUIComment extends AbstractConfigType<String, ConfigUIComment>
 	@Override
 	public void set(String newValue) { }
 	
+	
+	
 	public static class Builder extends AbstractConfigType.Builder<String, Builder>
 	{
+		public String tempParentConfigPath = null;
+		public EConfigCommentTextPosition tempTextPosition = null;
+		
+		
+		
 		/** Appearance shouldn't be changed */
+		@Deprecated
 		@Override
-		public Builder setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance newAppearance)
-		{
-			return this;
-		}
+		public Builder setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance newAppearance) { return this; }
 		
 		/** Pointless to set the value */
+		@Deprecated
 		@Override
 		public Builder set(String newValue)
+		{ return this; }
+		
+		
+		public Builder setParentConfigClass(@NotNull Class<?> parentConfigClass)
 		{
+			// expected format: "Config.Client.Advanced"
+			String packageName = parentConfigClass.getPackage().getName(); // com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config
+			String fullName = parentConfigClass.getName(); // com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config$Common$MultiThreading
+			
+			try
+			{
+				String configPath = fullName.substring(
+						packageName.length() + // "com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config"
+								1 + // "." before "Config"
+								Config.class.getSimpleName().length() + // "Config" 
+								1); // "$" before the inner class name
+				
+				// configPath after substring:
+				// Config$Common$MultiThreading
+				
+				this.tempParentConfigPath = convertPackageNameToLangPath(configPath); // client.advanced.graphics.Quality
+			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
+				this.tempParentConfigPath = parentConfigClass.getSimpleName();
+				LOGGER.warn("Failed to parse config class: ["+fullName+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"], defaulting to: ["+this.tempParentConfigPath+"].", e);
+			}
+			
 			return this;
 		}
+		/** 
+		 * example:
+		 * input:  "Client$Advanced$multiThreading"
+		 * output: "client.advanced.multiThreading"
+		 */
+		public static String convertPackageNameToLangPath(String input)
+		{
+			StringBuilder result = new StringBuilder(input.length());
+			
+			for (int i = 0; i < input.length(); i++)
+			{
+				char ch = input.charAt(i);
+				if (i == 0)
+				{
+					result.append(Character.toLowerCase(ch));
+					continue;
+				}
+				
+				// replace '$' -> '.' to match lang path naming
+				if (ch == '$')
+				{
+					result.append('.');
+					continue;
+				}
+				
+				char lastCh = input.charAt(i-1);
+				if (lastCh == '$')
+				{
+					result.append(Character.toLowerCase(ch));
+					continue;
+				}
+				
+				result.append(ch);
+			}
+			return result.toString();
+		}
+		
+		
+		public Builder setTextPosition(EConfigCommentTextPosition textPosition)
+		{
+			this.tempTextPosition = textPosition;
+			return this; 
+		}
+		
+		
 		
 		public ConfigUIComment build()
-		{
-			return new ConfigUIComment();
-		}
+		{ return new ConfigUIComment(this.tempParentConfigPath, this.tempTextPosition); }
 		
 	}
 	

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

@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ *    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.types;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigEntryAppearance;
+
+/**
+ * Adds empty space the height of a button.
+ * Useful for separating different categories.
+ */
+public class ConfigUISpacer extends AbstractConfigType<String, ConfigUISpacer>
+{
+	public ConfigUISpacer()
+	{ super(EConfigEntryAppearance.ONLY_IN_GUI, ""); }
+	
+	
+	
+	/** Appearance shouldn't be changed */
+	@Override
+	public void setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance newAppearance) { }
+	
+	/** Pointless to set the value */
+	@Override
+	public void set(String newValue) { }
+	
+	
+	
+	public static class Builder extends AbstractConfigType.Builder<String, Builder>
+	{
+		/** Appearance shouldn't be changed */
+		@Override
+		public Builder setAppearance(EConfigEntryAppearance newAppearance) { return this; }
+		
+		/** Pointless to set the value */
+		@Override
+		public Builder set(String newValue) { return this; }
+		
+		public ConfigUISpacer build() { return new ConfigUISpacer(); }
+		
+	}
+	
+}

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

@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.enums.EConfigEntryAppearance
  *
  * @author coolGi
  */
-@Deprecated // FIXME doesn't work with localization
 public class ConfigUiLinkedEntry extends AbstractConfigType<AbstractConfigType<?, ?>, ConfigUiLinkedEntry>
 {
 	public ConfigUiLinkedEntry(AbstractConfigType<?, ?> value)

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/config/types/enums/EConfigCommentTextPosition.java

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/*
+ *    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.types.enums;
+
+/**
+ * RIGHT_OVER_BUTTONS <br/>
+ * CENTER_OF_SCREEN <br/>
+ * CENTERED_OVER_BUTTONS <br/>
+ */
+public enum EConfigCommentTextPosition
+{
+	RIGHT_JUSTIFIED,
+	CENTER_OF_SCREEN,
+	CENTERED_OVER_BUTTONS,
+}

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

@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV1 implements IDataSource<IDhLevel>
 	public String getKeyDisplayString() { return DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos); }
 	
 	@Override
-	public Long getPos() { return this.pos; }
+	public long getPos() { return this.pos; }
 	
 	public void resizeDataStructuresForRepopulation(long pos)
 	{

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

@@ -29,12 +29,16 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.AbstractDataSourceHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.IDataSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListParent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhLodPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.DataCorruptedException;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.bytes.ByteArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
@@ -53,7 +57,7 @@ import java.util.List;
  * @see FullDataSourceV1
  */
 public class FullDataSourceV2 
-		extends PhantomArrayListParent
+		extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 		implements IDataSource<IDhLevel>, IDhApiFullDataSource
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
@@ -132,7 +136,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper) { return LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(chunkWrapper); }
+	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromChunk(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper) { return LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(levelWrapper, chunkWrapper); }
 	
 	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromLegacyDataSourceV1(FullDataSourceV1 legacyData)
 	{
@@ -279,10 +283,83 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	
 	
 	//======//
-	// data //
+	// getters //
 	//======//
 	
-	public LongArrayList get(int relX, int relZ) throws IndexOutOfBoundsException { return this.dataPoints[relativePosToIndex(relX, relZ)]; }
+	public LongArrayList get(int relX, int relZ) throws IndexOutOfBoundsException 
+	{ return this.dataPoints[relativePosToIndex(relX, relZ)]; }
+	
+	/** 
+	 * returns {@link FullDataPointUtil#EMPTY_DATA_POINT} if the given {@link DhBlockPos}
+	 * is outside this data source's boundaries.
+	 */
+	public long getAtBlockPos(DhBlockPos blockPos)
+	{
+		DhLodPos requestedPos = new DhLodPos(LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL, blockPos.getX(), blockPos.getZ());
+		
+		// stop if the requested blockPos is outside this datasource
+		{
+			// get the detail levels for this request
+			byte requestedDetailLevel = requestedPos.detailLevel;
+			byte requestedSectionDetailLevel = (byte) (requestedDetailLevel + DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+	
+			// get the positions for this request
+			long sectionPos = requestedPos.getSectionPosWithSectionDetailLevel(requestedSectionDetailLevel);
+			if (!DhSectionPos.contains(this.pos, sectionPos))
+			{
+				return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
+			}
+		}
+		
+		
+		// get the relative data source position
+		byte requestDetailLevel = (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL);
+		DhLodPos relativePos = requestedPos.getDhSectionRelativePositionForDetailLevel(requestDetailLevel);
+		
+		// get the data column
+		LongArrayList dataColumn = this.get(relativePos.x, relativePos.z);
+		if (dataColumn == null)
+		{
+			return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
+		}
+		
+		
+		// search for a datapoint that contains the given block y position
+		long dataPoint;
+		for (int i = 0; i < dataColumn.size(); i++)
+		{
+			dataPoint = dataColumn.getLong(i);
+			
+			// we are looking for a specific datapoint,
+			// don't look at null ones
+			if (dataPoint == FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT)
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			
+			
+			int requestedY = blockPos.getY();
+			int bottomY = FullDataPointUtil.getBottomY(dataPoint) + this.levelMinY;
+			int height = FullDataPointUtil.getHeight(dataPoint);
+			int topY = bottomY + height;
+			
+			// does this datapoint contain the requested Y position? 
+			if (bottomY <= requestedY
+				&& requestedY < topY) // blockPositions start from the bottom of the block, thus "<=" for bottomY, just "<" for topY
+			{
+				return dataPoint;
+			}
+		}
+		
+		return FullDataPointUtil.EMPTY_DATA_POINT;
+	}
+	
+	
+	
+	//==========//
+	// updating //
+	//==========//
 	
 	@Override
 	public boolean update(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource, @Nullable IDhLevel level) { return this.update(inputDataSource); }
@@ -989,6 +1066,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	}
 	
 	
+	
 	//================//
 	// helper methods //
 	//================//
@@ -1073,7 +1151,7 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	//=====================//
 	
 	@Override
-	public Long getPos() { return this.pos; }
+	public long getPos() { return this.pos; }
 	
 	@Override
 	public byte getDataDetailLevel() { return (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - DhSectionPos.SECTION_MINIMUM_DETAIL_LEVEL); }
@@ -1163,6 +1241,15 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2
 	
 	
 	
+	//============//
+	// unit tests //
+	//============//
+	
+	public PhantomArrayListCheckout getPhantomArrayCheckoutForUnitTesting()
+	{ return this.pooledArraysCheckout; }
+	
+	
+	
 	//================//
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//

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

@@ -1,11 +1,6 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render;
 
 import com.google.common.cache.Cache;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.transformers.FullDataToRenderDataTransformer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 

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

@@ -19,20 +19,13 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render;
 
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiWorldGenerationStep;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.transformers.FullDataToRenderDataTransformer;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.IDataSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListParent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ListUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnQuadView;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.RenderDataPointUtil;
@@ -46,9 +39,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
  *
  * @see RenderDataPointUtil
  */
-public class ColumnRenderSource
-		extends PhantomArrayListParent
-		implements IDataSource<IDhClientLevel>
+public class ColumnRenderSource extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
 	
@@ -134,80 +125,12 @@ public class ColumnRenderSource
 	
 	
 	
-	//=============//
-	// data update //
-	//=============//
-	
-	@Override
-	public boolean update(FullDataSourceV2 inputFullDataSource, IDhClientLevel level)
-	{
-		final String errorMessagePrefix = "Unable to complete update for RenderSource pos: [" + this.pos + "] and pos: [" + inputFullDataSource.getPos() + "]. Error:";
-		
-		boolean dataChanged = false;
-		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(inputFullDataSource.getPos()) == DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos))
-		{
-			try
-			{
-				if (Thread.interrupted())
-				{
-					LOGGER.warn(errorMessagePrefix + "write interrupted.");
-					return false;
-				}
-				
-				
-				
-				DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos = DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPos(inputFullDataSource.getPos());
-				int halfBlockWidth = DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(inputFullDataSource.getPos()) / 2;
-				DhBlockPos2D minBlockPos = new DhBlockPos2D(centerBlockPos.x - halfBlockWidth, centerBlockPos.z - halfBlockWidth);
-				
-				for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
-				{
-					for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
-					{
-						ColumnArrayView columnArrayView = this.getVerticalDataPointView(x, z);
-						int columnHash = columnArrayView.getDataHash();
-						
-						LongArrayList dataColumn = inputFullDataSource.get(x, z);
-						EDhApiWorldGenerationStep worldGenStep = inputFullDataSource.getWorldGenStepAtRelativePos(x, z);
-						if (dataColumn != null && worldGenStep != EDhApiWorldGenerationStep.EMPTY)
-						{
-							FullDataToRenderDataTransformer.updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
-									level, inputFullDataSource.mapping,
-									minBlockPos.x + x,
-									minBlockPos.z + z,
-									columnArrayView, dataColumn);
-							dataChanged |= columnHash != columnArrayView.getDataHash();
-							
-							this.fillDebugFlag(x, z, 1, 1, ColumnRenderSource.DebugSourceFlag.DIRECT);
-						}
-					}
-				}
-			}
-			catch (Exception e)
-			{
-				LOGGER.error(errorMessagePrefix + e.getMessage(), e);
-			}
-		}
-		
-		if (dataChanged)
-		{
-			this.localVersion.incrementAndGet();
-			this.markNotEmpty();
-		}
-		
-		return dataChanged;
-	}
-	
-	
-	
 	//=====================//
 	// data helper methods //
 	//=====================//
 	
 	public Long getPos() { return this.pos; }
-	@Override
 	public Long getKey() { return this.pos; }
-	@Override
 	public String getKeyDisplayString() { return DhSectionPos.toString(this.pos); }
 	
 	public byte getDataDetailLevel() { return (byte) (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.pos) - SECTION_SIZE_OFFSET); }

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

@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ public class ColumnRenderBufferBuilder
 			}// for z
 		}// for x
 		
-		quadBuilder.finalizeData();
+		quadBuilder.mergeQuads();
 	}
 	private static void addLodToBuffer(
 			IDhClientLevel clientLevel,

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

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.bufferBuilding;
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.nio.ByteOrder;
 import java.util.*;
+import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGrassSideRendering;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiBlockMaterial;
@@ -172,19 +173,6 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(minX, maxY, minZ, widthEastWest, widthNorthSouthOrUpDown, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.UP);
 		boolean isTransparent = (this.doTransparency && ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255);
 		ArrayList<BufferQuad> quadList = isTransparent ? this.transparentQuads[EDhDirection.UP.ordinal()] : this.opaqueQuads[EDhDirection.UP.ordinal()];
-		
-		
-		// attempt to merge this quad with adjacent ones
-		if (!quadList.isEmpty() &&
-				(
-					quadList.get(quadList.size() - 1).tryMerge(quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
-					|| quadList.get(quadList.size() - 1).tryMerge(quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum.NorthSouthOrUpDown))
-			)
-		{
-			this.premergeCount++;
-			return;
-		}
-		
 		quadList.add(quad);
 	}
 	
@@ -193,14 +181,6 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 		BufferQuad quad = new BufferQuad(x, y, z, width, wz, color, irisBlockMaterialId, skylight, blocklight, EDhDirection.DOWN);
 		ArrayList<BufferQuad> qs = (doTransparency && ColorUtil.getAlpha(color) < 255)
 				? transparentQuads[EDhDirection.DOWN.ordinal()] : opaqueQuads[EDhDirection.DOWN.ordinal()];
-		if (!qs.isEmpty()
-				&& (qs.get(qs.size() - 1).tryMerge(quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum.EastWest)
-						|| qs.get(qs.size() - 1).tryMerge(quad, BufferMergeDirectionEnum.NorthSouthOrUpDown))
-			)
-		{
-			premergeCount++;
-			return;
-		}
 		qs.add(quad);
 	}
 	
@@ -210,9 +190,6 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	// data finalizing //
 	//=================//
 	
-	/** runs any final data cleanup, merging, etc. */
-	public void finalizeData() { this.mergeQuads(); }
-	
 	/** Uses Greedy meshing to merge this builder's Quads. */
 	public void mergeQuads()
 	{
@@ -251,7 +228,9 @@ public class LodQuadBuilder
 	private static long mergeQuadsInternal(ArrayList<BufferQuad>[] list, int directionIndex, BufferMergeDirectionEnum mergeDirection)
 	{
 		if (list[directionIndex].size() <= 1)
+		{
 			return 0;
+		}
 		
 		list[directionIndex].sort((objOne, objTwo) -> objOne.compare(objTwo, mergeDirection));
 		

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

@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSour
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListCheckout;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
@@ -37,6 +36,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.BitShiftUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongOpenHashSet;
@@ -66,13 +66,13 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 	//==============================//
 	
 	@Nullable
-	public static ColumnRenderSource transformFullDataToRenderSource(@Nullable FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource, @Nullable IDhClientLevel level)
+	public static ColumnRenderSource transformFullDataToRenderSource(@Nullable FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource, @Nullable IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper)
 	{
 		if (fullDataSource == null)
 		{
 			return null;
 		}
-		else if (level == null)
+		else if (levelWrapper == null)
 		{
 			// if the client is no longer loaded in the world, render sources cannot be created 
 			return null;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		
 		try
 		{
-			return transformCompleteFullDataToColumnData(level, fullDataSource);
+			return transformCompleteFullDataToColumnData(levelWrapper, fullDataSource);
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException e)
 		{
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 	 * @throws InterruptedException Can be caused by interrupting the thread upstream.
 	 * Generally thrown if the method is running after the client leaves the current world.
 	 */
-	private static ColumnRenderSource transformCompleteFullDataToColumnData(IDhClientLevel level, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource) throws InterruptedException
+	private static ColumnRenderSource transformCompleteFullDataToColumnData(IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource) throws InterruptedException
 	{
  		final long pos = fullDataSource.getPos();
 		final byte dataDetail = fullDataSource.getDataDetailLevel();
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		
 		
 		
-		final ColumnRenderSource columnSource = ColumnRenderSource.createEmpty(pos, vertSize, level.getMinY());
+		final ColumnRenderSource columnSource = ColumnRenderSource.createEmpty(pos, vertSize, levelWrapper.getMinHeight());
 		if (fullDataSource.isEmpty)
 		{
 			return columnSource;
@@ -121,9 +121,9 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		int baseX = DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockX(pos);
 		int baseZ = DhSectionPos.getMinCornerBlockZ(pos);
 		
-		for (int x = 0; x < DhSectionPos.getWidthCountForLowerDetailedSection(pos, dataDetail); x++)
+		for (int x = 0; x < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; x++)
 		{
-			for (int z = 0; z < DhSectionPos.getWidthCountForLowerDetailedSection(pos, dataDetail); z++)
+			for (int z = 0; z < FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH; z++)
 			{
 				throwIfThreadInterrupted();
 				
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				LongArrayList dataColumn = fullDataSource.get(x, z);
 				
 				updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
-						level, fullDataSource.mapping, 
+						levelWrapper, fullDataSource, 
 						// bitshift is to account for LODs with a detail level greater than 0 so the block pos is correct
 						baseX + BitShiftUtil.pow(x,dataDetail), baseZ + BitShiftUtil.pow(z,dataDetail), 
 						columnArrayView, dataColumn);
@@ -145,13 +145,14 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 	
 	/** Updates the given {@link ColumnArrayView} to match the incoming Full data {@link LongArrayList} */
 	public static void updateOrReplaceRenderDataViewColumnWithFullDataColumn(
-			IDhClientLevel level, 
-			FullDataPointIdMap fullDataMapping, int blockX, int blockZ, 
+			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper,
+			FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource, int blockX, int blockZ, 
 			ColumnArrayView columnArrayView, 
 			LongArrayList fullDataColumn)
 	{
 		// we can't do anything if the full data is missing or empty
-		if (fullDataColumn == null || fullDataColumn.size() == 0)
+		if (fullDataColumn == null 
+			|| fullDataColumn.size() == 0)
 		{
 			return;
 		}
@@ -160,7 +161,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		if (fullDataLength <= columnArrayView.verticalSize())
 		{
 			// Directly use the arrayView since it fits.
-			setRenderColumnView(level, fullDataMapping, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
+			setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, columnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
 		}
 		else
 		{
@@ -171,7 +172,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			{
 				// expand the ColumnArrayView to fit the new larger max vertical size
 				ColumnArrayView newColumnArrayView = new ColumnArrayView(dataArrayList, fullDataLength, 0, fullDataLength);
-				setRenderColumnView(level, fullDataMapping, blockX, blockZ, newColumnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
+				setRenderColumnView(levelWrapper, fullDataSource, blockX, blockZ, newColumnArrayView, fullDataColumn);
 				columnArrayView.changeVerticalSizeFrom(newColumnArrayView);
 			}
 			finally
@@ -181,7 +182,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		}
 	}
 	private static void setRenderColumnView(
-			IDhClientLevel level, FullDataPointIdMap fullDataMapping,
+			IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper, FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource,
 			int blockX, int blockZ,
 			ColumnArrayView renderColumnData, LongArrayList fullColumnData)
 	{
@@ -192,18 +193,18 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		boolean ignoreNonCollidingBlocks = (Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.blocksToIgnore.get() == EDhApiBlocksToAvoid.NON_COLLIDING);
 		boolean colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.tintWithAvoidedBlocks.get();
 		
-		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(level.getLevelWrapper());
-		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(level.getLevelWrapper());
+		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> blockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredBlocks(levelWrapper);
+		HashSet<IBlockStateWrapper> caveBlockStatesToIgnore = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getRendererIgnoredCaveBlocks(levelWrapper);
 		
-		int caveCullingMaxY = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.caveCullingHeight.get() - level.getMinY();
+		int caveCullingMaxY = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.caveCullingHeight.get() - levelWrapper.getMinHeight();
 		boolean caveCullingEnabled = 
 			Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Culling.enableCaveCulling.get()
 			&& (
 				// dimensions with a ceiling will be all caves so we don't want cave culling
-				!level.getLevelWrapper().hasCeiling()
+				!levelWrapper.hasCeiling()
 				// the end has a lot of overhangs with 0 lighting above the void, which look broken with
 				// the current cave culling logic (this could probably be improved, but just skipping it works best for now)
-				&& !level.getLevelWrapper().getDimensionType().isTheEnd()
+				&& !levelWrapper.getDimensionType().isTheEnd()
 			);
 		
 		boolean isColumnVoid = true;
@@ -222,6 +223,8 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 		// convert full data to render data //
 		//==================================//
 		
