Updated to 1.21.2 and 1.21.3!

• Fixed some render issues and ordering
• Simplified code syntax
• Centralized methods
• Fixed render arrow mode

Changelog

Version: 1.1.0

Summary

Version 1.1.0 refactors the rendering architecture, introduces robust asset detection, improves client-server synchronization, adds death markers, enhances configuration capabilities, and fixes multiple bugs. Backwards compatibility with existing configs and use cases is preserved.

Major Enhancements & Additions

Rendering & Architecture

• Modular separation of rendering logic into:
  • RenderAddons
  • RenderUtils
  • TextureManager
  • TextureAnimator
• Introduction of AssetScanner:
  • Scans the resource manager for textures under sprites/hud/
  • Builds lists of available dot styles, arrow styles, icon borders, death marker types
  • Caches texture dimensions to avoid repeated IO
• Death markers persistence:
  • Hud.deathMarkers store marker data with timestamp and world position
  • Configurable limit of death markers
  • Automatic cleanup of old or out-of-range markers
• Hybrid mode operation:
  • Handshake with server to detect mod presence
  • Fallback to local mode if server unresponsive beyond timeout (e.g. SERVER_TIMEOUT_MS)
• Per-player overrides:
  • In config, allow per-player settings: color, icon style, border style

Detailed Changes per Component

Main / Mod Initialization

• Register payload codecs for HandshakePayload and PositionUpdatePayload with PayloadTypeRegistry
• Initialize server module (BetterPlayerLocatorBarServer) on common side
• Add logging for handshake success/failure and mode switching events

Client / Initialization

• On resource reload, call AssetScanner.reload(...)
• Instantiate Hud and register HudRenderCallback
• In ClientPlayNetworking, register receiver for handshake and position update
• Track lastServerUpdateTime; if exceeds threshold, switch to local mode

HUD (BetterPlayerLocatorBarHud)

• Maintain maps:
  • playerPositions
  • lastKnownPositions
  • currentIconPositions
  • lastPositionUpdateTime
• tick() and updateRenderCache():
  • Filter players by distance and maxVisibleIcons
  • Sort by closeness or priority if needed
• Easing & interpolation:
  • If distance jump is large (e.g. > 75% of bar width), snap to target
  • Else, advance position using easeInOutQuad
• Separate rendering methods:
  • renderPlayerIcon()
  • renderDeathMarker()
  • renderArrow()
  • renderNameplate()
• Hide logic:
  • shouldHideTarget() checks for sneaking, invisibility, helmet usage
• Angle & FOV:
  • Use CONFIG.getFovMultiplier() to adjust icon horizontal shift
• Alpha / fading:
  • calculateEdgeAlpha() and getDistanceAlpha() for smooth fade near edges or by distance
• Texture selection:
  • getAdjustedTextureIndex(distance, config) picks animation frame

AssetScanner

• On reload, checks for presence of each expected texture (dots, outlines, arrows, markers, tags)
• Builds lists: availableDots, availableArrows, availableDeathMarkers, etc.
• Caches texture widths and heights via NativeImage to avoid repeated loads

RenderAddons

• Central rendering of tinted icons, outlines, names, arrows, and death markers
• Supports override of head texture by UUID or name, with fallback to default skin
• renderIcon(), renderArrow(), renderNameplate() share common helper logic
• Outline rendering: darker border variants computed dynamically or via presets

TextureManager

• Centralizes Identifier creation for texture paths
• Caches Identifier objects to reduce allocation overhead
• Standardized naming scheme:
  • sprites/hud/player_dots/{type}_{frame}.png
  • sprites/hud/player_dots_outlines/...
  • sprites/hud/arrows/{type}.png
  • sprites/hud/death_markers_dots/{type}.png
  • sprites/hud/tags/{style}.png

TextureAnimator

• Handles time-based frame switching for animated textures (if any)
• Maintains current frame, elapsed time, duration per frame

Keybinds

• Register SHOW_PLAYER_NAME and OPEN_CONFIG
• OPEN_CONFIG opens ConfigScreen via client.setScreen(...)

RenderUtils

• Utilities for rendering:
  • renderTintedTexture(...)
  • drawNineSlicedTexture(...)
  • withMatrixPush(...)
  • setShaderColorRGBA(...)
  • getTextureDimensions(...) (delegates to AssetScanner cache)

Network

• HandshakePayload contains fields: serverHasMod, playerIsOp
• PositionUpdatePayload contains:
  • positions(): list of (UUID, Vec3d)
  • newPlayers(): optional list of new player info
  • disconnectedPlayers(): list of UUIDs
• Client receives payloads and updates internal maps in thread-safe manner (via client.execute(...))

