Z-order via position.z and reset-to-default for asset properties

- Position is now { x, y, z }; higher z draws on top, ties keep hierarchy order
- Viewport sorts the objects layer deterministically (syncDrawOrder)
- Inspector shows a Z field; asset properties that differ from the schema
  default are marked bold with a reset button (ResetAssetPropertyCommand)
- isModified() helper, unit tests, E2E checks and seed updated

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5.1 <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -11,8 +11,9 @@ Live: <https://nockal.com/game-maker/> · Widget playground: <https://nockal.com
 | Term | Meaning |
 |---|---|
 | **Asset** | Named thing with a type (`scene`, `camera`, `sprite`) and typed properties. Assets have **no position**. |
-| **Scene object** | An asset placed into a scene: a link to the asset + a **position** + sparse **overrides** of the asset's properties. Scenes cannot be placed. |
+| **Scene object** | An asset placed into a scene: a link to the asset + a **position** (`x`, `y`, `z`) + sparse **overrides** of the asset's properties. Scenes cannot be placed. |
 | **Override** | A per-object value that replaces the asset's value for one property. Only changed keys are stored; the inspector marks them bold and offers a reset (↺). |
+| **Default** | Every property has a schema default. Asset values that differ from it are marked bold in the inspector and can be reset (↺) the same way an override can. |
 | **Edit mode** | The viewport draws the project model; panels, grid, gizmos and drag-to-move are active. |
 | **Play mode** | A `World` is instantiated from the active scene (one entity per scene object, resolved properties as mutable state). Systems tick it; nothing writes back. **Stop discards the world.** |
 
@@ -25,8 +26,11 @@ behaviour will come with scripting in a later phase.
 
 **Editor symbols are always on top.** The viewport draws scene content (sprites) in an
 `objects` layer and editor symbols (camera icon, labels) in an `overlay` layer above it, so a
-sprite can never hide a symbol regardless of hierarchy order. Z-order between sprites is not
-configurable yet.
+sprite can never hide a symbol regardless of z or hierarchy order.
+
+**Z-order is part of the position.** `position.z` is the draw order of a scene object: higher
+`z` is drawn on top; objects with equal `z` keep their hierarchy order. It is edited in the
+inspector next to X/Y, undoable like any move, and applies in edit and play mode alike.
 
 ## Stack
 

src/core/commands/assetCommands.ts

@@ -127,6 +127,30 @@ export class SetAssetPropertyCommand implements Command {
   }
 }
 
+/** Puts an asset property back to its schema default (the asset-level "clear override"). */
+export class ResetAssetPropertyCommand implements Command {
+  readonly label: string;
+  private previous: PropertyValue | undefined;
+
+  constructor(private readonly assetId: string, private readonly key: string) {
+    this.label = `Reset ${key}`;
+  }
+
+  execute(project: Project): void {
+    const asset = requireAsset(project, this.assetId);
+    const def = schemaFor(asset.type).find((d) => d.key === this.key);
+    if (!def) throw new CommandError(`Property "${this.key}" is not defined for ${asset.type}`);
+    this.previous = asset.props[this.key];
+    asset.props[this.key] = def.default;
+  }
+
+  undo(project: Project): void {
+    const asset = requireAsset(project, this.assetId);
+    if (this.previous === undefined) delete asset.props[this.key];
+    else asset.props[this.key] = this.previous;
+  }
+}
+
 export class SetActiveSceneCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Switch scene';
   private previous = '';

src/core/commands/sceneObjectCommands.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import { isPlaceableType } from '../model/AssetTypes';
-import type { PropertyValue, Vec2 } from '../model/Properties';
+import type { Position, PropertyValue, Vec2 } from '../model/Properties';
 import { findScene, findSceneObject, type Project } from '../model/Project';
 import { createSceneObject, type SceneObject } from '../model/SceneObject';
 import { coerceValue, schemaFor } from '../properties/PropertySchema';
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export class PlaceAssetCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Place asset';
   readonly objectId = newId();
 
