# Phase 4 Options Quick Reference
**Quick lookup guide for nice-to-have optional parameters**
---
## Priority Matrix
| Priority | Feature | Impact | Effort |
|----------|---------|--------|--------|
| š“ HIGH | Reproducible Seeds | Critical for research | Low |
| š“ HIGH | Extended Materials (10+) | Realistic testing | Medium |
| š“ HIGH | Fog & Weather Effects | Sensor testing | Medium |
| š“ HIGH | Advanced Wind System | Aerial robotics | Low |
| š“ HIGH | Batch Operations | Performance | Medium |
| š“ HIGH | Astronomical Day/Night | Outdoor robotics | Medium |
| š“ HIGH | Benchmark Worlds | Research | High |
| š” MEDIUM | Obstacle Course Patterns | Testing variety | Medium |
| š” MEDIUM | Animation System | Dynamic scenarios | High |
| š” MEDIUM | Heightmap Multi-texture | Visual realism | Medium |
| š” MEDIUM | Shadow Quality Controls | Vision tasks | Low |
| š” MEDIUM | Trigger Zones | Interactive training | Medium |
| š¢ LOW | AI-Assisted Generation | Future feature | Very High |
| š¢ LOW | Recording/Playback | Nice to have | High |
| š¢ LOW | Seasonal Variations | Long-term sims | High |
---
## Top 10 Most Requested Options
### 1. **Reproducible Random Seeds** š“
```python
create_obstacle_course(..., seed=42)
create_procedural_terrain(..., seed=42)
```
**Why:** Essential for benchmarking and reproducible research
---
### 2. **Extended Material Library** š“
```python
MATERIALS = [
'grass', 'wet_grass', 'concrete', 'ice', 'sand', 'snow',
'mud', 'gravel', 'asphalt', 'dirt', 'metal_plate',
'rubber_mat', 'wood_floor', 'mars_soil', 'lunar_regolith'
]
```
**Why:** Realistic physics for diverse environments
---
### 3. **Fog and Atmospheric Effects** š“
```python
set_ambient_light(
fog_enabled=True,
fog_density=0.05,
fog_color={'r': 0.7, 'g': 0.7, 'b': 0.7, 'a': 1.0}
)
```
**Why:** Test vision algorithms in challenging conditions
---
### 4. **Advanced Obstacle Course Patterns** š”
```python
create_obstacle_course(
pattern="maze", # or "grid", "circular", "spiral"
difficulty_level="hard", # "easy", "medium", "hard", "expert"
seed=42
)
```
**Why:** Standardized navigation testing
---
### 5. **Advanced Wind System** š“
```python
set_wind(
turbulence=0.3,
gusts_enabled=True,
gust_frequency=5.0,
altitude_gradient=0.1
)
```
**Why:** Critical for drone/UAV testing
---
### 6. **Astronomical Day/Night Cycle** š“
```python
set_day_night_cycle(
latitude=64.0, # Geographic location
day_of_year=172, # Summer solstice
include_moon=True,
atmospheric_scattering=True
)
```
**Why:** Accurate solar panel/sensor testing
---
### 7. **Batch World Updates** š“
```python
batch_world_updates([
{'action': 'spawn_model', 'params': {...}},
{'action': 'set_lighting', 'params': {...}},
{'action': 'modify_terrain', 'params': {...}},
])
```
**Why:** Performance optimization
---
### 8. **Advanced Material Properties** š“
```python
set_surface_type(
material="grass",
rolling_friction=0.05, # For wheeled robots
wetness=0.8, # Affects appearance and friction
particle_effects="splash"
)
```
**Why:** Realistic wheeled robot behavior
---
### 9. **Trigger Zones** š”
```python
create_trigger_zone(
zone_name="checkpoint_1",
shape="box",
trigger_on="enter",
callback_action="record_checkpoint"
)
```
**Why:** Interactive training scenarios
---
### 10. **Weather System Integration** š“
```python
add_environment_effects(
effect_type="rain", # or "snow", "fog", "sandstorm"
intensity=0.7,
affects_cameras=True,
affects_lidar=True
)
```
**Why:** Comprehensive sensor robustness testing
---
## Module-by-Module Quick Reference
### 4.1 World File Management
| Option | Priority | Use Case |
|--------|----------|----------|
| `physics_engine` selection | š” | Alternative physics |
| `gravity` customization | š” | Moon/space sims |
| `background_color` | š¢ | Visual customization |
| `initial_camera_pose` | š¢ | Consistent views |
---
### 4.2 Object Placement
| Option | Priority | Use Case |
|--------|----------|----------|
| `seed` parameter | š“ | Reproducibility |
| `pattern` types | š” | Structured testing |
| `difficulty_level` | š” | Progressive training |
| `material_preset` | š” | Realistic objects |
| `export_metadata` | š“ | Research documentation |
---
### 4.3 Terrain Tools
| Option | Priority | Use Case |
|--------|----------|----------|
| Extended materials (15+) | š“ | Diverse environments |
| `rolling_friction` | š“ | Wheeled robots |
| `texture_blending` | š” | Visual realism |
| `procedural_terrain` | š” | Quick world creation |
| `wetness` property | š” | Weather effects |
---
### 4.4 Lighting Tools
| Option | Priority | Use Case |
|--------|----------|----------|
| `fog_enabled` | š“ | Vision testing |
| `latitude`/`day_of_year` | š“ | Astronomical accuracy |
| `shadow_resolution` | š” | Shadow quality |
| `volumetric_enabled` | š¢ | Cinematic effects |
| `temperature` (Kelvin) | š” | Color accuracy |
---
### 4.5 Live Updates
| Option | Priority | Use Case |
|--------|----------|----------|
| `turbulence`/`gusts` | š“ | Aerial robotics |
| `batch_updates` | š“ | Performance |
| `animation_type` | š” | Moving obstacles |
| `trigger_zones` | š” | Interactive scenarios |
---
## Implementation Checklist
### Before Adding New Options
- [ ] Backward compatible (uses `Optional[]`)
- [ ] Sensible default provided
- [ ] Documentation includes:
- [ ] Parameter description
- [ ] Valid range
- [ ] Default behavior
- [ ] Use case examples
- [ ] Interaction with other params
- [ ] Validation logic implemented
- [ ] Unit tests created
- [ ] Integration test updated
- [ ] Works with `OperationResult` pattern
- [ ] Works with `ResultFilter` pattern
---
## Code Pattern Template
```python
async def enhanced_tool(
# Existing required params
required_param: str,
# Existing optional params
existing_optional: float = 1.0,
# NEW OPTIONAL PARAMETERS
new_param: Optional[float] = None, # None = use default
new_enum: str = "default", # Explicit default value
new_advanced: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None, # Complex types
) -> OperationResult:
"""
Tool description.
