Tower Visuals - Machine Design Rules

Design Philosophy

Towers should be geometric machines built from layered p5.js primitives (rectangles, circles, arcs). Each tower type should have a distinct silhouette and visual identity that communicates its function at a glance.

Core Principles

1. Layered Construction

Build towers from bottom-up layers:

1. Base/Platform - Foundation (darker, grounded)
2. Body - Main structure (primary color)
3. Turret/Barrel - Weapon system (rotates with this.angle)
4. Details - Accents, vents, lights (smaller features)

2. Rounded Squares Philosophy

• Use rect(x, y, w, h, radius) with rounded corners for industrial look
• Prefer rounded rectangles over perfect circles for body/housing
• Perfect circles reserved for: barrels, energy cores, lights
• Corner radius typically: 4-8px for large shapes, 2-4px for details

3. Color Palette

// Base colors (from tower type)
let baseColor = this.color; // Tower's primary color

// Derived palette
let darkBase = color(red(baseColor) * 0.6, green(baseColor) * 0.6, blue(baseColor) * 0.6);
let lightBase = color(red(baseColor) * 1.2, green(baseColor) * 1.2, blue(baseColor) * 1.2);
let metalGrey = color(80, 85, 90);
let darkMetal = color(40, 45, 50);

4. Visual Hierarchy

• Largest shapes (40-50px) - Main body
• Medium shapes (20-30px) - Turret, barrel
• Small details (5-15px) - Vents, lights, casings
• Tiny accents (2-5px) - Rivets, indicators

Tower Type Guidelines

Cannon/Gunner Tower

Identity: Single-barrel ballistic weapon Key Features:

• Wide, stable base (rounded rectangle)
• Cylindrical barrel (long rectangle, rotates)
• Ammo casing/magazine visible
• Muzzle flash point (small circle at barrel end)

draw(x, y, size) {
    let cx = x + size / 2;
    let cy = y + size / 2;

    push();
    translate(cx, cy);

    // 1. Base platform
    fill(60, 55, 50);
    noStroke();
    rect(-20, 8, 40, 16, 4);

    // 2. Body housing
    fill(this.color);
    stroke(0);
    strokeWeight(2);
    rect(-18, -10, 36, 20, 6);

    // 3. Rotating turret
    push();
    rotate(this.angle);

    // Barrel
    fill(70);
    rect(0, -4, 25, 8, 2);

    // Muzzle
    fill(40);
    ellipse(25, 0, 6, 6);

    pop();

    // 4. Details (vents, lights)
    fill(100, 200, 255);
    ellipse(-10, 0, 4, 4);
    ellipse(10, 0, 4, 4);

    pop();
}

Double Cannon/Ranger

Identity: Dual-barrel rapid-fire system Key Features:

• Twin parallel barrels
• Compact, aggressive stance
• Feed systems/ammo belts visible
• Wider base for stability

// Twin barrels at offset Y positions
rect(5, -8, 20, 5, 2);  // Upper barrel
rect(5, 3, 20, 5, 2);   // Lower barrel

// Ammo feed boxes
rect(-5, -10, 8, 8, 2);
rect(-5, 2, 8, 8, 2);

Flamethrower/Pyro

Identity: Fuel-based incendiary weapon Key Features:

• Wide nozzle (cone/truncated triangle)
• Fuel tanks visible (cylinders)
• Pilot light indicator (glowing orange)
• Heat vents/cooling fins

// Fuel tanks (layered circles)
fill(150, 50, 50);
ellipse(-8, 5, 12, 16);
ellipse(8, 5, 12, 16);

// Wide nozzle (trapezoid)
beginShape();
vertex(10, -6);
vertex(25, -10);
vertex(25, 10);
vertex(10, 6);
endShape(CLOSE);

// Pilot light (pulsing)
let pulse = sin(frameCount * 0.2) * 0.3 + 0.7;
fill(255, 150, 0, 200 * pulse);
ellipse(0, 0, 6, 6);

Lightning/Electrifier

Identity: Tesla coil energy weapon Key Features:

• Vertical coils/spires
• Arcing electricity (animated)
• Energy core (pulsing glow)
• Capacitor banks visible

// Energy core (pulsing)
let pulse = sin(frameCount * 0.15) * 0.2 + 0.8;
fill(0, 200, 255, 150 * pulse);
ellipse(0, 0, 20 * pulse, 20 * pulse);

// Tesla coils (vertical)
fill(80);
rect(-10, -20, 6, 30, 3);
rect(4, -20, 6, 30, 3);

// Arc tips (spheres)
fill(150, 200, 255);
ellipse(-7, -20, 8, 8);
ellipse(7, -20, 8, 8);

// Static arcs (draw in draw() if this.laserFrames > 0)

Sniper Tower

Identity: Long-range precision railgun Key Features:

• Extended barrel (2-3x normal length)
• Scope/targeting system
• Recoil dampeners (springs, hydraulics)
• Minimal profile (compact body)

// Slim body
rect(-12, -6, 24, 12, 4);

// Extended barrel
push();
rotate(this.angle);
fill(60);
rect(0, -3, 45, 6, 2);  // Very long barrel

