Visual Enhancements

Relevant source files

• CHANGELOG.md
• extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd
• extensions/scripts/ui/pattern_picker_panel.gd
• mod_main.gd

This page documents the visual customization features provided by TajsMod. These features modify the appearance of the game without affecting gameplay mechanics. For quality-of-life features that improve usability, see 5.2. For UI improvements that add new interface elements, see 5.3.

Visual enhancements include:

• Extra Glow: Advanced glow/bloom post-processing effects
• UI Opacity: Global transparency control for UI elements
• Wire Colors: Customizable colors for 50+ resource wire types
• Node Group Customization: 17 color palette + 11 pattern types
• Custom Boot Screen: Mod branding on game startup

---

System Architecture

The visual enhancement system consists of independent subsystems coordinated by mod_main.gd:

flowchart TD

ModMain["mod_main.gd<br>Main Orchestrator"]
GlowToggle["extra_glow toggle"]
GlowSettings["glow_intensity<br>glow_strength<br>glow_bloom<br>glow_sensitivity"]
WorldEnv["WorldEnvironment.environment<br>Environment resource"]
WireColorOverrides["WireColorOverridesScript<br>wire_color_overrides.gd"]
DataConnectors["Data.connectors<br>50+ wire types"]
ConnectorButtons["OutputConnector/InputConnector<br>UI buttons"]
ConnectorLines["Connector nodes<br>Wire geometry"]
WindowGroup["window_group.gd<br>Extended group window"]
PatternDrawer["PatternDrawer class<br>11 pattern types"]
ColorPicker["ColorPickerPanel<br>RGB color selection"]
PatternPicker["PatternPickerPanel<br>Pattern configuration"]
NewColors["NEW_COLORS array<br>17 predefined colors"]
OpacitySlider["ui_opacity slider<br>50-100%"]
HUDMain["HUD/Main container<br>modulate property"]
BootPatch["Patcher.patch_boot_screen"]
BootNode["Boot node<br>Startup scene"]
CustomIcon["mod icon.png"]

ModMain --> GlowToggle
ModMain --> WireColorOverrides
ModMain --> ConnectorButtons
ModMain --> WindowGroup
ModMain --> OpacitySlider
ModMain --> BootPatch

subgraph subGraph4 ["Boot Screen"]
    BootPatch
    BootNode
    CustomIcon
    BootPatch --> BootNode
    BootPatch --> CustomIcon
end

subgraph subGraph3 ["UI Opacity"]
    OpacitySlider
    HUDMain
    OpacitySlider --> HUDMain
end

subgraph subGraph2 ["Group Customization"]
    WindowGroup
    PatternDrawer
    ColorPicker
    PatternPicker
    NewColors
    WindowGroup --> PatternDrawer
    WindowGroup --> ColorPicker
    WindowGroup --> PatternPicker
    WindowGroup --> NewColors
end

subgraph subGraph1 ["Wire Color System"]
    WireColorOverrides
    DataConnectors
    ConnectorButtons
    ConnectorLines
    WireColorOverrides --> DataConnectors
    DataConnectors --> ConnectorButtons
    DataConnectors --> ConnectorLines
end

subgraph subGraph0 ["Glow System"]
    GlowToggle
    GlowSettings
    WorldEnv
    GlowToggle --> GlowSettings
    GlowSettings --> WorldEnv
end

Sources: mod_main.gd L1-L1613

extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L1-L525

---

Extra Glow System

The Extra Glow system provides customizable post-processing bloom effects by modifying the WorldEnvironment node’s Environment resource.

Configuration Parameters

Parameter	Type	Range	Default	Description
extra_glow	bool	-	false	Master toggle for glow effects
glow_intensity	float	0.0 - 5.0	1.0	Overall brightness multiplier
glow_strength	float	0.5 - 2.0	1.0	Bloom spread/radius
glow_bloom	float	0.0 - 0.5	0.0	Additional bloom amount
glow_sensitivity	float	0.0 - 1.0	0.0	HDR threshold (lower = more glow)

Implementation Flow

sequenceDiagram
  participant Settings UI
  participant Visuals Tab
  participant ConfigManager
  participant mod_main.gd
  participant Scene Tree
  participant Environment

