So uh, this maybe requires some context.
In /tg/ code, we use vis_contents as a way to "fake" z level layering.
So there's logic for linking z levels together, and we have openspace turfs that take the turf a layer "below" them and stick it in their vis_contents.

We want to be able to apply effects to the things on the "lower" level, things that make the height more obvious. Stuff like a dropshadow.

We do this by using the VIS_INHERIT_PLANE vis_flag on /obj and /turf, to tell the objects below to render onto into the openspace turf's plane.

The trouble is we use planes for rendering effects outside of just openspace, things like global drop shadows, or a distortion around a grav anomaly.

But there doesn't appear to be any way to get those to apply, while using vis_contents in this way. The more we use plane masters as a way to apply effects, the worse this problem gets.


It would be amazing to have a vis_flag that tells objects on a turf being copied to render as usual, with their current planes, then have the output of that take on the plane of the parent.

I'm not sure how feasible this is, but it would be great to have. I've considered a few workarounds, like creating "below" planes and plane masters, but that's really hacky, and imposes a depth limit on recursive vis_contents, which is annoying.