+		FullDataPointIdMap fullDataMapping = fullDataSource.mapping;
+		
 		DhBlockPosMutable mutableBlockPos = new DhBlockPosMutable(blockX, 0, blockZ);
 		
 		// goes from the top down
@@ -236,7 +239,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			int blockLight = FullDataPointUtil.getBlockLight(fullData);
 			int skyLight = FullDataPointUtil.getSkyLight(fullData);
 			
-			mutableBlockPos.setY(bottomY + level.getMinY());
+			mutableBlockPos.setY(bottomY + levelWrapper.getMinHeight());
 			
 			IBiomeWrapper biome;
 			IBlockStateWrapper block;
@@ -250,7 +253,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 				if (!brokenPos.contains(fullDataMapping.getPos()))
 				{
 					brokenPos.add(fullDataMapping.getPos());
-					String levelId = level.getLevelWrapper().getDhIdentifier();
+					String levelId = levelWrapper.getDhIdentifier();
 					LOGGER.warn("Unable to get data point with id ["+id+"] " +
 							"(Max possible ID: ["+fullDataMapping.getMaxValidId()+"]) " +
 							"for pos ["+fullDataMapping.getPos()+"] in level ["+levelId+"]. " +
@@ -320,11 +323,14 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			//=======================//
 			
 			if (ignoreNonCollidingBlocks 
-				&& !block.isSolid() && !block.isLiquid() && block.getOpacity() != LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE)
+				&& !block.isSolid() 
+				&& !block.isLiquid() 
+				&& block.getOpacity() != LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE)
 			{
 				if (colorBelowWithAvoidedBlocks)
 				{
-					int tempColor = level.computeBaseColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, block);
+					int tempColor = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
+					
 					// don't transfer the color when alpha is 0
 					// this prevents issues if grass is transparent
 					if (ColorUtil.getAlpha(tempColor) != 0)
@@ -344,7 +350,7 @@ public class FullDataToRenderDataTransformer
 			if (colorToApplyToNextBlock == -1)
 			{
 				// use this block's color
-				color = level.computeBaseColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, block);
+				color = levelWrapper.getBlockColor(mutableBlockPos, biome, fullDataSource, block);
 			}
 			else
 			{

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

@@ -24,15 +24,15 @@ import java.util.List;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiWorldCompressionMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiWorldGenerationStep;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBiomeWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.block.IDhApiBlockStateWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiChunkProcessingEvent;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.DhApiChunk;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.DhApiTerrainDataPoint;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 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.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPosMutable;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.FullDataPointUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
@@ -43,6 +43,8 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IMutableBlockPosWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IWrapperFactory;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -50,7 +52,8 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 public class LodDataBuilder
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
-	private static final IBlockStateWrapper AIR = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class).getAirBlockStateWrapper();
+	private static final IWrapperFactory WRAPPER_FACTORY = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IWrapperFactory.class);
+	private static final IBlockStateWrapper AIR = WRAPPER_FACTORY.getAirBlockStateWrapper();
 	
 	private static boolean getTopErrorLogged = false;
 	
@@ -60,10 +63,13 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 	// converters //
 	//============//
 	
-	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromChunk(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper)
+	public static FullDataSourceV2 createFromChunk(ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper)
 	{
 		// only block lighting is needed here, sky lighting is populated at the data source stage
-		LodUtil.assertTrue(chunkWrapper.isDhBlockLightingCorrect());
+		LodUtil.assertTrue(chunkWrapper.isDhBlockLightingCorrect(), "Provided chunk's DH Block lighting hasn't been baked.");
+		
+		int chunkPosX = chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX();
+		int chunkPosZ = chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ();
 		
 		int sectionPosX = getXOrZSectionPosFromChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getX());
 		int sectionPosZ = getXOrZSectionPosFromChunkPos(chunkWrapper.getChunkPos().getZ());
@@ -119,6 +125,9 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 			IMutableBlockPosWrapper mcBlockPos = chunkWrapper.getMutableBlockPosWrapper();
 			IBlockStateWrapper previousBlockState = null;
 			
+			DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.EventParam mutableChunkProcessedEventParam 
+					= new DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.EventParam(levelWrapper, chunkPosX, chunkPosZ);
+			
 			int minBuildHeight = chunkWrapper.getMinNonEmptyHeight();
 			int exclusiveMaxBuildHeight = chunkWrapper.getExclusiveMaxBuildHeight();
 			int inclusiveMinBuildHeight = chunkWrapper.getInclusiveMinBuildHeight();
@@ -144,9 +153,9 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 					}
 					
 					int lastY = exclusiveMaxBuildHeight;
-					IBiomeWrapper biome = chunkWrapper.getBiome(relBlockX, lastY, relBlockZ);
-					IBlockStateWrapper blockState = AIR;
-					int mappedId = dataSource.mapping.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(biome, blockState);
+					IBiomeWrapper currentBiome = chunkWrapper.getBiome(relBlockX, lastY, relBlockZ);
+					IBlockStateWrapper currentBlockState = AIR;
+					int mappedId = dataSource.mapping.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(currentBiome, currentBlockState);
 					
 					// Determine lighting (we are at the height limit. There are no torches here, and sky is not obscured.) // TODO: Per face lighting someday?
 					byte blockLight = LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT;
@@ -162,7 +171,8 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 					
 					// Go up until we reach open air or the world limit
 					IBlockStateWrapper topBlockState = previousBlockState = chunkWrapper.getBlockState(relBlockX, y, relBlockZ, mcBlockPos, previousBlockState);
-					while (!topBlockState.isAir() && y < exclusiveMaxBuildHeight)
+					while (!topBlockState.isAir() 
+							&& y < exclusiveMaxBuildHeight)
 					{
 						try
 						{
@@ -185,6 +195,7 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 					}
 					
 					// Process blocks from top to bottom
+					boolean forceSingleBlock = false;
 					for (; y >= minBuildHeight; y--)
 					{
 						IBiomeWrapper newBiome = chunkWrapper.getBiome(relBlockX, y, relBlockZ);
@@ -193,13 +204,46 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 						byte newSkyLight = (byte) chunkWrapper.getDhSkyLight(relBlockX, y + 1, relBlockZ);
 						
 						// Save the biome/block change if different from previous
-						if (!newBiome.equals(biome) || !newBlockState.equals(blockState))
+						if (!newBiome.equals(currentBiome) 
+							|| !newBlockState.equals(currentBlockState) 
+							|| forceSingleBlock)
 						{
-							longs.add(FullDataPointUtil.encode(mappedId, lastY - y, y + 1 - inclusiveMinBuildHeight, blockLight, skyLight));
-							biome = newBiome;
-							blockState = newBlockState;
+							// if the previous block potentially colors this block
+							// make this block a single entry, aka add the next block even if it is the same
+							// this is done to allow fire, snow, flowers, etc. to properly color the top of columns vs the whole column
+							forceSingleBlock = 
+									!currentBlockState.isAir()
+									&& !currentBlockState.isSolid()
+									&& !currentBlockState.isLiquid()
+									&& currentBlockState.getOpacity() != LodUtil.BLOCK_FULLY_OPAQUE;
 							
-							mappedId = dataSource.mapping.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(biome, blockState);
+							
+							// check for API overrides
+							{
+								mutableChunkProcessedEventParam.updateForPosition(relBlockX, y, relBlockZ, newBlockState, newBiome);
+								ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiChunkProcessingEvent.class, mutableChunkProcessedEventParam);
+								
+								// did the API user override this block?
+								if (mutableChunkProcessedEventParam.getBlockOverride() != null)
+								{
+									// API users shouldn't be creating their own IBlockStateWrapper objects
+									newBlockState = (IBlockStateWrapper)mutableChunkProcessedEventParam.getBlockOverride();
+								}
+								
+								// did the API user override this biome?
+								if (mutableChunkProcessedEventParam.getBiomeOverride() != null)
+								{
+									// API users shouldn't be creating their own IBlockStateWrapper objects
+									newBiome = (IBiomeWrapper) mutableChunkProcessedEventParam.getBiomeOverride();
+								}
+							}
+							
+							
+							longs.add(FullDataPointUtil.encode(mappedId, lastY - y, y + 1 - inclusiveMinBuildHeight, blockLight, skyLight));
+							currentBiome = newBiome;
+							currentBlockState = newBlockState;
+							
+							mappedId = dataSource.mapping.addIfNotPresentAndGetId(currentBiome, currentBlockState);
 							blockLight = newBlockLight;
 							skyLight = newSkyLight;
 							lastY = y;
@@ -275,6 +319,12 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 						continue;
 					}
 					
+					// the lowest/bedrock segment should not be culled
+					if (centerIndex + 1 == centerColumn.size())
+					{
+						continue;
+					}
+					
 					posXIndex = checkOcclusion(dataSource, currentPoint, posXColumn, posXIndex);
 					if (posXIndex < 0)
 					{
@@ -528,11 +578,11 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 	
 	
 	
-	//================//
-	// helper methods //
-	//================//
+	//==================//
+	// internal helpers //
+	//==================//
 	
-	public static int getXOrZSectionPosFromChunkPos(int chunkXOrZPos)
+	private static int getXOrZSectionPosFromChunkPos(int chunkXOrZPos)
 	{
 		// get the section position
 		int sectionPos = chunkXOrZPos;
@@ -541,4 +591,6 @@ public class LodDataBuilder
 		return sectionPos;
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/IDataSource.java

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.IBaseDTO;
  */
 public interface IDataSource<TDhLevel extends IDhLevel> extends IBaseDTO<Long>, AutoCloseable
 {
-	Long getPos();
+	long getPos();
 	
 	/** @return true if the data was changed */
 	boolean update(FullDataSourceV2 chunkData, TDhLevel level);

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

@@ -1,9 +1,5 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile;
 
-import com.google.common.cache.Cache;
-import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
-import com.google.common.cache.RemovalCause;
-import com.google.common.cache.RemovalNotification;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
@@ -14,6 +10,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.lang.ref.WeakReference;
 import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Enumeration;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
@@ -38,7 +35,7 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	
 	
-	private final Cache<Long, FullDataSourceV2> dataSourceByPosition;
+	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceSavedTimePair> dataSourceByPosition = new ConcurrentHashMap<Long, DataSourceSavedTimePair>();
 	
 	/* don't let two threads load the same position at the same time */
 	protected final KeyedLockContainer<Long> saveLockContainer = new KeyedLockContainer<>();
@@ -60,16 +57,15 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 	public DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache(@NotNull ISaveDataSourceFunc onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc, int saveDelayInMs)
 	{
 		this.onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc = onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc;
+		
+		// we can't clean items faster than the cleanup timer fires
+		if (saveDelayInMs < CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS)
+		{
+			LOGGER.warn("The save delay ["+saveDelayInMs+"] shouldn't be less than the cleanup check timer interval ["+CLEANUP_CHECK_TIME_IN_MS+"].");
+		}
 		this.saveDelayInMs = saveDelayInMs;
 		
 		
-		this.dataSourceByPosition =
-			CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
-				.expireAfterAccess(this.saveDelayInMs, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS)
-				.expireAfterWrite(this.saveDelayInMs, TimeUnit.MILLISECONDS)
-				.removalListener(this::handleDataSourceRemoval)
-				.<Long, FullDataSourceV2>build();
-		
 		SAVE_CACHE_SET.add(new WeakReference<>(this));
 	}
 	
@@ -83,61 +79,61 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 	 * Writing into memory is done synchronously so inputDataSource can 
 	 * be closed after this method finishes.
 	 */
-	public void writeDataSourceToMemoryAndQueueSave(FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource)
+	public void writeDataSourceToMemoryAndQueueSave(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource)
 	{
 		long inputPos = inputDataSource.getPos();
 		
-		ReentrantLock lock = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(inputPos);
+		ReentrantLock lockForPos = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(inputPos);
 		try
 		{
-			lock.lock();
+			lockForPos.lock();
 			
-			FullDataSourceV2 memoryDataSource = this.dataSourceByPosition.getIfPresent(inputPos);
-			if (memoryDataSource == null)
+			FullDataSourceV2 memoryDataSource;
+			
+			DataSourceSavedTimePair pair = this.dataSourceByPosition.getOrDefault(inputPos, null);
+			if (pair == null)
 			{
+				// no data currently in the memory cache for this position
 				memoryDataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createEmpty(inputPos);
-			}
-			memoryDataSource.update(inputDataSource);
-			this.dataSourceByPosition.put(inputPos, memoryDataSource);
-		}
-		finally
-		{
-			lock.unlock();
-		}
-	}
-	
-	public void handleDataSourceRemoval(RemovalNotification<Long, FullDataSourceV2> removalNotification)
-	{
-		RemovalCause cause = removalNotification.getCause();
-		if (cause == RemovalCause.EXPIRED
-			|| cause == RemovalCause.COLLECTED
-			|| cause == RemovalCause.EXPLICIT
-			|| cause == RemovalCause.SIZE)
-		{
-			// close the data source after it has expired from the cache
-			FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = removalNotification.getValue();
-			if (dataSource != null)
-			{
-				this.onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc.saveAsync(dataSource)
-					.handle((voidObj, throwable) ->
-					{
-						try
-						{
-							dataSource.close();
-						}
-						catch (Exception e)
-						{
-							LOGGER.error("Unable to close datasource ["+ DhSectionPos.toString(dataSource.getPos()) +"], removal cause: ["+cause+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
-						}
-						
-						return null;
-					});
+				pair = new DataSourceSavedTimePair(memoryDataSource);
+				this.dataSourceByPosition.put(inputPos, pair);
 			}
 			else
 			{
-				LOGGER.error("Unable to close null cached data source.");
+				memoryDataSource = pair.dataSource;
 			}
+			
+			// write the new data into memory
+			memoryDataSource.update(inputDataSource);
+			// keep track of when the last time we saved something was
+			pair.updateLastWrittenTimestamp();
 		}
+		finally
+		{
+			lockForPos.unlock();
+		}
+	}
+	
+	/** when this method is called the datasource should no longer be in the memory cache */
+	public void handleDataSourceRemoval(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 removedDataSource)
+	{
+		this.onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc.saveAsync(removedDataSource)
+			.handle((voidObj, throwable) ->
+			{
+				try
+				{
+					// if this close method is fired multiple times
+					// monoliths can appear due to concurrent writing to the
+					// backend arrays
+					removedDataSource.close();
+				}
+				catch (Exception e)
+				{
+					LOGGER.error("Unable to close datasource ["+ DhSectionPos.toString(removedDataSource.getPos()) +"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				}
+				
+				return null;
+			});
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -146,26 +142,36 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 	// List methods //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public int getUnsavedCount() { return (int)this.dataSourceByPosition.size(); }
+	public int getUnsavedCount() { return this.dataSourceByPosition.size(); }
 	
+	public void flush() { this.cleanUp(true); }
 	/** Removes everything from the memory cache and fires the {@link DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache#onSaveTimeoutAsyncFunc} for each. */
-	public void flush()
+	public void cleanUp(boolean flushAll)
 	{
-		Set<Long> keySet = this.dataSourceByPosition.asMap().keySet();
-		for (Long pos : keySet)
+		Enumeration<Long> keyIterator = this.dataSourceByPosition.keys();
+		while (keyIterator.hasMoreElements())
 		{
-			ReentrantLock lock = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(pos);
+			Long pos = keyIterator.nextElement();
+			ReentrantLock posLock = this.saveLockContainer.getLockForPos(pos);
 			try
 			{
-				lock.lock();
+				posLock.lock();
 				
-				this.dataSourceByPosition.invalidate(pos);
+				DataSourceSavedTimePair savedPair = this.dataSourceByPosition.getOrDefault(pos, null);
+				if (savedPair != null)
+				{
+					if (flushAll
+						|| savedPair.dataSourceHasTimedOut(this.saveDelayInMs))
+					{
+						this.dataSourceByPosition.remove(pos);
+						this.handleDataSourceRemoval(savedPair.dataSource);
+					}
+				}
 			}
 			finally
 			{
-				lock.unlock();
+				posLock.unlock();
 			}
-			
 		}
 	}
 	
@@ -197,7 +203,7 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 					}
 					else
 					{
-						cache.dataSourceByPosition.cleanUp();
+						cache.cleanUp(false);
 					}
 				});
 			}
@@ -240,4 +246,36 @@ public class DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache implements AutoCloseable
 		CompletableFuture<Void> saveAsync(FullDataSourceV2 inputDataSource);
 	}
 	
+	/** 
+	 * used to keep track of when data sources
+	 * were written to so we can flush them once
+	 * enough time has passed.
+	 */
+	private static class DataSourceSavedTimePair
+	{
+		@NotNull
+		public final FullDataSourceV2 dataSource;
+		/** the last unix millisecond time this data source was written to */
+		public long lastWrittenDateTimeMs;
+		
+		
+		public DataSourceSavedTimePair(@NotNull FullDataSourceV2 dataSource)
+		{
+			this.dataSource = dataSource;
+			this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis();
+		}
+		
+		
+		public void updateLastWrittenTimestamp()
+		{ this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs = System.currentTimeMillis(); }
+		
+		public boolean dataSourceHasTimedOut(long msTillTimeout)
+		{
+			long currentTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
+			long timeSinceUpdate = currentTime - this.lastWrittenDateTimeMs;
+			return (timeSinceUpdate > msTillTimeout);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/file/fullDatafile/FullDataSourceProviderV1.java

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV1DTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.AbstractDhRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.FullDataSourceV1Repo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.DataCorruptedException;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.dataStreams.DhDataInputStream;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
@@ -21,7 +22,6 @@ import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.concurrent.AbstractExecutorService;
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.RejectedExecutionException;
-import java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
 
 public class FullDataSourceProviderV1<TDhLevel extends IDhLevel>
@@ -79,7 +79,10 @@ public class FullDataSourceProviderV1<TDhLevel extends IDhLevel>
 	protected FullDataSourceV1 createDataSourceFromDto(FullDataSourceV1DTO dto) throws InterruptedException, IOException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		FullDataSourceV1 dataSource = FullDataSourceV1.createEmpty(dto.pos);
-		dataSource.populateFromStream(dto, dto.getInputStream(), this.level);
+		try (DhDataInputStream inputStream = dto.getInputStream())
+		{
+			dataSource.populateFromStream(dto, inputStream, this.level);
+		}
 		return dataSource;
 	}
 	

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

@@ -210,8 +210,18 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 		}
 		
 		
-		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor fileExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
-		if (fileExecutor == null || fileExecutor.getQueueSize() >= getMaxUpdateTaskCount() / 2)
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderLoadExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
+		if (renderLoadExecutor == null 
+			|| renderLoadExecutor.getQueueSize() >= getMaxUpdateTaskCount() / 2)
+		{
+			// don't queue additional world gen requests if the render loader handler is overwhelmed,
+			// otherwise LODs may not load in properly
+			return false;
+		}
+		
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor fileHandlerExecutor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+		if (fileHandlerExecutor == null 
+			|| fileHandlerExecutor.getQueueSize() >= getMaxUpdateTaskCount() / 2)
 		{
 			// don't queue additional world gen requests if the file handler is overwhelmed,
 			// otherwise LODs may not load in properly
@@ -244,6 +254,7 @@ public class GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider extends FullDataSourceProviderV2 im
 			return false;
 		}
 		
+		
 		int availableTaskSlots = maxWorldGenQueueCount - worldGenQueue.getWaitingTaskCount();
 		if (availableTaskSlots <= 0)
 		{

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

@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.DhApiChunk;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.data.IDhApiFullDataSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.AbstractDataSourceHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.IWorldGenTaskTracker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.InProgressWorldGenTaskGroup;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenResult;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenTask;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.tasks.WorldGenTaskGroup;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.IDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	
 	
 	private final IDhApiWorldGenerator generator;
+	private final IDhServerLevel level;
 	
 	/** contains the positions that need to be generated */
 	private final ConcurrentHashMap<Long, WorldGenTask> waitingTasks = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
@@ -113,10 +114,11 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public WorldGenerationQueue(IDhApiWorldGenerator generator)
+	public WorldGenerationQueue(IDhApiWorldGenerator generator, IDhServerLevel level)
 	{
 		LOGGER.info("Creating world gen queue");
 		this.generator = generator;
+		this.level = level;
 		this.lowestDataDetail = generator.getLargestDataDetailLevel();
 		this.highestDataDetail = generator.getSmallestDataDetailLevel();
 		
@@ -185,45 +187,40 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		// update the target pos
 		this.generationTargetPos = targetPos;
 		
-		// ensure the queuing thread is running
-		if (!this.generationQueueRunning)
-		{
-			this.startWorldGenQueuingThread();
-		}
+		// needs to be called at least once to start the queue
+		this.tryQueueNewWorldGenRequestsAsync();
 	}
-	private void startWorldGenQueuingThread()
+	private synchronized void tryQueueNewWorldGenRequestsAsync()
 	{
+		if (!DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded()
+			|| DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		if (this.generationQueueRunning)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
 		this.generationQueueRunning = true;
 		
