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611a1a5952
Everything the next agent needs to run the Phase 2 optimisation loop on a machine that can launch the client: - analysis/client-perf/: LEVERS (ranked levers + corrections), BENCH-MATRIX (world, scenes, config IDs, blocks B0-B14 with decision rules), PLAYER-TUNING, SPAWN-TUNING, research briefs, the jar scanner and its output, observed default configs, and proposed-configs/ (build.py generates tiers and bench variants and fails on unknown keys; apply_variant.py applies a variant and merges options.txt). - analysis/client-perf/bench/onion-bench/: bench-world datapack (scene teleports, Create grid, mob pen, sound storm, 120 s teleport tour). - analysis/audit/: the static recipe/dependency audit, including gen_fixes.py, which generates the shipped Paxi datapack and was never tracked. - phase0/: per-machine measurement harness (Steam Deck, 7700K/1060, 6700K/1080 Ti). - .pi/journal.md: running work log; read it first. All of it is packwizignored, so nothing here ships to players.
486 lines
37 KiB
Markdown
486 lines
37 KiB
Markdown
# Research: Entity & Animation Rendering Cost (client-side)
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Scope: Minecraft 1.21.1 / NeoForge 21.1.251, Onion MC pack pins. Purely client-side
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render/main-thread and heap cost of entity models, animations and dynamic lights.
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Tags: **VERIFIED** = read in source/config code, **DOCUMENTED** = official
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README/wiki/changelog, **COMMUNITY** = user reports/forums, **INFERENCE** = my reasoning.
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---
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## Summary
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Entity/animation cost in this pack is dominated by three independent CPU-side pipelines
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that **do not share configuration**: (1) EMF/CEM custom models driven by Fresh Animations
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(`animationLODDistance`, `modelUpdateFrequency`), (2) GeckoLib 4.x models used by Mowzie's,
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Fowlplay, dragons, etc. (no user-facing perf config in GeckoLib itself), and (3)
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player-animation mods (Better Combat / playerAnimator / Emotecraft) layered on EMF. Only
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pipeline (1) is throttled by the EMF knobs most guides mention; the biggest confirmed
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per-mob cost multiplier is **Iris shadow-pass re-animation**, which EMF already skips by
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default in this version. Dynamic lights (LambDynamicLights 4.8.x) are a separate risk
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because each moving light source forces **chunk mesh rebuilds**, which is far more
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expensive than animation math. Entity**Culling** (already in pack) and the vanilla
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**Entity Distance** slider are the two levers that reduce the *number* of entities hitting
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any of these pipelines, and are therefore the highest-leverage, lowest-risk changes.
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---
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## Findings
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### A. EMF 3.x + ETF 7.x with Fresh Animations (+ All Extensions)
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1. **EMF exposes exactly five performance-relevant settings.** From `EMFConfig.java`
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(repo master = mod_version **3.3.11**; the pack's 3.3.9 is the same config surface):
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`animationLODDistance` (int, default **20**, range 0–65), `retainDetailOnLowFps`
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(default true), `retainDetailOnLargerMobs` (default true),
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`animationFrameSkipDuringIrisShadowPass` (default true), and `modelUpdateFrequency`
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(type `ETFConfig.UpdateFrequency`, default `Average`). `asmMaths` ("Compiled animation
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math", default true) is the compiled-maths fast path. [VERIFIED]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/java/traben/entity_model_features/config/EMFConfig.java
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2. **`animationLODDistance` is frame-skipping keyed to distance from the client player.**
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Official tooltip: "Sets the distance at which animations will begin to skip frames,
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lower the Level of Detail (LOD) … None = no frame skipping; 16 = will skip 1 frame for
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every 16 blocks distance from player. Lower numbers mean more skipped frames and more
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performance gain." Default is 20; 0 = the "None" entry on the slider. [DOCUMENTED —
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mod lang file, same repo]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/resources/assets/entity_model_features/lang/en_us.json
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The setting was introduced in the 1.3 changelog and the size-aware variant
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(`retainDetailOnLargerMobs`) in the 2.0 changelog. [DOCUMENTED — CHANGELOG.MD]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/CHANGELOG.MD
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3. **`retainDetailOnLowFps` and `retainDetailOnLargerMobs` deliberately soften the LOD
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effect** (less skipping below 60 fps; less skipping on big mobs). Tooltips: "reduce the
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Level of Detail (LOD) impact of the above setting according to the mobs size" / "…
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according to your fps. Only applies when below 60 fps." Turning these **off** makes the
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LOD slider do more work (more aggressive skipping). [DOCUMENTED — mod lang file]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/resources/assets/entity_model_features/lang/en_us.json
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4. **`animationFrameSkipDuringIrisShadowPass` is the single most important EMF option and
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is already ON.** Changelog 2.1.1: "added an optimization option that will skip
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recalculating entity model animations during the iris shadow pass, on by default, and
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**should always stay on**". With shaders, each animated model would otherwise be
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animated a second time for the shadow pass. **Verify this is still `true` on all three
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fleet machines** — it is the difference between 1× and 2× animation cost per frame.
