alpha-blend translucent block and entity texels (stained glass, slime skin, text backgrounds)

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/entity/EntityIntersector.java

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import org.bukkit.util.Vector;
 /**
  * Intersects a world-space ray with a single {@link EntityCube} (oriented box). The ray is mapped
  * into the cube's local frame, slab-tested, and the entry face is sampled. Fully transparent texels
- * are treated as holes (alpha cutout). The returned {@code t} is a world-space distance.
+ * are treated as holes (alpha cutout); partially transparent ones keep their alpha for the tracer to blend. The returned {@code t} is a world-space distance.
  */
 public final class EntityIntersector {
 
@@ -18,7 +18,12 @@ public final class EntityIntersector {
 
     private EntityIntersector() {}
 
-    public static FaceHit intersect(EntityCube cube, double ox, double oy, double oz, double dx, double dy, double dz) {
+    /**
+     * Nearest drawn face of the cube with {@code t > minT} (entry face first, else the far face); {@code minT}
+     * lets the tracer continue behind a translucent hit.
+     */
+    public static FaceHit intersect(
+            EntityCube cube, double ox, double oy, double oz, double dx, double dy, double dz, double minT) {
         double[] o = cube.toLocal.apply(ox, oy, oz);
         double[] d = cube.toLocal.applyLinear(dx, dy, dz);
 
@@ -49,11 +54,12 @@ public final class EntityIntersector {
             }
             if (tmin > tmax + EPS) return null;
         }
-        if (inAxis < 0 || tmax < EPS) return null;
+        double lo = Math.max(EPS, minT);
+        if (inAxis < 0 || tmax <= lo) return null;
 
         // Vanilla draws entity models without back-face culling: a ray looking through a transparent
         // texel of the entry face still sees the inside of the far face (and both sides of a plane).
-        if (tmin >= EPS) {
+        if (tmin > lo) {
             FaceHit hit = sample(cube, o, d, tmin, inAxis, inNeg, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz);
             if (hit != null) return hit;
         }

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/entity/EntityScene.java

@@ -58,16 +58,17 @@ public final class EntityScene {
         return entities.isEmpty();
     }
 
-    /** Nearest entity hit with {@code t < maxT}, or null. */
-    public FaceHit nearestHit(double ox, double oy, double oz, double dx, double dy, double dz, double maxT) {
+    /** Nearest entity hit with {@code minT < t < maxT}, or null. */
+    public FaceHit nearestHit(
+            double ox, double oy, double oz, double dx, double dy, double dz, double minT, double maxT) {
         FaceHit best = null;
         double bestT = maxT;
         for (RenderedEntity e : entities) {
-            if (!rayAabb(e.aabbMin, e.aabbMax, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, bestT)) continue;
+            if (!rayAabb(e.aabbMin, e.aabbMax, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, minT, bestT)) continue;
             for (EntityCube cube : e.cubes) {
-                if (!rayAabb(cube.aabbMin, cube.aabbMax, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, bestT)) continue;
-                FaceHit hit = EntityIntersector.intersect(cube, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz);
-                if (hit != null && hit.t() > EPS && hit.t() < bestT) {
+                if (!rayAabb(cube.aabbMin, cube.aabbMax, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, minT, bestT)) continue;
+                FaceHit hit = EntityIntersector.intersect(cube, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, minT);
+                if (hit != null && hit.t() > EPS && hit.t() > minT && hit.t() < bestT) {
                     best = hit;
                     bestT = hit.t();
                 }
@@ -77,8 +78,17 @@ public final class EntityScene {
     }
 
     private static boolean rayAabb(
-            double[] min, double[] max, double ox, double oy, double oz, double dx, double dy, double dz, double maxT) {
-        double tmin = 0, tmax = maxT;
+            double[] min,
+            double[] max,
+            double ox,
+            double oy,
+            double oz,
+            double dx,
+            double dy,
+            double dz,
+            double minT,
+            double maxT) {
+        double tmin = Math.max(0, minT), tmax = maxT;
         double[] o = {ox, oy, oz}, d = {dx, dy, dz};
         for (int a = 0; a < 3; a++) {
             if (Math.abs(d[a]) < EPS) {