+		
+		
 		// queue world generation tasks on its own thread since this process is very slow and would lag the server thread
 		this.queueingThread.execute(() ->
 		{
 			try
 			{
-				// loop until the generator is shutdown
-				while (!Thread.interrupted() && DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.worldLoaded() && !DhApiWorldProxy.INSTANCE.getReadOnly())
+				this.generator.preGeneratorTaskStart();
+			
+				// queue generation tasks until the generator is full, or there are no more tasks to generate
+				boolean taskStarted = true;
+				while (!this.isGeneratorBusy()
+						&& taskStarted)
 				{
-					this.generator.preGeneratorTaskStart();
-					
-					// queue generation tasks until the generator is full, or there are no more tasks to generate
-					boolean taskStarted = true;
-					while (!this.isGeneratorBusy() && taskStarted)
-					{
-						taskStarted = this.startNextWorldGenTask(this.generationTargetPos);
-						if (!taskStarted)
-						{
-							int debugPointOne = 0;
-						}
-					}
-					
-					// if there aren't any new tasks, wait a second before checking again // TODO replace with a listener instead
-					Thread.sleep(1000);
+					taskStarted = this.startNextWorldGenTask(this.generationTargetPos);
 				}
 			}
-			catch (InterruptedException e)
-			{
-				/* do nothing, this means the thread is being shut down */
-			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
 				LOGGER.error("queueing exception: " + e.getMessage(), e);
@@ -234,7 +231,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 			}
 		});
 	}
-	public boolean isGeneratorBusy()
+	private boolean isGeneratorBusy()
 	{
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
 		if (executor == null)
@@ -247,7 +244,6 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 		int maxWorldGenTaskCount = worldGenThreadCount * MAX_QUEUED_TASKS_PER_THREAD;
 		return executor.getQueueSize() > maxWorldGenTaskCount;
 	}
-	
 	/**
 	 * @param targetPos the position to center the generation around
 	 * @return false if no tasks were found to generate
@@ -380,6 +376,10 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 			{
 				LOGGER.error("Unexpected error completing world gen task at pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(taskPos)+"].", e);
 			}
+			finally
+			{
+				this.tryQueueNewWorldGenRequestsAsync();
+			}
 		});
 		
 		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.put(taskPos, newTaskGroup);
@@ -410,8 +410,15 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 					{
 						try
 						{
-							IChunkWrapper chunk = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createChunkWrapper(generatedObjectArray);
-							try (FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(chunk))
+							IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper = WRAPPER_FACTORY.createChunkWrapper(generatedObjectArray);
+							
+							// TODO light data should be pulled (if possible) from the ChunkAccess object itself via ChunkFileReader.readLight
+							// but this should work for now
+							ArrayList<IChunkWrapper> nearbyChunkList = new ArrayList<IChunkWrapper>();
+							nearbyChunkList.add(chunkWrapper);
+							DhLightingEngine.INSTANCE.bakeChunkBlockLighting(chunkWrapper, nearbyChunkList, this.level.hasSkyLight() ? LodUtil.MAX_MC_LIGHT : LodUtil.MIN_MC_LIGHT);
+							
+							try (FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = LodDataBuilder.createFromChunk(this.level.getLevelWrapper(), chunkWrapper))
 							{
 								LodUtil.assertTrue(dataSource != null);
 								dataSourceConsumer.accept(dataSource);
@@ -465,6 +472,7 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 				pooledDataSource.setRunApiChunkValidation(this.generator.runApiValidation());
 				
 				// only apply to children if we aren't at the bottom of the tree
+				
 				pooledDataSource.applyToChildren = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) > DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL;
 				pooledDataSource.applyToParent = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(pooledDataSource.getPos()) < DhSectionPos.SECTION_BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL + 12;
 				
@@ -655,8 +663,25 @@ public class WorldGenerationQueue implements IFullDataSourceRetrievalQueue, IDeb
 	@Override
 	public void debugRender(DebugRenderer renderer)
 	{
-		this.waitingTasks.keySet().forEach((pos) -> { renderer.renderBox(new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, -32f, 64f, 0.05f, Color.blue)); });
-		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.forEach((pos, t) -> { renderer.renderBox(new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, -32f, 64f, 0.05f, Color.red)); });
+		// show the wireframe a bit lower than world max height,
+		// since most worlds don't render all the way up to the max height
+		int levelHeightRange = (this.level.getMaxY() - this.level.getMinY());
+		int maxY = this.level.getMaxY() - (levelHeightRange / 2);
+		
+		
+		// blue - queued
+		this.waitingTasks.keySet().forEach((pos) -> 
+		{ 
+			renderer.renderBox(
+					new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, this.level.getMinY(), maxY, 0.05f, Color.blue)); 
+		});
+		
+		// red - in progress
+		this.inProgressGenTasksByLodPos.forEach((pos, t) -> 
+		{ 
+			renderer.renderBox(
+					new DebugRenderer.Box(pos, this.level.getMinY(), maxY, 0.05f, Color.red)); 
+		});
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public enum EPlatform
 		{ // For MacOS it should either output "Mac OS X" or "Darwin" depending on the version of MacOS
 			current = MACOS;
 		}
-		else if (osName.startsWith("bsd"))
+		else if (osName.startsWith("bsd") || osName.startsWith("freebsd"))
 		{ // Depending on the BSD distro this will be different
 			current = BSD;
 		}

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

@@ -19,7 +19,14 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.rendering.EDhApiBlockMaterial;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.abstractEvents.DhApiChunkModifiedEvent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.methods.events.sharedParameterObjects.DhApiRenderParam;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.math.DhApiVec3d;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBox;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.DelayedFullDataSourceSaveCache;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.generation.DhLightingEngine;
@@ -29,18 +36,24 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.CloudRenderHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericObjectRenderer;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericRenderObjectFactory;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.ChunkHashDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.AbstractDhRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.ChunkHashRepo;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.ColorUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.KeyedLockContainer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.DependencyInjection.ApiEventInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.MathUtil;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
+import java.awt.*;
 import java.io.File;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
@@ -73,13 +86,15 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 	@Nullable
 	protected CloudRenderHandler cloudRenderHandler;
 	
+	private IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup unexploredFogRenderableBoxGroup;
+	
 	
 	
 	//=============//
 	// constructor //
 	//=============//
 	
-	protected AbstractDhLevel() {  }
+	protected AbstractDhLevel() { }
 	
 	/** 
 	 * Creating the repos requires access to the level file, which isn't
@@ -141,7 +156,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 	@Override
 	public void updateChunkAsync(IChunkWrapper chunkWrapper, int chunkHash)
 	{
-		try (FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createFromChunk(chunkWrapper))
+		try (FullDataSourceV2 dataSource = FullDataSourceV2.createFromChunk(this.getLevelWrapper(), chunkWrapper))
 		{
 			if (dataSource == null)
 			{
@@ -377,6 +392,15 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhLevel implements IDhLevel
 			this.beaconBeamRepo.close();
 		}
 		
+		
+		GenericObjectRenderer genericRenderer = this.getGenericRenderer();
+		if (genericRenderer != null 
+			&& this.unexploredFogRenderableBoxGroup != null)
+		{
+			genericRenderer.remove(this.unexploredFogRenderableBoxGroup.getId());
+		}
+		
+		
 		this.delayedFullDataSourceSaveCache.close();
 	}
 	

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

@@ -261,29 +261,27 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 				}
 				
 				LodUtil.assertTrue(this.beaconBeamRepo != null, "beaconBeamRepo should not be null");
-				try (FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(data, this.beaconBeamRepo.getAllBeamsForPos(data.getPos())))
+				FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(data, this.beaconBeamRepo.getAllBeamsForPos(data.getPos()));
+				for (ServerPlayerState serverPlayerState : this.serverPlayerStateManager.getReadyPlayers())
 				{
-					for (ServerPlayerState serverPlayerState : this.serverPlayerStateManager.getReadyPlayers())
+					if (serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getLevel() != this.serverLevelWrapper)
 					{
-						if (serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getLevel() != this.serverLevelWrapper)
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					if (!serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.isRealTimeUpdatesEnabled())
+					{
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					Vec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
+					int distanceFromPlayer = DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(data.getPos(), new DhBlockPos2D((int) playerPosition.x, (int) playerPosition.z)) / 16;
+					if (distanceFromPlayer <= serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.getMaxUpdateDistanceRadius())
+					{
+						serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () ->
 						{
-							continue;
-						}
-						
-						if (!serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.isRealTimeUpdatesEnabled())
-						{
-							continue;
-						}
-						
-						Vec3d playerPosition = serverPlayerState.getServerPlayer().getPosition();
-						int distanceFromPlayer = DhSectionPos.getChebyshevSignedBlockDistance(data.getPos(), new DhBlockPos2D((int) playerPosition.x, (int) playerPosition.z)) / 16;
-						if (distanceFromPlayer <= serverPlayerState.sessionConfig.getMaxUpdateDistanceRadius())
-						{
-							serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () ->
-							{
-								serverPlayerState.networkSession.sendMessage(new FullDataPartialUpdateMessage(this.serverLevelWrapper, payload));
-							});
-						}
+							serverPlayerState.networkSession.sendMessage(new FullDataPartialUpdateMessage(this.serverLevelWrapper, payload));
+						});
 					}
 				}
 			});
@@ -330,6 +328,8 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements I
 	
 	@Override
 	public int getMinY() { return this.getLevelWrapper().getMinHeight(); }
+	@Override
+	public int getMaxY() { return this.getLevelWrapper().getMaxHeight(); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public IServerLevelWrapper getServerLevelWrapper() { return this.serverLevelWrapper; }

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

@@ -36,17 +36,14 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.client.SyncOnLoadRequestQueue
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.event.ScopedNetworkEventSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataPartialUpdateMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.RenderBufferHandler;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericObjectRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.blockPos.DhBlockPos2D;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.DebugRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.block.IBlockStateWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IProfilerWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IBiomeWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
@@ -164,7 +161,7 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 			}
 			
 			
-			try(FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSourceAndReleaseBuffer(message.payload))
+			try (FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(message.payload))
 			{
 				boolean isSameLevel = message.isSameLevelAs(this.levelWrapper);
 				NETWORK_LOGGER.debug("Buffer {} isSameLevel: {}", message.payload.dtoBufferId, isSameLevel);
@@ -297,9 +294,6 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	// getters //
 	//=========//
 	
-	@Override
-	public int computeBaseColor(DhBlockPos pos, IBiomeWrapper biome, IBlockStateWrapper block) { return this.levelWrapper.getBlockColor(pos, biome, block); }
-	
 	@Override
 	public IClientLevelWrapper getClientLevelWrapper() { return this.levelWrapper; }
 	
@@ -314,6 +308,8 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 	
 	@Override
 	public int getMinY() { return this.levelWrapper.getMinHeight(); }
+	@Override
+	public int getMaxY() { return this.levelWrapper.getMaxHeight(); }
 	
 	@Override
 	public FullDataSourceProviderV2 getFullDataProvider() { return this.dataFileHandler; }
@@ -340,17 +336,7 @@ public class DhClientLevel extends AbstractDhLevel implements IDhClientLevel
 			return true;
 		}
 		
-		if (!this.networkState.sessionConfig.isLocalChunkUseAllowed())
-		{
-			return false;
-		}
-		
-		if (this.networkState.sessionConfig.isRealTimeUpdatesEnabled())
-		{
-			return this.loadedOnceChunks.add(chunkPos);
-		}
-		
-		return true;
+		return !this.networkState.sessionConfig.isRealTimeUpdatesEnabled() || this.loadedOnceChunks.add(chunkPos);
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -94,20 +94,6 @@ public class DhClientServerLevel extends AbstractDhServerLevel implements IDhCli
 	// level handling //
 	//================//
 	
-	@Override //FIXME this can fail if the clientLevel isn't available yet, maybe in that case we could return -1 and handle it upstream?
-	public int computeBaseColor(DhBlockPos pos, IBiomeWrapper biome, IBlockStateWrapper block)
-	{
-		IClientLevelWrapper clientLevel = this.getClientLevelWrapper();
-		if (clientLevel == null)
-		{
-			return 0;
-		}
-		else
-		{
-			return clientLevel.getBlockColor(pos, biome, block);
-		}
-	}
-	
 	@Nullable
 	@Override
 	public IClientLevelWrapper getClientLevelWrapper() { return MC_CLIENT.getWrappedClientLevel(); }

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

@@ -34,8 +34,6 @@ public interface IDhClientLevel extends IDhLevel
 	void render(DhApiRenderParam renderEventParam, IProfilerWrapper profiler);
 	void renderDeferred(DhApiRenderParam renderEventParam, IProfilerWrapper profiler);
 	
-	int computeBaseColor(DhBlockPos pos, IBiomeWrapper biome, IBlockStateWrapper block);
-	
 	@Nullable
 	IClientLevelWrapper getClientLevelWrapper();
 	

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

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.interfaces.render.IDhApiRenderableBoxGroup;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.objects.render.DhApiRenderableBox;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.FullDataSourceProviderV2;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.file.fullDatafile.GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider;
@@ -29,6 +31,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.generic.GenericObjectRend
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo.BeaconBeamRepo;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.chunk.IChunkWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.ILevelWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
@@ -41,6 +44,7 @@ public interface IDhLevel extends AutoCloseable, GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider
 	void worldGenTick();
 	
 	int getMinY();
+	int getMaxY();
 	
 	/**
 	 * May return either a client or server level wrapper. <br>
@@ -60,6 +64,7 @@ public interface IDhLevel extends AutoCloseable, GeneratedFullDataSourceProvider
 	void updateBeaconBeamsForChunkPos(DhChunkPos chunkPos, List<BeaconBeamDTO> activeBeamList);
 	void updateBeaconBeamsForSectionPos(long sectionPos, List<BeaconBeamDTO> activeBeamList);
 	
+	/** @return null on server-only levels */
 	@Nullable
 	BeaconBeamRepo getBeaconBeamRepo();
 	

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

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public class ServerLevelModule implements AutoCloseable
 				// since core world generator's should have the lowest override priority
 				WorldGeneratorInjector.INSTANCE.bind(level.getLevelWrapper(), worldGenerator);
 			}
-			this.worldGenerationQueue = new WorldGenerationQueue(worldGenerator);
+			this.worldGenerationQueue = new WorldGenerationQueue(worldGenerator, level);
 		}
 		
 	}

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

@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ public class WorldGenModule implements Closeable
 			remainingChunkCount += this.worldGenerationQueue.getQueuedChunkCount();
 			String remainingChunkCountStr = F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(remainingChunkCount);
 			
-			String message = "DH is loading chunks. " + remainingChunkCountStr + " left.";
+			String message = "DH is generating chunks. " + remainingChunkCountStr + " left.";
 			
 			// show a message about how to disable progress logging if requested
 			int msToShowDisableInstructions = Config.Common.WorldGenerator.generationProgressDisableMessageDisplayTimeInSeconds.get() * 1_000;
@@ -312,7 +312,12 @@ public class WorldGenModule implements Closeable
 			if (chunksPerSec > 0)
 			{
 				long estimatedRemainingTime = (long) (remainingChunkCount / chunksPerSec);
-				message += " ETA: " + FormatUtil.formatEta(Duration.ofSeconds(estimatedRemainingTime));//+ " at " + F3Screen.NUMBER_FORMAT.format(chunksPerSec) + " chunks/sec";
+				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

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

@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@ public class ConfigBasedLogger
 		loggers.add(new WeakReference<>(this));
 	}
 	
+	private static boolean isLessSpecificThan(Level _this, Level other)
+	{
+		return _this.intLevel() >= other.intLevel();
+	}
+	
 	private String _throwableToDetailString(Throwable t)
 	{
 		StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
@@ -95,16 +100,16 @@ public class ConfigBasedLogger
 				: this.logger.getMessageFactory().newMessage("{}", str);
 		
 		String msgStr = msg.getFormattedMessage();
-		if (mode.levelForFile.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForFile, level))
 		{
-			Level logLevel = level.isLessSpecificThan(Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
+			Level logLevel = isLessSpecificThan(level, Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr, (Throwable) param[param.length - 1]);
 			else
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr);
 		}
 		
-		if (MC != null && mode.levelForChat.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (MC != null && isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForChat, level))
 		{
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				MC.logToChat(level, msgStr + "\n" +

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

@@ -67,6 +67,11 @@ public class ConfigBasedSpamLogger
 		loggers.add(new WeakReference<>(this));
 	}
 	
+	private static boolean isLessSpecificThan(Level _this, Level other)
+	{
+		return _this.intLevel() >= other.intLevel();
+	}
+	
 	public void reset()
 	{
 		logTries.set(0);
@@ -105,15 +110,15 @@ public class ConfigBasedSpamLogger
 		
 		Message msg = logger.getMessageFactory().newMessage(str, param);
 		String msgStr = msg.getFormattedMessage();
-		if (mode.levelForFile.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForFile, level))
 		{
-			Level logLevel = level.isLessSpecificThan(Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
+			Level logLevel = isLessSpecificThan(level, Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr, (Throwable) param[param.length - 1]);
 			else
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr);
 		}
-		if (mode.levelForChat.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForChat, level))
 		{
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				MC.logToChat(level, msgStr + "\n" +
@@ -160,15 +165,15 @@ public class ConfigBasedSpamLogger
 		
 		Message msg = logger.getMessageFactory().newMessage(str, param);
 		String msgStr = msg.getFormattedMessage();
-		if (mode.levelForFile.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForFile, level))
 		{
-			Level logLevel = level.isLessSpecificThan(Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
+			Level logLevel = isLessSpecificThan(level, Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level;
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr, (Throwable) param[param.length - 1]);
 			else
 				logger.log(logLevel, msgStr);
 		}
-		if (mode.levelForChat.isLessSpecificThan(level))
+		if (isLessSpecificThan(mode.levelForChat, level))
 		{
 			if (param.length > 0 && param[param.length - 1] instanceof Throwable)
 				MC.logToChat(level, msgStr + "\n" +

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

@@ -56,6 +56,11 @@ public class SpamReducedLogger
 		loggers.add(new WeakReference<SpamReducedLogger>(this));
 	}
 	
+	private static boolean isLessSpecificThan(Level _this, Level other)
+	{
+		return _this.intLevel() >= other.intLevel();
+	}
+	
 	public void reset()
 	{
 		logTries.set(0);
@@ -70,7 +75,7 @@ public class SpamReducedLogger
 	{
 		if (logTries.get() >= maxLogCount)
 			return;
-		LOGGER.log(level.isLessSpecificThan(Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level, str, param);
+		LOGGER.log(isLessSpecificThan(level, Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level, str, param);
 	}
 	
 	public void error(String str, Object... param)
@@ -107,7 +112,7 @@ public class SpamReducedLogger
 	{
 		if (logTries.getAndIncrement() >= maxLogCount)
 			return;
-		LOGGER.log(level.isLessSpecificThan(Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level, str, param);
+		LOGGER.log(isLessSpecificThan(level, Level.INFO) ? Level.INFO : level, str, param);
 	}
 	
 	public void errorInc(String str, Object... param)

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

@@ -82,6 +82,7 @@ public class F3Screen
 		// multi thread pools
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor worldGenPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getWorldGenExecutor();
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor fileHandlerPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderLoadingPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor updatePool = ThreadPoolUtil.getUpdatePropagatorExecutor();
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor lodBuilderPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getChunkToLodBuilderExecutor();
 		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor networkPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getNetworkCompressionExecutor();
@@ -92,6 +93,11 @@ public class F3Screen
 		ThreadPoolExecutor migrationPool = ThreadPoolUtil.getFullDataMigrationExecutor();
 		
 		AbstractDhWorld world = SharedApi.getAbstractDhWorld();
+		if (world == null)
+		{
+			return;
+		}
+		
 		Iterable<? extends IDhLevel> levelIterator = world.getAllLoadedLevels();
 		
 		
@@ -124,6 +130,7 @@ public class F3Screen
 		{
 			// multi thread pools
 			messageList.add(getThreadPoolStatString("World Gen/Import", worldGenPool));
+			messageList.add(getThreadPoolStatString("Render Load", renderLoadingPool));
 			messageList.add(getThreadPoolStatString("File Handler", fileHandlerPool));
 			messageList.add(getThreadPoolStatString("Update Propagator", updatePool));
 			messageList.add(getThreadPoolStatString("LOD Builder", lodBuilderPool));

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

@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractFullDataNetworkRequestQueue implements IDebugRende
 				
 				if (response.payload != null)
 				{
-					FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSourceAndReleaseBuffer(response.payload);
+					FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = this.networkState.fullDataPayloadReceiver.decodeDataSource(response.payload);
 					
 					// set application flags based on the received detail level,
 					// this is needed so the data sources propagate correctly

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

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ public class ClientNetworkState implements Closeable
 		
 		if (Config.Server.enableAdaptiveTransferSpeed.get())
 		{
-			sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Server.maxDataTransferSpeed, this.congestionControl.getDesiredRate());
+			sessionConfig.constrainValue(Config.Server.playerBandwidthLimit, this.congestionControl.getDesiredRate());
 		}
 		
 		if (blocking)

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

@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 		
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Common.WorldGenerator.enableDistantGeneration, Boolean::logicalAnd);
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.maxGenerationRequestDistance, Math::min);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsX, (clientValue, serverValue) -> serverValue);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsZ, (clientValue, serverValue) -> serverValue);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius, (clientValue, serverValue) -> serverValue);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsX, (x, y) -> y);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsZ, (x, y) -> y);
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationBoundsRadius, (x, y) -> y);
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.generationRequestRateLimit, Math::min);
 		
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.enableRealTimeUpdates, Boolean::logicalAnd);
@@ -45,16 +45,15 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.maxSyncOnLoadRequestDistance, Math::min);
 		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.syncOnLoadRateLimit, Math::min);
 		