-  constructor(private readonly sceneId: string, private readonly assetId: string, private readonly position: Vec2) {}
+  constructor(private readonly sceneId: string, private readonly assetId: string, private readonly position: Vec2 | Position) {}
 
   execute(project: Project): void {
     const scene = requireScene(project, this.sceneId);
@@ -60,15 +60,16 @@ export class RemoveSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   }
 }
 
+/** Sets the full position (x, y and draw order z) of a scene object. */
 export class MoveSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   readonly label = 'Move object';
-  private previous: Vec2 = { x: 0, y: 0 };
+  private previous: Position = { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 };
 
   constructor(
     private readonly sceneId: string,
     private readonly objectId: string,
-    private readonly position: Vec2,
-    previous?: Vec2,
+    private readonly position: Position,
+    previous?: Position,
   ) {
     if (previous) this.previous = { ...previous };
   }
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ export class MoveSceneObjectCommand implements Command {
   execute(project: Project): void {
     const object = requireObject(project, this.sceneId, this.objectId);
     this.previous = { ...object.position };
-    object.position = { x: this.position.x, y: this.position.y };
+    object.position = { x: this.position.x, y: this.position.y, z: this.position.z };
   }
 
   undo(project: Project): void {

src/core/model/Properties.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,21 @@ export type PropertyValue = number | string | boolean;
 /** Sparse map of property key → value (asset properties or scene-object overrides). */
 export type PropertyBag = Record<string, PropertyValue>;
 
+/** A point in world or screen space. */
 export interface Vec2 {
   x: number;
   y: number;
 }
+
+/**
+ * Where a scene object sits: `x`/`y` in world units, `z` is the draw order. Higher `z` is
+ * drawn on top; objects with equal `z` keep their hierarchy order.
+ */
+export interface Position extends Vec2 {
+  z: number;
+}
+
+/** Stable draw order: ascending `z`, ties keep the input (hierarchy) order. */
+export function sortByZ<T extends { z: number }>(items: readonly T[]): T[] {
+  return [...items].sort((a, b) => a.z - b.z);
+}

src/core/model/SceneObject.ts

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import type { PropertyBag, Vec2 } from './Properties';
+import type { Position, PropertyBag, Vec2 } from './Properties';
 
 /**
  * An asset placed inside a scene. It links to the asset by id, owns a position
@@ -10,10 +10,12 @@ export interface SceneObject {
   assetId: string;
   /** Optional display name; falls back to the asset name when empty. */
   name: string;
-  position: Vec2;
+  /** World position plus draw order (`z`). */
+  position: Position;
   overrides: PropertyBag;
 }
 
-export function createSceneObject(id: string, assetId: string, position: Vec2): SceneObject {
-  return { id, assetId, name: '', position: { x: position.x, y: position.y }, overrides: {} };
+/** Creates a scene object; `z` defaults to 0 when the caller only has a 2D point. */
+export function createSceneObject(id: string, assetId: string, position: Vec2 | Position): SceneObject {
+  return { id, assetId, name: '', position: { x: position.x, y: position.y, z: 'z' in position ? position.z : 0 }, overrides: {} };
 }

src/core/properties/resolve.ts

@@ -33,6 +33,17 @@ export function isOverridden(object: SceneObject, key: string): boolean {
   return object.overrides[key] !== undefined;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Whether the asset's own value for `key` differs from the schema default – the asset-level
+ * counterpart of an override. The inspector highlights such values and offers a reset.
+ */
+export function isModified(asset: Asset, key: string): boolean {
+  const def = schemaFor(asset.type).find((d) => d.key === key);
+  if (!def) return false;
+  const own = asset.props[key];
+  return own !== undefined && own !== def.default;
+}
+
 /** Value the object would have without its override for `key` (the asset's value). */
 export function inheritedValue(asset: Asset, key: string): PropertyValue | undefined {
   return resolveAssetProps(asset)[key];