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/entity/ObjectBaker.java

@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ import java.util.List;
  */
 public final class ObjectBaker implements EntityBaker<ObjectState> {
 
-    private static final int MIN_BACKGROUND_ALPHA =
-            0x80; // translucent text backgrounds can't be drawn: skip faint ones
     // Vanilla leash colours (LeashRenderer): brown, alternating with a darker shade per segment.
     private static final int LEASH_LIGHT = 0xFF7F6650, LEASH_DARK = 0xFF59473A;
     private static final int LEASH_SEGMENTS = 24;
@@ -120,8 +118,9 @@ public final class ObjectBaker implements EntityBaker<ObjectState> {
                     new EntityCube(new double[] {x0, y0, 0.05}, new double[] {x1, y1, 0.05}, card(text), s.toWorld()));
         }
         int bg = s.backgroundArgb();
-        if ((bg >>> 24) >= MIN_BACKGROUND_ALPHA && (w > 0 || !s.lines().isEmpty())) {
-            int[][] solid = {{bg | 0xFF000000}};
+        // Translucent backgrounds (vanilla default: 25% black) keep their alpha; the tracer blends them.
+        if (ColorUtil.opaque(bg) && (w > 0 || !s.lines().isEmpty())) {
+            int[][] solid = {{bg}};
             cubes.add(new EntityCube(
                     new double[] {-w / 2.0 - 1, -1, 0}, new double[] {w / 2.0 + 1, h, 0}, card(solid), s.toWorld()));
         }

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/entity/cem/CemBaker.java

@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public final class CemBaker implements EntityBaker<EntityState> {
         List<CemGeometry.Baked> baked = new ArrayList<>();
         if (!invisible) {
             baked.addAll(body);
-            if (vanilla) addVanillaLayers(s, ch, pose, show, baked);
+            if (vanilla) addVanillaLayers(s, ch, pose, show, tex, baked);
         }
         // Humanoid armor / elytra: drawn even when invisible (vanilla "floating armor").
         if (vanilla && s.equipment() != null) addArmorLayers(s, ch, pose, baked);
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ public final class CemBaker implements EntityBaker<EntityState> {
     // --- vanilla render layers -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     private void addVanillaLayers(
-            EntityState s, Choice ch, Pose pose, Set<String> show, List<CemGeometry.Baked> baked) {
+            EntityState s, Choice ch, Pose pose, Set<String> show, int[][] bodyTex, List<CemGeometry.Baked> baked) {
         String base = ch.base;
         boolean baby = ch.babyModel;
         for (String n : layerModels(base)) {
@@ -389,6 +389,11 @@ public final class CemBaker implements EntityBaker<EntityState> {
                     baked.addAll(pose.bake(lm, t, show));
                 }
                 case "TropicalFishPatternLayer" -> addTropicalPattern(s, n, lm, pose, baked);
+                case "SlimeOuterLayer" -> {
+                    // Translucent outer cube on the body texture (alpha < 255 there; blended by the tracer).
+                    int[][] t = lm.texture() != null ? texture(lm.texture()) : bodyTex;
+                    if (t != null) baked.addAll(pose.bake(lm, t, show));
+                }
                 case "LlamaDecorLayer", "WolfArmorLayer" -> {
                     // Body equipment drawn by a dedicated layer: texture folder <base>_body (trader llama: llama_body).
                     if (s.bodyEquip() == null) continue;

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/raytrace/ElementIntersector.java

@@ -11,9 +11,10 @@ import org.bukkit.util.Vector;
 
 /**
  * Intersects a ray (in block coordinates) with a {@link ResolvedModel}'s element boxes and returns
- * the nearest opaque face hit. Axis-aligned boxes use a slab test; rotated elements are handled as
+ * the nearest drawn face hit. Axis-aligned boxes use a slab test; rotated elements are handled as
  * oriented boxes by transforming the ray into the element's local frame. Fully transparent texels
- * (alpha ≤ threshold) are treated as holes so the ray passes through (cutout for plants, glass).
+ * (alpha ≤ threshold) are treated as holes so the ray passes through (cutout for plants, glass);
+ * partially transparent texels are returned with their alpha, the caller blends them (stained glass, ice).
  */
 public final class ElementIntersector {
 