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[VERIFIED — config + DOCUMENTED — changelog]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/CHANGELOG.MD
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5. **EMF 3.2+ already contains a large animation-speed fix.** Changelog 3.2: "significant
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performance improvement for custom animations (**more than doubling frames** when many
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animated entities are present)". The pack's EMF 3.3.9 includes this; do not "fix" FA
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cost by downgrading. [DOCUMENTED]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/CHANGELOG.MD
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6. **`modelUpdateFrequency` only controls *model refresh* (health/age/child-state
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changes), not per-frame animation.** Tooltip: "Sets how often a mobs model will update
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for changes like health & age. Never = never update, Slow = 3-5 seconds, Average =
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about 1 second, Fast = less than a second, Instant = instant (possible lag with
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hundred of mobs)". Default `Average`. Lowering it to `Slow`/`Never` is a cheap,
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low-visual-impact win on busy farms/villager halls. [VERIFIED — config; DOCUMENTED —
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lang file]
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7. **Per-model opt-out exists** via `modelsNamesDisabled` (a `Set<String>` of
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`<name>.jem`), exposed in the GUI as "Enable model" per .jem file. This lets you kill
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the most expensive FA models (e.g. villager layers) without dropping FA globally.
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[VERIFIED — config]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/java/traben/entity_model_features/config/EMFConfig.java
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8. **`allowedCEM` gates which model namespaces EMF touches** (`All` / `Known only (mostly
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vanilla/OptiFine)` / `Unknown only (mostly modded)` / `Off`). Setting it to
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`Known only` stops EMF from building CEM models for modded mobs — useful if FA-derived
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models on modded entities are the hot path. [VERIFIED — config]
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9. **Measured Fresh-Animations cost is large and shader-amplified.** On the EMF issue
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tracker, a user reported on 1.21.11 + Sodium/Iris: 50 cows on screen = 400+ fps (no
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mods) → 110–130 fps with Fresh Animations → **30–40 fps with shaders + FA**; vanilla
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animations on the same scene = 300–350 fps / 180–200 fps with shaders. The EMF author
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replied the numbers are "more than I'd expect" but that FA "animations are just so
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involved compared to vanilla" and you "aren't going to be easily pushing past 200 fps
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with fresh animations on ever". A second reporter on 1.20.1 saw 165→40 fps with 30 cows
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+ Beefier Bovine x FA + Complementary. The issue was closed as fixed in a later
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release. [COMMUNITY — user reports on mod's own tracker; DOCUMENTED — maintainer reply]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/issues/443
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10. **Independent corroboration that FA + EMF/ETF drops FPS on villager-heavy scenes:**
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easy-villagers #243 "Huge FPS drops with Fresh Animations and the mods needed for it
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(EMF/ETF). Seems to be trying to run the animations even tho there's no animation
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seen." [COMMUNITY]
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https://github.com/henkelmax/easy-villagers/issues/243
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11. **EMF recommends EntityCulling specifically for animation-heavy packs.** EMF README:
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"Entity Culling … does wonders for reducing entity rendering lag, doing even more than
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Sodium's included entity culling. This is very beneficial when using animation heavy
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packs like Fresh Animations." [DOCUMENTED — official README]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features
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12. **ETF: the cost-bearing knobs are the texture-update frequency and emissive/skin
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toggles.** From `ETFConfig.java`: `textureUpdateFrequency_V2` (enum `UpdateFrequency`:
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`Never` = -1, `Slow` = 80 t, `Average` = 20 t, `Fast` = 5 t, `Instant` = 1; **default
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`Fast`**), `enableCustomTextures`, `enableEmissiveTextures`, `enableEmissiveBlockEntities`,
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`emissiveRenderMode` (`DULL`/`BRIGHT`), `enableEnchantedTextures`, `enableArmorAndTrims`,
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`enableBlinking`, `blinkFrequency` (150), `blinkLength` (1), `skinFeaturesEnabled`,
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`skinTransparencyMode`, `use3DSkinLayerPatch`, `alwaysCheckVanillaEmissiveSuffix`,
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`advanced_IncreaseCacheSizeModifier` (1.0), `enableFullBodyWardenTextures`,
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per-entity override maps (`entityEmissiveOverrides`, `entityRandomOverrides`,
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`entityEmissiveBrightOverrides`, `entityRenderLayerOverrides`, `entityLightOverrides`).
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`UpdateFrequency` is a **tick delay** for re-evaluating random/variant properties, so
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moving `Fast` (5 t, 4 Hz per entity) → `Average` (20 t, 1 Hz) cuts per-entity texture
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bookkeeping 4×. [VERIFIED — source]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Texture_Features/blob/ETF-Main/src/main/java/traben/entity_texture_features/config/ETFConfig.java
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13. **ETF rates misbehaving packs as a lag source.** README FAQ: "If you are experiencing
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lag please check your most recent log file to see if any errors are being logged,
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sometimes an incorrectly written properties file or missing textures may lag the
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system." Relevant because FA All Extensions ships many `.properties` files — a single
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mis-pathed texture can multiply cost. [DOCUMENTED]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Texture_Features/blob/ETF-Main/.github/README.md
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14. **ETF emissive conflicts with Complementary shaders.** ETF FAQ: "Complimentary shaders
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has its own in-built emissive textures that usually work fine but will conflict with
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some resource packs. You can either disable Complimentary's emissives or ETF's
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emissives to fix this." Relevant because the pack runs Complementary Reimagined r5.9.3.