// Scope mount
fill(100, 255, 100);
rect(15, -8, 12, 4, 2);

// Recoil spring
stroke(120);
noFill();
for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
    ellipse(-5 + i * 2, 0, 3, 6);
}
pop();

Buffer Tower

Identity: Support beacon/relay station Key Features:

• Central crystal/antenna
• Pulsing energy field
• Symmetrical design (not rotational)
• Connection nodes visible
• Network size indicator

// Already well-designed in current code!
// Keep the diamond crystal + pulsing glow
// Add: Connection ports (small circles at cardinal directions)
fill(150);
ellipse(0, -20, 6, 6);  // Top port
ellipse(20, 0, 6, 6);   // Right port
ellipse(0, 20, 6, 6);   // Bottom port
ellipse(-20, 0, 6, 6);  // Left port

Swap Tower

Identity: Teleporter/phase shifter Key Features:

• Circular portal ring
• Rotating phase indicators
• Swap symbol (arrows)
• Energy swirl effect when ready

// Portal ring
stroke(180, 80, 255);
strokeWeight(3);
noFill();
ellipse(0, 0, size * 0.6);

// Phase indicators (rotating particles)
for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
    let angle = frameCount * 0.05 + (i * PI / 2);
    let px = cos(angle) * 18;
    let py = sin(angle) * 18;
    fill(200, 100, 255);
    ellipse(px, py, 6, 6);
}

// Weapon barrel (still attacks)
push();
rotate(this.angle);
fill(120, 60, 180);
rect(5, -3, 15, 6, 2);
pop();

Animation Guidelines

Rotating Elements

push();
rotate(this.angle); // Tracks target
// Draw barrel, turret, weapon
pop();

Pulsing Effects

let pulse = sin(frameCount * speed) * amplitude + baseline;
// speed: 0.05-0.2 (slower = more menacing)
// amplitude: 0.2-0.3 (variation amount)
// baseline: 0.7-0.8 (minimum brightness)

fill(r * pulse, g * pulse, b * pulse);

Muzzle Flash

// In shoot() method, set this.muzzleFlash = 8;
// In draw():
if (this.muzzleFlash > 0) {
    this.muzzleFlash--;
    let alpha = map(this.muzzleFlash, 0, 8, 0, 255);

    push();
    rotate(this.angle);
    fill(255, 255, 150, alpha);
    ellipse(barrelEndX, barrelEndY, 15, 15);
    pop();
}

Integration with Merge System

Preserve existing merge shapes! The Reuleaux polygon background should remain.

draw(x, y, size) {
    let cx = x + size / 2;
    let cy = y + size / 2;

    push();
    translate(cx, cy);

    // KEEP THIS - Merge rank background
    this.drawMergeShapeBackground(0, 0, size);

    // Your machine tower on top
    // ... tower drawing code

    pop();
}

Performance Considerations

Optimization Rules:

1. Precalculate colors - Don't call color() in draw loop
2. Minimize state changes - Group fill() and stroke() calls
3. Avoid complex paths - Use primitives over beginShape()
4. Throttle animations - Use frameCount % N for expensive effects

// BAD - Recalculates every frame
draw() {
    fill(color(255, 0, 0));  // Creates new color object!
}

// GOOD - Cache in constructor
constructor() {
    this.fillColor = color(255, 0, 0);
}
draw() {
    fill(this.fillColor);
}

Visual Identity Matrix

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Too many colors - Stick to 3-4 colors per tower ❌ No visual hierarchy - Everything same size ❌ Ignoring merge shape - Should work with Reuleaux background ❌ Static design - No animation or rotation ❌ Pixel-perfect alignment - Over-engineering coordinates ❌ Missing weapon identity - Can't tell what it shoots

✅ Clear silhouette - Recognizable at small size ✅ Functional design - Form follows function ✅ Consistent style - All towers feel like same universe ✅ Animated details - Pulsing, rotating, glowing ✅ Merge rank integration - Background shapes visible

Testing Checklist

Before finalizing tower visuals:

• Looks good at 64×64px tile size
• Silhouette distinct from other towers
• Merge rank background visible
• Rotation smooth when targeting
• Colors match tower type identity
• No performance impact (check FPS with 50+ towers)
• Weapon type clear (barrel, nozzle, coil, etc.)
• Works with all 7 merge ranks

Reference Files

• Tower.js:404-967 - Current tower draw() methods
• Tower.js:320-401 - Merge shape background system
• GameConstants.js - Color definitions
• design_doc.md - Tower identity and roles

Example: Full Tower Redesign

See inline code examples above for each tower type. When redesigning:

1. Read current draw() method
2. Identify tower function (single-shot, rapid-fire, area, support)
3. Sketch machine concept (what would this weapon look like?)
4. Build from layers (base → body → weapon → details)
5. Test with merge ranks (does it work with all 7 backgrounds?)
6. Animate (rotation, pulsing, effects)

Remember: Form follows function. A flamethrower should look wide and aggressive. A sniper should look sleek and precise. A buffer should look like a support beacon.