  Settings UI->>ConfigManager: set_value("extra_glow", true)
  ConfigManager->>mod_main.gd: callback triggered
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: _apply_extra_glow(true)
  mod_main.gd->>Scene Tree: get_node("Main")
  Scene Tree->>mod_main.gd: Main node reference
  mod_main.gd->>Scene Tree: find_child("WorldEnvironment")
  Scene Tree->>mod_main.gd: WorldEnvironment node
  mod_main.gd->>Environment: environment.glow_enabled = true
  mod_main.gd->>ConfigManager: get_value("glow_intensity")
  ConfigManager->>mod_main.gd: 1.0
  mod_main.gd->>Environment: environment.glow_intensity = 1.0
  mod_main.gd->>Environment: Set strength, bloom, hdr_threshold
  note over Settings UI,Environment: User adjusts intensity slider
  Settings UI->>ConfigManager: set_value("glow_intensity", 2.5)
  ConfigManager->>mod_main.gd: callback triggered
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: _apply_extra_glow(true)
  mod_main.gd->>Environment: environment.glow_intensity = 2.5

Code Location

The glow toggle and sub-settings UI are built in mod_main.gd L580-L618

The apply function is implemented at mod_main.gd L1050-L1068

:

Sources: mod_main.gd L580-L618

mod_main.gd L1050-L1068

---

UI Opacity Control

Allows users to adjust the transparency of the HUD overlay, making it less visually intrusive without hiding it completely.

Parameters

Setting	Range	Default	Unit
ui_opacity	50 - 100	100	%

Implementation

The opacity slider is added at mod_main.gd L620-L623

and applies modulation to the HUD’s main container:

The opacity value is converted from percentage (50-100) to alpha (0.5-1.0) and applied to the modulate property, which affects all children recursively.

Sources: mod_main.gd L620-L623

mod_main.gd L1069-L1077

---

Wire Color Customization

TajsMod allows customization of wire colors for 50+ resource types through the WireColorOverrides system.

Configurable Wire Types

Wire colors are organized into 7 categories:

Category	Wire Types	Count
⚡ Speeds	download_speed, upload_speed, clock_speed, gpu_speed, code_speed, work_speed	6
💰 Resources	money, research, token, power, research_power, contribution	6
🔓 Hacking	hack_power, hack_experience, virus, trojan, infected_computer	5
📊 Data Types	bool, char, int, float, bitflag, bigint, decimal, string, vector	9
🧠 AI / Neural	ai, neuron_text, neuron_image, neuron_sound, neuron_video, neuron_program, neuron_game	7
🚀 Boosts	boost_component, boost_research, boost_hack, boost_code, overclock	5
📦 Other	heat, vulnerability, storage, corporation_data, government_data, litecoin, bitcoin, ethereum	8

Architecture

flowchart TD

WireToggle["custom_wire_colors toggle"]
Categories["7 collapsible categories"]
ColorButtons["50+ color picker buttons"]
ApplyBtn["Apply Colors button"]
WCO["WireColorOverrides instance"]
ConfigColors["config: wire_color_*"]
DataColors["Data.connectors[id].color"]
OriginalColors["Original color backup"]
ConnectorBtn["OutputConnector buttons"]
ConnectorLine["Connector wire geometry"]
Pivot["Pivot node modulation"]

WireToggle --> WCO
ColorButtons --> WCO
ApplyBtn --> ConnectorBtn
ApplyBtn --> ConnectorLine
DataColors --> ConnectorBtn
DataColors --> ConnectorLine

subgraph subGraph2 ["Visual Updates"]
    ConnectorBtn
    ConnectorLine
    Pivot
    ConnectorLine --> Pivot
end

subgraph subGraph1 ["Color Management"]
    WCO
    ConfigColors
    DataColors
    OriginalColors
    WCO --> ConfigColors
    WCO --> DataColors
    WCO --> OriginalColors
end

subgraph subGraph0 ["Settings UI"]
    WireToggle
    Categories
    ColorButtons
    ApplyBtn
end

Wire Color Section UI

The settings UI builds a collapsible category system at mod_main.gd L756-L811

:

Each category creates a collapsible section with color picker buttons at mod_main.gd L813-L847

Color Picker Integration

Individual wire colors use a shared color picker overlay created in mod_main.gd L115-L177

:

sequenceDiagram
  participant User
  participant Wire Color Button
  participant mod_main.gd
  participant shared_color_picker
  participant WireColorOverrides