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[DOCUMENTED]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Texture_Features/blob/ETF-Main/.github/README.md
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15. **Known pack-relevant interaction: ImmediatelyFast 1.6.14 vs FA All Extensions.**
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ImmediatelyFast issue #180 (still open, last comment Dec 2025): ImmediatelyFast breaks
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the custom models of Fresh Animations Extensions. The reporter's working set was
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ETF + EMF + Embeddium(+extra) + FreshAnimations + FA+All_Extensions; adding
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ImmediatelyFast broke entity rendering. Maintainer: "I added this as a low priority
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issue to my todo list." The pack carries ImmediatelyFast 1.6.14 + FA All Extensions
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1.8.1 — worth an A/B on entity visuals/cost. [COMMUNITY/DOCUMENTED — mod tracker]
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https://github.com/RaphiMC/ImmediatelyFast/issues/180
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16. **FA All Extensions is a bundle of official sub-packs** (details, creeper/spider
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edits, emissive add-on, quivers, classic horses), i.e. it *adds* cost on top of base
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FA rather than being neutral. [DOCUMENTED — mod description]
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https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/texture-packs/fresh-animations-extensions
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### B. GeckoLib 4.x (Mowzie's, Fowlplay, dragons, Doggy Talents, etc.)
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17. **GeckoLib is a library, and the pack's GeckoLib 4.9.3 has no end-user performance
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config.** The official README documents no client perf options — its `wiki.geckolib.com`
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is modder documentation (controllers, molang, render layers). Per-entity animation
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cost is therefore set by each *consumer mod*, not by a config the pack can tune.
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[VERIFIED — README has no config section]
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https://github.com/bernie-g/geckolib
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18. **Mowzie's Mobs genuinely requires GeckoLib 4.9.3 on 1.21.1 NeoForge** — reproduced in
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a 1.21.1/NeoForge 21.1.248 + Mowzie's 1.8.2 + GeckoLib 4.9.3 report. So the pack's
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GeckoLib load is not optional. [COMMUNITY/DOCUMENTED — mod repo issue]
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https://github.com/BobMowzie/MowziesMobs-Public/issues/64
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19. **Third-party GeckoLib optimizers exist and are directly relevant to 1.21.1 NeoForge.**
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"GeckoLib Animation Optimizer" requires GeckoLib 4.9.0+ on 1.21.1 NeoForge; its
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description claims configurable distance-based animation optimisation and camera
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visibility culling enabled by default, block-occlusion culling and player optimisation
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disabled by default, "fully client-side". "GeckolibBetterFPS" claims ~"25% faster
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rendering of GeckoLib entities" and "reduces micro stutters when multiple GeckoLib
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entities are present", but it is a MoePus mod historically targeted at 1.20.1 — check
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1.21.1 build availability before proposing. [COMMUNITY — mod listings; treat the
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percentages as vendor claims, not verified]
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https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/geckolib-animation-optimizer ,
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https://modrinth.com/project/CZyWdBUo
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20. **Important negative finding: EMF's animation LOD does NOT throttle GeckoLib.**
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EMF only handles OptiFine CEM `.jem` models; GeckoLib renders through its own pipeline.
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**INFERENCE**: the `animationLODDistance` lever benefits vanilla-mob/FA content only;
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for GeckoLib-heavy scenes the only EMF-independent levers are EntityCulling, the
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Entity Distance slider, and reducing the number of GeckoLib entities (spawn/mob count).
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21. **Citadel (Alex's Mobs / Alex's Caves) is a different library from GeckoLib.** The
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widely-reported Alex's Mobs perf complaints are about **server/world-gen and chunk
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loading**, not client rendering — Citadel issue #156 is titled "Alex's Mobs X Citadel:
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Slow Chunk loading", and r/feedthebeast discussion is about worldgen/chunky comparison.
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A separate community "Alex's Mobs: Tweaks [Performance Optimization]" (AMT) addon
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claims to "fix several expensive Alex's Mobs and Citadel hot paths". Treat client-side
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Citadel cost as driven mainly by entity *count* and its own model complexity.
