Recess NPC eyes and sculpt the jaw and cheeks

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ Semantic Versioning.
 
 - Character necks are fuller and shoulders slope from the neck instead of
   reading as a thin post on a hanger.
+- Character eyes sit in the socket behind a thin upper lid, and the chin and
+  cheekbones are sculpted into the head instead of reading as separate spheres.
 - Tourists no longer appear to carry two backpacks: the photo-pose camera bag is
   hidden except while they are actually taking a picture.
 - Backpack shoulder straps are now flattened bands that sit outside the chest

MEMORY.md

@@ -81,6 +81,11 @@ Session memory for durable decisions, state, and gotchas. Keep concise, remove o
   1.37 m. A final triangulate + tiny-face delete in `build_character` removes zero-area triangles
   that the new neck branch exposed in jacket/hoodie. All eight GLBs and AO maps were rebuilt;
   `npc_proportions.py` still passes and `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg` is the review image.
+- **NPC face-depth pass (0.9.4, 2026-11-02):** recessed the sclera to `ey=-0.134` and added a
+  thin upper lid; removed the separate jaw/cheek spheres and instead sculpt front head vertices
+  (`_shape_head_mesh`) around a chin plate and cheekbones. This avoids dark AO intersection rings.
+  Moved lips forward to stay on the reshaped surface. Latest review sheet:
+  `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`; max character is now 4,754 tris / 4,574 verts.
 - **UI flow smoke (2026-11-02):** `smoke_ui_flows.gd` boots the real scene and
   exercises inspection allow/deny, normal vs emergency radio, Help filtering,
   wand allow/deny and review return-to-menu. Keep this smoke in the 0.9.6

TODO.md

@@ -99,10 +99,13 @@ and equipment fit.
 
 ### Head, face and hair
 
-- [ ] Refine the head volume and jaw/cheek/chin proportions against the portrait concept; keep the
-      face front direction unambiguous for the focus cone and head-turn.
-- [ ] Improve brow/eye-socket depth, eyelid/iris readability, nose bridge/tip, lips and ear shape
-      without turning the low-poly face into a noisy mesh.
+- [x] Refine the head volume and jaw/cheek/chin proportions against the portrait concept; keep the
+      face front direction unambiguous for the focus cone and head-turn. (Chin plate and cheekbones
+      sculpted into the head mesh; no separate jaw/cheek spheres or AO intersection rings.)
+- [x] Improve brow/eye-socket depth and eyelid/iris readability without turning the low-poly face
+      into a noisy mesh. (Recessed sclera, thin upper lid; `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`.)
+- [ ] Refine the nose bridge/tip, lips and ear shape; keep the five tint slots and face direction
+      unchanged.
 - [ ] Audit hair caps, fringes, side locks, buns and beard silhouettes for gaps, intersections and
       obvious scalp seams; keep hair color in the tintable slot.
 - [ ] Verify hats/hoods/sunglasses/helmets still clear the refined brow, ears and hair; update gear

assets/models/blender/manifest.json

@@ -487,8 +487,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 3984,
-      "vertices": 3793
+      "triangles": 3760,
+      "vertices": 3556
     },
     "npc_coat": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -528,8 +528,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4978,
-      "vertices": 4776
+      "triangles": 4754,
+      "vertices": 4574
     },
     "npc_dress": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -567,8 +567,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4400,
-      "vertices": 4075
+      "triangles": 4176,
+      "vertices": 3863
     },
     "npc_firefighter": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -608,8 +608,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4848,
-      "vertices": 4831
+      "triangles": 4624,
+      "vertices": 4487
     },
     "npc_guard": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -652,8 +652,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4558,
-      "vertices": 4652
+      "triangles": 4334,
+      "vertices": 4456
     },
     "npc_hoodie": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -693,8 +693,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4816,
-      "vertices": 4425
+      "triangles": 4592,
+      "vertices": 4187
     },
     "npc_jacket": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -734,8 +734,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4384,
-      "vertices": 4130
+      "triangles": 4160,
+      "vertices": 3930
     },
     "npc_vest": {
       "bounds_godot": {
@@ -775,8 +775,8 @@
         "accessory",
         "hair"
       ],
-      "triangles": 4496,
-      "vertices": 4271
+      "triangles": 4272,
+      "vertices": 4186
     },
     "palm_tree": {
       "bounds_godot": {

docs/blender-assets.md

@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ All eight use the `npc_base` contract, so each one can replace
   `Materials.npc_slot()` tints them the same way it tints `npc_base`.
 - budget ≤ 6000 triangles and ≤ 5000 vertices (glTF vertex count, after seam
   splits; `CHAR_MAX_VERTS` in `tools/blender_assets.py`, raised from 4000 for
-  the 2026-11-01 face/hand pass). The current range is 3,984–4,978 triangles
-  and 3,793–4,831 vertices.
+  the 2026-11-01 face/hand pass). The current range is 3,760–4,754 triangles
+  and 3,556–4,574 vertices.
 