src/core/store/serialize.ts

@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ function normalizeObjects(raw: unknown, types: Map<string, AssetType>): SceneObj
       id: o.id,
       assetId: o.assetId,
       name: typeof o.name === 'string' ? o.name : '',
-      position: { x: toNumber(p.x), y: toNumber(p.y) },
+      position: { x: toNumber(p.x), y: toNumber(p.y), z: toNumber(p.z) },
       overrides: normalizeBag(o.overrides, type, true),
     });
   }

src/editor/App.ts

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ function installDebugHook(app: Application, state: EditorState, viewport: Viewpo
     const p = node.getGlobalPosition();
     return { x: p.x + node.width / 2, y: p.y + node.height / 2 };
   };
-  (window as unknown as { __gm: unknown }).__gm = { state, locate, viewportCenter, viewportInfo: () => viewport.debugInfo(), layerOf: (id: string) => viewport.layerOf(id) };
+  (window as unknown as { __gm: unknown }).__gm = { state, locate, viewportCenter, viewportInfo: () => viewport.debugInfo(), layerOf: (id: string) => viewport.layerOf(id), drawOrder: () => viewport.drawOrder() };
 }
 
 class Editor {

src/editor/inspector/fieldFactory.ts

@@ -13,8 +13,11 @@ export interface FieldRow {
   row: Widget;
   /** Push a model value into the widget (no events fired). */
   setValue(value: PropertyValue): void;
-  /** Highlight the row as overridden (scene objects) and show the reset button. */
-  setOverridden(overridden: boolean): void;
+  /**
+   * Highlight the row as deviating from its base value and show the reset button:
+   * an override on scene objects, a non-default value on assets.
+   */
+  setModified(modified: boolean): void;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -76,10 +79,10 @@ export function createFieldRow(def: PropertyDef, value: PropertyValue, handlers:
   return {
     row,
     setValue,
-    setOverridden(overridden) {
-      label.setStyle(overridden ? 'bodyBold' : 'muted');
-      if (reset && reset.visible !== overridden) {
-        reset.visible = overridden;
+    setModified(modified) {
+      label.setStyle(modified ? 'bodyBold' : 'muted');
+      if (reset && reset.visible !== modified) {
+        reset.visible = modified;
         row.relayout();
       }
     },

src/editor/panels/Inspector.ts

@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
-import { RenameAssetCommand, SetAssetPropertyCommand } from '../../core/commands/assetCommands';
+import { RenameAssetCommand, ResetAssetPropertyCommand, SetAssetPropertyCommand } from '../../core/commands/assetCommands';
 import {
   ClearOverrideCommand,
   MoveSceneObjectCommand,
   RenameSceneObjectCommand,
   SetOverrideCommand,
 } from '../../core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
-import type { PropertyValue } from '../../core/model/Properties';
+import type { Position, PropertyValue } from '../../core/model/Properties';
 import { findAsset, findScene, findSceneObject } from '../../core/model/Project';
 import { schemaFor } from '../../core/properties/PropertySchema';
-import { isOverridden, resolveAssetProps, resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../../core/properties/resolve';
+import { isModified, isOverridden, resolveAssetProps, resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../../core/properties/resolve';
 import { Button, HStack, Label, Panel, ScrollContainer, TextField, Theme, VStack } from '../../ui';
 import { createFieldRow, type FieldRow } from '../inspector/fieldFactory';
 import type { EditorState, Selection } from '../state';
@@ -66,25 +66,32 @@ export class Inspector extends Panel {
     });
     this.body.add(this.labelled('Name', this.nameField));
 