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ public final class ElementIntersector {
      * @param ox,oy,oz ray origin in block-local coordinates (world origin minus block min corner)
      * @param dx,dy,dz ray direction (need not be normalized)
      * @param bx,by,bz block min corner in world coordinates (for reconstructing the world hit point)
+     * @param minT only faces strictly beyond this ray parameter count (continuing past a translucent hit)
      */
     public static FaceHit intersect(
             ResolvedModel model,
@@ -36,7 +38,8 @@ public final class ElementIntersector {
             double dz,
             int bx,
             int by,
-            int bz) {
+            int bz,
+            double minT) {
         List<Candidate> candidates = new ArrayList<>(model.elements.size());
         for (int i = 0; i < model.elements.size(); i++) {
             Element element = model.elements.get(i);
@@ -60,7 +63,7 @@ public final class ElementIntersector {
                         ? intersectAabb(element, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz)
                         : intersectObb(element, ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz);
             }
-            if (c != null) candidates.add(new Candidate(c.element, c.t, c.dir, c.s, c.t2, c.normal, i));
+            if (c != null && c.t > minT) candidates.add(new Candidate(c.element, c.t, c.dir, c.s, c.t2, c.normal, i));
         }
         if (candidates.isEmpty()) return null;
         // Sort by depth; for coplanar faces (equal t) render later elements first, matching vanilla's

src/main/java/eu/mhsl/minecraft/pixelpics/render/raytrace/SnapshotRaytracer.java

@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ import org.bukkit.util.Vector;
 
 /**
  * Traces a single ray against a {@link WorldSnapshot}, sampling block models via the
- * {@link ElementIntersector} and applying biome tint, directional face shading, transparency and
- * reflection. Contains no Bukkit world access, so it is safe to invoke from worker threads.
+ * {@link ElementIntersector} and applying biome tint, directional face shading, alpha blending of
+ * translucent surfaces, liquid transparency and reflection. Contains no Bukkit world access, so it is safe to invoke from worker threads.
  */
 public final class SnapshotRaytracer {
 
@@ -35,6 +35,14 @@ public final class SnapshotRaytracer {
     // Vanilla-style ambient occlusion brightness per occlusion level (0=most occluded .. 3=open). Kept subtle.
     private static final double[] AO_BRIGHTNESS = {0.55, 0.70, 0.85, 1.0};
 
+    // Alpha blending: texels with alpha >= OPAQUE_ALPHA end the ray; translucent ones (stained glass, ice,
+    // slime outer layer, text-display backgrounds) are blended over what lies behind them. Bounded so a
+    // stack of glass costs at most a few extra intersection rounds per ray.
+    private static final int OPAQUE_ALPHA = 250;
+    private static final int MAX_TRANSLUCENT_LAYERS = 6;
+    private static final double MIN_TRANSMITTANCE = 0.03;
+    private static final double LAYER_EPS = 1e-5;
+
     private final BlockModelRegistry registry;
     private final BiomeTintProvider tintProvider;
     private final SkyRenderer skyRenderer;
@@ -66,41 +74,166 @@ public final class SnapshotRaytracer {
         double ox = origin.getX(), oy = origin.getY(), oz = origin.getZ();
         double dx = direction.getX(), dy = direction.getY(), dz = direction.getZ();
 
-        VoxelDDA dda = new VoxelDDA(ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz);
-
         int skyColor = skyRenderer.colorFor(direction, origin, sky);
-        int baseColor = skyColor;
-        Vector finalPoint = null;
+        BlockCursor blocks = new BlockCursor(snapshot, origin, direction, sky, scene, depth);
+        boolean entities = scene != null && !scene.isEmpty();
 
-        int reflectionColor = 0;
-        double reflectionFactor = 0;
-        boolean reflected = false;
+        // Translucent surfaces in front of the final one, front to back (shaded colour, alpha 0..1, ray t).
+        int[] layerColor = null;
+        double[] layerAlpha = null, layerT = null;
+        int layers = 0;
+        double transmittance = 1;
 
