public static int modelKey(int side, int thickness, int connMap) {
        int key = connMap & 0xFF; //take the straight and corner connections

        int renderCorner = connMap >> 20 & 0xF;
        key |= (renderCorner ^ key & 0xF) << 4; //any corner conns that arent rendered convert to straight
        key &= ~0xF | renderCorner; //set corners to renderCorers

        int internal = (connMap & 0xF00) >> 8; //internal cons
        key |= internal << 4 | internal; //if internal is set, set both straight and corner to 1

        key |= side + thickness * 6 << 8; //add side and thickness
        return key;
    }
Returns a tightly packed unique index for the specific model represented
by this wire. The mask is split into 3 sections the combination of
corresponding bits from the two lowest nybbles gives the connection type
in that direction.
00 = none
01 = corner
10 = straight
11 = internal The
second byte contains the thickness*6+side

@param side      The side the wire is attached to
@param thickness The thickness of the wire -1 in 1/8th blocks. Supported
                 values 0, 1, 2
@param connMap   The connection mask of the wire
transmission/src/main/java/mrtjp/projectred/transmission/client/WireModelRenderer.java