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[COMMUNITY]
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https://github.com/AlexModGuy/Citadel/issues/156 ,
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https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/amt
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### C. 3D Skin Layers (1.11.3)
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22. **3D Skin Layers already has a built-in distance LOD.** README: "The mod automatically
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switches back to vanilla-style 2D rendering when players are more than **12 blocks
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away**". The config option is "Level Of Detail Distance" — "The distance at which the
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model will switch to a lower level of detail (vanilla 2d)". [DOCUMENTED — README;
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VERIFIED — lang file]
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https://github.com/tr7zw/3d-Skin-Layers ,
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https://github.com/tr7zw/3d-Skin-Layers/blob/main/src/main/resources/assets/skinlayers3d/lang/en_us.json
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23. **Per-limb and per-feature toggles let you buy cost back cheaply.** Lang keys observed:
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"3D Hat", "3D Jacket", "3D Left/Right Sleeve", "3D Left/Right Pants", "3D Skulls",
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"3D Skull Items", plus cost/quality knobs "Voxel Size", "Head Voxel Size", "Body Voxel
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Height", "Torso Voxel Width", "Skull Voxel Size", "First Person Voxel Size", "Fast
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Render" ("render the 3D models as fast as possible, this may cause some graphical
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glitches with transparency"). [VERIFIED — lang file]
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https://github.com/tr7zw/3d-Skin-Layers/blob/main/src/main/resources/assets/skinlayers3d/lang/en_us.json
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24. **3D Skin Layers is explicitly integrated with EMF and with playerAnimator.**
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Repo contains `EMFModelPartMixin.java`; README lists Player Animator as supported
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("This means mods that use it like Better Combat and Emotecraft"). ETF in turn exposes
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`use3DSkinLayerPatch` which is only shown when `ETF.SKIN_LAYERS_DETECTED`. So EMF/ETF,
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3D Skin Layers and playerAnimator form one chained render path on players.
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[VERIFIED — source files; DOCUMENTED — README]
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https://github.com/tr7zw/3d-Skin-Layers/blob/main/src/main/java/dev/tr7zw/skinlayers/mixin/EMFModelPartMixin.java
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25. **Compat/quality switches that trade correctness for cost:** "Compatibility Mode",
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"Iris Compatibility Mode" ("fixes weird shadows/colors when using Iris shaders … Will
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break the corner connections"), "Sodium Workaround". Only enable as needed. [VERIFIED —
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lang file]
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26. **Cost is bounded by player count, not mob count.** 3D Skin Layers only affects player
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models/heads. On a 10-player server, worst case is 9 remote players within 12 blocks.
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[INFERENCE]
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### D. Player-animation stack: Better Combat + playerAnimator + Emotecraft
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27. **Better Combat requires playerAnimator, and its animation code runs on *every*
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player entity, not just yourself.** Its client package contains
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`PlayerAttackAnimatable` and `CustomAnimationPlayer` under
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`common/…/client/animation/`, i.e. it is a `Player`-model mixin path, and Better Combat
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synchronises attacks so remote players' swings animate too (community reports of
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multiplayer animation bugs confirm remote-player animation is rendered).
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[VERIFIED — repo file tree; COMMUNITY — multiplayer reports]
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https://github.com/ZsoltMolnarrr/BetterCombat/tree/1.21.1/common/src/main/java/net/bettercombat/client/animation
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28. **Better Combat client-side cost knobs are few but real.** `ClientConfig.java` fields
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include `isShowingWeaponTrails` (**default true** — the slash/trail particle system in
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`client/particle/TrailParticles.java` and `SlashParticleUtil.java`),
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`isSweepingParticleEnabled` (default false), `isShowingArmsInFirstPerson` (false),
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`firstPersonAnimations` (TriStateAuto.AUTO), `legAnimationThreshold` (0). Turning off
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weapon trails removes a per-swing particle + geometry cost without touching animation
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math. [VERIFIED — source]
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https://github.com/ZsoltMolnarrr/BetterCombat/blob/1.21.1/common/src/main/java/net/bettercombat/config/ClientConfig.java
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29. **There is a first-class EMF ⇄ playerAnimator conflict, and a purpose-built fix.**
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"Entity Player Compat" (MIT, client-side, published for **1.21.1 NeoForge/Fabric**,
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requires EMF + PlayerAnimator) exists because EMF's custom player models and
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playerAnimator both write player part transforms. It does per-part blending
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("Automatically detects which specific body parts … are being animated by PlayerAnimator
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and only pauses EMF animations for the specific parts currently in use"), a "virtual
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follow" limb re-parenting system, and claims "high-performance tick-based caching …
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does its work in a handful of hooks per frame." It explicitly lists Better Combat,
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FA: Player Extension and GeckoLib/AzureLib armors as tested. [DOCUMENTED — mod page]
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https://modrinth.com/mod/entity-player-compat
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**INFERENCE**: without it, EMF will animate the player model *and* playerAnimator will
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animate it again each frame — double work on every visible player, the exact class of
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waste `animationFrameSkipDuringIrisShadowPass` was built to avoid. This is a strong
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candidate lever for the 10-player use case.
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30. **Emotecraft is built on playerAnimator and is client-side-required.** Emotecraft needs
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the client half; the server half is optional, and features stay inactive without a
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sync path. Emote animation is transient (only while an emote plays), so steady-state
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cost is low; the risk is many simultaneous emotes near the player. [DOCUMENTED —
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Emotecraft/playerAnimator listings]
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https://minecrafthub.io/mods/emotecraft , https://minecrafthub.io/mods/playeranimator
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31. **EMF has explicit Emotecraft integration** — changelog 3.0.7 added
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`registerPauseCondition(Function<EMFEntity,Boolean> shouldPause)` to
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`EMFAnimationApi` specifically so mods like EmoteCraft stop mixing in, and 3.3.4
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"updated emote craft emote pausing support in EMF". So EMF+Emotecraft is a supported
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path; the pack's EMF 3.3.9 is new enough. [DOCUMENTED — CHANGELOG.MD]
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https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/CHANGELOG.MD
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### E. LambDynamicLights 4.8.x on Sodium
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32. **Dynamic lights cost is chunk rebuilds, not per-frame shading.** Official
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"How does it work": "To apply the dynamic lighting we have to request the affected
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chunks a rebuild to rebuild the lightmap, **which is the most critical part
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performance-wise**. Rebuilding a chunk cost performances, that's why there's multiple
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mode: FASTEST, FAST and FANCY. The fast modes will limit the update." The mod computes
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dynamic light over a radius of 7.75 blocks, "which is still a lot" of touched chunks,
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and hooks `WorldRenderer#setupTerrain` (or its Sodium equivalent) to schedule rebuilds.
