Add or extend attributes (table column) to fields table

Question

I'm trying to find a way to extend the meta fields inside a custom field definition. To illustrate:

I need a min_vis def_vis and max_vis column for each field (or anytime a new one is added). Preferably these would be right under the name, handle, instructions text fields. So in this illustration below, there would be a select box added for each of these 3 new meta (or columns) after the instructions meta field.

I know it probably isn't a good idea to modify the core stuff, including the fields table, so should I use a plugin to define some a new model and record? Should I extend the form for fields registration to add these additional attributes as select boxes? Should I give the new attributes their own table (via record class) and set BELONGS_TO where they are related to each field?

If there is a better way to approach this, or if I'm pushing to hard for something custom no worries just give me a heads up that I shouldn't be extending the core fields attributes.

I did look at this issue but wasn't sure if it actually pertained to my question?

Answer 1

I'd probably re-think my approach. Creating/extending a field type will give plugins access to the settings area below the horizontal rule in your screenshot, but that's on a per-field type basis and Craft doesn't provide a way to hook into where you're looking.

What are min_vis, def_vis, and max_vis actually being used for?