+    // Asset properties: values that differ from the schema default are marked and resettable.
     const values = resolveAssetProps(asset);
     for (const def of schemaFor(asset.type)) {
       let original: PropertyValue | undefined;
-      const row = createFieldRow(def, values[def.key] ?? def.default, {
-        onInput: (value) => {
-          const target = findAsset(this.state.project, assetId);
-          if (!target) return;
-          if (original === undefined) original = target.props[def.key];
-          target.props[def.key] = value;
-          this.state.preview();
+      const row = createFieldRow(
+        def,
+        values[def.key] ?? def.default,
+        {
+          onInput: (value) => {
+            const target = findAsset(this.state.project, assetId);
+            if (!target) return;
+            if (original === undefined) original = target.props[def.key];
+            target.props[def.key] = value;
+            this.state.preview();
+          },
+          onChange: (value) => {
+            const target = findAsset(this.state.project, assetId);
+            if (!target) return;
+            if (original !== undefined) target.props[def.key] = original;
+            original = undefined;
+            this.state.execute(new SetAssetPropertyCommand(assetId, def.key, value));
+          },
         },
-        onChange: (value) => {
-          const target = findAsset(this.state.project, assetId);
-          if (!target) return;
-          if (original !== undefined) target.props[def.key] = original;
-          original = undefined;
-          this.state.execute(new SetAssetPropertyCommand(assetId, def.key, value));
-        },
-      });
+        () => this.state.execute(new ResetAssetPropertyCommand(assetId, def.key)),
+      );
+      row.setModified(isModified(asset, def.key));
       this.fields.set(def.key, row);
       this.body.add(row.row);
     }
@@ -110,10 +117,10 @@ export class Inspector extends Panel {
     assetRow.add(new Button(asset.name, { variant: 'ghost', onClick: () => this.state.select({ kind: 'asset', assetId: asset.id }) }), 1);
     this.body.add(assetRow);
 
-    // Position – belongs to the scene object only.
+    // Position – belongs to the scene object only. Z is the draw order (higher = on top).
     this.body.add(new Label('POSITION', { style: 'title' }));
-    for (const axis of ['x', 'y'] as const) {
-      let original: { x: number; y: number } | undefined;
+    for (const axis of ['x', 'y', 'z'] as const) {
+      let original: Position | undefined;
       const row = createFieldRow({ key: axis, label: axis.toUpperCase(), kind: 'number', default: 0, step: 1 }, object.position[axis], {
         onInput: (value) => {
           const target = this.currentObject(sceneId, objectId);
@@ -169,7 +176,7 @@ export class Inspector extends Panel {
         },
         () => this.state.execute(new ClearOverrideCommand(sceneId, objectId, def.key)),
       );
-      row.setOverridden(isOverridden(object, def.key));
+      row.setModified(isOverridden(object, def.key));
       this.fields.set(def.key, row);
       this.body.add(row.row);
     }
@@ -188,7 +195,10 @@ export class Inspector extends Panel {
       if (!asset) return this.rebuild();
       this.nameField?.setValue(asset.name);
       const values = resolveAssetProps(asset);
-      for (const [key, row] of this.fields) row.setValue(values[key] ?? 0);
+      for (const [key, row] of this.fields) {
+        row.setValue(values[key] ?? 0);
+        row.setModified(isModified(asset, key));
+      }
       return;
     }
     const object = this.currentObject(s.sceneId, s.objectId);
@@ -197,11 +207,12 @@ export class Inspector extends Panel {
     this.nameField?.setValue(object.name);
     this.fields.get('x')?.setValue(object.position.x);
     this.fields.get('y')?.setValue(object.position.y);
+    this.fields.get('z')?.setValue(object.position.z);
     const values = resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object);
     for (const def of schemaFor(asset.type)) {
       const row = this.fields.get(def.key);
       row?.setValue(values[def.key] ?? def.default);
-      row?.setOverridden(isOverridden(object, def.key));
+      row?.setModified(isOverridden(object, def.key));
     }
   }
 

src/runtime/Entity.ts

@@ -15,5 +15,7 @@ export interface Entity {
   name: string;
   x: number;
   y: number;
+  /** Draw order; higher is drawn on top. */
+  z: number;
   props: PropertyBag;
 }