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[DOCUMENTED — official doc]
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https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/HOW_DOES_IT_WORK.md
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33. **Exact 1.21-branch config keys (this branch is `@version 4.8.0`, matching pack 4.8.11),
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config file `config/lambdynlights.toml`:** `mode` (enum `off`/`fastest`/`fast`/`fancy`,
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**default `fancy`**), `chunk_rebuild_scheduler` (`culling` **default** / `immediate`),
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`adaptive_ticking.slow` (**5** chunks), `adaptive_ticking.slower` (**8** chunks),
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`adaptive_ticking.background_sleep` (**true**), `light_sources.entities` (true),
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`light_sources.self` (true), `light_sources.water_sensitive_check` (true),
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`light_sources.beam` (true), `light_sources.guardian_laser` (true),
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`light_sources.sonic_boom` (true), `light_sources.glowing_effect` (true),
|
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`light_sources.creeper` (`simple`), `light_sources.tnt` (`off`), plus `debug.*`.
|
||
[VERIFIED — source]
|
||
https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/src/main/java/dev/lambdaurora/lambdynlights/DynamicLightsConfig.java
|
||
34. **The quality mode maps to a tick mode, not to radius.** `DynamicLightsMode` in the
|
||
1.21 branch: `FANCY → TickMode.REAL_TIME`, `FAST → TickMode.SLOW`,
|
||
`FASTEST → TickMode.SLOWER`, `OFF → REAL_TIME` (disabled). So `fastest`/`fast` throttle
|
||
**how often light updates are applied** (fewer chunk rebuilds/second), which is the
|
||
correct lever for stutter, and `fancy` gives real-time smoothness at full rebuild cost.
|
||
[VERIFIED — source]
|
||
https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/src/main/java/dev/lambdaurora/lambdynlights/DynamicLightsMode.java
|
||
35. **The 4.8.x line added two dedicated cost mitigations vs older guides.** `chunk_rebuild_scheduler`
|
||
(`culling` default vs `immediate`) and the adaptive-ticking distance pair
|
||
(`adaptive_ticking.slow` / `.slower`, in **chunks**) plus `background_sleep` under
|
||
`adaptive_ticking`. These are the 1.21-branch additions that the widely-copy-pasted
|
||
"Light Range / updateInterval / entitiesGlowing" advice (which cites keys that do not
|
||
exist in the 1.21 branch source) does not mention. [VERIFIED — source vs the third-party
|
||
guide] https://lambdynamiclights.com/configuring-lambdynamiclights-for-peak-performance/
|
||
36. **Per-category light-source toggles map to real feature costs.**
|
||
`light_sources.entities=false` removes all burning-mob/glow-squid/entity-carried-light
|
||
sources (the biggest moving-light population in a survival world);
|
||
`light_sources.self=false` removes the first-person player light;
|
||
`light_sources.beam`/`guardian_laser`/`sonic_boom`/`glowing_effect` cover beacon beams,
|
||
guardian beams, sonic booms and the Glowing effect. Disabling `entities` while keeping
|
||
`self` is the usual "I still want my torch to glow, but not 200 burning zombies"
|
||
compromise. [VERIFIED — source]
|
||
https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/src/main/java/dev/lambdaurora/lambdynlights/DynamicLightsConfig.java
|
||
37. **Sodium interop is explicit, not accidental.** `HOW_DOES_IT_WORK.md`: "we inject at
|
||
`WorldRenderer#setupTerrain` (`WorldRenderer#render` at `WorldRenderer#setupTerrain`
|
||
invoke **if Sodium is present**)". So LDD 4.8.x is Sodium-aware by design; the classic
|
||
"dynamic lights cause chunk rebuild stutter on Sodium" claim needs to be re-measured
|
||
on this version rather than assumed. [DOCUMENTED]
|
||
https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/HOW_DOES_IT_WORK.md
|
||
|
||
### F. EntityCulling (1.11.2) interplay
|
||
|
||
38. **Independently useful alongside Sodium's own culling.** README: "I have 'Use Entity
|
||
Culling' enabled in Sodium — does this still help? Yes! … Sodium performs basic
|
||
visibility checks based on loaded chunks, this mod goes further. It analyzes the
|
||
actual line-of-sight visibility, skipping entities that are within visible chunks but
|
||
not actually visible to the player." [DOCUMENTED — official README]
|
||
https://github.com/tr7zw/EntityCulling
|
||
39. **It has a client-side entity *tick* culling feature, not just render culling.**
|
||
`Config.java` (config version 9): `tickCulling` (**true**), with a separate
|
||
`tickCullingWhitelist`. This reduces main-thread entity tick cost — relevant to P2's
|
||
main-thread bottleneck. [VERIFIED — source]
|
||
https://github.com/tr7zw/EntityCulling/blob/main/EntityCulling-Versionless/src/main/java/dev/tr7zw/entityculling/versionless/Config.java
|
||
40. **Exact config keys/defaults** (`config/entityculling.json`): `tracingDistance` **128**
|
||