  User->>Wire Color Button: Click color button
  Wire Color Button->>mod_main.gd: _open_color_picker(current_color, callback)
  mod_main.gd->>shared_color_picker: set_color(current_color)
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: picker_canvas.visible = true
  loop [User adjusts color]
    User->>shared_color_picker: Drag hue/saturation
    shared_color_picker->>mod_main.gd: color_changed signal
    mod_main.gd->>WireColorOverrides: set_color_from_rgb(resource_id, new_color)
    WireColorOverrides->>WireColorOverrides: Update config storage
    note over WireColorOverrides: Color saved but not applied to scene yet
  end
  User->>shared_color_picker: Click outside or commit
  shared_color_picker->>mod_main.gd: Close picker
  User->>mod_main.gd: Click "Apply Colors"
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: _refresh_all_connectors()
  mod_main.gd->>WireColorOverrides: Read updated colors from Data.connectors
  mod_main.gd->>Wire Color Button: Update visual appearance

Connector Refresh Process

The _refresh_all_connectors() function at mod_main.gd L913-L941

updates all visible wires:

1. Update wire geometry - Iterate connector group nodes, read color from output.OutputConnector, apply to line and pivot
2. Update connector buttons - Iterate window group nodes, find all connector buttons, call update_connector_button()

Sources: mod_main.gd L756-L950

extensions/scripts/utilities/wire_color_overrides.gd

---

Node Group Visual Customization

Node Groups (container windows) support extensive visual customization through colors and patterns.

Color System

Groups support 17 predefined colors plus custom RGB selection:

flowchart TD

Preset["NEW_COLORS array<br>17 hex strings"]
Custom["custom_color property<br>Color.TRANSPARENT default"]
CycleBtn["Color Button<br>Cycles presets"]
PickerBtn["Custom Picker<br>RGB selection"]
UpdateColor["update_color()"]
TitlePanel["TitlePanel.self_modulate"]
BodyPanel["PanelContainer.self_modulate"]

Preset --> CycleBtn
Custom --> PickerBtn
CycleBtn --> UpdateColor
PickerBtn --> UpdateColor

subgraph Application ["Application"]
    UpdateColor
    TitlePanel
    BodyPanel
    UpdateColor --> TitlePanel
    UpdateColor --> BodyPanel
end

subgraph subGraph1 ["Selection UI"]
    CycleBtn
    PickerBtn
end

subgraph subGraph0 ["Color Sources"]
    Preset
    Custom
end

The NEW_COLORS array is defined at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L9-L12

:

Color selection logic at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L332-L353

:

Pattern System

Groups support 11 pattern types with customizable appearance:

Pattern ID	Name	Description
0	None	No pattern overlay
1	Horizontal	Horizontal parallel lines
2	Vertical	Vertical parallel lines
3	Diagonal /	Diagonal lines (slope +1)
4	Diagonal \	Diagonal lines (slope -1)
5	Grid	Horizontal + vertical lines
6	Diamond	Both diagonal directions
7	Dots	Regular dot grid
8	Zigzag	Zigzag wave pattern
9	Waves	Sine wave pattern
10	Brick	Brick wall pattern

Pattern Configuration

Each pattern has 4 customizable parameters:

Parameter	Type	Range	Default	Description
pattern_index	int	0-10	0	Pattern type selection
pattern_color	Color	RGB	Black	Base color before alpha
pattern_alpha	float	0.0-1.0	0.4	Transparency level
pattern_spacing	float	8.0-50.0 px	20.0	Distance between elements
pattern_thickness	float	1.0-10.0 px	4.0	Line/dot thickness

PatternDrawer Class

The PatternDrawer class at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L34-L154

renders patterns using Godot’s 2D drawing API:

classDiagram
    class PatternDrawer {
        +int pattern_type
        +Color color
        +float spacing
        +float thickness
        +_ready() : void
        +_draw() : void
        +set_pattern(int) : void
        +set_style(Color, float, float, float) : void
        -_draw_horizontal(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_vertical(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_diagonal_slash(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_diagonal_backslash(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_grid(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_diamond(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_dots(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_zigzag(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_waves(Vector2) : void
        -_draw_brick(Vector2) : void
    }
    class Control {
    }
    Control <|-- PatternDrawer

Each pattern type is drawn using primitive operations:

• Lines: draw_line(from, to, color, width)
• Dots: draw_circle(position, radius, color)
• Complex: draw_polyline(points, color, width)

Example implementation for Grid pattern at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L85-L87

:

Pattern Picker UI

The pattern picker is a modal overlay defined in extensions/scripts/ui/pattern_picker_panel.gd L1-L524

:

flowchart TD

Header["Header<br>Title + Close button"]
Grid["6x2 Pattern Grid<br>11 preview buttons"]
ColorRow["Color Selection<br>Preview + Picker button"]
AlphaSlider["Opacity Slider<br>0-100%"]
SpacingSlider["Spacing Slider<br>8-50px"]
ThicknessSlider["Thickness Slider<br>1-10px"]
PreviewBtn["Button + PatternPreview"]
MiniDrawer["PatternPreview class<br>Scaled drawing"]