-        Vector transparencyStart = null;
-        int transparencyColor = 0;
-        double transparencyFactor = 0;
+        int finalColor = skyColor;
+        double finalT = Double.POSITIVE_INFINITY; // sky
+        double minT = 0;
+        BlockHit pending = null; // nearest block surface not consumed yet
 
-        BlockData occlusion = null;
-
-        for (int i = 0; i < maxSteps && dda.tCurrent <= maxDistance; i++) {
-            int bx = dda.x, by = dda.y, bz = dda.z;
-            BlockData data = snapshot.getBlockData(bx, by, bz);
-            if (data.getMaterial() == Material.AIR) {
-                occlusion = null;
-                dda.advance();
-                continue;
+        // Walk the surfaces along the ray in depth order (blocks and entities interleaved); translucent ones
+        // are collected as layers and the ray continues behind them, the first opaque one ends it.
+        while (true) {
+            if (pending == null) pending = blocks.next(minT);
+            double limit = pending != null ? pending.t : maxDistance;
+            FaceHit eh = entities ? scene.nearestHit(ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, minT, limit) : null;
+            int color;
+            double t;
+            if (eh != null) {
+                color = ColorUtil.shade(eh.color(), shadeFactor(eh.normal()));
+                t = eh.t();
+            } else if (pending != null) {
+                color = pending.color;
+                t = pending.t;
+                pending = null;
+            } else {
+                break;
             }
-
-            ResolvedModel model = registry.get(data);
-            FaceHit hit = ElementIntersector.intersect(model, ox - bx, oy - by, oz - bz, dx, dy, dz, bx, by, bz);
-            if (hit == null) {
-                occlusion = null;
-                dda.advance();
-                continue;
+            int alpha = ColorUtil.alpha(color);
+            double a = alpha / 255.0;
+            if (alpha >= OPAQUE_ALPHA
+                    || layers == MAX_TRANSLUCENT_LAYERS
+                    || transmittance * (1 - a) < MIN_TRANSMITTANCE) {
+                // Opaque, or what lies behind would contribute next to nothing: this surface ends the ray.
+                finalColor = color;
+                finalT = t;
+                break;
             }
+            if (layerColor == null) {
+                layerColor = new int[MAX_TRANSLUCENT_LAYERS];
+                layerAlpha = new double[MAX_TRANSLUCENT_LAYERS];
+                layerT = new double[MAX_TRANSLUCENT_LAYERS];
+            }
+            layerColor[layers] = color;
+            layerAlpha[layers] = a;
+            layerT[layers] = t;
+            layers++;
+            transmittance *= 1 - a;
+            minT = t + LAYER_EPS;
+        }
 
-            int color = shadeAndTint(hit, data, snapshot, bx, by, bz);
+        // Compose back to front: final surface (fogged), the liquid volume where it lies, translucent layers.
+        int color = Double.isInfinite(finalT) ? finalColor : fog(finalColor, finalT, skyColor);
+        boolean liquidPending = blocks.liquidT >= 0 && blocks.liquidT < finalT;
+        for (int i = layers - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
+            if (liquidPending && layerT[i] < blocks.liquidT) {
+                color = blocks.applyLiquid(color, finalT, skyColor);
+                liquidPending = false;
+            }
+            color = ColorUtil.mix(fog(layerColor[i], layerT[i], skyColor), color, layerAlpha[i], 1 - layerAlpha[i]);
+        }
+        if (liquidPending) color = blocks.applyLiquid(color, finalT, skyColor);
+        return color & 0xFFFFFF;
+    }
 