src/runtime/World.ts

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ export class World {
         name: object.name || asset.name,
         x: object.position.x,
         y: object.position.y,
+        z: object.position.z,
         props: resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object),
       });
     }

src/viewport/Viewport.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { Container, type FederatedPointerEvent, type FederatedWheelEvent, Graphics, Text } from 'pixi.js';
 import { MoveSceneObjectCommand } from '../core/commands/sceneObjectCommands';
 import type { AssetType } from '../core/model/AssetTypes';
-import type { PropertyBag, Vec2 } from '../core/model/Properties';
+import { type Position, type PropertyBag, sortByZ, type Vec2 } from '../core/model/Properties';
 import { findAsset } from '../core/model/Project';
 import { cameraFrame, rectAround, rectsIntersect, type WorldRect } from '../core/properties/camera';
 import { resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../core/properties/resolve';
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ interface DrawItem {
   name: string;
   x: number;
   y: number;
+  /** Draw order (see `Position.z`). */
+  z: number;
   props: PropertyBag;
 }
 
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
   /** Everything that may extend past the viewport (world and gizmos) is clipped through `content`. */
   private readonly content = new Container();
   private readonly world = new Container();
-  /** Scene objects (sprites) in hierarchy order. */
+  /** Scene objects (sprites), ordered by `z` then hierarchy order (see `syncDrawOrder`). */
   private readonly objects = new Container();
   /**
    * Editor symbols (camera icon, labels). Always drawn above `objects` so that a sprite can never
@@ -63,7 +65,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
   /** Edit-mode view: world point at the viewport centre and zoom. */
   private view = { x: 0, y: 0, zoom: 1 };
   private panning: { startX: number; startY: number; viewX: number; viewY: number } | null = null;
-  private dragging: { objectId: string; sceneId: string; start: Vec2; pointer: Vec2; moved: boolean } | null = null;
+  private dragging: { objectId: string; sceneId: string; start: Position; pointer: Vec2; moved: boolean } | null = null;
   private visibleCount = 0;
 
   constructor(private readonly state: EditorState) {
@@ -95,7 +97,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
         this.dragging.moved = true;
         const object = this.state.activeScene?.objects.find((o) => o.id === this.dragging?.objectId);
         if (!object) return;
-        object.position = { x: Math.round(this.dragging.start.x + dx), y: Math.round(this.dragging.start.y + dy) };
+        object.position = { x: Math.round(this.dragging.start.x + dx), y: Math.round(this.dragging.start.y + dy), z: this.dragging.start.z };
         this.state.preview();
       }
     });
@@ -154,6 +156,11 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
     return node.parent === this.overlay ? 'overlay' : 'objects';
   }
 
+  /** Object ids in the order they are drawn, back to front (test hook). */
+  drawOrder(): string[] {
+    return this.objects.children.filter((node) => node.visible).map((node) => node.label);
+  }
+
   override measure(): Size {
     return { w: Math.max(this.minWidth, 200), h: Math.max(this.minHeight, 200) };
   }
@@ -199,7 +206,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
     if (this.playWorld) {
       return {
         background: this.playWorld.backgroundColor,
-        items: this.playWorld.entities.filter((e) => e.type !== 'camera').map((e) => ({ id: e.objectId, type: e.type, name: e.name, x: e.x, y: e.y, props: e.props })),
+        items: this.playWorld.entities.filter((e) => e.type !== 'camera').map((e) => ({ id: e.objectId, type: e.type, name: e.name, x: e.x, y: e.y, z: e.z, props: e.props })),
       };
     }
     const scene = this.state.activeScene;
@@ -208,7 +215,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
     for (const object of scene.objects) {
       const asset = findAsset(this.state.project, object.assetId);
       if (!asset) continue;
-      items.push({ id: object.id, type: asset.type, name: object.name || asset.name, x: object.position.x, y: object.position.y, props: resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object) });
+      items.push({ id: object.id, type: asset.type, name: object.name || asset.name, x: object.position.x, y: object.position.y, z: object.position.z, props: resolveSceneObjectProps(asset, object) });
     }
     return { items, background: Number(scene.props.backgroundColor ?? Theme.colors.viewport) };
   }
@@ -250,6 +257,7 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
       let node = this.nodes.get(item.id);
       if (!node) {
         node = new Graphics();
+        node.label = item.id;
         node.cursor = 'move';
         node.on('pointerdown', (e: FederatedPointerEvent) => this.onItemPointerDown(item.id, e));
         this.nodes.set(item.id, node);
@@ -278,10 +286,25 @@ export class Viewport extends Widget {
         this.labels.delete(id);
       }
     }
+    this.syncDrawOrder(items);
 