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.allowLocalChunkUse, (clientValue, serverValue) -> serverValue);
-		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.maxDataTransferSpeed, (clientValue, serverValue) -> {
-			if (clientValue == 0 && serverValue == 0)
+		registerConfigEntry(Config.Server.playerBandwidthLimit, (x, y) -> {
+			if (x == 0 && y == 0)
 			{
 				return 0;
 			}
 			
 			return Math.min(
-					clientValue > 0 ? clientValue : Integer.MAX_VALUE,
-					serverValue > 0 ? serverValue : Integer.MAX_VALUE
+					x > 0 ? x : Integer.MAX_VALUE,
+					y > 0 ? y : Integer.MAX_VALUE
 			);
 		});
 	}
@@ -81,8 +80,7 @@ public class SessionConfig implements INetworkObject
 	public int getMaxSyncOnLoadDistance() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.maxSyncOnLoadRequestDistance); }
 	public int getSyncOnLoginRateLimit() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.syncOnLoadRateLimit); }
 	
-	public boolean isLocalChunkUseAllowed() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.allowLocalChunkUse); }
-	public int getMaxDataTransferSpeed() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.maxDataTransferSpeed); }
+	public int getPlayerBandwidthLimit() { return this.getValue(Config.Server.playerBandwidthLimit); }
 	
 	
 	

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

@@ -9,18 +9,17 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData.FullDataSplitMe
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.FullDataSourceV2DTO;
 import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
-import io.netty.buffer.ByteBufAllocator;
+import io.netty.buffer.Unpooled;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
 import java.io.IOException;
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
-import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 /**
  * @see FullDataSplitMessage
  */
-public class FullDataPayload implements INetworkObject, AutoCloseable
+public class FullDataPayload implements INetworkObject
 {
 	private static final AtomicInteger lastBufferId = new AtomicInteger();
 	
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ public class FullDataPayload implements INetworkObject, AutoCloseable
 			EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionMode = Config.Common.LodBuilding.dataCompression.get();
 			try (FullDataSourceV2DTO dataSourceDto = FullDataSourceV2DTO.CreateFromDataSource(fullDataSource, compressionMode))
 			{
-				this.dtoBuffer = ByteBufAllocator.DEFAULT.buffer();
+				this.dtoBuffer = Unpooled.buffer();
 				dataSourceDto.encode(this.dtoBuffer);
 			}
 		}
@@ -85,12 +84,6 @@ public class FullDataPayload implements INetworkObject, AutoCloseable
 	// base overrides //
 	//================//
 	
-	@Override
-	public void close()
-	{
-		this.dtoBuffer.release();
-	}
-	
 	@Override
 	public String toString()
 	{

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

@@ -9,8 +9,9 @@ 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.ByteBufAllocator;
 import io.netty.buffer.CompositeByteBuf;
+import io.netty.buffer.Unpooled;
+import io.netty.buffer.UnpooledByteBufAllocator;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 
 import java.util.Objects;
@@ -24,15 +25,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	private final ConcurrentMap<Integer, CompositeByteBuf> buffersById = CacheBuilder.newBuilder()
 			.expireAfterAccess(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS)
-			.removalListener((RemovalNotification<Integer, CompositeByteBuf> notification) ->
-			{
-				// If an entry was replaced without removing, the buffer has to be released manually
-				if (notification.getCause() != RemovalCause.REPLACED)
-				{
-					Objects.requireNonNull(notification.getValue()).release();
-				}
-			})
-			.build().asMap();
+			.<Integer, CompositeByteBuf>build().asMap();
 	
 	@Override
 	public void close()
@@ -46,13 +39,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 		{
 			if (message.isFirst)
 			{
-				if (composite != null)
-				{
-					composite.release();
-					LOGGER.debug("Released existing full data buffer [" + message.bufferId + "]");
-				}
-				
-				composite = ByteBufAllocator.DEFAULT.compositeBuffer();
+				composite = UnpooledByteBufAllocator.DEFAULT.compositeBuffer();
 				LOGGER.debug("Created new full data buffer [" + message.bufferId + "]: [" + composite + "]");
 			}
 			else if (composite == null)
@@ -61,13 +48,14 @@ public class FullDataPayloadReceiver implements AutoCloseable
 				return null;
 			}
 			
-			composite.addComponent(true, message.buffer);
+			composite.addComponent(message.buffer);
+			composite.writerIndex(composite.writerIndex() + message.buffer.writerIndex());
 			LOGGER.debug("Updated full data buffer [" + message.bufferId + "]: [" + composite + "].");
 			return composite;
 		});
 	}
 	
-	public FullDataSourceV2DTO decodeDataSourceAndReleaseBuffer(FullDataPayload payload)
+	public FullDataSourceV2DTO decodeDataSource(FullDataPayload payload)
 	{
 		CompositeByteBuf compositeByteBuffer = this.buffersById.get(payload.dtoBufferId);
 		LodUtil.assertTrue(compositeByteBuffer != null);

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

@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
 import java.util.Timer;
 import java.util.TimerTask;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentLinkedQueue;
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.function.*;
 
 public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
@@ -26,11 +25,14 @@ public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
 	private final IntSupplier maxKBpsSupplier;
 	private final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<PendingTransfer> transferQueue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
 	
+	private final SharedBandwidthLimit sharedBandwidthLimit;
 	
-	public FullDataPayloadSender(NetworkSession session, IntSupplier maxKBpsSupplier)
+	
+	public FullDataPayloadSender(NetworkSession session, IntSupplier maxKBpsSupplier, SharedBandwidthLimit sharedBandwidthLimit)
 	{
 		this.session = session;
 		this.maxKBpsSupplier = maxKBpsSupplier;
+		this.sharedBandwidthLimit = sharedBandwidthLimit;
 		UPLOAD_TIMER.scheduleAtFixedRate(this.tickTimerTask, 0, 1000 / TICK_RATE);
 	}
 	
@@ -38,12 +40,6 @@ public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
 	public void close()
 	{
 		this.tickTimerTask.cancel();
-		
-		PendingTransfer pendingTransfer;
-		while ((pendingTransfer = this.transferQueue.poll()) != null)
-		{
-			pendingTransfer.close();
-		}
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -54,11 +50,16 @@ public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
 	
 	private void tick()
 	{
-		int convertedMaxRate = this.maxKBpsSupplier.getAsInt();
-		convertedMaxRate = convertedMaxRate > 0 ? convertedMaxRate : Integer.MAX_VALUE / 1000;
+		int bandwidthShare = this.sharedBandwidthLimit.getBandwidthShare();
+		int maxPlayerRate = Math.min(this.maxKBpsSupplier.getAsInt(), bandwidthShare);
 		
 		// + 1 to account for rounding errors on values of < 4
-		int bytesToSend = (convertedMaxRate * 1000) / TICK_RATE + 1;
+		int bytesToSend = maxPlayerRate > 0
+				? (maxPlayerRate * 1000) / TICK_RATE + 1
+				: Integer.MAX_VALUE;
+		
+		this.sharedBandwidthLimit.setSenderActive(this, bytesToSend > 0);
+		
 		while (bytesToSend > 0)
 		{
 			PendingTransfer pendingTransfer = this.transferQueue.peek();
@@ -70,7 +71,7 @@ public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
 			int chunkSize = Math.min(Math.min(bytesToSend, FULL_DATA_SPLIT_SIZE_IN_BYTES), pendingTransfer.buffer.readableBytes());
 			boolean isFirstChunk = pendingTransfer.buffer.readerIndex() == 0;
 			
-			FullDataSplitMessage chunkMessage = new FullDataSplitMessage(pendingTransfer.bufferId, pendingTransfer.buffer.readRetainedSlice(chunkSize), isFirstChunk);
+			FullDataSplitMessage chunkMessage = new FullDataSplitMessage(pendingTransfer.bufferId, pendingTransfer.buffer.readSlice(chunkSize).retain(), isFirstChunk);
 			this.session.sendMessage(chunkMessage);
 			
 			bytesToSend -= chunkSize;
@@ -78,36 +79,25 @@ public class FullDataPayloadSender implements AutoCloseable
 			if (pendingTransfer.buffer.readableBytes() == 0)
 			{
 				pendingTransfer.sendFinalMessage.run();
-				pendingTransfer.close();
 				this.transferQueue.poll();
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	
 	
-	private static class PendingTransfer implements AutoCloseable
+	private static class PendingTransfer
 	{
 		public final int bufferId;
 		public final ByteBuf buffer;
 		public final Runnable sendFinalMessage;
-		private final AtomicBoolean isClosed = new AtomicBoolean();
 		
 		private PendingTransfer(FullDataPayload payload, Runnable sendFinalMessage)
 		{
 			this.bufferId = payload.dtoBufferId;
-			this.buffer = payload.dtoBuffer.retainedDuplicate().readerIndex(0);
+			this.buffer = payload.dtoBuffer.duplicate().readerIndex(0);
 			this.sendFinalMessage = sendFinalMessage;
 		}
 		
-		@Override
-		public void close()
-		{
-			if (this.isClosed.compareAndSet(false, true))
-			{
-				this.buffer.release();
-			}
-		}
-		
 	}
 	
 }

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

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData;
+
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
+
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
+
+public class SharedBandwidthLimit
+{
+	private final Set<FullDataPayloadSender> senders = Collections.newSetFromMap(new ConcurrentHashMap<>());
+	
+	public void setSenderActive(FullDataPayloadSender sender, boolean active)
+	{
+		if (active)
+		{
+			this.senders.add(sender);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			this.senders.remove(sender);
+		}
+	}
+	
+	public int getBandwidthShare()
+	{
+		int globalBandwidthLimit = Config.Server.globalBandwidthLimit.get();
+		if (globalBandwidthLimit == 0)
+		{
+			globalBandwidthLimit = Integer.MAX_VALUE;
+		}
+		
+		return globalBandwidthLimit / Math.max(this.senders.size(), 1);
+	}
+	
+}

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

@@ -119,16 +119,14 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler
 					}
 					
 					// send the found data source to client
-					try (FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(fullDataSource, this.getAllBeamsForPos(message.sectionPos)))
+					FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(fullDataSource, this.getAllBeamsForPos(message.sectionPos));
+					fullDataSource.close();
+					
+					serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () ->
 					{
-						fullDataSource.close();
-						
-						serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () ->
-						{
-							message.sendResponse(new FullDataSourceResponseMessage(payload));
-							rateLimiterSet.syncOnLoginRateLimiter.release();
-						});
-					}
+						message.sendResponse(new FullDataSourceResponseMessage(payload));
+						rateLimiterSet.syncOnLoginRateLimiter.release();
+					});
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
@@ -245,19 +243,17 @@ public class FullDataSourceRequestHandler
 			}
 			CompletableFuture.runAsync(() ->
 			{
-				try (FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(requestGroup.fullDataSource, this.getAllBeamsForPos(entry.getKey())))
+				FullDataPayload payload = new FullDataPayload(requestGroup.fullDataSource, this.getAllBeamsForPos(entry.getKey()));
+				requestGroup.fullDataSource.close();
+				
+				for (DataSourceRequestGroup.RequestData requestData : requestGroup.requestMessages.values())
 				{
-					requestGroup.fullDataSource.close();
+					this.requestGroupsByFutureId.remove(requestData.futureId());
 					
-					for (DataSourceRequestGroup.RequestData requestData : requestGroup.requestMessages.values())
-					{
-						this.requestGroupsByFutureId.remove(requestData.futureId());
-						
-						requestData.serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () -> {
-							requestData.message.sendResponse(new FullDataSourceResponseMessage(payload));
-							requestData.rateLimiterSet.generationRequestRateLimiter.release();
-						});
-					}
+					requestData.serverPlayerState.fullDataPayloadSender.sendInChunks(payload, () -> {
+						requestData.message.sendResponse(new FullDataSourceResponseMessage(payload));
+						requestData.rateLimiterSet.generationRequestRateLimiter.release();
+					});
 				}
 			}, executor);
 		}

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

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.ConfigChangeListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.AbstractDhServerLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.config.SessionConfig;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.FullDataPayloadSender;
+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;
@@ -48,10 +49,10 @@ public class ServerPlayerState implements Closeable
 	// constructors //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public ServerPlayerState(IServerPlayerWrapper serverPlayer)
+	public ServerPlayerState(IServerPlayerWrapper serverPlayer, SharedBandwidthLimit sharedBandwidthLimit)
 	{
 		this.networkSession = new NetworkSession(serverPlayer);
-		this.fullDataPayloadSender = new FullDataPayloadSender(this.networkSession, this.sessionConfig::getMaxDataTransferSpeed);
+		this.fullDataPayloadSender = new FullDataPayloadSender(this.networkSession, this.sessionConfig::getPlayerBandwidthLimit, sharedBandwidthLimit);
 		
 		this.networkSession.registerHandler(SessionConfigMessage.class, (sessionConfigMessage) ->
 		{

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

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.server;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.SharedBandwidthLimit;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.IServerPlayerWrapper;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ public class ServerPlayerStateManager
 	private final ConcurrentMap<IServerPlayerWrapper, ServerPlayerState> connectedPlayerStateByPlayerWrapper = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	private final ConcurrentMap<IServerPlayerWrapper, MessageQueueState> messageQueueByPlayerWrapper = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
 	
+	private final SharedBandwidthLimit sharedBandwidthLimit = new SharedBandwidthLimit();
 	
 	
 	//========================//
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ public class ServerPlayerStateManager
 	
 	public ServerPlayerState registerJoinedPlayer(IServerPlayerWrapper serverPlayer)
 	{
-		ServerPlayerState playerState = new ServerPlayerState(serverPlayer);
+		ServerPlayerState playerState = new ServerPlayerState(serverPlayer, this.sharedBandwidthLimit);
 		this.connectedPlayerStateByPlayerWrapper.put(serverPlayer, playerState);
 		return playerState;
 	}

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/network/messages/fullData/FullDataSplitMessage.java

@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.fullData;
 import com.google.common.base.MoreObjects;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.multiplayer.fullData.FullDataPayload;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.messages.AbstractNetworkMessage;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.TimerUtil;
 import io.netty.buffer.ByteBuf;
+import io.netty.buffer.Unpooled;
 
 import java.util.Timer;
 
@@ -34,16 +34,10 @@ import java.util.Timer;
  */
 public class FullDataSplitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 {
-	private static final long BUFFER_RELEASE_DELAY_MS = 5000L;
-	
 	public int bufferId;
 	public ByteBuf buffer;
 	public boolean isFirst;
 	
-	// Reference counting is unreliable here for some reason so this is a "fix"
-	private static final Timer bufferReleaseTimer = TimerUtil.CreateTimer("FullDataBufferCleanupTimer");
-	private boolean releaseScheduled = false;
-	
 	
 	//==============//
 	// constructors //
@@ -72,12 +66,6 @@ public class FullDataSplitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 		out.writeBytes(this.buffer.readerIndex(0));
 
 		out.writeBoolean(this.isFirst);
-		
-		if (!this.releaseScheduled)
-		{
-			bufferReleaseTimer.schedule(TimerUtil.createTimerTask(this.buffer::release), BUFFER_RELEASE_DELAY_MS);
-			this.releaseScheduled = true;
-		}
 	}
 	
 	@Override
@@ -86,7 +74,7 @@ public class FullDataSplitMessage extends AbstractNetworkMessage
 		this.bufferId = in.readInt();
 		
 		int bufferSize = in.readInt();
-		this.buffer = in.readBytes(bufferSize);
+		this.buffer = Unpooled.copiedBuffer(in.readSlice(bufferSize));
 
 		this.isFirst = in.readBoolean();
 	}

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

@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@ import java.lang.ref.PhantomReference;
  * @see PhantomArrayListCheckout
  * @see PhantomArrayListPool
  */
-public abstract class PhantomArrayListParent implements AutoCloseable
+public abstract class AbstractPhantomArrayList implements AutoCloseable
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = LogManager.getLogger();
 	
 	
 	private final PhantomArrayListPool phantomArrayListPool;
-	private final PhantomReference<PhantomArrayListParent> phantomReference;
+	private final PhantomReference<AbstractPhantomArrayList> phantomReference;
 
 	/** 
 	 * It's recommended to set this as null after the child's constructor 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public abstract class PhantomArrayListParent implements AutoCloseable
 	//=============//
 	
 	/** The Array counts can be 0 or greater. */
-	public PhantomArrayListParent(PhantomArrayListPool phantomArrayListPool, int byteArrayCount, int shortArrayCount, int longArrayCount) 
+	public AbstractPhantomArrayList(PhantomArrayListPool phantomArrayListPool, int byteArrayCount, int shortArrayCount, int longArrayCount) 
 	{
 		if (byteArrayCount < 0 || shortArrayCount < 0 || longArrayCount < 0)
 		{

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

@@ -10,13 +10,12 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.lang.ref.SoftReference;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 
 /**
  * This keeps track of all the poolable
  * arrays that can be retrieved via the {@link PhantomArrayListPool}.
  * 
- * @see PhantomArrayListParent
+ * @see AbstractPhantomArrayList
  * @see PhantomArrayListPool
  */
 public class PhantomArrayListCheckout implements AutoCloseable

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

@@ -33,18 +33,18 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
  * we pool these arrays when possible. <br><br>
  * 
  * How pooled arrays can be returned: <br>
- * 1. <b> Closing the {@link PhantomArrayListParent} </b> <br>
+ * 1. <b> Closing the {@link AbstractPhantomArrayList} </b> <br>
  * The fastest and most efficient method of returning pooled arrays
  * is to call {@link AutoCloseable#close()}. <br><br>
  * 
- * 2. <b> {@link PhantomArrayListParent} Garbage Collection </b> <br>
+ * 2. <b> {@link AbstractPhantomArrayList} Garbage Collection </b> <br>
  * Some objects are used across many different threads and
- * cleanly closing them is impossible, so when the {@link PhantomArrayListParent}
+ * cleanly closing them is impossible, so when the {@link AbstractPhantomArrayList}
  * is automatically garbage collected we recover and recycle any
  * arrays it checked out.
  * This is less efficient since it may allow a lot of additional arrays to
  * be created while we wait for the garbage collector to run, but 
- * does prevent any leaks from {@link PhantomArrayListParent} that weren't closed.
+ * does prevent any leaks from {@link AbstractPhantomArrayList} that weren't closed.
  * 
  * <br><br>
  * <strong>Use Notes: </strong><br>
@@ -83,9 +83,9 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 	 */
 	public final boolean logGarbageCollectedStacks;
 	
-	public final ConcurrentHashMap<Reference<? extends PhantomArrayListParent>, PhantomArrayListCheckout>
+	public final ConcurrentHashMap<Reference<? extends AbstractPhantomArrayList>, PhantomArrayListCheckout>
 			phantomRefToCheckout = new ConcurrentHashMap<>();
-	public final ReferenceQueue<PhantomArrayListParent> phantomRefQueue = new ReferenceQueue<>();
+	public final ReferenceQueue<AbstractPhantomArrayList> phantomRefQueue = new ReferenceQueue<>();
 	
 	
 	private final ConcurrentLinkedQueue<SoftReference<PhantomArrayListCheckout>> pooledCheckoutsRefs = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 					
 					allocationStackTraceCountPairList.clear();
 					
-					Reference<? extends PhantomArrayListParent> phantomRef = pool.phantomRefQueue.poll();
+					Reference<? extends AbstractPhantomArrayList> phantomRef = pool.phantomRefQueue.poll();
 					while (phantomRef != null)
 					{
 						// return the pooled arrays
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ public class PhantomArrayListPool
 	// return checkout //
 	//=================//
 	
-	public void returnParentPhantomRef(@NotNull PhantomReference<PhantomArrayListParent> parentRef)
+	public void returnParentPhantomRef(@NotNull PhantomReference<AbstractPhantomArrayList> parentRef)
 	{
 		try
 		{

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

@@ -221,11 +221,27 @@ public class DhSectionPos
 		byte offset = (byte) (detailLevel - returnDetailLevel);
 		return BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(offset);
 	}
-
-	/** @return how wide this section is in blocks */
-	public static int getBlockWidth(long pos) { return BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(getDetailLevel(pos)); }
+	
+	
 	/** @return how wide this section is in chunks */
 	public static int getChunkWidth(long pos) { return DhSectionPos.getBlockWidth(pos) / LodUtil.CHUNK_WIDTH; }
+	/** @see DhSectionPos#getDetailLevelWidthInBlocks(byte) */
+	public static int getBlockWidth(long pos) { return getDetailLevelWidthInBlocks(getDetailLevel(pos)); }
+	/**
+	 * Returns how many blocks wide a single LOD at the given detail level would be in blocks. <br>
+	 * IE: <br>
+	 * <code>
+	 * 0 => 1 <br>
+	 * 1 => 2 <br>
+	 * 2 => 4 <br>
+	 * 3 => 8 <br>
+	 * 4 => 16 <br>
+	 * 5 => 32 <br>
+	 * 6 => 64 <br>
+	 * etc. <br>
+	 * </code>
+	 */
+	public static int getDetailLevelWidthInBlocks(byte detailLevel) { return BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(detailLevel); }
 	
 
 	public static DhBlockPos2D getCenterBlockPos(long pos) { return new DhBlockPos2D(getCenterBlockPosX(pos), getCenterBlockPosZ(pos)); }

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

@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
 import com.google.common.cache.Cache;
 import com.google.common.cache.CacheBuilder;
-import com.google.common.cache.RemovalCause;
-import com.google.common.cache.RemovalNotification;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.CachedColumnRenderSource;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.ColumnRenderSource;
@@ -245,8 +243,10 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		}
 		
