Overlay System

Visualizing the world’s data through scientific, diagnostic, and educational layers.

The Overlay System is E.D.E.N.’s visual interface for world state.
It transforms fields and subsystem outputs into clear, interpretable visual representations across the planetary surface.

Overlays are critical for development, debugging, and education.

Purpose

The Overlay System exists to make simulation legible.
It provides developers, educators, and players with a real-time understanding of the world’s evolving state through scientifically oriented visuals.

Overlays reveal the structure beneath the simulation.

Core Principles

  • Clarity — overlays should communicate data simply and truthfully.
  • Consistency — same visualization rules across all subsystems.
  • Modularity — each subsystem defines its own overlay descriptors.
  • Performance Awareness — overlays render efficiently even at high resolutions.
  • Transparency — world data should never be hidden or black-boxed.

System Model

Overlay Types

  • Tile Overlays — scalar fields, categories, biomes, temperatures.
  • Edge Overlays — boundaries, slopes, gradients.
  • Directed-Edge Overlays — flow vectors, transport, directional relationships.
  • Vector Fields — wind, currents, force directions.
  • Diagnostic Layers — debugging views, tick diagnostics, subsystem inspection.

Styles & Presets

Overlays have:

  • color maps
  • thresholds
  • visibility rules
  • styles for different audiences (dev, education, gameplay)

How It Interacts With Other Systems

  • Field System provides data.
  • Subsystems declare overlay descriptors.
  • Application Layer switches, filters, and configures overlays.
  • Geodesic Topology provides rendering geometry.
  • Tick Engine updates overlay visuals in sync with simulation time.

What This Enables

  • fast comprehension of planetary systems
  • visual debugging of field behavior
  • scientific visualization for education
  • scenario playback and explanation
  • meaningful gameplay feedback
  • expressive analysis tools for researchers

Visual Examples (Optional)

  • rainfall heatmaps
  • wind vector flows
  • geology stress patterns
  • temperature gradients

Public Extensibility Notes

The E.D.E.N. SDK will eventually allow:

  • custom overlay descriptors
  • custom color maps
  • new visualization modes
  • educational visualization templates

The overlay architecture is built to grow.

Related Topics