(path-trace range), `sleepDelay` **10**, `hitboxLimit` **50**, `captureRate` **5**,
|
||
`tickCulling` **true**, `skipEntityCulling` false, `skipBlockEntityCulling` false,
|
||
`blockEntityFrustumCulling` **true**, `forceDisplayCulling` false, `solidLeaves`
|
||
**false** ("treat leaves as solid blocks … help to increase the performance in
|
||
forested areas" — directly relevant with Better Leaves 9.6 in pack), `safeMode` true,
|
||
`renderNametagsThroughWalls` true, plus `entityWhitelist` / `blockEntityWhitelist` /
|
||
`tickCullingWhitelist`. [VERIFIED — source; DOCUMENTED — README for `solidLeaves`]
|
||
41. **Known interaction: client-side/mod "display" entities and far-bounds block entities
|
||
need whitelisting** — "Client-side entities, commonly used by magic mods for
|
||
animations, may not behave as expected. Whitelist the relevant entities via the config
|
||
screen for tick culling and/or entity culling … You'll also need to whitelist block
|
||
entities that render well beyond their normal bounds. Examples include the vanilla
|
||
beacon, pulleys from Create…". **INFERENCE**: relevant to this pack's Create/Flywheel
|
||
contraptions and Veil-based mods; verify no visual regressions before recommending any
|
||
change. [DOCUMENTED — README]
|
||
42. **Mild CPU trade-off on very weak CPUs.** README: "Consider [disabling] when playing on
|
||
a really old computer … When the CPU is already maxed out, there is no spare CPU time
|
||
to run the visibility calculations." None of the fleet's CPUs are in that class, but
|
||
the Steam Deck's shared power budget makes this worth watching. [DOCUMENTED — README]
|
||
43. **Author-provided test reference:** the README's comparison screenshot was captured
|
||
with "Sodium, Iris and ImmediatelyFast … alongside EntityCulling" — i.e. exactly the
|
||
pack's stack. [DOCUMENTED — README]
|
||
44. **Also provide a F3-adjacent debug toggle.** "In the controls menu, you can bind a
|
||
debug key to toggle the mod on and off on the fly" — this is the cleanest in-situ
|
||
benchmark control for entity cost. [DOCUMENTED — README]
|
||
|
||
### G. Entity-count drivers and the Entity Distance slider
|
||
|
||
45. **Clumps is a server-side aggregation mod, so its client benefit is indirect but real.**
|
||
"Clumps groups XP orbs together into a single entity to reduce lag when there are many
|
||
in a small area." On 1.17+ it is a **server** mod: "For a multiplayer world on 1.17 or
|
||
newer, the jar goes on the server rather than on each player's client." Fewer orb
|
||
entities on the server → fewer orb entities synchronised → less client render/tick and
|
||
(with LDD) fewer dynamic-light sources. Verify it is installed server-side.
|
||
[DOCUMENTED — mod listings]
|
||
https://modrinth.com/mod/clumps/versions , https://minecrafthub.io/mods/clumps
|
||
46. **The vanilla "Entity Distance" video setting is the bluntest client lever.** The
|
||
Minecraft Wiki's simulation-distance article states the client does not render entities
|
||
based only on Render Distance but on "both 'Render distance' and 'Entity distance'
|
||
video settings"; it is a percentage slider scaling entity render distance.
|
||
[DOCUMENTED — Minecraft Wiki]
|
||
https://minecraft.wiki/w/Simulation_distance
|
||
*(A community write-up explicitly frames it: "This setting directly impacts client-side
|
||
performance … Setting the rendering distance to its maximum allows all entities to be
|
||
visually displayed at the full extent of their tracking distance.")* [COMMUNITY]
|
||
https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/entity-distance-1-12-2
|
||
47. **Item entities are the other unbounded count driver.** No mod in the pack aggregates or
|
||
culls dropped items; a farm/hopper overflow or an explosion drops hundreds of
|
||
`ItemEntity`s, each costing an `ItemRenderer` submission and (with Better Leaves +
|
||
FA) potentially full model evaluation for held-block mobs. [INFERENCE]
|
||
48. **EMF/ETF+FA cost scales with *visible* model count, which EntityCulling and Entity
|
||
Distance both reduce.** Since `animationLODDistance` skips frames as a function of
|
||
distance from the player, `Entity Distance` and the LOD slider are multiplicative:
|
||
shrinking entity distance removes far models entirely, and the LOD slider makes the
|
||
remaining middle-distance models cheaper. [INFERENCE]
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Sources
|
||
|
||
Kept:
|
||
- EMF `EMFConfig.java` (master, v3.3.11) — authoritative list of every EMF config key and
|
||
defaults. https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/java/traben/entity_model_features/config/EMFConfig.java
|
||
- EMF `lang/en_us.json` — exact tooltip wording for `lod`, `low_fps_lod`, `large_mob_lod`,
|
||
`update`, `asmmaths`. https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/src/main/resources/assets/entity_model_features/lang/en_us.json
|
||
- EMF `CHANGELOG.MD` — 3.2 "doubling frames", 2.1.1 Iris shadow skip, 1.3/2.0 LOD
|
||
history, EmoteCraft integration. https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/blob/master/CHANGELOG.MD
|
||
- EMF README — FA confirmed supported; EntityCulling recommendation.
