diff --git a/coordinator/startup.lua b/coordinator/startup.lua
index 367c1ca..60a0c88 100644
--- a/coordinator/startup.lua
+++ b/coordinator/startup.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ local sounder      = require("coordinator.sounder")
 
 local apisessions  = require("coordinator.session.apisessions")
 
-local COORDINATOR_VERSION = "v0.15.2"
+local COORDINATOR_VERSION = "v0.15.3"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts
diff --git a/graphics/element.lua b/graphics/element.lua
index b865af0..c6dbaa7 100644
--- a/graphics/element.lua
+++ b/graphics/element.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local element = {}
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 ---@alias graphics_args graphics_args_generic
 ---|waiting_args
@@ -153,7 +154,7 @@ function element.new(args)
         assert(f.h >= 1, name_brief .. "frame height not >= 1")
 
         -- create window
-        protected.window = window.create(self.p_window, f.x, f.y, f.w, f.h, true)
+        protected.window = window.create(self.p_window, f.x, f.y, f.w, f.h, args.hidden ~= true)
 
         -- init colors
         if args.fg_bg ~= nil then
@@ -385,25 +386,6 @@ function element.new(args)
         return nil
     end
 
-    -- DYNAMIC CHILD ELEMENTS --
-
-    -- insert an element as a contained child<br>
-    -- this is intended to be used dynamically, and depends on the target element type.<br>
-    -- not all elements support dynamic children.
-    ---@param id string|integer element identifier
-    ---@param elem graphics_element element
-    function public.insert_element(id, elem)
-        protected.insert(id, elem)
-    end
-
-    -- remove an element from contained children<br>
-    -- this is intended to be used dynamically, and depends on the target element type.<br>
-    -- not all elements support dynamic children.
-    ---@param id string|integer element identifier
-    function public.remove_element(id)
-        protected.remove(id)
-    end
-
     -- AUTO-PLACEMENT --
 
     -- skip a line for automatically placed elements
@@ -545,22 +527,46 @@ function element.new(args)
         ps.subscribe(key, func)
     end
 
-    -- VISIBILITY --
+    -- VISIBILITY & ANIMATIONS --
 
-    -- show the element
-    function public.show()
+    -- show the element and enables animations by default
+    ---@param animate? boolean true (default) to automatically resume animations
+    function public.show(animate)
         protected.window.setVisible(true)
-        protected.start_anim()
-        for _, child in pairs(self.children) do child.show() end
+        if animate ~= false then public.animate_all() end
     end
 
-    -- hide the element
+    -- hide the element and disables animations
     function public.hide()
-        protected.stop_anim()
-        for _, child in pairs(self.children) do child.hide() end
+        public.freeze_all() -- stop animations for efficiency/performance
         protected.window.setVisible(false)
     end
 