     if (editing) this.drawGizmos(items, view);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Re-attach the object nodes so that Pixi draws them by ascending `z`, ties in hierarchy
+   * order. Done explicitly (instead of Pixi's lazy `sortableChildren`) so the order is
+   * deterministic and hierarchy changes are honoured too.
+   */
+  private syncDrawOrder(items: DrawItem[]): void {
+    const ordered = sortByZ(items.filter((item) => !this.isSymbol(item)));
+    this.objects.removeChildren();
+    for (const item of ordered) {
+      const node = this.nodes.get(item.id);
+      if (node) this.objects.addChild(node);
+    }
+  }
+
   /** Items drawn as editor symbols rather than as scene content. */
   private isSymbol(item: DrawItem): boolean {
     return item.type === 'camera';

tests/core/commands.test.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   CreateAssetCommand,
   DeleteAssetCommand,
   RenameAssetCommand,
+  ResetAssetPropertyCommand,
   SetActiveSceneCommand,
   SetAssetPropertyCommand,
 } from '../../src/core/commands/assetCommands';
@@ -54,6 +55,19 @@ describe('asset commands', () => {
   it('rejects unknown properties', () => {
     const { stack, spriteId } = setup();
     expect(() => stack.execute(new SetAssetPropertyCommand(spriteId, 'x', 5))).toThrow(/not defined/);
+    expect(() => stack.execute(new ResetAssetPropertyCommand(spriteId, 'x'))).toThrow(/not defined/);
+  });
+
+  it('resets a property to its schema default with undo', () => {
+    const { project, stack, spriteId } = setup();
+    const sprite = () => project.assets.find((a) => a.id === spriteId)!;
+    stack.execute(new SetAssetPropertyCommand(spriteId, 'height', 60));
+    stack.execute(new ResetAssetPropertyCommand(spriteId, 'height'));
+    expect(sprite().props.height).toBe(100);
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(sprite().props.height).toBe(60);
+    stack.redo();
+    expect(sprite().props.height).toBe(100);
   });
 
   it('deletes an asset together with its scene objects and restores both on undo', () => {
@@ -67,8 +81,8 @@ describe('asset commands', () => {
     stack.undo();
     expect(project.assets).toHaveLength(2);
     expect(findScene(project, sceneId)!.objects.map((o) => o.position)).toEqual([
-      { x: 1, y: 2 },
-      { x: 3, y: 4 },
+      { x: 1, y: 2, z: 0 },
+      { x: 3, y: 4, z: 0 },
     ]);
   });
 
@@ -92,7 +106,7 @@ describe('scene object commands', () => {
     const object = findScene(project, sceneId)!.objects[0]!;
     expect(object.id).toBe(place.objectId);
     expect(object.assetId).toBe(spriteId);
-    expect(object.position).toEqual({ x: 5, y: 6 });
+    expect(object.position).toEqual({ x: 5, y: 6, z: 0 });
     expect(object.overrides).toEqual({});
 
     expect(() => stack.execute(new PlaceAssetCommand(sceneId, sceneId, { x: 0, y: 0 }))).toThrow(/cannot be placed/);
@@ -105,8 +119,11 @@ describe('scene object commands', () => {
     stack.execute(place);
     const object = () => findScene(project, sceneId)!.objects.find((o) => o.id === place.objectId)!;
 