 		
-		// full data retrieval (world gen)
-		if (!this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.get())
+		// queue full data retrieval (world gen) requests if needed
+		if (nodesNeedingRetrieval.size() != 0
+			&& !this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.get()
+			&& this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
 		{
 			this.fullDataRetrievalQueueRunning.set(true);
 			FULL_DATA_RETRIEVAL_QUEUE_THREAD.execute(() -> this.queueFullDataRetrievalTasks(playerPos, nodesNeedingRetrieval));
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 					// outdated when child LODs are updated.
 					// (They'd have to be reloaded from file anyway during an update)
 					long parentPos = renderSection.pos;
-					while (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(parentPos) <= this.treeMinDetailLevel)
+					while (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(parentPos) <= this.treeRootDetailLevel)
 					{
 						QuadNode<LodRenderSection> parentNode = this.getNode(parentPos);
 						if (parentNode != null)
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 		// If not done corners may not be flush with the other LODs, which looks bad.
 		byte minSectionDetailLevel = this.getDetailLevelFromDistance(this.blockRenderDistanceDiameter); // get the minimum allowed detail level
 		minSectionDetailLevel -= 1; // -1 so corners can't render lower than their adjacent neighbors. space
-		minSectionDetailLevel = (byte) Math.min(minSectionDetailLevel, this.treeMinDetailLevel); // don't allow rendering lower detail sections than what the tree contains
+		minSectionDetailLevel = (byte) Math.min(minSectionDetailLevel, this.treeRootDetailLevel); // don't allow rendering lower detail sections than what the tree contains
 		this.minRenderDetailLevel = (byte) Math.max(minSectionDetailLevel, this.maxRenderDetailLevel); // respect the user's selected max resolution if it is lower detail (IE they want 2x2 block, but minSectionDetailLevel is specifically for 1x1 block render resolution)
 	}
 	
@@ -685,9 +685,6 @@ public class LodQuadTree extends QuadTree<LodRenderSection> implements IDebugRen
 	{
 		try
 		{
-			// add a slight delay since we don't need to check the world gen queue every tick
-			Thread.sleep(WORLD_GEN_QUEUE_UPDATE_DELAY_IN_MS);
-			
 			// sort the nodes from nearest to farthest
 			ArrayList<LodRenderSection> nodeList = new ArrayList<>(nodesNeedingRetrieval);
 			nodeList.sort((a, b) ->

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

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render;
 
+import com.google.common.base.Supplier;
 import com.google.common.base.Suppliers;
 import com.google.common.cache.Cache;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.KeyedLockContainer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.PriorityTaskPicker;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading.ThreadPoolUtil;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -57,7 +59,6 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.concurrent.*;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
-import java.util.function.Supplier;
 
 /**
  * A render section represents an area that could be rendered.
@@ -73,6 +74,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	public final long pos;
 	
 	private final IDhClientLevel level;
+	private final IClientLevelWrapper levelWrapper;
 	@WillNotClose
 	private final FullDataSourceProviderV2 fullDataSourceProvider;
 	private final LodQuadTree quadTree;
@@ -149,12 +151,13 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		this.cachedRenderSourceByPos = cachedRenderSourceByPos;
 		this.renderLoadLockContainer = renderLoadLockContainer;
 		this.level = level;
+		this.levelWrapper = level.getClientLevelWrapper();
 		this.fullDataSourceProvider = fullDataSourceProvider;
 		this.uploadTaskCountRef = uploadTaskCountRef;
 		
 		this.beaconRenderHandler = this.quadTree.beaconRenderHandler;
 		this.beaconBeamRepo = this.level.getBeaconBeamRepo();
-		
+			
 		DebugRenderer.register(this, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.DebugWireframe.showRenderSectionStatus);
 	}
 	
@@ -180,7 +183,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			return false;
 		}
 		
-		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+		PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
 		if (executor == null || executor.isTerminated())
 		{
 			return false;
@@ -264,6 +267,10 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 					adjacentLoadFutures[1] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(DhSectionPos.getAdjacentPos(this.pos, EDhDirection.SOUTH));
 					adjacentLoadFutures[2] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(DhSectionPos.getAdjacentPos(this.pos, EDhDirection.EAST));
 					adjacentLoadFutures[3] = this.getRenderSourceForPosAsync(DhSectionPos.getAdjacentPos(this.pos, EDhDirection.WEST));
+					//adjacentLoadFutures[0] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
+					//adjacentLoadFutures[1] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
+					//adjacentLoadFutures[2] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
+					//adjacentLoadFutures[3] = CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
 					return CompletableFuture.allOf(adjacentLoadFutures).thenRun(() ->
 					{
 						try (CachedColumnRenderSource northRenderSource = adjacentLoadFutures[0].get();
@@ -326,7 +333,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 			
 			
 			
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
 			if (executor == null || executor.isTerminated())
 			{
 				// should only happen if the threadpool is actively being re-sized
@@ -342,7 +349,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 				// generate new render source
 				try (FullDataSourceV2 fullDataSource = this.fullDataSourceProvider.get(pos))
 				{
-					newCachedRenderSource.columnRenderSource = FullDataToRenderDataTransformer.transformFullDataToRenderSource(fullDataSource, this.level);
+					newCachedRenderSource.columnRenderSource = FullDataToRenderDataTransformer.transformFullDataToRenderSource(fullDataSource, this.levelWrapper);
 				}
 				catch (Exception e)
 				{
@@ -503,7 +510,8 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	public void tryQueuingMissingLodRetrieval()
 	{
-		if (this.fullDataSourceProvider.canRetrieveMissingDataSources() && this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
+		if (this.fullDataSourceProvider.canRetrieveMissingDataSources() 
+			&& this.fullDataSourceProvider.canQueueRetrieval())
 		{
 			// calculate the missing positions if not already done
 			if (this.missingGenerationPosFunc == null)
@@ -623,7 +631,6 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 	
 	
 	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
@@ -686,7 +693,7 @@ public class LodRenderSection implements IDebugRenderable, AutoCloseable
 		{
 			// remove the task from our executor if present
 			// note: don't cancel the task since that prevents cleanup, we just don't want it to run
-			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getFileHandlerExecutor();
+			PriorityTaskPicker.Executor executor = ThreadPoolUtil.getRenderLoadingExecutor();
 			if (executor != null && !executor.isTerminated())
 			{
 				Runnable runnable = this.getAndBuildRenderDataRunnable;

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

@@ -33,14 +33,13 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.f3.F3Screen;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhLodPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.Pos2D;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.buffer.QuadElementBuffer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.LodRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.SortedArraySet;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.QuadNode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftRenderWrapper;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.misc.ILightMapWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.modAccessor.IIrisAccessor;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.world.IClientLevelWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.interfaces.dependencyInjection.IOverrideInjector;
@@ -176,50 +175,17 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 			}
 		}
 		
-		Pos2D cPos = this.lodQuadTree.getCenterBlockPos().toPos2D();
+		Pos2D centerPos = this.lodQuadTree.getCenterBlockPos().toPos2D();
 		
 		// Now that we have the axis directions, we can sort the render list
 		Comparator<LoadedRenderBuffer> farToNearComparator = (loadedBufferA, loadedBufferB) ->
 		{
 			Pos2D aPos = DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPos(loadedBufferA.pos).toPos2D();
 			Pos2D bPos = DhSectionPos.getCenterBlockPos(loadedBufferB.pos).toPos2D();
-			if (true)
-			{
-				int aManhattanDistance = aPos.manhattanDist(cPos);
-				int bManhattanDistance = bPos.manhattanDist(cPos);
-				return bManhattanDistance - aManhattanDistance;
-			}
 			
-			for (EDhDirection axisDirection : axisDirections)
-			{
-				if (axisDirection.getAxis().isVertical())
-				{
-					continue; // We only sort in the horizontal direction
-				}
-				
-				int abPosDifference;
-				if (axisDirection.getAxis().equals(EDhDirection.Axis.X))
-				{
-					abPosDifference = aPos.getX() - bPos.getX();
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					abPosDifference = aPos.getY() - bPos.getY();
-				}
-				
-				if (abPosDifference == 0)
-				{
-					continue;
-				}
-				
-				if (axisDirection.getAxisDirection().equals(EDhDirection.AxisDirection.NEGATIVE))
-				{
-					abPosDifference = -abPosDifference; // Reverse the sign
-				}
-				return abPosDifference;
-			}
-			
-			return DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(loadedBufferA.pos) - DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(loadedBufferB.pos); // If all else fails, sort by detail
+			int aManhattanDistance = aPos.manhattanDist(centerPos);
+			int bManhattanDistance = bPos.manhattanDist(centerPos);
+			return bManhattanDistance - aManhattanDistance;
 		};
 		this.loadedNearToFarBuffers = new SortedArraySet<>((a, b) -> -farToNearComparator.compare(a, b)); // TODO is the comparator named wrong?
 		
@@ -279,19 +245,21 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 			this.culledBufferCount = 0;
 		}
 		
-		boolean rebuildAllBuffers = this.rebuildAllBuffers.getAndSet(false);
-		Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.lodQuadTree.nodeIterator();
-		while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
+		// setup iterator with culling frustum
+		Iterator<QuadNode<LodRenderSection>> nodeIterator = this.lodQuadTree.nodeIteratorWithStoppingFilter((QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node) ->
 		{
-			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node = nodeIterator.next();
+			if (node == null)
+			{
+				return true;
+			}
 			
-			long sectionPos = node.sectionPos;
 			LodRenderSection renderSection = node.value;
 			if (renderSection == null)
 			{
-				continue;
+				return false;
 			}
 			
+			
 			try
 			{
 				if (enableFrustumCulling)
@@ -311,22 +279,48 @@ public class RenderBufferHandler implements AutoCloseable
 							this.culledBufferCount++;
 						}
 						
-						continue;
+						return true;
 					}
 				}
 				
+				return false;
+			}
+			catch (Exception e)
+			{
+				LOGGER.error("Unexpected issue during culling for node pos: ["+DhSectionPos.toString(node.sectionPos)+"], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
+				
+				// don't cull if there was an unexpected issue
+				return false;
+			}
+		});
+		
+		while (nodeIterator.hasNext())
+		{
+			QuadNode<LodRenderSection> node = nodeIterator.next();
+			
+			long sectionPos = node.sectionPos;
+			LodRenderSection renderSection = node.value;
+			if (renderSection == null)
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			
+			
+			
+			try
+			{
 				ColumnRenderBuffer buffer = renderSection.renderBuffer;
-				if (buffer == null || !renderSection.getRenderingEnabled())
+				if (buffer == null 
+					|| !renderSection.getRenderingEnabled())
 				{
 					continue;
 				}
 				
-				
 				this.loadedNearToFarBuffers.add(new LoadedRenderBuffer(buffer, sectionPos));
 			}
 			catch (Exception e)
 			{
-				LOGGER.error("Error updating QuadTree render source at " + renderSection.pos + ".", e);
+				LOGGER.error("Error updating QuadTree render source at [" + DhSectionPos.toString(renderSection.pos) + "], error: ["+e.getMessage()+"].", e);
 			}
 		}
 		

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

@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGLErrorHandlingMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiGpuUploadMethod;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.jar.EPlatform;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.ConfigBasedLogger;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.GLMessages.*;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.ModInfo;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.coreapi.util.StringUtil;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.lwjgl.glfw.GLFW;
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ import org.lwjgl.opengl.GLUtil;
 
 import java.io.PrintStream;
 import java.util.Collections;
-import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentHashMap;
 import java.util.concurrent.ConcurrentLinkedQueue;
@@ -173,17 +172,26 @@ public class GLProxy
 		
 		// get the best automatic upload method
 		String vendor = GL32.glGetString(GL32.GL_VENDOR).toUpperCase(); // example return: "NVIDIA CORPORATION"
-		if (vendor.contains("NVIDIA") || vendor.contains("GEFORCE"))
+		if (EPlatform.get() != EPlatform.MACOS)
 		{
-			// NVIDIA card
-			this.preferredUploadMethod = this.bufferStorageSupported ? EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.BUFFER_STORAGE : EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.SUB_DATA;
+			if (vendor.contains("NVIDIA") || vendor.contains("GEFORCE"))
+			{
+				// NVIDIA card
+				this.preferredUploadMethod = this.bufferStorageSupported ? EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.BUFFER_STORAGE : EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.SUB_DATA;
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				// AMD or Intel card
+				this.preferredUploadMethod = this.bufferStorageSupported ? EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.BUFFER_STORAGE : EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.DATA;
+			}
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			// AMD or Intel card
-			this.preferredUploadMethod = this.bufferStorageSupported ? EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.BUFFER_STORAGE : EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.DATA;
+			// Mac may have an issue with Buffer Storage, so default to the most basic
+			// form of uploading
+			this.preferredUploadMethod = EDhApiGpuUploadMethod.DATA;
 		}
-		GL_LOGGER.info("GPU Vendor [" + vendor + "], Preferred upload method is [" + this.preferredUploadMethod + "].");
+		GL_LOGGER.info("GPU Vendor [" + vendor + "] with OS [" + EPlatform.get().getName() + "], Preferred upload method is [" + this.preferredUploadMethod + "].");
 		
 		
 		
@@ -202,7 +210,8 @@ public class GLProxy
 	//=========//
 	
 	public static boolean hasInstance() { return instance != null; }
-	public static GLProxy getInstance()
+	/** @throws IllegalStateException if the Proxy hasn't been created yet and this is called outside the render thread */
+	public static GLProxy getInstance() throws IllegalStateException
 	{
 		if (instance == null)
 		{

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

@@ -132,15 +132,6 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 			throw e;
 		}
 		
-		if (this.uEarthRadius != -1) this.setUniform(this.uEarthRadius,
-				/*6371KM*/ 6371000.0f / Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.get());
-		
-		
-		// Noise Uniforms
-		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseEnabled, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.enableNoiseTexture.get());
-		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseSteps, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseSteps.get());
-		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseIntensity, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseIntensity.get().floatValue());
-		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseDropoff, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseDropoff.get());
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -191,6 +182,15 @@ public class DhTerrainShaderProgram extends ShaderProgram implements IDhApiShade
 		
 		if (this.uDitherDhRendering != -1) this.setUniform(this.uDitherDhRendering, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Quality.ditherDhFade.get());
 		
+		if (this.uEarthRadius != -1) this.setUniform(this.uEarthRadius,
+				/*6371KM*/ 6371000.0f / Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Experimental.earthCurveRatio.get());
+		
+		// Noise Uniforms
+		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseEnabled, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.enableNoiseTexture.get());
+		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseSteps, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseSteps.get());
+		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseIntensity, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseIntensity.get().floatValue());
+		this.setUniform(this.uNoiseDropoff, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.NoiseTexture.noiseDropoff.get());
+		
 		// Debug
 		this.setUniform(this.uWhiteWorld, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.enableWhiteWorld.get());
 		

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

@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.level.DhClientLevel;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.shaders.FadeApplyShader;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.shaders.FadeShader;

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

@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	// The shader program
 	private IDhApiShaderProgram lodRenderProgram = null;
 	public QuadElementBuffer quadIBO = null;
-	public boolean isSetupComplete = false;
+	private boolean isSetupComplete = false;
 	
 	// frameBuffer and texture ID's for this renderer
 	private IDhApiFramebuffer framebuffer;
@@ -252,6 +252,11 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			
 			ApiEventInjector.INSTANCE.fireAllEvents(DhApiBeforeRenderSetupEvent.class, renderEventParam);
 			this.setupGLStateAndRenderObjects(profiler, renderEventParam, renderingFirstPass);
+			if (!this.isSetupComplete)
+			{
+				// this shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
+				return;
+			}
 			
 			lightmap.bind();
 			this.quadIBO.bind();
@@ -542,17 +547,17 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			activeFrameBuffer = framebufferOverride;
 		}
 		
-		this.setActiveFramebufferId(activeFrameBuffer.getId());
-		this.setActiveDepthTextureId(this.depthTexture.getTextureId());
+		activeFramebufferId = activeFrameBuffer.getId();
+		activeDepthTextureId = this.depthTexture.getTextureId();
 		if (this.nullableColorTexture != null)
 		{
-			this.setActiveColorTextureId(this.nullableColorTexture.getTextureId());
+			activeColorTextureId = this.nullableColorTexture.getTextureId();
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			// get MC's color texture
 			int mcColorTextureId = GL32.glGetFramebufferAttachmentParameteri(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL32.GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER_ATTACHMENT_OBJECT_NAME);
-			this.setActiveColorTextureId(mcColorTextureId);
+			activeColorTextureId = mcColorTextureId;
 		}
 		// Bind LOD frame buffer
 		activeFrameBuffer.bind();
@@ -633,7 +638,7 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			EVENT_LOGGER.warn("Renderer setup called but it has already completed setup!");
 			return;
 		}
-		if (GLProxy.getInstance() == null)
+		if (!GLProxy.hasInstance())
 		{
 			// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
 			EVENT_LOGGER.warn("Renderer setup called but GLProxy has not yet been setup!");
@@ -646,7 +651,6 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			
 			
 			EVENT_LOGGER.info("Setting up renderer");
-			this.isSetupComplete = true;
 			this.lodRenderProgram = new DhTerrainShaderProgram();
 			
 			this.quadIBO = new QuadElementBuffer();
@@ -675,9 +679,11 @@ public class LodRenderer
 			{
 				// This generally means something wasn't bound, IE missing either the color or depth texture
 				EVENT_LOGGER.warn("FrameBuffer ["+this.framebuffer.getId()+"] isn't complete.");
+				return;
 			}
 			
 			
+			this.isSetupComplete = true;
 			EVENT_LOGGER.info("Renderer setup complete");
 		}
 		finally
@@ -744,15 +750,12 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	// API functions //
 	//===============//
 	
-	private void setActiveFramebufferId(int frameBufferId) { activeFramebufferId = frameBufferId; }
 	/** Returns -1 if no frame buffer has been bound yet */
 	public static int getActiveFramebufferId() { return activeFramebufferId; }
 	
-	private void setActiveColorTextureId(int colorTextureId) { activeColorTextureId = colorTextureId; }
 	/** Returns -1 if no texture has been bound yet */
 	public static int getActiveColorTextureId() { return activeColorTextureId; }
 	
-	private void setActiveDepthTextureId(int depthTextureId) { activeDepthTextureId = depthTextureId; }
 	/**
 	 * FIXME it's possible for this to return an invalid texture ID if the renderer is being re-built at the same time 
 	 * Returns -1 if no texture has been bound yet 
@@ -771,7 +774,7 @@ public class LodRenderer
 	 */
 	private void cleanup()
 	{
-		if (GLProxy.getInstance() == null)
+		if (!GLProxy.hasInstance())
 		{
 			// shouldn't normally happen, but just in case
 			EVENT_LOGGER.warn("Renderer Cleanup called but the GLProxy has never been initialized!");
@@ -804,8 +807,9 @@ public class LodRenderer
 				if (this.depthTexture != null)
 					this.depthTexture.destroy();
 				
-				this.setActiveDepthTextureId(-1);
-				this.setActiveColorTextureId(-1);
+				activeFramebufferId = -1;
+				activeColorTextureId = -1;
+				activeDepthTextureId = -1;
 				
 				EVENT_LOGGER.info("Renderer Cleanup Complete");
 			});

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

@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ public class TestRenderer
 	
 	public void render()
 	{
+		// TODO fix for MC 1.21.5
 		this.init();
 		
 		GLMC.glBindFramebuffer(GL32.GL_FRAMEBUFFER, MC_RENDER.getTargetFrameBuffer());

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/generic/GenericObjectRenderer.java

@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@ public class GenericObjectRenderer implements IDhApiCustomRenderRegister
 	private static final ISodiumAccessor SODIUM = ModAccessorInjector.INSTANCE.get(ISodiumAccessor.class);
 	private static final IMinecraftGLWrapper GLMC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftGLWrapper.class);
 	
+	private static final DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading DEFAULT_SHADING = DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading.getUnshaded();
+	
 	/** 
 	 * Can be used to troubleshoot the renderer. 
 	 * If enabled several debug objects will render around (0,150,0). 
@@ -519,13 +521,13 @@ public class GenericObjectRenderer implements IDhApiCustomRenderRegister
 	{
 		// update instance data //
 		
-		profiler.push("setup");
+		profiler.push("vertex setup");
 		boxGroup.updateVertexAttributeData();
 		
 		DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading shading = boxGroup.shading;
 		if (shading == null)
 		{
-			shading = DhApiRenderableBoxGroupShading.getUnshaded();
+			shading = DEFAULT_SHADING;
 		}
 		
 		shaderProgram.fillIndirectUniformData(
@@ -536,6 +538,7 @@ public class GenericObjectRenderer implements IDhApiCustomRenderRegister
 		
 		
 		// Bind instance data //
+		profiler.popPush("binding");
 		
 		GL32.glBindBuffer(GL32.GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, boxGroup.instanceColorVbo);
 		GL32.glEnableVertexAttribArray(1);

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

@@ -211,6 +211,10 @@ public class RenderableBoxGroup
 		@Override 
 		public boolean removeIf(Predicate<? super DhApiRenderableBox> filter) { return this.boxList.removeIf(filter); }
 		@Override 
+		public boolean remove(Object obj) { return this.boxList.remove(obj); }
+		@Override 
+		public DhApiRenderableBox remove(int index) { return this.boxList.remove(index); }
+		@Override 
 		public void replaceAll(UnaryOperator<DhApiRenderableBox> operator) { this.boxList.replaceAll(operator); }
 		@Override 
 		public void sort(Comparator<? super DhApiRenderableBox> comparator) { this.boxList.sort(comparator); }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/shaders/FadeShader.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.shaders;
 