|
||
https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features
|
||
- EMF issue #443 — quantified FA/shader cost, maintainer response.
|
||
https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Model_Features/issues/443
|
||
- ETF `ETFConfig.java` — all ETF keys incl. `textureUpdateFrequency_V2` enum ticks.
|
||
https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Texture_Features/blob/ETF-Main/src/main/java/traben/entity_texture_features/config/ETFConfig.java
|
||
- ETF README — emissive/Complementary conflict, "lagging" FAQ.
|
||
https://github.com/Traben-0/Entity_Texture_Features/blob/ETF-Main/.github/README.md
|
||
- LambDynamicLights `HOW_DOES_IT_WORK.md`, `DynamicLightsConfig.java`,
|
||
`DynamicLightsMode.java` (1.21 branch = v4.8.0, matching pack 4.8.11) — chunk-rebuild
|
||
cost model and exact keys/enums.
|
||
https://github.com/LambdAurora/LambDynamicLights/blob/1.21/HOW_DOES_IT_WORK.md
|
||
- EntityCulling `Config.java` + README — exact keys/defaults, tick culling, `solidLeaves`,
|
||
whitelist caveats. https://github.com/tr7zw/EntityCulling/blob/main/EntityCulling-Versionless/src/main/java/dev/tr7zw/entityculling/versionless/Config.java
|
||
- 3D Skin Layers README + `lang/en_us.json` + repo tree — 12-block LOD default, per-limb
|
||
toggles, EMF/playerAnimator integration.
|
||
https://github.com/tr7zw/3d-Skin-Layers/blob/main/src/main/resources/assets/skinlayers3d/lang/en_us.json
|
||
- Better Combat `ClientConfig.java` + client package tree — weapon trails default, animation
|
||
is per-Player.
|
||
https://github.com/ZsoltMolnarrr/BetterCombat/blob/1.21.1/common/src/main/java/net/bettercombat/config/ClientConfig.java
|
||
- Entity Player Compat mod page — EMF⇄playerAnimator conflict and its fix, 1.21.1 NeoForge.
|
||
https://modrinth.com/mod/entity-player-compat
|
||
- GeckoLib README — confirms absence of user perf config.
|
||
https://github.com/bernie-g/geckolib
|
||
- Minecraft Wiki (simulation distance) — Entity Distance affects client entity rendering.
|
||
https://minecraft.wiki/w/Simulation_distance
|
||
|
||
Dropped:
|
||
- `bravith.com`, `mythiq.net`, `skinmc.net`, `9minecraft`, `modbay`, `minecrafthub`,
|
||
`modrinth.com/mod/geckolib-animation-optimizer` (404) — SEO/aggregator pages; superseded
|
||
by the GitHub source I read directly. Used only where no primary source exists (GeckoLib
|
||
optimizer, Clumps, Emotecraft) and flagged as vendor/community claims.
|
||
- `lambdynamiclights.com/configuring-…` — cites config keys (`updateInterval`,
|
||
`lightSourceRenderRange`, `entitiesGlowing`) that **do not exist** in the 1.21-branch
|
||
source; treated as unreliable, kept only as an example of bad advice.
|
||
- Reddit threads on FA cost — replaced by the two mod-tracker issues which are primary and
|
||
quantified.
|
||
- ImmediatelyFast issue #180 — kept as a *caveat* only, not as an entity-cost source.