Grid --> PreviewBtn

subgraph subGraph1 ["Preview System"]
    PreviewBtn
    MiniDrawer
    PreviewBtn --> MiniDrawer
end

subgraph subGraph0 ["Pattern Picker Layout"]
    Header
    Grid
    ColorRow
    AlphaSlider
    SpacingSlider
    ThicknessSlider
    Header --> Grid
    Grid --> ColorRow
    ColorRow --> AlphaSlider
    AlphaSlider --> SpacingSlider
    SpacingSlider --> ThicknessSlider
end

The picker emits signals when settings change:

• settings_changed(pattern_index, color, alpha, spacing, thickness) - Real-time updates
• settings_committed(pattern_index, color, alpha, spacing, thickness) - User closes picker

Integration with Group Windows

Pattern system integration at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L156-L228

:

1. Inject PatternDrawers: Two drawers are added (title + body) at window_group.gd L160-L221
2. Add Pattern Button: Pattern settings button at window_group.gd L172-L186
3. Setup Picker Overlay: Modal picker layer at window_group.gd L281-L308
4. Connect Signals: Real-time updates at window_group.gd L323-L329

Sources: extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L1-L525

extensions/scripts/ui/pattern_picker_panel.gd L1-L524

---

Custom Boot Screen

TajsMod can display a custom boot screen showing mod branding and version information during game startup.

Configuration

Setting	Type	Default	Description
custom_boot_screen	bool	true	Enable custom boot screen (requires restart)

Implementation

The boot screen is patched continuously in the _process() loop at mod_main.gd L186-L190

:

The patcher modifies:

1. Boot scene text labels to show mod name and version
2. Replaces default icon with mod icon (icon.png)
3. Adjusts layout/styling to match mod branding

This runs on every frame until the Boot node is detected and patched, ensuring it works even if the boot screen appears after mod initialization.

Sources: mod_main.gd L186-L190

mod_main.gd L648-L652

---

Persistence

All visual settings are persisted through the ConfigManager system.

Saved Settings

Extra Glow:

• extra_glow: bool
• glow_intensity: float
• glow_strength: float
• glow_bloom: float
• glow_sensitivity: float

UI:

• ui_opacity: float (50-100)
• custom_boot_screen: bool

Wire Colors:

• custom_wire_colors: bool (master toggle)
• wire_color_<resource_id>: string (hex format, e.g., “FF0000”)

Group Settings (per-group in save file):

• color: int (preset index)
• custom_color: string (hex format)
• pattern_index: int (0-10)
• pattern_color: string (hex format)
• pattern_alpha: float
• pattern_spacing: float
• pattern_thickness: float
• locked: bool (lock state)

Group settings are saved via the extended save() and export() methods at extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L446-L470

and restored in _load_custom_data() at window_group.gd L472-L490

Sources: extensions/scenes/windows/window_group.gd L446-L490

mod_main.gd L88-L96

---

Configuration Flow

sequenceDiagram
  participant User
  participant Settings UI
  participant Visuals Tab
  participant ConfigManager
  participant mod_main.gd
  participant Scene Tree

  note over User,Scene Tree: Initial Load
  mod_main.gd->>ConfigManager: load_config()
  ConfigManager->>mod_main.gd: Return saved values
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: _apply_extra_glow()
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: _apply_ui_opacity()
  mod_main.gd->>mod_main.gd: wire_colors.apply_overrides()
  note over User,Scene Tree: User Changes Setting
  User->>Settings UI: Adjust glow intensity slider
  Settings UI->>ConfigManager: set_value("glow_intensity", 2.5)
  ConfigManager->>ConfigManager: Save to disk
  ConfigManager->>mod_main.gd: Trigger callback
  mod_main.gd->>Scene Tree: Update WorldEnvironment
  note over User,Scene Tree: User Changes Wire Color
  User->>Settings UI: Pick new wire color
  Settings UI->>mod_main.gd: set_color_from_rgb()
  mod_main.gd->>ConfigManager: set_value("wire_color_money", "FFD700")
  ConfigManager->>ConfigManager: Save to disk
  User->>Settings UI: Click "Apply Colors"
  Settings UI->>mod_main.gd: _refresh_all_connectors()
  mod_main.gd->>Scene Tree: Update all Connector nodes

Sources: mod_main.gd L88-L163

mod_main.gd L462-L688