Bug Fixes

• Prevent NPE in AssetScanner when a texture is missing (check .isPresent() first)
• Remove stale entries in currentIconPositions when players disconnect or markers expire
• Fix jumping icons when large remote deltas: implement snapping threshold
• Fix fallback logic when textureHeadOverride is non-UUID string; add resolution from usercache.json
• Clamp angle calculations so icons outside the horizontal range don’t render incorrectly
• Fix mod/mixin registration: ensure BetterPlayerLocateBar.mixins.json declared correctly
• Ensure name rendering only when Tab is held or always enabled via config

Performance & Optimization

• Cache texture dimensions in AssetScanner to avoid repeating image loads
• Cache Identifier objects in TextureManager
• Pre-limit icon rendering count by maxVisibleIcons before layout computation
• Maintain intermediate render caches (positionsToRenderCache) to avoid recomputation each frame
• Asset scan only on resource reload, not every frame
• Minimize temporary allocations in loops (reuse collections, use computeIfAbsent, subList)

Configuration & UX Enhancements

• Added config options:
  • deathMarkerInheritBorderColor
  • deathMarkerBorderStyle
  • assetScanner.textures list
  • adjust_to_fov, fov_multiplier
• ConfigScreen improvements:
  • Renders real-time preview of names and icons
  • Shows detected textures from AssetScanner in dropdowns
• HUD offset auto-applied if icons present (shouldApplyHudOffset() logic)

Client-Server Integration

• Server module now actively gathers player positions at interval
• Client handshake verifies server mod and sets flags accordingly
• If server stops sending updates, client falls back to local mode
• PositionUpdatePayload sends full updates so client can reconstruct state

Robustness & Edge Cases

• UUID parsing wrapped in try/catch to avoid crashes
• File I/O (e.g. usercache.json) wrapped with existence checks
• Clear logs in Constants.LOGGER for mode switching and error conditions

Regression Risk & Testing

• Tested:
  • Mode switching (server vs local)
  • Name rendering via Tab
  • Death markers creation and cleanup
  • Asset detection when adding custom textures
• Edge cases:
  • Player wearing helmet/skull — head override logic
  • Invisible or sneaking players
  • Large jumps in position between updates

Previous Version (1.0.0) — Summary

• Basic HUD rendering of nearby players
• Automatic colors, simple interpolation
• Static icon style, no death markers
• Minimal configuration

Notes

• This version emphasizes stability, modularity, and configurability
• If regressions occur, open issues with logs, steps to reproduce, and version info

Fixed Fabric Loader incompatibility issue for newer versions

Mod Changelog - Versions 1.21 & 1.21.1

UI & Visual Enhancements

• Redesigned and improved configuration screen, offering a sleek and more intuitive interface.
• Custom widgets inspired by Mojang's existing UI elements for a seamless and familiar experience.
• Fully restyled icons, delivering a modern and polished look.

HUD Improvements

• Enhanced HUD interaction—visibility of XP bar icons now dynamically affects the overall interface behavior.

Performance & Code Optimization

• Major code refactoring to ensure optimal performance and efficiency across all systems.

v0.2.1 - BETA | Network & Rendering Overhaul

Core Changes

• Added dual-mode operation (Server Mode and Local Mode)
• Implemented automatic handshake system for mod detection
• Added 5-second timeout for server updates before switching to local mode

Network Improvements

• New payload registration system compatible with Minecraft 1.21 / 1.21.1
• Server now initiates handshake when players join
• Improved network efficiency with 2-tick update intervals

Rendering Fixes

• Complete rendering logic overhaul
• Fixed player position sorting and display issues
• Improved handling of edge cases in both modes

New Features

• Added server compatibility detection
• Configurable distance-based fading
• Automatic fallback to local detection when needed

Bug Fixes

• Fixed all compilation errors from previous version
• Resolved variable scope conflicts
• Corrected player visibility checks
• Fixed timeout detection logic

Configuration Updates

• Added new config options for fade distances
• Added force local mode option
• Maintained backward compatibility with old configs

Optimizations

• Reduced network overhead
• Improved client-side caching
• Better connection state handling

Known Issues

• Player visibility may still be limited on some servers in local mode
• Initial detection may take 1-2 seconds after joining

Migration Notes

• Servers need v0.2.1 - BETA for full functionality
• Clients automatically handle fallback to local mode
• Existing configs remain compatible but gain new options

🖥️ Customizable Interface

• Rounded icons representing players.
• Dynamic colors with join animations.
• Stylized borders with smooth gradients.
• Smooth animations using lerp.
• Height indicator (arrow showing if a player is above or below).
• Progressive transparency based on distance (fades at 100 blocks, nearly invisible at 5000).
• Option to display the player’s head instead of a colored icon.

🎮 Enhanced User Experience

• Smooth movements with interpolation.
• "Show Names" mode when pressing Tab.
• Automatic adjustment of the experience and status bars when interacting with the HUD.

📡 Server Synchronization

• Real-time location tracking of other players in the bar.
• Detect nearby players without needing a minimap.
• Supports official and TL Skin skins.
• Persistent data storage for players outside render distance.

⚙️ Advanced Configuration

• Complete settings menu (F8).
• Modify some of active functions.
• Coming JSON configuration editor (Experimental and maybe not functional).