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dependencyInjection.SingletonInjector;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.GLState;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.shader.ShaderProgram;
@@ -36,7 +37,6 @@ public class FadeShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 {
 	public static FadeShader INSTANCE = new FadeShader();
 	
-	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 IMinecraftGLWrapper GLMC = SingletonInjector.INSTANCE.get(IMinecraftGLWrapper.class);
 	
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ public class FadeShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 	
 	public int uStartFadeBlockDistance = -1;
 	public int uEndFadeBlockDistance = -1;
-	
 	public int uMaxLevelHeight = -1;
 	
+	public int uOnlyRenderLods = -1;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -87,16 +87,17 @@ public class FadeShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 		this.uDhInvMvmProj = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uDhInvMvmProj");
 		this.uMcInvMvmProj = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uMcInvMvmProj");
 		
-		this.uMcDepthTexture = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uMcDepthMap");
+		this.uMcDepthTexture = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uMcDepthTexture");
 		this.uDhDepthTexture = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uDhDepthTexture");
 		this.uCombinedMcDhColorTexture = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uCombinedMcDhColorTexture");
 		this.uDhColorTexture = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uDhColorTexture");
 		
 		this.uStartFadeBlockDistance = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uStartFadeBlockDistance");
 		this.uEndFadeBlockDistance = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uEndFadeBlockDistance");
-		
 		this.uMaxLevelHeight = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uMaxLevelHeight");
 		
+		this.uOnlyRenderLods = this.shader.tryGetUniformLocation("uOnlyRenderLods");
+		
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -108,8 +109,8 @@ public class FadeShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 	@Override
 	protected void onApplyUniforms(float partialTicks)
 	{
-		if (this.inverseMcMvmProjMatrix != null) this.shader.setUniform(this.uMcInvMvmProj, this.inverseMcMvmProjMatrix);
-		if (this.inverseDhMvmProjMatrix != null) this.shader.setUniform(this.uDhInvMvmProj, this.inverseDhMvmProjMatrix);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uMcInvMvmProj, this.inverseMcMvmProjMatrix);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uDhInvMvmProj, this.inverseDhMvmProjMatrix);
 		
 		
 		float dhNearClipDistance = RenderUtil.getNearClipPlaneInBlocksForFading(partialTicks);
@@ -122,10 +123,12 @@ public class FadeShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 		float fadeStartDistance = dhNearClipDistance * 1.5f;
 		float fadeEndDistance = dhNearClipDistance * 1.9f;
 		
-		if (this.uStartFadeBlockDistance != -1) this.shader.setUniform(this.uStartFadeBlockDistance, fadeStartDistance);
-		if (this.uEndFadeBlockDistance != -1) this.shader.setUniform(this.uEndFadeBlockDistance, fadeEndDistance);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uStartFadeBlockDistance, fadeStartDistance);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uEndFadeBlockDistance, fadeEndDistance);
 		
-		if (this.uMaxLevelHeight != -1) this.shader.setUniform(this.uMaxLevelHeight, this.levelMaxHeight);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uMaxLevelHeight, this.levelMaxHeight);
+		
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uOnlyRenderLods, Config.Client.Advanced.Debugging.lodOnlyMode.get());
 	}
 	
 	public void setProjectionMatrix(Mat4f mcModelViewMatrix, Mat4f mcProjectionMatrix, float partialTicks)

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/shaders/FogShader.java

@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.glObject.shader.ShaderProgram;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.LodRenderer;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.render.renderer.ScreenQuad;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.IVersionConstants;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftClientWrapper;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.math.Mat4f;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.wrapperInterfaces.minecraft.IMinecraftGLWrapper;

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/render/renderer/shaders/SSAOShader.java

@@ -50,14 +50,14 @@ public class SSAOShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 	
 	
 	// uniforms
-	public int gProjUniform;
-	public int gInvProjUniform;
-	public int gSampleCountUniform;
-	public int gRadiusUniform;
-	public int gStrengthUniform;
-	public int gMinLightUniform;
-	public int gBiasUniform;
-	public int gDepthMapUniform;
+	public int uProj;
+	public int uInvProj;
+	public int uSampleCount;
+	public int uRadius;
+	public int uStrength;
+	public int uMinLight;
+	public int uBias;
+	public int uDepthMap;
 	
 	
 	
@@ -73,14 +73,14 @@ public class SSAOShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 		);
 		
 		// uniform setup
-		this.gProjUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gProj");
-		this.gInvProjUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gInvProj");
-		this.gSampleCountUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gSampleCount");
-		this.gRadiusUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gRadius");
-		this.gStrengthUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gStrength");
-		this.gMinLightUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gMinLight");
-		this.gBiasUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gBias");
-		this.gDepthMapUniform = this.shader.getUniformLocation("gDepthMap");
+		this.uProj = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uProj");
+		this.uInvProj = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uInvProj");
+		this.uSampleCount = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uSampleCount");
+		this.uRadius = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uRadius");
+		this.uStrength = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uStrength");
+		this.uMinLight = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uMinLight");
+		this.uBias = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uBias");
+		this.uDepthMap = this.shader.getUniformLocation("uDepthMap");
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -100,28 +100,26 @@ public class SSAOShader extends AbstractShaderRenderer
 	@Override
 	protected void onApplyUniforms(float partialTicks)
 	{
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gProjUniform, this.projection);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uProj, this.projection);
 		
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gInvProjUniform, this.invertedProjection);
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uInvProj, this.invertedProjection);
 		
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gSampleCountUniform,
-				Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.sampleCount.get());
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uSampleCount, Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.sampleCount.get());
 		
-		// Implicit Number cast needs to be done to prevent issues with the default value being a int
+		// Explicit Number casts need to be done to prevent issues with the default value being an int
 		Number radius = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.radius.get(); 
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gRadiusUniform, radius.floatValue());
-		
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uRadius, radius.floatValue());
 		
 		Number strength = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.strength.get();
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gStrengthUniform, strength.floatValue());
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uStrength, strength.floatValue());
 		
 		Number minLight = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.minLight.get();
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gMinLightUniform, minLight.floatValue());
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uMinLight, minLight.floatValue());
 		
 		Number bias = Config.Client.Advanced.Graphics.Ssao.bias.get();
-		this.shader.setUniform(this.gBiasUniform, bias.floatValue());
+		this.shader.setUniform(this.uBias, bias.floatValue());
 		
-		GL32.glUniform1i(this.gDepthMapUniform, 0);
+		GL32.glUniform1i(this.uDepthMap, 0);
 	}
 	
 	

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/sql/dto/FullDataSourceV2DTO.java

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiWorldCompressionMode;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.worldGeneration.EDhApiWorldGenerationStep;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.FullDataPointIdMap;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.fullData.sources.FullDataSourceV2;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListParent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.network.INetworkObject;
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ import java.io.*;
 
 /** handles storing {@link FullDataSourceV2}'s in the database. */
 public class FullDataSourceV2DTO 
-		extends PhantomArrayListParent
+		extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 		implements IBaseDTO<Long>, INetworkObject, AutoCloseable
 {
 	public static final boolean VALIDATE_INPUT_DATAPOINTS = true;
@@ -237,63 +237,63 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2DTO
 		
 		// normally a DhStream should be the topmost stream to prevent closing the stream accidentally, 
 		// but since this stream will be closed immediately after writing anyway, it won't be an issue
-		DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		
-		// write the data
-		int dataArrayLength = FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH;
-		for (int xz = 0; xz < dataArrayLength; xz++)
+		try (DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
-			LongArrayList dataColumn = inputDataArray[xz];
-			
-			// write column length
-			short columnLength = (dataColumn != null) ? (short) dataColumn.size() : 0;
-			// a short is used instead of an int because at most we store 4096 vertical slices and a 
-			// short fits that with less wasted spaces vs an int (short has max value of 32,767 vs int's max of 2 billion)
-			compressedOut.writeShort(columnLength);
-			
-			// write column data (will be skipped if no data was present)
-			for (int y = 0; y < columnLength; y++)
+			// write the data
+			int dataArrayLength = FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH;
+			for (int xz = 0; xz < dataArrayLength; xz++)
 			{
-				compressedOut.writeLong(dataColumn.getLong(y));
+				LongArrayList dataColumn = inputDataArray[xz];
+				
+				// write column length
+				short columnLength = (dataColumn != null) ? (short) dataColumn.size() : 0;
+				// a short is used instead of an int because at most we store 4096 vertical slices and a 
+				// short fits that with less wasted spaces vs an int (short has max value of 32,767 vs int's max of 2 billion)
+				compressedOut.writeShort(columnLength);
+				
+				// write column data (will be skipped if no data was present)
+				for (int y = 0; y < columnLength; y++)
+				{
+					compressedOut.writeLong(dataColumn.getLong(y));
+				}
 			}
+			
+			
+			// generate the checksum
+			compressedOut.flush();
+			byteArrayOutputStream.close();
+			outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 		}
-		
-		
-		// generate the checksum
-		compressedOut.flush();
-		byteArrayOutputStream.close();
-		outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 	}
 	private static void readBlobToDataSourceDataArray(ByteArrayList inputCompressedDataByteArray, LongArrayList[] outputDataLongArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		ByteArrayInputStream byteArrayInputStream = new ByteArrayInputStream(inputCompressedDataByteArray.elements());
-		DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		
-		// read the data
-		int dataArrayLength = FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH;
-		for (int xz = 0; xz < dataArrayLength; xz++)
+		try (DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
-			// read the column length
-			short dataColumnLength = compressedIn.readShort(); // separate variables are used for debugging and in case validation wants to be added later 
-			if (dataColumnLength < 0)
+			// read the data
+			int dataArrayLength = FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH;
+			for (int xz = 0; xz < dataArrayLength; xz++)
 			{
-				throw new DataCorruptedException("Read DataSource Blob data at index ["+xz+"], column length ["+dataColumnLength+"] should be greater than zero.");
-			}
-			
-			LongArrayList dataColumn = outputDataLongArray[xz];
-			ListUtil.clearAndSetSize(dataColumn, dataColumnLength);
-			
-			// read column data (will be skipped if no data was present)
-			for (int y = 0; y < dataColumnLength; y++)
-			{
-				long dataPoint = compressedIn.readLong();
-				if (VALIDATE_INPUT_DATAPOINTS)
+				// read the column length
+				short dataColumnLength = compressedIn.readShort(); // separate variables are used for debugging and in case validation wants to be added later 
+				if (dataColumnLength < 0)
 				{
-					FullDataPointUtil.validateDatapoint(dataPoint);
+					throw new DataCorruptedException("Read DataSource Blob data at index [" + xz + "], column length [" + dataColumnLength + "] should be greater than zero.");
+				}
+				
+				LongArrayList dataColumn = outputDataLongArray[xz];
+				ListUtil.clearAndSetSize(dataColumn, dataColumnLength);
+				
+				// read column data (will be skipped if no data was present)
+				for (int y = 0; y < dataColumnLength; y++)
+				{
+					long dataPoint = compressedIn.readLong();
+					if (VALIDATE_INPUT_DATAPOINTS)
+					{
+						FullDataPointUtil.validateDatapoint(dataPoint);
+					}
+					dataColumn.set(y, dataPoint);
 				}
-				dataColumn.set(y, dataPoint);
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -302,23 +302,23 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2DTO
 	private static void writeGenerationStepsToBlob(ByteArrayList inputColumnGenStepByteArray, ByteArrayList outputByteArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException
 	{
 		ByteArrayOutputStream byteArrayOutputStream = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
-		DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		for (int i = 0; i < inputColumnGenStepByteArray.size(); i++)
+		try (DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
-			compressedOut.writeByte(inputColumnGenStepByteArray.getByte(i));
+			for (int i = 0; i < inputColumnGenStepByteArray.size(); i++)
+			{
+				compressedOut.writeByte(inputColumnGenStepByteArray.getByte(i));
+			}
+			
+			compressedOut.flush();
+			byteArrayOutputStream.close();
+			outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 		}
-		
-		compressedOut.flush();
-		byteArrayOutputStream.close();
-		outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 	}
 	private static void readBlobToGenerationSteps(ByteArrayList inputCompressedDataByteArray, ByteArrayList outputByteArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		ByteArrayInputStream byteArrayInputStream = new ByteArrayInputStream(inputCompressedDataByteArray.elements());
-		DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum);
 		
-		try
+		try(DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
 			compressedIn.readFully(outputByteArray.elements(), 0, FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH);
 		}
@@ -332,23 +332,23 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2DTO
 	private static void writeWorldCompressionModeToBlob(ByteArrayList inputWorldCompressionModeByteArray, ByteArrayList outputByteArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException
 	{
 		ByteArrayOutputStream byteArrayOutputStream = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
-		DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		for (int i = 0; i < inputWorldCompressionModeByteArray.size(); i++)
+		try (DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
-			compressedOut.write(inputWorldCompressionModeByteArray.getByte(i));
+			for (int i = 0; i < inputWorldCompressionModeByteArray.size(); i++)
+			{
+				compressedOut.write(inputWorldCompressionModeByteArray.getByte(i));
+			}
+			
+			compressedOut.flush();
+			byteArrayOutputStream.close();
+			outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 		}
-		
-		compressedOut.flush();
-		byteArrayOutputStream.close();
-		outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
 	}
 	private static void readBlobToWorldCompressionMode(ByteArrayList inputCompressedDataByteArray, ByteArrayList outputByteArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		ByteArrayInputStream byteArrayInputStream = new ByteArrayInputStream(inputCompressedDataByteArray.elements());
-		DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum);
 		
-		try
+		try(DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum))
 		{
 			compressedIn.readFully(outputByteArray.elements(), 0, FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH * FullDataSourceV2.WIDTH);
 		}
@@ -362,21 +362,23 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2DTO
 	private static void writeDataMappingToBlob(FullDataPointIdMap mapping, ByteArrayList outputByteArray, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException
 	{
 		ByteArrayOutputStream byteArrayOutputStream = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
-		DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		mapping.serialize(compressedOut);
-		
-		compressedOut.flush();
-		byteArrayOutputStream.close();
-		outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
+		try(DhDataOutputStream compressedOut = new DhDataOutputStream(byteArrayOutputStream, compressionModeEnum))
+		{
+			mapping.serialize(compressedOut);
+			
+			compressedOut.flush();
+			byteArrayOutputStream.close();
+			outputByteArray.addElements(0, byteArrayOutputStream.toByteArray());
+		}
 	}
 	private static FullDataPointIdMap readBlobToDataMapping(ByteArrayList compressedMappingByteArray, long pos, @NotNull ILevelWrapper levelWrapper, EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum) throws IOException, InterruptedException, DataCorruptedException
 	{
 		ByteArrayInputStream byteArrayInputStream = new ByteArrayInputStream(compressedMappingByteArray.elements());
-		DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum);
-		
-		FullDataPointIdMap mapping = FullDataPointIdMap.deserialize(compressedIn, pos, levelWrapper);
-		return mapping;
+		try (DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(byteArrayInputStream, compressionModeEnum))
+		{
+			FullDataPointIdMap mapping = FullDataPointIdMap.deserialize(compressedIn, pos, levelWrapper);
+			return mapping;
+		}
 	}
 	
 	

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

@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ import java.sql.ResultSet;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Map;
 
 public class BeaconBeamRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhBlockPos, BeaconBeamDTO>
 {
@@ -96,20 +95,20 @@ public class BeaconBeamRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhBlockPos, BeaconBeamDTO>
 		return dto;
 	}
 	
+	private final String insertSqlTemplate =
+		"INSERT INTO "+this.getTableName() + " (\n" +
+		"   BlockPosX, BlockPosY, BlockPosZ, \n" +
+		"   ColorR, ColorG, ColorB, \n" +
+		"   LastModifiedUnixDateTime, CreatedUnixDateTime) \n" +
+		"VALUES( \n" +
+		"    ?, ?, ?, \n" +
+		"    ?, ?, ?, \n" +
+		"    ?, ? \n" +
+		");";
 	@Override
 	public PreparedStatement createInsertStatement(BeaconBeamDTO dto) throws SQLException
 	{
-		String sql =
-			"INSERT INTO "+this.getTableName() + " (\n" +
-			"   BlockPosX, BlockPosY, BlockPosZ, \n" +
-			"   ColorR, ColorG, ColorB, \n" +
-			"   LastModifiedUnixDateTime, CreatedUnixDateTime) \n" +
-			"VALUES( \n" +
-			"    ?, ?, ?, \n" +
-			"    ?, ?, ?, \n" +
-			"    ?, ? \n" +
-			");";
-		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(sql);
+		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(this.insertSqlTemplate);
 		if (statement == null)
 		{
 			return null;
@@ -131,16 +130,16 @@ public class BeaconBeamRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhBlockPos, BeaconBeamDTO>
 		return statement;
 	}
 	
+	private final String updateSqlTemplate =
+		"UPDATE "+this.getTableName()+" \n" +
+		"SET \n" +
+		"    ColorR = ?, ColorG = ?, ColorB = ?,  \n" +
+		"    LastModifiedUnixDateTime = ? \n" +
+		"WHERE BlockPosX = ? AND BlockPosY = ? AND BlockPosZ = ?";
 	@Override
 	public PreparedStatement createUpdateStatement(BeaconBeamDTO dto) throws SQLException
 	{
-		String sql =
-			"UPDATE "+this.getTableName()+" \n" +
-			"SET \n" +
-			"    ColorR = ?, ColorG = ?, ColorB = ?,  \n" +
-			"    LastModifiedUnixDateTime = ? \n" +
-			"WHERE BlockPosX = ? AND BlockPosY = ? AND BlockPosZ = ?";
-		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(sql);
+		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(this.updateSqlTemplate);
 		if (statement == null)
 		{
 			return null;

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

@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.repo;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhChunkPos;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.BeaconBeamDTO;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.sql.dto.ChunkHashDTO;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
@@ -30,7 +29,6 @@ import java.io.File;
 import java.sql.PreparedStatement;
 import java.sql.ResultSet;
 import java.sql.SQLException;
-import java.util.Map;
 
 public class ChunkHashRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhChunkPos, ChunkHashDTO>
 {
@@ -87,20 +85,25 @@ public class ChunkHashRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhChunkPos, ChunkHashDTO>
 		return dto;
 	}
 	
+	private final String insertSqlTemplate =
+		"INSERT INTO "+this.getTableName() + " (\n" +
+		"   ChunkPosX, ChunkPosZ, \n" +
+		"   ChunkHash, \n" +
+		"   LastModifiedUnixDateTime, CreatedUnixDateTime) \n" +
+		"VALUES( \n" +
+		"    ?, ?, \n" +
+		"    ?, \n" +
+		"    ?, ? \n" +
+		");";
 	@Override
 	public PreparedStatement createInsertStatement(ChunkHashDTO dto) throws SQLException
 	{
-		String sql =
-			"INSERT INTO "+this.getTableName() + " (\n" +
-			"   ChunkPosX, ChunkPosZ, \n" +
-			"   ChunkHash, \n" +
-			"   LastModifiedUnixDateTime, CreatedUnixDateTime) \n" +
-			"VALUES( \n" +
-			"    ?, ?, \n" +
-			"    ?, \n" +
-			"    ?, ? \n" +
-			");";
-		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(sql);
+		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(this.insertSqlTemplate);
+		if (statement == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
 		
 		int i = 1;
 		statement.setObject(i++, dto.pos.getX());
@@ -114,16 +117,21 @@ public class ChunkHashRepo extends AbstractDhRepo<DhChunkPos, ChunkHashDTO>
 		return statement;
 	}
 	
+	private final String updateSqlTemplate =
+		"UPDATE "+this.getTableName()+" \n" +
+		"SET \n" +
+		"    ChunkHash = ? \n" +
+		"   ,LastModifiedUnixDateTime = ? \n" +
+		"WHERE ChunkPosX = ? AND ChunkPosZ = ?";
 	@Override
 	public PreparedStatement createUpdateStatement(ChunkHashDTO dto) throws SQLException
 	{
-		String sql =
-			"UPDATE "+this.getTableName()+" \n" +
-			"SET \n" +
-			"    ChunkHash = ? \n" +
-			"   ,LastModifiedUnixDateTime = ? \n" +
-			"WHERE ChunkPosX = ? AND ChunkPosZ = ?";
-		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(sql);
+		PreparedStatement statement = this.createPreparedStatement(updateSqlTemplate);
+		if (statement == null)
+		{
+			return null;
+		}
+		
 		
 		int i = 1;
 		statement.setObject(i++, dto.chunkHash);

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/sql/repo/FullDataSourceV2Repo.java

@@ -312,22 +312,22 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2Repo extends AbstractDhRepo<Long, FullDataSourceV2D
 	/** should be be very similar to {@link FullDataSourceV2Repo#getChildPositionsToUpdateSql} */
 	private final String getParentPositionsToUpdateSql =
 			"SELECT DetailLevel, PosX, PosZ, " +
-					"   abs((PosX << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) + abs((PosZ << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) AS Distance " +
-					"FROM " + this.getTableName() + " " +
-					"WHERE ApplyToParent = 1 " +
-					"ORDER BY DetailLevel ASC, Distance ASC " +
-					"LIMIT ?; ";
+			"   abs((PosX << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) + abs((PosZ << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) AS Distance " +
+			"FROM " + this.getTableName() + " " +
+			"WHERE ApplyToParent = 1 " +
+			"ORDER BY DetailLevel ASC, Distance ASC " +
+			"LIMIT ?; ";
 	public LongArrayList getPositionsToUpdate(int targetBlockPosX, int targetBlockPosZ, int returnCount)
 	{ return this.getPositionsToUpdate(targetBlockPosX, targetBlockPosZ, returnCount, true); }
 	