+    private int fog(int color, double distance, int skyColor) {
+        double f = fogFactor(distance);
+        return f > 0 ? ColorUtil.mix(color, skyColor, 1 - f, f) : color;
+    }
+
+    /** A block surface found by the {@link BlockCursor}: shaded/tinted ARGB colour and ray parameter. */
+    private record BlockHit(int color, double t) {}
+
+    /**
+     * Walks the voxel grid along one ray and hands out block surfaces in depth order. It stays on the voxel
+     * of the last returned hit, so a later call (with {@code minT} behind that hit) also finds surfaces
+     * further inside the same block (slime/honey block cores, the far side of a pane). Liquids are not
+     * returned as surfaces: the first one is recorded (colour, transparency, reflection) and blended as a
+     * volume between its surface and the final surface, as before.
+     */
+    private final class BlockCursor {
+        private final WorldSnapshot snapshot;
+        private final Vector direction;
+        private final SkyContext sky;
+        private final EntityScene scene;
+        private final int depth;
+        private final double ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz;
+        private final VoxelDDA dda;
+        private int steps;
+        private boolean done;
+
+        double liquidT = -1;
+        private int liquidColor;
+        private double liquidFactor;
+        private boolean reflected;
+        private int reflectionColor;
+        private double reflectionFactor;
+
+        BlockCursor(
+                WorldSnapshot snapshot, Vector origin, Vector direction, SkyContext sky, EntityScene scene, int depth) {
+            this.snapshot = snapshot;
+            this.direction = direction;
+            this.sky = sky;
+            this.scene = scene;
+            this.depth = depth;
+            this.ox = origin.getX();
+            this.oy = origin.getY();
+            this.oz = origin.getZ();
+            this.dx = direction.getX();
+            this.dy = direction.getY();
+            this.dz = direction.getZ();
+            this.dda = new VoxelDDA(ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz);
+        }
+
+        /** The next block surface with {@code t > minT}, or null when the ray leaves the render distance. */
+        BlockHit next(double minT) {
+            while (!done) {
+                if (steps >= maxSteps || dda.tCurrent > maxDistance) {
+                    done = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+                int bx = dda.x, by = dda.y, bz = dda.z;
+                BlockData data = snapshot.getBlockData(bx, by, bz);
+                if (data.getMaterial() == Material.AIR) {
+                    advance();
+                    continue;
+                }
+                ResolvedModel model = registry.get(data);
+                FaceHit hit =
+                        ElementIntersector.intersect(model, ox - bx, oy - by, oz - bz, dx, dy, dz, bx, by, bz, minT);
+                if (hit == null) {
+                    advance();
+                    continue;
+                }
+                if (model.transparency > 0) {
+                    recordLiquid(model, hit, data, bx, by, bz);
+                    advance();
+                    continue;
+                }
+                int color = shadeAndTint(hit, data, snapshot, bx, by, bz);
+                if (ColorUtil.alpha(color) < OPAQUE_ALPHA && culledByNeighbour(hit, data, bx, by, bz)) {
+                    minT = hit.t(); // inner face between two blocks of the same translucent kind: not drawn
+                    continue;
+                }
+                return new BlockHit(color, hit.t());
+            }
+            return null;
+        }
+
+        private void advance() {
+            dda.advance();
+            steps++;
+        }
+
+        private void recordLiquid(ResolvedModel model, FaceHit hit, BlockData data, int bx, int by, int bz) {
             if (!reflected && model.reflection > 0 && depth > 0) {
                 Vector reflectDir = MathUtil.reflectVector(direction, hit.normal());
                 Vector reflectStart =
@@ -109,68 +242,48 @@ public final class SnapshotRaytracer {
                 reflectionFactor = model.reflection;
                 reflected = true;
             }
-
-            if (transparencyStart == null && model.transparency > 0) {
-                transparencyStart = hit.point();
-                transparencyColor = color;
-                transparencyFactor = model.transparency;
+            if (liquidT < 0) {
+                liquidT = hit.t();
+                liquidColor = shadeAndTint(hit, data, snapshot, bx, by, bz);
+                liquidFactor = model.transparency;
             }
+        }
 