+    -- start/resume animation(s)
+    function public.animate()
+        protected.start_anim()
+    end
+
+    -- start/resume animation(s) for this element and all its children<br>
+    -- only animates if a window is visible
+    function public.animate_all()
+        if protected.window.isVisible() then
+            public.animate()
+            for _, child in pairs(self.children) do child.animate_all() end
+        end
+    end
+
+    -- freeze animation(s)
+    function public.freeze()
+        protected.stop_anim()
+    end
+
+    -- freeze animation(s) for this element and all its children
+    function public.freeze_all()
+        public.freeze()
+        for _, child in pairs(self.children) do child.freeze_all() end
+    end
+
     -- re-draw the element
     function public.redraw()
         protected.window.redraw()
diff --git a/graphics/elements/animations/waiting.lua b/graphics/elements/animations/waiting.lua
index a0d7b3e..9d88c91 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/animations/waiting.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/animations/waiting.lua
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new waiting animation element
 ---@param args waiting_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/colormap.lua b/graphics/elements/colormap.lua
index 4c7ba94..f494158 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/colormap.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/colormap.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field id? string element id
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new color map
 ---@param args colormap_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/hazard_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/hazard_button.lua
index 4dca5c4..844a6c8 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/hazard_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/hazard_button.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new hazard button
 ---@param args hazard_button_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
index e44bad0..ca6600b 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/multi_button.lua
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new multi button (latch selection, exclusively one button at a time)
 ---@param args multi_button_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
index 27be991..cfcd772 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/push_button.lua
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ local CLICK_TYPE = core.events.CLICK_TYPE
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new push button
 ---@param args push_button_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/radio_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/radio_button.lua
index 050bf39..6fc5d56 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/radio_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/radio_button.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new radio button list (latch selection, exclusively one button at a time)
 ---@param args radio_button_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/sidebar.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/sidebar.lua
index 45771b2..7dae6ed 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/sidebar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/sidebar.lua
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ local CLICK_TYPE = core.events.CLICK_TYPE
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new sidebar tab selector
 ---@param args sidebar_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
index 6b88c0e..bcdc9e5 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/spinbox_numeric.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new spinbox control (minimum value is 0)
 ---@param args spinbox_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
index 645bf8a..e02f506 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/switch_button.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new switch button (latch high/low)
 ---@param args switch_button_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/controls/tabbar.lua b/graphics/elements/controls/tabbar.lua
index 6249951..e188174 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/controls/tabbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/controls/tabbar.lua
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field width? integer parent width if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new tab selector
 ---@param args tabbar_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua b/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
index c7e5c9f..f6f520a 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/displaybox.lua
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new root display box
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/div.lua b/graphics/elements/div.lua
index 5eeef71..53e3e84 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/div.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/div.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new div element
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/alight.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/alight.lua
index 8bb8fa6..2d933d6 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/alight.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/alight.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local flasher = require("graphics.flasher")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new alarm indicator light
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
index 748c17a..a2b4ea9 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/data.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field width integer length
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new data indicator
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
index 2d9b110..f69374e 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/hbar.lua
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new horizontal bar
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
index f31479d..f079178 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/icon.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new icon indicator
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/led.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/led.lua
index dd2264e..6a6f829 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/led.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/led.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local flasher = require("graphics.flasher")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new indicator LED
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/ledpair.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/ledpair.lua
index 727d4cd..94e6955 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/ledpair.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/ledpair.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local flasher = require("graphics.flasher")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new dual LED indicator light
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/ledrgb.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/ledrgb.lua
index 266e0ab..b66d102 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/ledrgb.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/ledrgb.lua
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new RGB LED indicator light
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
index e764ad9..8213439 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/light.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local flasher = require("graphics.flasher")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new indicator light
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/power.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/power.lua
index 1d727ae..b7137d7 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/power.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/power.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field width integer length
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new power indicator
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/rad.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/rad.lua
index 2e4ad56..c843cf4 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/rad.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/rad.lua
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field width integer length
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new radiation indicator
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
index 10d081b..3bb2831 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/state.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field height? integer 1 if omitted, must be an odd number
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new state indicator
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
index 543ebf5..bbc7526 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/trilight.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local flasher = require("graphics.flasher")
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new tri-state indicator light
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
index fe7f9bc..9c8a8f4 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/indicators/vbar.lua
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new vertical bar
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/multipane.lua b/graphics/elements/multipane.lua
index 8e25bab..20da7ed 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/multipane.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/multipane.lua
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new multipane element
 ---@nodiscard
diff --git a/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua b/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
index 8a1d29b..8314fd2 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/pipenet.lua
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field id? string element id
 ---@field x? integer 1 if omitted
 ---@field y? integer 1 if omitted
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new pipe network
 ---@param args pipenet_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua b/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
index 2f7a68d..b80b37c 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/rectangle.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new rectangle
 ---@param args rectangle_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
index 9066deb..6e5717f 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/textbox.lua
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ local TEXT_ALIGN = core.TEXT_ALIGN
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new text box
 ---@param args textbox_args
diff --git a/graphics/elements/tiling.lua b/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
index a97438a..0dcaaf8 100644
--- a/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
+++ b/graphics/elements/tiling.lua
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ local element = require("graphics.element")
 ---@field height? integer parent height if omitted
 ---@field gframe? graphics_frame frame instead of x/y/width/height
 ---@field fg_bg? cpair foreground/background colors
+---@field hidden? boolean true to hide on initial draw
 
 -- new tiling box
 ---@param args tiling_args
diff --git a/pocket/startup.lua b/pocket/startup.lua
index 2ea5958..9265558 100644
--- a/pocket/startup.lua
+++ b/pocket/startup.lua
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ local coreio       = require("pocket.coreio")
 local pocket       = require("pocket.pocket")
 local renderer     = require("pocket.renderer")
 
-local POCKET_VERSION = "alpha-v0.3.2"
+local POCKET_VERSION = "alpha-v0.3.3"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts
diff --git a/reactor-plc/startup.lua b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
index 1a7f550..89b5b6d 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/startup.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/startup.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ local plc      = require("reactor-plc.plc")
 local renderer = require("reactor-plc.renderer")
 local threads  = require("reactor-plc.threads")
 
-local R_PLC_VERSION = "v1.3.2"
+local R_PLC_VERSION = "v1.3.3"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts
diff --git a/rtu/startup.lua b/rtu/startup.lua
index 27c7c14..0994261 100644
--- a/rtu/startup.lua
+++ b/rtu/startup.lua
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ local sna_rtu      = require("rtu.dev.sna_rtu")
 local sps_rtu      = require("rtu.dev.sps_rtu")
 local turbinev_rtu = require("rtu.dev.turbinev_rtu")
 
-local RTU_VERSION = "v1.2.2"
+local RTU_VERSION = "v1.2.3"
 
 local RTU_UNIT_TYPE = types.RTU_UNIT_TYPE
 local RTU_UNIT_HW_STATE = databus.RTU_UNIT_HW_STATE
diff --git a/supervisor/startup.lua b/supervisor/startup.lua
index 1c3f84c..6dc7253 100644
--- a/supervisor/startup.lua
+++ b/supervisor/startup.lua
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ local supervisor = require("supervisor.supervisor")
 
 local svsessions = require("supervisor.session.svsessions")
 
-local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v0.16.2"
+local SUPERVISOR_VERSION = "v0.16.3"
 
 local println = util.println
 local println_ts = util.println_ts