 Construction: the torso and limbs are one continuous Skin-modifier mesh,
 subdivided twice, decimated to 26 % with X symmetry, and cut at the waist, cuffs,

docs/blender_previews/README.md

@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ Committed contact sheets and local Blender renders for the character, gear and p
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg) |
+| <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_gear.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_gear.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_gear.jpg`](sheet_npc_gear.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_props.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_props.jpg"> | [`sheet_props.jpg`](sheet_props.jpg) |
 | <img src="shoulder_bag.png" width="280" alt="shoulder_bag.png"> | [`shoulder_bag.png`](shoulder_bag.png) |

docs/development-status.md

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ Implemented so far:
 
 - Visual alignment: start/venue menu, pause, settings, shift review, radio, wand, inspection, timeline, HUD target chip/escalation bar, and radial menu now use or match their AI references in `assets/images/ui/`. The runtime art loader (`src/game/ui/art.gd`) falls back cleanly when a file is missing. The wand panel lists the guest's carried items, and multiline HUD/wand strings render real line breaks.
 - NPC neck/shoulder transition (0.9.4 work): the body graph now uses a fuller neck base, a slightly tapered neck top and a lower shoulder root, giving the head/neck/shoulder line a trapezius slope instead of a thin post. The full character library was rebuilt with a final degenerate-face cleanup; the baseline comparison is `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`.
+- NPC face-depth pass (0.9.4 work): sclera are recessed and capped by a thin upper lid, and the separate jaw/cheek spheres are replaced by a chin plate and cheekbones sculpted into the head mesh. The full library was rebuilt; the comparison is `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`.
 - NPC proportion audit (0.9.4 work): `tools/npc_proportions.py` measures all eight GLBs against a stylized height/head/shoulder/hip/torso/leg/arm/foot guide. All variants pass; the head and broad-build silhouettes are the nearest upper bounds. Results are in [`npc-proportion-audit.md`](npc-proportion-audit.md).
 - NPC P1 portrait fixes (0.9.4 work): tourists now hide their photo-pose camera bag outside `photo`/`film` poses, removing the duplicate-backpack silhouette; the backpack gear was rebuilt with flattened, forward chest straps and a fresh AO map. The before/after sheet is [`blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg); the face and remaining clothing/hand work stay open.
 - NPC visual baseline (0.9.4 work): `src/test/capture_npc_baseline.gd` captures all eight library characters from front, three-quarter, profile, back, full-body and crowd views in a neutral studio (48 frames). The criteria, measurements and ranked gaps are in [`npc-visual-review.md`](npc-visual-review.md); the committed sheet is [`blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline.jpg). No model changes were made in this baseline step.

docs/npc-visual-review.md

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 # NPC visual baseline and acceptance criteria
 
-Status: baseline captured 2026-11-02; the first P1 fixes were applied the same
-day (tourist photo-prop visibility and backpack strap geometry). The face pass
-and the remaining body/clothing work are still open. The baseline remains the
-reference for the 0.9.4 NPC visual optimization; the post-fix comparison is
-[`blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg).
+Status: baseline captured 2026-11-02. The first P1 fixes (tourist photo-prop
+visibility, backpack straps), the neck/shoulder transition and the face-depth
+pass are applied. Remaining body/clothing work is open; the baseline remains the
+reference for 0.9.4. Comparison sheets:
+[`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg),
+[`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg)
+and the latest [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg).
 