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Top levers (ranked)
|
||
|
||
| # | Lever | Expected impact | Fleet machine | Risk | Confidence |
|
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||
| 1 | Confirm `animationFrameSkipDuringIrisShadowPass=true` in EMF on all 3 machines | **High** when shaders on (halves animation work) | P0, P2 (also P1) | None (default; wrong value is the bug) | High — VERIFIED default + maintainer "should always stay on" |
|
||
| 2 | Install **Entity Player Compat** (EMF+playerAnimator bridge) for the Better Combat / Emotecraft / FA-Player path | **High** on player-dense scenes; removes double animation of every visible player | P0, P2 | Med — third-party mod, unofficial fork; test for arm/armor desync | Med — DOCUMENTED mod page; mechanism plausible but percentage unverified |
|
||
| 3 | Lower EMF `animationLODDistance` 20 → 8–12 | **Med–High** in mob/animal areas | P0, P2 (CPU-bound); P1 mild | Low — visible low-framerate animations up close | High — VERIFIED semantics; magnitude needs A/B |
|
||
| 4 | Iris shader choice: shaders + FA is the dominant cost (issue #443: 110–130 → 30–40 fps) | **High** | P0 (RDNA2 iGPU) most, P1 (VRAM) too | Med — visual (loss of shaders on Deck) | High — consistent across two independent reports |
|
||
| 5 | LambDynamicLights `mode` `fancy` → `fast`/`fastest` on the CPU-bound boxes | **Med–High** where fires/burning mobs/held torches are common | P2 (main-thread bound), P0 | Low — slightly less responsive light | High — VERIFIED tick-mode mapping |
|
||
| 6 | LambDynamicLights `light_sources.entities=false` (keep `light_sources.self=true`) | **Med** in busy survival areas | P2, P0 | Low–Med (losing burning-mob glow) | High — VERIFIED key exists |
|
||
| 7 | EMF `modelUpdateFrequency` `average` → `slow`/`never` | **Med** in villager halls/farms | P0, P2 | Low | Med–High — VERIFIED key; magnitude unmeasured |
|
||
| 8 | Vanilla **Entity Distance** slider 100% → 75–80% | **Med** everywhere, scales all pipelines | All three, esp. P0 | Low | Med — documented mechanism, pack-specific magnitude unknown |
|
||
| 9 | ETF `textureUpdateFrequency_V2` `fast`(5t) → `average`(20t) | **Med** with random/variant packs | P0, P2 | Low — slower variant swaps | Med–High — VERIFIED ticks |
|
||
| 10 | GeckoLib Animation Optimizer (needs GeckoLib ≥4.9.0) | **Med** if GeckoLib mobs are common | P0, P2 | Med–High — third-party, can break animations | Low — vendor claim only, no independent test |
|
||
| 11 | Better Combat `isShowingWeaponTrails=false` | **Low–Med** | P2, P0 | Low (visual) | Med — VERIFIED key/default; magnitude small |
|
||
| 12 | Reduce 3D Skin Layers "Level Of Detail Distance" below 12 / disable 3D Skulls | **Low** (≤9 players, tightly bounded) | P1 VRAM-mostly | Low | Low–Med |
|
||
| 13 | EntityCulling `solidLeaves=true` in forested bases (Better Leaves present) | **Low–Med** in forests | All | Med — leaves stop occluding incorrectly / leaves may hide entities visually | Med — DOCUMENTED option, no pack-specific measurement |
|
||
| 14 | Verify Clumps is deployed **server-side** | **Low–Med** on XP-heavy scenes | All (indirect) | Low | Med — DOCUMENTED placement requirement |
|
||
|
||
---
|
||
|
||
## Open questions to verify by benchmark
|
||
|
||
1. **Is `animationFrameSkipDuringIrisShadowPass` actually `true` in the shipped `emf.json`/config?**
|
||
Cheapest possible check; if a pack preset or copy flipped it, every shader scene is
|
||
paying 2× animation.
|
||
2. **What is the real fps delta from EMF `animationLODDistance` 20 vs 8 vs 0-on vs LOD-off**
|
||
on a fixed FA mob cluster (e.g. 30–50 animals) on P0 and P2? Issue #443 gives the
|
||
magnitude for the FA/shaders *combination* but not for the LOD slider alone.
|
||
3. **Does Entity Player Compat measurably help on the 10-player server**, and does it break
|
||
FA: Player Extension or armor alignment? Requires ≥2 players within view, attacking.
|
||
4. **LambDynamicLights `fancy` vs `fast` chunk-rebuild count** — use the mod's own
|
||
`debug.display_dynamic_lighting_chunk_rebuild` and `debug.active_dynamic_lighting_cells`
|
||
options (both exist as keys) to count rebuilds per second, then correlate with 1% lows.
|
||
Also test whether `chunk_rebuild_scheduler=culling` is genuinely better than `immediate`
|
||
on Sodium 0.8.13.
|
||
5. **Do the LambDynamicLights `adaptive_ticking.slow`/`.slower` distances (5 / 8 chunks)
|
||
default interact badly with shaders?** Not covered by the mod docs beyond the tick-mode
|
||
description.
|
||
6. **GeckoLib entity share:** measure with a profiler how much main-thread time GeckoLib
|
||
models occupy on P2 (Mowzie's boss fights, Fowlplay birds, dragons). If it is <2 %,
|
||
GeckoLib optimizers are not worth the risk.
|
||
7. **ImmediatelyFast 1.6.14 vs FA All Extensions 1.8.1 (issue #180)** — does the pack
|
||
exhibit it? A/B entity visuals with ImmediatelyFast disabled.
|
||
8. **ETF emissive vs Complementary Reimagined built-in emissives** — which to disable, and
|
||
does disabling one measurably reduce frame time or just fix z-fighting?
|
||
9. **`solidLeaves` under Better Leaves 9.6** — measure in forested areas and inspect for
|
||
entities disappearing behind custom leaves.
|
||
10. **Entity Distance slider calibration** — find the % where mobs stop being visibly
|
||
affected at the pack's server view-distance 8 with Distant Horizons mandatory.
|
||
11. **Heap/GC effect on P2 (only ~8 GB free):** quantify the RAM cost of FA + FA All
|
||
Extensions + Best Leaves textures and EMF's model cache; test whether ETF
|
||
`advanced_IncreaseCacheSizeModifier` changes GC pause frequency (it trades RAM for CPU,
|
||
likely the wrong direction on P2).
|