-    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, place.objectId, { x: 40, y: 50 }));
-    expect(object().position).toEqual({ x: 40, y: 50 });
+    stack.execute(new MoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, place.objectId, { x: 40, y: 50, z: 3 }));
+    expect(object().position).toEqual({ x: 40, y: 50, z: 3 });
+    stack.undo();
+    expect(object().position).toEqual({ x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 });
+    stack.redo();
 
     stack.execute(new SetOverrideCommand(sceneId, place.objectId, 'color', 0x123456));
     expect(object().overrides).toEqual({ color: 0x123456 });
@@ -120,7 +137,7 @@ describe('scene object commands', () => {
     stack.execute(new RemoveSceneObjectCommand(sceneId, place.objectId));
     expect(findScene(project, sceneId)!.objects).toHaveLength(0);
     stack.undo();
-    expect(object().position).toEqual({ x: 40, y: 50 });
+    expect(object().position).toEqual({ x: 40, y: 50, z: 3 });
   });
 
   it('clears the redo stack on a new command', () => {

tests/core/resolve.test.ts

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
 import { buildAsset } from '../../src/core/commands/assetCommands';
 import { createSceneObject } from '../../src/core/model/SceneObject';
 import { coerceValue, defaultsFor, schemaFor } from '../../src/core/properties/PropertySchema';
-import { inheritedValue, isOverridden, resolveAssetProps, resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../../src/core/properties/resolve';
+import { inheritedValue, isModified, isOverridden, resolveAssetProps, resolveSceneObjectProps } from '../../src/core/properties/resolve';
 
 describe('PropertySchema', () => {
   it('has no position on any asset type', () => {
@@ -49,10 +49,20 @@ describe('resolve', () => {
     expect(inheritedValue(sprite, 'color')).toBe(0x00ff00);
   });
 
+  it('detects asset values that differ from the schema default', () => {
+    const sprite = buildAsset('sprite', 'Box');
+    expect(isModified(sprite, 'width')).toBe(false); // explicit default counts as unmodified
+    sprite.props.width = 250;
+    expect(isModified(sprite, 'width')).toBe(true);
+    delete sprite.props.height; // missing → resolved from default → unmodified
+    expect(isModified(sprite, 'height')).toBe(false);
+    expect(isModified(sprite, 'bogus')).toBe(false);
+  });
+
   it('keeps position on the scene object only', () => {
     const sprite = buildAsset('sprite', 'Box');
     const object = createSceneObject('o1', sprite.id, { x: 10, y: 20 });
-    expect(object.position).toEqual({ x: 10, y: 20 });
+    expect(object.position).toEqual({ x: 10, y: 20, z: 0 });
     expect('position' in sprite).toBe(false);
     expect(resolveSceneObjectProps(sprite, object)).not.toHaveProperty('x');
   });

tests/core/serialize.test.ts

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ describe('serialize', () => {
       id: 'o1',
       assetId: 'sp1',
       name: '',
-      position: { x: 5, y: 0 },
+      position: { x: 5, y: 0, z: 0 },
       overrides: { color: 0x00ff00, width: 1 },
     });
     expect(project.assets[1]!.name).toBe('sprite');

tools/e2e.mjs

@@ -284,6 +284,52 @@ try {
   check('camera symbol is drawn in the overlay layer above sprites', layers === '["overlay","objects","objects"]', layers);
   await shot('13-symbol-on-top');
 