-            if (model.occluding) {
-                if (data.equals(occlusion)) {
-                    dda.advance();
-                    continue;
-                }
-                occlusion = data;
+        /** Liquid volume over {@code behind}: denser with depth down to the final surface, plus reflection. */
+        int applyLiquid(int behind, double finalT, int skyColor) {
+            double depthIn = Double.isInfinite(finalT) ? 0 : finalT - liquidT;
+            int surface = fog(liquidColor, liquidT, skyColor);
+            int c = ColorUtil.mix(behind, surface, liquidFactor, (1 - liquidFactor) * (1 + depthIn / 5.0));
+            if (reflected) c = ColorUtil.mix(c, reflectionColor, 1 - reflectionFactor, reflectionFactor);
+            return c;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Vanilla skips the faces between two translucent blocks of the same kind (stained glass walls, ice,
+         * connected panes): true when the hit lies on the block boundary and the neighbour across it is the
+         * same block type.
+         */
+        private boolean culledByNeighbour(FaceHit hit, BlockData data, int bx, int by, int bz) {
+            Vector n = hit.normal();
+            double nx = n.getX(), ny = n.getY(), nz = n.getZ();
+            int sx = 0, sy = 0, sz = 0;
+            double local;
+            if (Math.abs(nx) > 0.99) {
+                sx = nx > 0 ? 1 : -1;
+                local = hit.point().getX() - bx;
+            } else if (Math.abs(ny) > 0.99) {
+                sy = ny > 0 ? 1 : -1;
+                local = hit.point().getY() - by;
+            } else if (Math.abs(nz) > 0.99) {
+                sz = nz > 0 ? 1 : -1;
+                local = hit.point().getZ() - bz;
             } else {
-                occlusion = null;
+                return false;
             }
-
-            if (transparencyStart != null && model.transparency > 0) {
-                dda.advance();
-                continue;
-            }
-
-            baseColor = color;
-            finalPoint = hit.point();
-            break;
+            double boundary = (sx + sy + sz) > 0 ? 1 : 0;
+            if (Math.abs(local - boundary) > 1e-4) return false;
+            return snapshot.getBlockData(bx + sx, by + sy, bz + sz).getMaterial() == data.getMaterial();
         }
-
-        // Entities: if one is closer than the opaque block/sky, it becomes the surface.
-        if (scene != null && !scene.isEmpty()) {
-            double blockDist = finalPoint != null ? origin.distance(finalPoint) : maxDistance;
-            FaceHit eh = scene.nearestHit(ox, oy, oz, dx, dy, dz, blockDist);
-            if (eh != null) {
-                baseColor = ColorUtil.shade(eh.color(), shadeFactor(eh.normal()));
-                finalPoint = eh.point();
-                reflected = false;
-                if (transparencyStart != null && origin.distance(transparencyStart) >= eh.t()) {
-                    transparencyStart = null;
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        if (transparencyStart != null) {
-            baseColor = ColorUtil.mix(
-                    baseColor,
-                    transparencyColor,
-                    transparencyFactor,
-                    (1 - transparencyFactor)
-                            * (1
-                                    + transparencyStart.distance(finalPoint == null ? transparencyStart : finalPoint)
-                                            / 5.0));
-        }
-        if (reflected) {
-            baseColor = ColorUtil.mix(baseColor, reflectionColor, 1 - reflectionFactor, reflectionFactor);
-        }
-
-        // Distance fog (atmospheric perspective): fade distant geometry toward the sky color.
-        if (finalPoint != null) {
-            double fog = fogFactor(origin.distance(finalPoint));
-            if (fog > 0) baseColor = ColorUtil.mix(baseColor, skyColor, 1 - fog, fog);
-        }
-
-        return baseColor & 0xFFFFFF;
     }
 
     private int shadeAndTint(FaceHit hit, BlockData data, WorldSnapshot snapshot, int bx, int by, int bz) {

tools/ObjectTestRender.java

@@ -82,9 +82,10 @@ public class ObjectTestRender {
         objs.add(obj(ObjectState.Kind.TEXT,
             Affine.translation(1.5, 3.0, 0).mul(Affine.rotY(Math.PI)).mul(Affine.scale(0.025)), null, null,
             List.of("Hallo PixelPics!", "Zeile zwei äöü"), 0xFF203040));
-        // Text seen from the BACK (front faces +Z, camera is on -Z) and a shield item.
+        // Text seen from the BACK (front faces +Z, camera is on -Z) on the vanilla default 25% black
+        // background (blended), and a shield item.
         objs.add(obj(ObjectState.Kind.TEXT, Affine.translation(-0.5, 3.0, 0).mul(Affine.scale(0.025)), null, null,
-            List.of("Rueckseite"), 0));
+            List.of("Rueckseite"), 0x40000000));
         objs.add(obj(ObjectState.Kind.ITEM, Affine.translation(4, 1.0, 0.5), null, "shield", List.of(), 0));
         // Dropped item (flat) on the ground.
         objs.add(obj(ObjectState.Kind.ITEM, Affine.translation(-1, 0.3, 0.5).mul(Affine.scale(0.5)), null, "apple", List.of(), 0));