 	/** should be be very similar to {@link FullDataSourceV2Repo#getParentPositionsToUpdateSql} */
 	private final String getChildPositionsToUpdateSql =
 			"SELECT DetailLevel, PosX, PosZ, " +
-					"   abs((PosX << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) + abs((PosZ << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) AS Distance " +
-					"FROM " + this.getTableName() + " " +
-					"WHERE ApplyToChildren = 1 " +
-					"ORDER BY DetailLevel ASC, Distance ASC " +
-					"LIMIT ?; ";
+			"   abs((PosX << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) + abs((PosZ << (6 + DetailLevel)) - ?) AS Distance " +
+			"FROM " + this.getTableName() + " " +
+			"WHERE ApplyToChildren = 1 " +
+			"ORDER BY DetailLevel ASC, Distance ASC " +
+			"LIMIT ?; ";
 	public LongArrayList getChildPositionsToUpdate(int targetBlockPosX, int targetBlockPosZ, int returnCount)
 	{ return this.getPositionsToUpdate(targetBlockPosX, targetBlockPosZ, returnCount, false); }
 	
@@ -410,10 +410,9 @@ public class FullDataSourceV2Repo extends AbstractDhRepo<Long, FullDataSourceV2D
 				byte compressionModeEnumValue = result.getByte("CompressionMode");
 				EDhApiDataCompressionMode compressionModeEnum = EDhApiDataCompressionMode.getFromValue(compressionModeEnumValue);
 				
-				try
+				// decompress the data
+				try(DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(result.getBinaryStream("ColumnGenerationStep"), compressionModeEnum))
 				{
-					// decompress the data
-					DhDataInputStream compressedIn = new DhDataInputStream(result.getBinaryStream("ColumnGenerationStep"), compressionModeEnum);
 					putAllBytes(compressedIn, outputByteArray);
 				}
 				catch (IOException e)

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

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util;
 import com.google.common.annotations.VisibleForTesting;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.ColumnArrayView;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.dataObjects.render.columnViews.IColumnDataView;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListParent;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.AbstractPhantomArrayList;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pooling.PhantomArrayListPool;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.LodUtil.AssertFailureException;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongArrayList;
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.shorts.ShortArrays;
  *
  * @author Builderb0y
  */
-public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends PhantomArrayListParent
+public class RenderDataPointReducingList extends AbstractPhantomArrayList
 {
 
 	/**

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/dataStreams/DhDataInputStream.java

@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.dataStreams;
 
+import com.github.luben.zstd.RecyclingBufferPool;
+import com.github.luben.zstd.ZstdInputStream;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiDataCompressionMode;
 import net.jpountz.lz4.LZ4FrameInputStream;
-//import org.apache.commons.compress.compressors.zstandard.ZstdCompressorInputStream;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.tukaani.xz.ResettableArrayCache;
@@ -42,7 +43,6 @@ import java.io.*;
 public class DhDataInputStream extends DataInputStream
 {
 	private static final ThreadLocal<ResettableArrayCache> LZMA_RESETTABLE_ARRAY_CACHE_GETTER = ThreadLocal.withInitial(() -> new ResettableArrayCache(new LzmaArrayCache()));
-	//private static final ThreadLocal<ZstdArrayCache> ZSTD_RESETTABLE_ARRAY_CACHE_GETTER = ThreadLocal.withInitial(() -> new ZstdArrayCache());
 	
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = LogManager.getLogger();
 	
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ public class DhDataInputStream extends DataInputStream
 					return stream;
 				case LZ4:
 					return new LZ4FrameInputStream(stream);
-				//case Z_STD:
-				//	return new ZstdCompressorInputStream(stream, ZSTD_RESETTABLE_ARRAY_CACHE_GETTER.get());
+				case Z_STD:
+					return new ZstdInputStream(stream, RecyclingBufferPool.INSTANCE);
 				case LZMA2:
 					// using an array cache significantly reduces GC pressure
 					ResettableArrayCache arrayCache = LZMA_RESETTABLE_ARRAY_CACHE_GETTER.get();
@@ -113,7 +113,10 @@ public class DhDataInputStream extends DataInputStream
 		}
 	}
 	
-	@Override
-	public void close() throws IOException { /* Do nothing. */ }
+	// TODO at one point closing the streams caused errors, is that due to a bug with LZMA streams or some bug in DH's code that was since fixed?
+	//  if streams aren't closed that cause cause higher-than-expected native memory use if the GC decides
+	//  it doesn't want to clear the stream objects
+	//@Override
+	//public void close() throws IOException { /* Do nothing. */ }
 	
 }

core/src/main/java/com/seibel/distanthorizons/core/util/objects/dataStreams/DhDataOutputStream.java

@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@
 
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.dataStreams;
 
+import com.github.luben.zstd.ZstdOutputStream;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.api.enums.config.EDhApiDataCompressionMode;
 import net.jpountz.lz4.LZ4Factory;
 import net.jpountz.lz4.LZ4FrameOutputStream;
 import net.jpountz.xxhash.XXHashFactory;
-//import org.apache.commons.compress.compressors.zstandard.ZstdCompressorOutputStream;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.tukaani.xz.*;
@@ -55,8 +55,8 @@ public class DhDataOutputStream extends DataOutputStream
 				case UNCOMPRESSED:
 					return stream;
 				
-				//case Z_STD:
-				//	return new ZstdCompressorOutputStream(stream, 3, true, true);
+				case Z_STD:
+					return new ZstdOutputStream(stream, 3, true, true);
 				case LZ4:
 					return new LZ4FrameOutputStream(stream, 
 							LZ4FrameOutputStream.BLOCKSIZE.SIZE_64KB, -1L,
@@ -88,7 +88,11 @@ public class DhDataOutputStream extends DataOutputStream
 			}
 	}
 	
-	@Override
-	public void close() throws IOException { /* Do nothing. */ }
+	
+	// TODO at one point closing the streams caused errors, is that due to a bug with LZMA streams or some bug in DH's code that was since fixed?
+	//  if streams aren't closed that cause cause higher-than-expected native memory use if the GC decides
+	//  it doesn't want to clear the stream objects
+	//@Override
+	//public void close() throws IOException { /* Do nothing. */ }
 	
 }

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

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.iterators.QuadNodeD
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.iterators.QuadTreeNodeIterator;
 import it.unimi.dsi.fastutil.longs.LongIterator;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.Iterator;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
@@ -37,7 +38,11 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 	
 	
 	public final long sectionPos;
-	public final byte minimumDetailLevel;
+	/** 
+	 * this is the highest detail level this tree can provide.
+	 * IE the detail levels that the root nodes in the tree are.
+	 */
+	public final byte parentTreeLeafDetailLevel;
 	public T value;
 	
 	
@@ -68,10 +73,10 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 	
 	
 	
-	public QuadNode(long sectionPos, byte minimumDetailLevel)
+	public QuadNode(long sectionPos, byte parentTreeLeafDetailLevel)
 	{
 		this.sectionPos = sectionPos;
-		this.minimumDetailLevel = minimumDetailLevel;
+		this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel = parentTreeLeafDetailLevel;
 	}
 	
 	
@@ -191,12 +196,12 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 		
 		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(inputSectionPos) == DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(this.sectionPos) && inputSectionPos != this.sectionPos)
 		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Node and input detail level are equal, however positions are not; this tree doesn't contain the requested position. Node pos: " + this.sectionPos + ", input pos: " + inputSectionPos);
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Node and input detail level are equal, however positions are not; this tree doesn't contain the requested position. Node pos: " + this.sectionPos + ", input pos: " + DhSectionPos.toString(inputSectionPos));
 		}
 		
-		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(inputSectionPos) < this.minimumDetailLevel)
+		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(inputSectionPos) < this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel)
 		{
-			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Input position is requesting a detail level lower than what this node can provide. Node minimum detail level: " + this.minimumDetailLevel + ", input pos: " + inputSectionPos);
+			throw new IllegalArgumentException("Input position is requesting a detail level lower than what this node can provide. Tree leaf detail level: " + this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel + ", input pos: " + DhSectionPos.toString(inputSectionPos));
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -231,7 +236,7 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 				if (replaceValue && this.nwChild == null)
 				{
 					// if no node exists for this position, but we want to insert a new value at this position, create a new node
-					this.nwChild = new QuadNode<>(nwPos, this.minimumDetailLevel);
+					this.nwChild = new QuadNode<>(nwPos, this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel);
 				}
 				childNode = this.nwChild;
 				
@@ -244,7 +249,7 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 				if (replaceValue && this.swChild == null)
 				{
 					// if no node exists for this position, but we want to insert a new value at this position, create a new node
-					this.swChild = new QuadNode<>(swPos, this.minimumDetailLevel);
+					this.swChild = new QuadNode<>(swPos, this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel);
 				}
 				childNode = this.swChild;
 				
@@ -257,7 +262,7 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 				if (replaceValue && this.neChild == null)
 				{
 					// if no node exists for this position, but we want to insert a new value at this position, create a new node
-					this.neChild = new QuadNode<>(nePos, this.minimumDetailLevel);
+					this.neChild = new QuadNode<>(nePos, this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel);
 				}
 				childNode = this.neChild;
 				
@@ -270,7 +275,7 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 				if (replaceValue && this.seChild == null)
 				{
 					// if no node exists for this position, but we want to insert a new value at this position, create a new node
-					this.seChild = new QuadNode<>(sePos, this.minimumDetailLevel);
+					this.seChild = new QuadNode<>(sePos, this.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel);
 				}
 				childNode = this.seChild;
 				
@@ -290,8 +295,9 @@ public class QuadNode<T>
 	// iterators //
 	//===========//
 	
-	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator<>(this, false); }
-	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getLeafNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator<>(this, true); }
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator<>(this, false, null); }
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getNodeIterator(@Nullable QuadTree.INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc) { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator<>(this, false, stopIteratingFunc); }
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getLeafNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator<>(this, true, null); }
 	
 	/** positions can point to null children */
 	public LongIterator getChildPosIterator() { return new QuadNodeDirectChildPosIterator<>(this); }

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

@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
+import java.util.function.Function;
 import java.util.function.LongConsumer;
 
 /**
@@ -50,12 +51,12 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	 * The largest numerical detail level this tree supports. <br>
 	 * IE: the detail level used by the root nodes.
 	 */
-	public final byte treeMinDetailLevel;
+	public final byte treeRootDetailLevel;
 	/** 
 	 * The smallest numerical detail level this tree supports. <br> 
 	 * IE: the detail level used by the leaf nodes.
 	 */
-	public final byte treeMaxDetailLevel;
+	public final byte treeLeafDetailLevel;
 	
 	private final int diameterInBlocks; // diameterInBlocks
 	
@@ -71,21 +72,21 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	 *
 	 * @param diameterInBlocks equivalent to the distance between the two opposing sides
 	 */
-	public QuadTree(int diameterInBlocks, DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos, byte treeMaxDetailLevel)
+	public QuadTree(int diameterInBlocks, DhBlockPos2D centerBlockPos, byte treeLeafDetailLevel)
 	{
 		this.centerBlockPos = centerBlockPos;
 		this.diameterInBlocks = diameterInBlocks;
 		
-		this.treeMaxDetailLevel = treeMaxDetailLevel;
+		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
-		this.treeMinDetailLevel = (byte) Math.max(Math.max(1, this.treeMaxDetailLevel), MathUtil.log2(diameterInBlocks));
+		this.treeRootDetailLevel = (byte) Math.max(Math.max(1, this.treeLeafDetailLevel), MathUtil.log2(diameterInBlocks));
 		
-		int halfSizeInRootNodes = Math.floorDiv(this.diameterInBlocks, 2) / BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(this.treeMinDetailLevel);
+		int halfSizeInRootNodes = Math.floorDiv(this.diameterInBlocks, 2) / BitShiftUtil.powerOfTwo(this.treeRootDetailLevel);
 		halfSizeInRootNodes = halfSizeInRootNodes + 1; // always add 1 so nodes will always have a parent, even if the tree's center is offset from the root node grid 
 		
 		Pos2D ringListCenterPos = new Pos2D(
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.x, this.treeMinDetailLevel),
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.z, this.treeMinDetailLevel));
+				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.x, this.treeRootDetailLevel),
+				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.z, this.treeRootDetailLevel));
 		this.topRingList = new MovableGridRingList<>(halfSizeInRootNodes, ringListCenterPos.getX(), ringListCenterPos.getY());
 		
 	}
@@ -129,12 +130,12 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 			int radius = this.diameterInBlocks() / 2;
 			DhBlockPos2D minPos = this.getCenterBlockPos().add(new DhBlockPos2D(-radius, -radius));
 			DhBlockPos2D maxPos = this.getCenterBlockPos().add(new DhBlockPos2D(radius, radius));
-			throw new IndexOutOfBoundsException("QuadTree GetOrSet failed. Position out of bounds, min pos: " + minPos + ", max pos: " + maxPos + ", min detail level: " + this.treeMaxDetailLevel + ", max detail level: " + this.treeMinDetailLevel + ". Given Position: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "] = block pos: " + DhSectionPos.convertToDetailLevel(pos, LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL));
+			throw new IndexOutOfBoundsException("QuadTree GetOrSet failed. Position out of bounds, min pos: " + minPos + ", max pos: " + maxPos + ", min detail level: " + this.treeLeafDetailLevel + ", max detail level: " + this.treeRootDetailLevel + ". Given Position: [" + DhSectionPos.toString(pos) + "] = block pos: " + DhSectionPos.convertToDetailLevel(pos, LodUtil.BLOCK_DETAIL_LEVEL));
 		}
 		
 		
 		
-		long rootPos = DhSectionPos.convertToDetailLevel(pos, this.treeMinDetailLevel);
+		long rootPos = DhSectionPos.convertToDetailLevel(pos, this.treeRootDetailLevel);
 		int ringListPosX = DhSectionPos.getX(rootPos);
 		int ringListPosZ = DhSectionPos.getZ(rootPos);
 		
@@ -146,7 +147,7 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 				return null;
 			}
 			
-			topQuadNode = new QuadNode<T>(rootPos, this.treeMaxDetailLevel);
+			topQuadNode = new QuadNode<T>(rootPos, this.treeLeafDetailLevel);
 			boolean successfullyAdded = this.topRingList.set(ringListPosX, ringListPosZ, topQuadNode);
 			if (!successfullyAdded)
 			{
@@ -171,7 +172,7 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	public boolean isSectionPosInBounds(long testPos)
 	{
 		// check if the testPos is within the detail level limits of the tree
-		boolean detailLevelWithinBounds = this.treeMaxDetailLevel <= DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(testPos) && DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(testPos) <= this.treeMinDetailLevel;
+		boolean detailLevelWithinBounds = this.treeLeafDetailLevel <= DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(testPos) && DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(testPos) <= this.treeRootDetailLevel;
 		if (!detailLevelWithinBounds)
 		{
 			return false;
@@ -237,10 +238,12 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	//===========//
 	
 	/** can include null nodes */
-	public LongIterator rootNodePosIterator() { return new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(true); }
+	public LongIterator rootNodePosIterator() { return new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(true, null); }
 	
-	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> nodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator(false); }
-	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> leafNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator(true); }
+	/** @see INodeIteratorStoppingFunc */
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> nodeIteratorWithStoppingFilter(INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stoppingFilterFunc) { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator(false, stoppingFilterFunc); }
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> nodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator(false, null); }
+	public Iterator<QuadNode<T>> leafNodeIterator() { return new QuadTreeNodeIterator(true, null); }
 	
 	
 	
@@ -254,8 +257,8 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		this.centerBlockPos = newCenterPos;
 		
 		Pos2D expectedCenterPos = new Pos2D(
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.x, this.treeMinDetailLevel),
-				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.z, this.treeMinDetailLevel));
+				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.x, this.treeRootDetailLevel),
+				BitShiftUtil.divideByPowerOfTwo(this.centerBlockPos.z, this.treeRootDetailLevel));
 		
 		if (this.topRingList.getCenter().equals(expectedCenterPos))
 		{
@@ -320,16 +323,14 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	
 	
 	
-	
-	
 	//==============//
 	// base methods //
 	//==============//
 	
-	public boolean isEmpty() { return this.count() == 0; } // TODO this should be rewritten to short-circuit
+	public boolean isEmpty() { return this.nodeCount() == 0; } // this should be rewritten to short-circuit
 	
 	/** @return the number of non-null nodes in the tree */
-	public int count()
+	public int nodeCount()
 	{
 		int count = 0;
 		for (QuadNode<T> node : this.topRingList)
@@ -394,7 +395,13 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 //	}
 	
 	@Override
-	public String toString() { return "center block: " + this.centerBlockPos + ", block width: " + this.diameterInBlocks + ", detail level range: [" + this.treeMaxDetailLevel + "-" + this.treeMinDetailLevel + "], leaf #: " + this.leafNodeCount(); }
+	public String toString() 
+	{ 
+		return "center block: " + this.centerBlockPos + 
+				", block width: " + this.diameterInBlocks + 
+				", detail level range: [" + this.treeLeafDetailLevel + "-" + this.treeRootDetailLevel + "], " +
+				"leaf #: " + this.leafNodeCount(); 
+	}
 	
 	
 	
@@ -402,19 +409,39 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 	// iterator classes //
 	//==================//
 	
+	/** @see INodeIteratorStoppingFunc#iteratorShouldStop(QuadNode)  */
+	@FunctionalInterface
+	public interface INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T>
+	{
+		/** if this function returns true then the iterator will stop walking down the tree */
+		boolean iteratorShouldStop(QuadNode<T> node);
+	}
+	
 	private class QuadTreeRootPosIterator implements LongIterator
 	{
-		private final LongArrayFIFOQueue iteratorPosQueue = new LongArrayFIFOQueue();
+		private final LongArrayFIFOQueue iteratorPosQueue;
+		@Nullable
+		private final INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc;
 		
 		
 		
-		public QuadTreeRootPosIterator(boolean includeNullNodes)
+		public QuadTreeRootPosIterator(boolean includeNullNodes, @Nullable INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc)
 		{
+			this.iteratorPosQueue = new LongArrayFIFOQueue();
+			this.stopIteratingFunc = stopIteratingFunc;
+			
 			QuadTree.this.topRingList.forEachPosOrdered((node, pos2D) ->
 			{
-				if (node != null || includeNullNodes)
+				if (this.stopIteratingFunc != null
+					&& this.stopIteratingFunc.iteratorShouldStop(node))
 				{
-					long rootPos = DhSectionPos.encode(QuadTree.this.treeMinDetailLevel, pos2D.getX(), pos2D.getY());
+					return;
+				}
+				
+				if (node != null 
+					|| includeNullNodes)
+				{
+					long rootPos = DhSectionPos.encode(QuadTree.this.treeRootDetailLevel, pos2D.getX(), pos2D.getY());
 					if (QuadTree.this.isSectionPosInBounds(rootPos))
 					{
 						this.iteratorPosQueue.enqueue(rootPos);
@@ -459,13 +486,17 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		private QuadNode<T> lastNode = null;
 		
 		private final boolean onlyReturnLeaves;
+		@Nullable
+		private final INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc;
 		
 		
 		
-		public QuadTreeNodeIterator(boolean onlyReturnLeaves)
+		public QuadTreeNodeIterator(boolean onlyReturnLeaves, @Nullable INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc)
 		{
-			this.rootNodeIterator = new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(false);
+			this.rootNodeIterator = new QuadTreeRootPosIterator(false, stopIteratingFunc);
 			this.onlyReturnLeaves = onlyReturnLeaves;
+			
+			this.stopIteratingFunc = stopIteratingFunc;
 		}
 		
 		
@@ -473,23 +504,28 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		@Override
 		public boolean hasNext()
 		{
-			if (!this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext() && this.currentNodeIterator != null && !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
+			if (!this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext() 
+				&& this.currentNodeIterator != null 
+				&& !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
 				return false;
 			}
 			
 			
-			if (this.currentNodeIterator == null || !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
+			if (this.currentNodeIterator == null 
+				|| !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
 				this.currentNodeIterator = this.getNextChildNodeIterator();
 			}
+			
 			return this.currentNodeIterator != null && this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext();
 		}
 		
 		@Override
 		public QuadNode<T> next()
 		{
-			if (this.currentNodeIterator == null || !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
+			if (this.currentNodeIterator == null 
+				|| !this.currentNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
 				this.currentNodeIterator = this.getNextChildNodeIterator();
 			}
@@ -503,13 +539,14 @@ public class QuadTree<T>
 		private Iterator<QuadNode<T>> getNextChildNodeIterator()
 		{
 			Iterator<QuadNode<T>> nodeIterator = null;
-			while ((nodeIterator == null || !nodeIterator.hasNext()) && this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext())
+			while ((nodeIterator == null || !nodeIterator.hasNext()) 
+					&& this.rootNodeIterator.hasNext())
 			{
 				long sectionPos = this.rootNodeIterator.nextLong();
 				QuadNode<T> rootNode = QuadTree.this.getNode(sectionPos);
 				if (rootNode != null)
 				{
-					nodeIterator = this.onlyReturnLeaves ? rootNode.getLeafNodeIterator() : rootNode.getNodeIterator();
+					nodeIterator = this.onlyReturnLeaves ? rootNode.getLeafNodeIterator() : rootNode.getNodeIterator(this.stopIteratingFunc);
 				}
 			}
 			return nodeIterator;

