diff --git a/docs/session_summaries/2026-01-18-config-display-and-rendering-fixes.md b/docs/session_summaries/2026-01-18-config-display-and-rendering-fixes.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ca26e33 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/session_summaries/2026-01-18-config-display-and-rendering-fixes.md @@ -0,0 +1,144 @@ +# Session Summary: Config Display, Compiler Warnings, Orbit Rendering Fix, and Camera Initialization + +## Date +2026-01-18 + +## Overview +Fixed multiple UI and rendering issues: added config file name display, resolved compiler warnings, corrected orbit rendering for nested bodies (moons), and initialized camera to follow root body on startup. + +## Key Features Implemented + +### 1. Config File Name Display +- Added `char config_name[256]` field to `SimulationState` struct +- Config file path now stored when loaded via `load_system_config()` +- Displayed in simulation info panel under "Config:" label +- Eliminates hardcoded "solar_system.txt" reference + +**Before**: Info panel always showed "solar_system.txt" regardless of actual config +**After**: Shows actual loaded config path (e.g., "tests/configs/solar_system.toml") + +### 2. Compiler Warning Fixes +- Removed unused `departure_period` variable from `calculate_hohmann_transfer()` +- Removed unused `sun` variable from `spawn_spacecraft_on_transfer()` +- Increased `temp_buffer` size from 256 to 512 in `render_info()` to prevent truncation warning + +**Result**: Clean build with zero compiler warnings + +### 3. Orbit Rendering Fix for Nested Bodies +- Changed `render_orbit()` to use `local_velocity` instead of global `velocity` +- Critical fix for correct moon and satellite orbit paths + +**Technical Details**: +- Planets: `local_velocity ≈ global_velocity` (orbits around Sun) +- Moons: `local_velocity` is velocity relative to parent planet +- Prior fix: `local_velocity` used for physics integration, but `global_velocity` used for orbit rendering +- Current fix: Both physics and rendering now use `local_velocity` + +**Impact**: +- Moon orbits now render correctly around their parent planets +- Future satellites will render correctly around moons +- Parabolic and hyperbolic orbit types also fixed + +### 4. Camera Initialization on Root Body +- Camera now automatically selects root body (star) on startup +- Camera follow mode enabled by default for root body +- `body_list_active` synchronized with `selected_body_index` +- Default camera offset (0, 50, 100) applied relative to root body + +**Before**: No body selected, camera in neutral position +**After**: Camera follows root body (e.g., Sun) immediately on startup + +## Technical Details + +### SimulationState Structure Changes +```cpp +struct SimulationState { + CelestialBody* bodies; + int body_count; + int max_bodies; + double time; + double dt; + char config_name[256]; // NEW: name of the config file loaded +}; +``` + +### Config Loading +```cpp +// In load_system_config() +strncpy(sim->config_name, filepath, sizeof(sim->config_name) - 1); +sim->config_name[sizeof(sim->config_name) - 1] = '\0'; +``` + +### Orbit Rendering Fix +```cpp +// Before (incorrect for moons) +Vec3 r_vec = vec3_sub(body->position, parent->position); +double v = vec3_magnitude(body->velocity); // Global velocity +double r_dot_v = r_vec.x * body->velocity.x + ... + +// After (correct for all bodies) +Vec3 r_vec = vec3_sub(body->position, parent->position); +Vec3 v_vec = body->local_velocity; // Local velocity relative to parent +double v = vec3_magnitude(v_vec); +double r_dot_v = r_vec.x * v_vec.x + ... +``` + +### Camera Initialization +```cpp +// Find root body +int root_body_index = -1; +for (int i = 0; i < sim->body_count; i++) { + if (sim->bodies[i].parent_index == -1) { + root_body_index = i; + break; + } +} + +// Initialize with root body selected +render_state.selected_body_index = root_body_index >= 0 ? root_body_index : -1; +render_state.body_list_active = root_body_index >= 0 ? root_body_index : -1; +render_state.camera_follow_body = root_body_index >= 0; +``` + +## Files Modified + +### Core Implementation +- `src/simulation.h` - Added `config_name` field to `SimulationState` +- `src/simulation.cpp` - Initialize `config_name` to empty string in `create_simulation()` +- `src/config_loader.cpp` - Store config filepath in `sim->config_name` +- `src/renderer.h` - Removed `config_name` parameter from `render_info()` +- `src/renderer.cpp` - Display config name, use `local_velocity` for orbit rendering, increase buffer size +- `src/main.cpp` - Find root body and initialize camera selection/follow state + +## Commits Summary + +1. `c4262ab` - Store and display config file name in simulation state +2. `8f60ba5` - Fix compiler warnings: remove unused variables, increase buffer size +3. `8278cb0` - Fix orbit rendering to use local_velocity for nested orbits +4. `c3a4606` - Initialize camera to follow root body on startup + +## Testing Status + +All changes compiled and tested: +- ✅ Config file name displayed correctly in UI +- ✅ Zero compiler warnings in full rebuild +- ✅ Moon orbit paths render correctly around parent planets +- ✅ Planet orbit paths remain correct +- ✅ Camera follows root body on startup +- ✅ Tests pass (23/24, with 1 pre-existing Hohmann transfer test failure) + +## Branch Status + +Working branch: `main` +Clean working tree ready for next session. + +## Future Enhancements + +### Potential Improvements +- Visual highlighting of selected body in 3D view +- Camera focus indicator (show which body is being followed) +- Search/filter functionality in body list +- Reference frame switching (view from body's perspective) + +### Bug Follow-ups +- Investigate Hohmann transfer test failure (energy drift > 200%)