Args:
required_param: Existing param
existing_optional: Existing optional (default: 1.0)
new_param: NEW - Description
- Valid range: 0.0 to 1.0
- Default: Calculated based on context
- Use when: Specific scenario
new_enum: NEW - Description
- Options: "default", "option1", "option2"
- Default: "default"
new_advanced: NEW - Advanced configuration
- Structure: {'key1': value1, 'key2': value2}
- Default: Standard configuration
- Use when: Expert users only
Returns:
OperationResult with enhanced data
Example:
>>> enhanced_tool(
... required_param="value",
... new_param=0.5,
... new_enum="option1"
... )
"""
# Validate new parameters
if new_param is not None:
if not (0.0 <= new_param <= 1.0):
return failure_result(
f"new_param must be between 0.0 and 1.0, got {new_param}",
suggestion="Use value in valid range"
)
# Apply defaults
if new_param is None:
new_param = calculate_context_default()
# Existing implementation...
# Use new parameters as appropriate
return success_result(data={...})
```
---
## Migration Strategy
### Week 1: High Priority Core
- [ ] Add `seed` parameter to all procedural tools
- [ ] Implement extended material library
- [ ] Add fog support to ambient lighting
### Week 2: High Priority Advanced
- [ ] Wind system with turbulence/gusts
- [ ] Astronomical day/night cycle
- [ ] Batch operations framework
### Week 3: Medium Priority
- [ ] Obstacle course patterns
- [ ] Shadow quality controls
- [ ] Basic animation system
### Week 4: Polish & Testing
- [ ] Comprehensive testing
- [ ] Documentation updates
- [ ] Example scenarios
---
## Quick Decision Tree
**Need reproducible environments?**
ā Add `seed` parameters (š“ HIGH)
**Testing vision algorithms?**
ā Add fog, shadows, lighting effects (š“ HIGH)
**Testing aerial robotics?**
ā Add wind turbulence/gusts (š“ HIGH)
**Testing wheeled robots?**
ā Add rolling friction, extended materials (š“ HIGH)
**Need dynamic scenarios?**
ā Add animation system, trigger zones (š” MEDIUM)
**Want visual realism?**
ā Add multi-texture terrains, volumetric lighting (š” MEDIUM)
**Future-proofing?**
ā Add AI generation, recording (š¢ LOW)
---
## Common Combinations
### Urban Outdoor Testing
```python
create_empty_world(background_color={'r': 0.5, 'g': 0.7, 'b': 1.0})
set_surface_type(material="asphalt", rolling_friction=0.01)
set_day_night_cycle(latitude=40.7, day_of_year=172) # NYC, summer
add_environment_effects(effect_type="rain", intensity=0.3)
```
### Desert/Mars Robotics
```python
create_procedural_terrain(terrain_type="desert", seed=42)
set_surface_type(material="sand", particle_effects="dust")
set_ambient_light(fog_enabled=True, fog_color={'r': 0.8, 'g': 0.6, 'b': 0.4})
set_day_night_cycle(latitude=0, temperature=5500)
```
### Drone Testing Course
```python
create_obstacle_course(pattern="circular", seed=42, height_range=(3.0, 10.0))
set_wind(turbulence=0.3, gusts_enabled=True, altitude_gradient=0.1)
add_environment_effects(effect_type="fog", intensity=0.2)
```
### Indoor Warehouse
```python
create_benchmark_world(benchmark_type="warehouse", seed=42)
set_surface_type(material="concrete", rolling_friction=0.02)
add_point_light(..., flicker_enabled=True) # Fluorescent lights
```
---
## Performance Considerations
### High Performance Options
- ā
Batch operations
- ā
Collision simplification
- ā
LOD levels
- ā
Shadow resolution control
### Moderate Performance Impact
- ā ļø Volumetric lighting
- ā ļø Particle effects
- ā ļø Complex animations
### Consider Carefully
- ā High particle counts (>10,000)
- ā Many animated objects (>20)
- ā Very high shadow resolution (>4096)
- ā Real-time recording
---
## Testing Priorities
### Must Test
1. Seed reproducibility (same seed = same world)
2. Material property physics accuracy
3. Fog visibility ranges
4. Wind force calculations
5. Batch operation atomicity
### Should Test
6. Animation smoothness
7. Shadow quality levels
8. Trigger zone accuracy
9. Weather effect performance
10. Multi-texture blending
### Nice to Test
11. Volumetric light performance
12. Complex particle systems
13. Undo/redo consistency
14. AI generation quality
---
**Document Version:** 1.0
**Last Updated:** 2025-11-17
**Related:** `PHASE4_NICE_TO_HAVE_OPTIONS.md` (full specification)
