How can I visualize hitbox boundaries in Minecraft to debug collision issues in my custom mod?

Visualizing Hitbox Boundaries in Minecraft for Mod Debugging

Introduction

Visualizing hitboxes is crucial for diagnosing collision detection issues within a custom Minecraft mod. By rendering hitbox boundaries, developers can better understand how entities interact in the game world.

Step-by-step Guide

1. Enable Debug Mode:

   Start by enabling Minecraft’s built-in debug mode. Press F3+B in-game to display the existing hitboxes for entities. While this is a basic functionality, it helps visualize what is currently implemented.

   Test your luck right now!

2. Customize Hitbox Rendering:

   To customize hitbox display for modded entities, you need to write custom rendering code in your mod’s source files. Utilize Minecraft’s rendering engine to outline the hitboxes by overriding the render method for your entities.

   public void render(HitboxEntity entity, double x, double y, double z, float entityYaw, float partialTicks, MatrixStack stack, IRenderTypeBuffer buffer, int packedLight) {
     // Custom rendering code here
     RenderSystem.disableTexture();
     RenderSystem.lineWidth(2.0f);
     RenderGlobal.drawBoundingBox(stack.getLast().getMatrix(), buffer.getBuffer(RenderType.getLines()),
       entity.getBoundingBox().grow(0.01).offset(-x, -y, -z), 1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
     RenderSystem.enableTexture();
   }

3. Use Third-party Tools:

   Consider employing third-party tools like Minecraft Forge or Fabric for better debugging capabilities. These tools can streamline the process of modifying the Minecraft client-supporting graphical overlays.

4. Log Collision Events:

   Implement logging within your mod to track and print collision events in the console. This allows you to analyze collision-related issues more effectively.

   if (entity.collidesWith(object)) {
     System.out.println('Collision detected between: ' + entity + ' and ' + object);
   }

Best Practices

• Ensure that the rendering logic does not significantly impact game performance, especially in environments with many entities.
• Regularly test and adjust hitbox sizes to align with visual entity representations.