+  // 11. Z-order: put both crates on the origin. With equal z the hierarchy order wins
+  //     (o1 before o2 → o2 on top); raising o1's z draws it above o2; undo restores it.
+  await evaluate(`(() => {
+    const o2 = __gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o2');
+    o2.position.x = 0; o2.position.y = 0;
+    __gm.state.preview();
+  })()`);
+  await sleep(200);
+  const orderBefore = await evaluate(`JSON.stringify(__gm.drawOrder().filter(id => id === 'o1' || id === 'o2'))`);
+  check('equal z keeps hierarchy order', orderBefore === '["o1","o2"]', orderBefore);
+  await evaluate(`__gm.state.select({ kind: 'object', sceneId: __gm.state.activeScene.id, objectId: 'o1' })`);
+  await sleep(200);
+  const zLabel = await locate('Z');
+  await click(zLabel.x + 160, zLabel.y); // plain click → text editing with everything selected
+  await typeText('5');
+  await keyPress('Enter', 'Enter', { windowsVirtualKeyCode: 13 });
+  await sleep(200);
+  const zNow = await evaluate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1').position.z`);
+  check('Z field sets position.z', zNow === 5, `z=${zNow}`);
+  const orderAfter = await evaluate(`JSON.stringify(__gm.drawOrder().filter(id => id === 'o1' || id === 'o2'))`);
+  check('higher z is drawn on top', orderAfter === '["o2","o1"]', orderAfter);
+  await shot('14-z-order');
+  await keyPress('z', 'KeyZ', { modifiers: 2, windowsVirtualKeyCode: 90 });
+  await sleep(200);
+  const zUndone = await evaluate(`__gm.state.activeScene.objects.find(o => o.id === 'o1').position.z`);
+  check('undo restores z', zUndone === 0, `z=${zUndone}`);
+
+  // 12. Asset defaults: the Crate asset has height 60 (schema default 100), width and
+  //     color at their defaults → exactly one reset button is visible. Clicking it puts
+  //     height back to 100 and hides the button; undo brings 60 back.
+  await evaluate(`__gm.state.select({ kind: 'asset', assetId: 'crate' })`);
+  await sleep(200);
+  const resetButton = await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺')`);
+  check('asset inspector shows a reset for the non-default height', Boolean(resetButton));
+  await click(resetButton.x, resetButton.y);
+  await sleep(200);
+  const heightReset = await evaluate(`__gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === 'crate').props.height`);
+  check('reset puts the asset property back to its default', heightReset === 100, `height=${heightReset}`);
+  check('reset button hidden once the value is at default', !(await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺')`)));
+  await shot('15-asset-reset');
+  await keyPress('z', 'KeyZ', { modifiers: 2, windowsVirtualKeyCode: 90 });
+  await sleep(200);
+  const heightUndone = await evaluate(`__gm.state.project.assets.find(a => a.id === 'crate').props.height`);
+  check('undo restores the asset value', heightUndone === 60, `height=${heightUndone}`);
+  check('reset button visible again after undo', Boolean(await evaluate(`__gm.locate('↺')`)));
+
   check('no exceptions during run', !consoleLog.some((l) => l.startsWith('EXCEPTION')), consoleLog.filter((l) => l.startsWith('EXCEPTION')).slice(0, 3).join(' | '));
   ws.close();
 } catch (error) {

tools/seed-demo.mjs

@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ const project = {
       name: 'Level 1',
       props: { backgroundColor: 0x22252c },
       objects: [
-        { id: 'o1', assetId: 'crate', name: '', position: { x: -150, y: 0 }, overrides: {} },
-        { id: 'o2', assetId: 'crate', name: 'Blue crate', position: { x: 120, y: -80 }, overrides: { width: 140, color: 0x4488ff } },
-        { id: 'o3', assetId: 'cam', name: '', position: { x: 0, y: 0 }, overrides: {} },
+        { id: 'o1', assetId: 'crate', name: '', position: { x: -150, y: 0, z: 0 }, overrides: {} },
+        { id: 'o2', assetId: 'crate', name: 'Blue crate', position: { x: 120, y: -80, z: 0 }, overrides: { width: 140, color: 0x4488ff } },
+        { id: 'o3', assetId: 'cam', name: '', position: { x: 0, y: 0, z: 0 }, overrides: {} },
       ],
     },
     { id: 'crate', type: 'sprite', name: 'Crate', props: { width: 100, height: 60, color: 0xe0553f } },