claudes_game/docs/session_summaries/2026-01-28-documentation-update-relative-rendering.md

2026-01-28 - Documentation Update for Relative Rendering

Changes Made

Updated rendering documentation to accurately reflect the actual implementation of the relative rendering system. The original planning document (docs/planning/local_rendering_frame.md) described a dual-frame local rendering system that was not implemented. The actual solution was simpler: relative rendering with linear scaling and child indicators.

Commits

1. 2b68e2e - Update rendering documentation to reflect relative rendering implementation

Documentation Updates

docs/rendering.md (+46 lines, updated)

Updated sections:

• Overview: Changed from "logarithmic distance scaling" to "linear distance scaling, relative rendering with child indicators"
• RenderState struct:
  • Removed: previous_selected_body, was_following_body
  • Added: last_target_index, camera_target_enabled
• Scaling Factors:
  • Changed from logarithmic scaling with separate size scale (0.02)
  • To linear scaling with unified distance/size scale (1e-9 for both)
  • Removed scale_radius() log10 formula
• Camera System: Added documentation for get_initial_camera_distance() function
• Child Indicators: New section added:
  • NASA Eyes-style hollow circles (20px radius, 2px thickness)
  • Text label centered inside
  • White for bodies, cyan for spacecraft
  • Only shown when body selected
  • Uses GetWorldToScreen() after EndMode3D()
• Relative Rendering: New section added:
  • Body selected: body at origin, children relative, full float precision
  • Spacecraft selected: parent relative to spacecraft, no siblings
  • Benefits: improved visibility, better precision, auto camera positioning
• Render Order: Added child indicators at position 6
• Module Functions: Added get_initial_camera_distance() to Camera section
• TODO Items: Added 2 items from planning doc:
  1. Distant Bodies (indicators for non-children)
  2. Smooth Frame Transitions (interpolation)

docs/planning/local_rendering_frame.md (deleted, -596 lines)

Removed the original planning document as it described an unimplemented dual-frame system. Relevant TODO items were preserved in rendering.md.

Net Line Count

Total changes: +46, -610 lines

Remaining Issues

None. Documentation now accurately reflects the actual implementation.

Next Steps

Ready to merge render-fix branch back to main.

Technical Reference Update

The docs/technical_reference.md file does not need updates - it correctly references docs/rendering.md for complete rendering documentation and does not contain conflicting information.