tools/edgecase-plugin/pptest/PPTest.java

@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ public class PPTest extends JavaPlugin {
         scenes.put("pistondown", new Scene("pistondown", this::piston, -1.6, 2.6, -1.6, 0.5, 1.4, 0.5));
         scenes.put("pistonup", new Scene("pistonup", this::piston, 0.4, 2.6, -1.6, 2.5, 1.4, 0.5));
         scenes.put("vehicles", new Scene("vehicles", this::vehicles, 5, 3, -7, 5, 0.6, 1.5));
+        scenes.put("translucent", new Scene("translucent", this::translucent, 4.5, 2.8, -5.5, 4.5, 0.8, 2));
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -474,4 +475,39 @@ public class PPTest extends JavaPlugin {
         spawn(o, 6, 0, 3, 90, EntityType.CHERRY_CHEST_BOAT);
         spawn(o, 9, 0, 3, 120, EntityType.MANGROVE_BOAT);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Alpha blending: a stained-glass wall (inner faces culled) and stacked glass colours in front of a striped
+     * wool wall, ice/tinted glass/slime/honey blocks, connected panes, glass under water, a slime and a sulfur
+     * cube (translucent outer skins, one behind glass) and a text display with the default background.
+     */
+    private void translucent(Location o) {
+        java.util.function.BiConsumer<int[], String> put = (p, data) -> o.clone().add(p[0], p[1], p[2]).getBlock()
+                .setBlockData(Bukkit.createBlockData("minecraft:" + data), false);
+        for (int x = -1; x <= 10; x++)
+            for (int y = 0; y <= 4; y++) put.accept(new int[] {x, y, 5}, (x + y) % 2 == 0 ? "white_wool" : "black_wool");
+        for (int x = 0; x <= 2; x++) for (int y = 0; y <= 1; y++) put.accept(new int[] {x, y, 1}, "red_stained_glass");
+        put.accept(new int[] {3, 0, 1}, "blue_stained_glass");
+        put.accept(new int[] {3, 0, 0}, "yellow_stained_glass");
+        put.accept(new int[] {4, 0, 1}, "ice");
+        put.accept(new int[] {4, 1, 1}, "tinted_glass");
+        put.accept(new int[] {5, 0, 1}, "slime_block");
+        put.accept(new int[] {6, 0, 1}, "honey_block");
+        put.accept(new int[] {7, 0, 1}, "lime_stained_glass_pane[east=true]");
+        put.accept(new int[] {8, 0, 1}, "lime_stained_glass_pane[west=true,east=true]");
+        put.accept(new int[] {9, 0, 1}, "lime_stained_glass_pane[west=true]");
+        for (int x = 0; x <= 2; x++) put.accept(new int[] {x, -1, -2}, "water");
+        put.accept(new int[] {1, -2, -2}, "magenta_stained_glass");
+        put.accept(new int[] {0, -2, -2}, "sand");
+        put.accept(new int[] {2, -2, -2}, "sand");
+        Slime slime = spawn(o, 1.5, 0, 3, 200, Slime.class);
+        slime.setSize(2);
+        Slime front = spawn(o, 7.5, 0, -1.5, 160, Slime.class);
+        front.setSize(1);
+        EntityType sulfur = Registry.ENTITY_TYPE.get(NamespacedKey.minecraft("sulfur_cube"));
+        if (sulfur != null) spawn(o, 5.5, 0, -1.5, 200, sulfur);
+        TextDisplay t = spawn(o, 4.5, 2.6, 0, 0, TextDisplay.class);
+        t.text(Component.text("Default background"));
+        t.setBillboard(Display.Billboard.CENTER);
+    }
 }