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

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public class QuadNodeChildIndexIterator<T> implements Iterator<Integer>
 	public QuadNodeChildIndexIterator(QuadNode<T> parentNode, boolean returnNullChildPos)
 	{
 		// only get the children if this section isn't at the bottom of the tree
-		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(parentNode.sectionPos) > parentNode.minimumDetailLevel)
+		if (DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(parentNode.sectionPos) > parentNode.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel)
 		{
 			// go over each child pos
 			for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)

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

@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.iterators;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.pos.DhSectionPos;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.QuadNode;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.quadTree.QuadTree;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import java.util.*;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
@@ -36,31 +38,36 @@ public class QuadTreeNodeIterator<T> implements Iterator<QuadNode<T>>
 	private byte iteratorDetailLevel = 0;
 	
 	private final boolean onlyReturnLeafValues;
+	@Nullable
+	private final QuadTree.INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc;
 	
 	
-	
-	public QuadTreeNodeIterator(QuadNode<T> rootNode, boolean onlyReturnLeafValues)
+	public QuadTreeNodeIterator(
+			QuadNode<T> rootNode, 
+			boolean onlyReturnLeafValues, @Nullable QuadTree.INodeIteratorStoppingFunc<T> stopIteratingFunc)
 	{
 		this.onlyReturnLeafValues = onlyReturnLeafValues;
+		this.stopIteratingFunc = stopIteratingFunc;
 		// TODO the naming conversion for these are flipped in a lot of places
-		this.highestDetailLevel = rootNode.minimumDetailLevel;
+		this.highestDetailLevel = rootNode.parentTreeLeafDetailLevel;
 		this.iteratorDetailLevel = DhSectionPos.getDetailLevel(rootNode.sectionPos);
 		
 		
 		if (!this.onlyReturnLeafValues)
 		{
+			// return all nodes
+			
 			// set the start for the iterator
 			this.validNodesForDetailLevel.add(rootNode);
 			this.iteratorNodeQueue.add(rootNode);
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			// fully populate the iterator
+			// return leaf nodes
 			
+			// fully populate the iterator
 			// this isn't the best way to do this, especially for large trees, 
 			// but it is simple and functions well enough for now
-			
-			
 			Queue<QuadNode<T>> parentNodeQueue = new ArrayDeque<>();
 			parentNodeQueue.add(rootNode);
 			
@@ -68,6 +75,13 @@ public class QuadTreeNodeIterator<T> implements Iterator<QuadNode<T>>
 			while (parentNodeQueue.peek() != null)
 			{
 				QuadNode<T> parentNode = parentNodeQueue.poll();
+				
+				if (stopIteratingFunc != null
+					&& stopIteratingFunc.iteratorShouldStop(parentNode))
+				{
+					continue;
+				}
+				
 				for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 				{
 					QuadNode<T> childNode = parentNode.getChildByIndex(i);
@@ -112,7 +126,8 @@ public class QuadTreeNodeIterator<T> implements Iterator<QuadNode<T>>
 		
 		// the iterator queue should be fully populated for leaf values,
 		// for all values, it needs to be populated for each detail level
-		if (this.iteratorNodeQueue.size() == 0 && !onlyReturnLeafValues)
+		if (this.iteratorNodeQueue.size() == 0 
+			&& !this.onlyReturnLeafValues)
 		{
 			// populate the next detail level list
 			
@@ -123,17 +138,32 @@ public class QuadTreeNodeIterator<T> implements Iterator<QuadNode<T>>
 				Queue<QuadNode<T>> parentNodes = new LinkedList<>(this.validNodesForDetailLevel);
 				this.validNodesForDetailLevel.clear();
 				
-				// populate the list of nodes for this level
+				// populate the list of nodes for this detail level
 				for (QuadNode<T> parentNode : parentNodes)
 				{
+					if (this.stopIteratingFunc != null
+						&& this.stopIteratingFunc.iteratorShouldStop(parentNode))
+					{
+						continue;
+					}
+					
+					
 					for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++)
 					{
 						QuadNode<T> childNode = parentNode.getChildByIndex(i);
-						if (childNode != null)
+						if (childNode == null)
 						{
-							this.iteratorNodeQueue.add(childNode);
-							this.validNodesForDetailLevel.add(childNode);
+							continue;
 						}
+						
+						if (this.stopIteratingFunc != null
+							&& this.stopIteratingFunc.iteratorShouldStop(childNode))
+						{
+							continue;
+						}
+						
+						this.iteratorNodeQueue.add(childNode);
+						this.validNodesForDetailLevel.add(childNode);
 					}
 				}
 			}

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

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 package com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.threading;
 
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.Config;
-import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.types.ConfigEntry;
+import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.config.listeners.IConfigListener;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.logging.DhLoggerBuilder;
 import com.seibel.distanthorizons.core.util.objects.RollingAverage;
 import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
@@ -13,111 +13,131 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
 import java.util.concurrent.locks.ReentrantLock;
+import java.util.stream.Stream;
 
+/**
+ * This handles dividing work DH needs to do across
+ * DH's thread pool.
+ */
 public class PriorityTaskPicker
 {
 	private static final Logger LOGGER = DhLoggerBuilder.getLogger();
 	
 	
-	private final ConfigEntry<Integer> threadCountConfig = Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads;
-	
-	private final RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor threadPoolExecutor = new RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor(
-			this.threadCountConfig.getMax(),
-			new DhThreadFactory("PriorityTaskPicker", Thread.MIN_PRIORITY, false),
-			new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(this.threadCountConfig.getMax())
-	);
-	
-	// List of executors
+	/** the list of currently registered executors */
 	private final ArrayList<Executor> executors = new ArrayList<>();
 	
-	// Lock to ensure task picking logic is thread-safe
+	/** Lock to ensure task picking logic is thread-safe */
 	private final ReentrantLock taskPickerLock = new ReentrantLock();
-	// Tracks the number of active threads
-	private final AtomicInteger occupiedThreads = new AtomicInteger(0);
+	/** Tracks the number of active threads */
+	private final AtomicInteger occupiedThreadsRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
 	
 	private final AtomicBoolean isShutDownRef = new AtomicBoolean(false);
 	
 	
 	
-	//==================//
-	// executor methods //
-	//==================//
+	//==========//
+	// executor //
+	//==========//
 	
-	/**
-	 * Creates an executor.
-	 *
-	 * @return a newly created Executor
-	 */
-	public Executor createExecutor()
+	public Executor createExecutor(String name)
 	{
-		Executor executor = new Executor();
+		Executor executor = new Executor(this, name);
 		this.executors.add(executor);
 		return executor;
 	}
 	
 	/**
-	 * Tries to start the next task by iterating over executors in the queue.
-	 * Ensures thread limits are respected and only one thread iterates over the executorQueue at a time.
+	 * Tries to start the next queued task
+	 * for one of the available executors.
 	 */
 	private void tryStartNextTask()
 	{
-		if (this.taskPickerLock.tryLock())
+		// only let one thread start the next task to prevent concurrency errors
+		if (!this.taskPickerLock.tryLock())
 		{
-			try
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		
+		try
+		{
+			// Limit how many tasks can be queued for a given pool before moving to the next pool.
+			// This allows the picker to spread out the work a little more vs having the threads
+			// only work on a single executor's queue at a time
+			int maxQueuedBeforeOverflow = Math.max(1, Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get() / 2);
+			
+			// fill up executors that have run for less time first,
+			// this prevents long-running tasks from taking up all the CPU time
+			Iterator<Executor> iterator = this.getExecutorIteratorSortedByShortestTotalRunTime();
+			while (iterator.hasNext())
 			{
-				// TODO limit based on thread count so visual VM is easier to parse
-				for (Executor executor : (Iterable<? extends Executor>) this.executors.stream().sorted(Comparator.comparingLong(executor -> executor.totalRuntimeNanos.get()))::iterator)
+				Executor executor = iterator.next();
+				int queuedTaskCount = 0;
+				
+				TrackedRunnable task;
+				
+				// start tasks until we're running as many threads as acceptable by the config,
+				// or until this executor is empty,
+				// or until we should move on to the next executor
+				while (this.occupiedThreadsRef.get() < Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get()
+						&& queuedTaskCount <= maxQueuedBeforeOverflow
+						&& (task = executor.taskQueue.poll()) != null)
 				{
-					TrackedRunnable task;
+					queuedTaskCount++;
 					
-					while (this.occupiedThreads.get() < this.threadCountConfig.get() && (task = executor.tasks.poll()) != null)
+					try
 					{
-						try
+						executor.runTask(task);
+						this.occupiedThreadsRef.getAndIncrement();
+					}
+					catch (RejectedExecutionException e)
+					{
+						if (this.isShutDownRef.get())
 						{
-							// Attempt to start another task
-							this.threadPoolExecutor.execute(task);
-							
-							// Update variables related to task status
-							this.occupiedThreads.getAndIncrement();
-							executor.runningTasks.getAndIncrement();
+							// Clear this executor's tasks since we no longer expect anything to execute.
+							executor.taskQueue.clear();
 						}
-						catch (RejectedExecutionException e)
+						else
 						{
-							if (this.isShutDownRef.get())
-							{
-								// Clear executor's tasks since we no longer expect anything to execute
-								// Tasks from other executors will be cleared by the outer for loop
-								executor.tasks.clear();
-							}
-							else
-							{
-								throw e;
-							}
+							throw e;
 						}
 					}
 				}
 			}
-			finally
-			{
-				this.taskPickerLock.unlock();
-				
-				// If someone else manages to pick up a lock before us, we'll leave early, and they will do our work
-			}
+		}
+		finally
+		{
+			this.taskPickerLock.unlock();
 		}
 	}
+	private Iterator<Executor> getExecutorIteratorSortedByShortestTotalRunTime()
+	{
+		Stream<Executor> stream = this.executors.stream();
+		// returns smaller numbers first
+		stream = stream.sorted(Comparator.comparingLong((executor) -> executor.totalRuntimeNanos.get()));
+		return stream.iterator();
+	}
 	
-	/** Shuts down the thread pool immediately, stopping all tasks. */
-	public void shutdown()
+	/** Blocking, shuts down the thread pool immediately, stopping all tasks. */
+	public void shutdownNow()
 	{
 		LOGGER.info("Shutting down PriorityTaskPicker thread pool...");
 		this.isShutDownRef.set(true);
 		
 		try
 		{
-			this.threadPoolExecutor.shutdown();
-			if (!this.threadPoolExecutor.awaitTermination(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS))
+			for (int i = 0; i < this.executors.size(); i++)
 			{
-				this.threadPoolExecutor.shutdownNow();
+				Executor executor = this.executors.get(i);
+				if (executor != null)
+				{
+					executor.shutdown();
+					if (!executor.awaitTermination(5, TimeUnit.SECONDS))
+					{
+						executor.shutdownNow();
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		catch (InterruptedException e)
@@ -132,68 +152,158 @@ public class PriorityTaskPicker
 	// helper classes //
 	//================//
 	
-	public class Executor extends AbstractExecutorService
+	/**
+	 * Each executor handles a specific type of work that DH needs done.
+	 * By separating out task into its own executor it allows for easier performance monitoring
+	 * via a tool like Visual VM and fairly spreading out CPU time between tasks.
+	 */
+	public static class Executor extends AbstractExecutorService implements IConfigListener
 	{
-		private final Queue<TrackedRunnable> tasks = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+		private final PriorityTaskPicker parentTaskPicker;
+		private final String name;
+		
+		private final Queue<TrackedRunnable> taskQueue = new ConcurrentLinkedQueue<>();
+		
+		private final AtomicInteger runningTasksRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
+		private final AtomicInteger completedTasksRef = new AtomicInteger(0);
 		
-		private final AtomicInteger runningTasks = new AtomicInteger(0);
-		private final AtomicInteger completedTasks = new AtomicInteger(0);
-		private final RollingAverage runTimeInMsRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(200);
 		private final AtomicLong totalRuntimeNanos = new AtomicLong(0);
+		/** used for performance logging */
+		private final RollingAverage runTimeInMsRollingAverage = new RollingAverage(200);
 		
+		/** holds the threads this {@link Executor} can run */
+		private RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor threadPoolExecutor;
+		
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		
+		public Executor(PriorityTaskPicker parentTaskPicker, String name)
+		{
+			this.parentTaskPicker = parentTaskPicker;
+			this.name = name;
+			
+			this.threadPoolExecutor = this.createThreadPool();
+			
+			Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.addListener(this);
+		}
+		
+		private RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor createThreadPool()
+		{
+			return new RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor(
+					Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get(),
+					new DhThreadFactory(this.name, Thread.MIN_PRIORITY, false),
+					new ArrayBlockingQueue<>(Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors())
+			);
+		}
+		
+		
+		
+		//=================//
+		// config handling //
+		//=================//
+		
+		@Override
+		public void onConfigValueSet() 
+		{
+			RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor oldExecutor = this.threadPoolExecutor;
+			this.threadPoolExecutor = this.createThreadPool();
+			
+			// shut down the old executor after replacing it with the new one
+			// to make sure no tasks are lost in the transfer
+			if (oldExecutor != null)
+			{
+				oldExecutor.shutdown();
+			}
+		}
+		
+		
+		
+		//=====================//
+		// task queue handling //
+		//=====================//
 		
 		@Override
 		public void execute(@NotNull Runnable command)
 		{
-			this.tasks.add(new TrackedRunnable(this, command));
+			this.taskQueue.add(new TrackedRunnable(this.parentTaskPicker, this, command));
 			
-			// Attempt to pick up the task immediately
-			PriorityTaskPicker.this.tryStartNextTask();
+			// Attempt to start the task immediately
+			this.parentTaskPicker.tryStartNextTask();
+		}
+		
+		/** The passed in {@link Runnable} must be exactly the same as the one passed into {@link PriorityTaskPicker.Executor#execute(Runnable)} */
+		public void remove(@NotNull Runnable command) { this.taskQueue.removeIf(trackedRunnable -> trackedRunnable.command == command); }
+		
+		
+		public void runTask(@NotNull Runnable command)
+		{ 
+			this.threadPoolExecutor.execute(command);
+			this.runningTasksRef.getAndIncrement();
 		}
 		
 		
-		public int getQueueSize() { return this.tasks.size(); }
-		public int getPoolSize() { return PriorityTaskPicker.this.threadCountConfig.get(); }
+		public int getQueueSize() { return this.taskQueue.size(); }
+		public int getPoolSize() { return Config.Common.MultiThreading.numberOfThreads.get(); }
 		
-		public int getRunningTaskCount() { return this.runningTasks.get(); }
-		public int getCompletedTaskCount() { return this.completedTasks.get(); }
+		public int getRunningTaskCount() { return this.runningTasksRef.get(); }
+		public int getCompletedTaskCount() { return this.completedTasksRef.get(); }
 		/** Will return NaN if nothing has been submitted yet */
 		public double getAverageRunTimeInMs() { return this.runTimeInMsRollingAverage.getAverage(); }
 		
 		
-		/** The passed in {@link Runnable} must be exactly the same as the one passed into {@link PriorityTaskPicker.Executor#execute(Runnable)} */
-		public void remove(@NotNull Runnable command) { this.tasks.removeIf(trackedRunnable -> trackedRunnable.command == command); }
+		
+		//==========//
+		// shutdown //
+		//==========//
 		
 		@Override
-		public void shutdown() { throw new UnsupportedOperationException(); }
+		public void shutdown() { this.threadPoolExecutor.shutdown(); }
 		
 		@Override
-		public @NotNull List<Runnable> shutdownNow() { throw new UnsupportedOperationException(); }
+		public @NotNull List<Runnable> shutdownNow() { return this.threadPoolExecutor.shutdownNow(); }
 		
 		@Override
-		public boolean isShutdown() { return false; }
+		public boolean isShutdown() { return this.threadPoolExecutor.isShutdown(); }
 		@Override
-		public boolean isTerminated() { return false; }
+		public boolean isTerminated() { return this.threadPoolExecutor.isTerminated(); }
 		
 		@Override
-		public boolean awaitTermination(long timeout, @NotNull TimeUnit unit) { return false; }
+		public boolean awaitTermination(long timeout, @NotNull TimeUnit unit) throws InterruptedException 
+		{ return this.threadPoolExecutor.awaitTermination(timeout, unit); }
 		
 	}
 	
 	/** used so we can {@link PriorityTaskPicker.Executor#remove(Runnable)} using the original {@link Runnable} */
-	private class TrackedRunnable implements Runnable
+	private static class TrackedRunnable implements Runnable
 	{
+		private final PriorityTaskPicker parentTaskPicker;
 		private final Executor executor;
 		
 		/** the runnable passed into {@link PriorityTaskPicker.Executor#execute(Runnable)} */
 		public final Runnable command;
 		
-		public TrackedRunnable(Executor executor, Runnable command)
+		
+		
+		//=============//
+		// constructor //
+		//=============//
+		
+		public TrackedRunnable(PriorityTaskPicker parentTaskPicker, Executor executor, Runnable command)
 		{
+			this.parentTaskPicker = parentTaskPicker;
 			this.executor = executor;
 			this.command = command;
 		}
 		
+		
+		
+		//=========//
+		// running //
+		//=========//
+		
 		@Override
 		public void run()
 		{
@@ -208,16 +318,17 @@ public class PriorityTaskPicker
 				this.executor.runTimeInMsRollingAverage.addValue(TimeUnit.NANOSECONDS.toMillis(timeElapsed));
 				
 				// Update variables related to task status
-				PriorityTaskPicker.this.occupiedThreads.getAndDecrement();
-				this.executor.runningTasks.getAndDecrement();
-				this.executor.completedTasks.getAndIncrement();
+				this.parentTaskPicker.occupiedThreadsRef.getAndDecrement();
+				this.executor.runningTasksRef.getAndDecrement();
+				this.executor.completedTasksRef.getAndIncrement();
 				this.executor.totalRuntimeNanos.addAndGet(timeElapsed);
 				
-				// Attempt to start another task
-				PriorityTaskPicker.this.tryStartNextTask();
+				this.parentTaskPicker.tryStartNextTask();
 			}
 		}
 		
 	}
 	
+	
+	
 }

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

@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ public class RateLimitedThreadPoolExecutor extends ThreadPoolExecutor
 	 * Deprecated since most of the time this doesn't do what we want or need.
 	 * In James testing any tasks started with {@link CompletableFuture#runAsync(Runnable, Executor)}
 	 * or {@link CompletableFuture#supplyAsync(Supplier, Executor)} converted the {@link Runnable}
-	 * and {@link CompletableFuture} into objects that didn't support being cancled and removed
+	 * and {@link CompletableFuture} into objects that didn't support being canceled and removed
 	 * from the queue. The canceled tasks were correctly never run, but couldn't be purged.
 	 */
 	@Deprecated

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

@@ -45,6 +45,10 @@ public class ThreadPoolUtil
 	@Nullable
 	public static PriorityTaskPicker.Executor getFileHandlerExecutor() { return fileHandlerThreadPool; }
 	
+	private static PriorityTaskPicker.Executor renderSectionLoadThreadPool;
+	@Nullable
+	public static PriorityTaskPicker.Executor getRenderLoadingExecutor() { return renderSectionLoadThreadPool; }
+	
 	private static PriorityTaskPicker.Executor updatePropagatorThreadPool;
 	@Nullable
 	public static PriorityTaskPicker.Executor getUpdatePropagatorExecutor() { return updatePropagatorThreadPool; }
@@ -95,15 +99,16 @@ public class ThreadPoolUtil
 		
 		if (taskPicker != null)
 		{
-			taskPicker.shutdown();
+			taskPicker.shutdownNow();
 		}
 		taskPicker = new PriorityTaskPicker();
 		
-		networkCompressionThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor();
-		fileHandlerThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor();
-		chunkToLodBuilderThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor();
-		updatePropagatorThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor();
-		worldGenThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor();
+		networkCompressionThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("Network");
+		fileHandlerThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("IO");
+		renderSectionLoadThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("Render Loader");
+		chunkToLodBuilderThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("LOD Builder");
+		updatePropagatorThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("Update Propagator");
+		worldGenThreadPool = taskPicker.createExecutor("World Gen");
 		
 		
 		
@@ -128,7 +133,7 @@ public class ThreadPoolUtil
 	public static void shutdownThreadPools()
 	{
 		// standalone threads
-		taskPicker.shutdown();
+		taskPicker.shutdownNow();
 		beaconCullingThreadPool.shutdown();
 		fullDataMigrationThreadPool.shutdown();
 	}

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

@@ -67,7 +67,21 @@ public abstract class AbstractDhServerWorld<TDhServerLevel extends AbstractDhSer
 	@Override
 	public void removePlayer(IServerPlayerWrapper serverPlayer)
 	{
-		this.getLevel(serverPlayer.getLevel()).removePlayer(serverPlayer);
+		IServerLevelWrapper playerLevel = serverPlayer.getLevel();
+		if (playerLevel == null)
+		{
+			// can happen during server shutdown
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		TDhServerLevel serverLevel = this.getLevel(playerLevel);
+		if (serverLevel == null)
+		{
+			// can happen during server shutdown
+			return;
+		}
+		
+		serverLevel.removePlayer(serverPlayer);
 		this.serverPlayerStateManager.unregisterLeftPlayer(serverPlayer);
 		
 		// If player's left, session is already closed