 ## What was captured
 
@@ -98,20 +100,19 @@ From `python3 tools/blender_assets.py fit` and the manifest:
 
 | Character | Tris | Verts | Head width | Clothing radius | Notable gear clearances |
 | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
-| `npc_casual` | 3,984 | 3,793 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | backpack x −0.041, radial −0.162 |
-| `npc_jacket` | 4,384 | 4,130 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | lanyard x −0.116, radial +0.023 (runtime +4 cm forward) |
-| `npc_coat` | 4,978 | 4,776 | 0.315 m | 0.225 m (skirt) | sunglasses width ratio 0.641; bag x +0.037, radial −0.130 |
-| `npc_vest` | 4,496 | 4,271 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
-| `npc_dress` | 4,400 | 4,075 | 0.315 m | 0.260 m (skirt) | bag x +0.002, radial −0.095 |
-| `npc_hoodie` | 4,816 | 4,425 | 0.315 m | 0.190 m (hip) | — |
-| `npc_firefighter` | 4,848 | 4,831 | 0.315 m | 0.255 m (skirt) | helmet width ratio 1.651; SCBA x −0.105, radial −0.076 |
-| `npc_guard` | 4,558 | 4,652 | 0.315 m | 0.194 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
+| `npc_casual` | 3,760 | 3,556 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | backpack x −0.041, radial −0.162 |
+| `npc_jacket` | 4,160 | 3,930 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | lanyard x −0.116, radial +0.023 (runtime +4 cm forward) |
+| `npc_coat` | 4,754 | 4,574 | 0.315 m | 0.225 m (skirt) | sunglasses width ratio 0.641; bag x +0.037, radial −0.130 |
+| `npc_vest` | 4,272 | 4,186 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
+| `npc_dress` | 4,176 | 3,863 | 0.315 m | 0.260 m (skirt) | bag x +0.002, radial −0.095 |
+| `npc_hoodie` | 4,592 | 4,187 | 0.315 m | 0.190 m (hip) | — |
+| `npc_firefighter` | 4,624 | 4,487 | 0.315 m | 0.255 m (skirt) | helmet width ratio 1.651; SCBA x −0.105, radial −0.076 |
+| `npc_guard` | 4,334 | 4,456 | 0.315 m | 0.194 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
 
-The widest character is `npc_firefighter` at 4,848 triangles and 4,831 vertices, so
-the current headroom is 1,152 triangles and 169 vertices per character. Any face
-or hand refinement must come out of that budget or replace existing detail. The
-refit backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices; the character and gear
-table above remains valid because the character meshes did not change.
+The widest character is `npc_coat` at 4,754 triangles and 4,574 vertices, so the
+current headroom is 1,246 triangles and 426 vertices per character. Any hand or
+clothing refinement must come out of that budget or replace existing detail. The
+refit backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices.
 
 ## Baseline findings, ranked
 
@@ -124,11 +125,12 @@ table above remains valid because the character meshes did not change.
    photo prop is now hidden outside `photo`/`film` poses
    (`photo_prop_visible_for_pose()`), so it only appears when the character is
    actually taking a picture; the after frame confirms one bag at rest.
-2. **The face is the largest portrait gap.** The eyes, nose and lips are
-   readable but sit on a shallow, faceted head: the eye whites protrude, the
-   eyelid/cheek transition is missing, and the mouth is a dark slot. This is
-   intentionally stylized, but the head volume and eye socket are the first
-   things a player sees at conversation range.
+2. **Face depth. Fixed 2026-11-02.** The sclera was recessed into the socket and
+   wrapped with a thin upper lid; the separate jaw/cheek spheres were replaced
+   by a chin plate and cheekbones sculpted into the head mesh. That removes the
+   dark intersection rings that read as a beard shadow and keeps the mouth on
+   the surface. The mouth bar and low-poly brows remain stylized, but the eye
+   socket and jaw/cheek transition now read as one head volume.
 3. **Backpack straps read as rigid black bars. Refit 2026-11-02.** The straps
    were thin round tubes whose chest/waist points sat inside the torso, so only
    fragments showed from the front. They are now flattened bands whose front path
@@ -182,17 +184,20 @@ python3 tools/npc_baseline.py compare \
 ```
 
 The comparison sheet places the before/after pair for each view side by side.
-The first run is committed as
-[`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg` and `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg);
-keep the baseline sheet as the before artifact and add a new numbered/after
-sheet rather than replacing it.
+The committed runs are
+[`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-p1.jpg),
+[`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-body.jpg)
+and [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face.jpg).
+Keep the baseline sheet as the before artifact and add a new comparison sheet
+rather than replacing it.
 
 ## Next implementation order
 
-1. Refine the head/eye socket/jaw volume without changing the face direction or
-   the five tint slots.
+1. Improve the torso/hip transition and the remaining body-shape variation.
 2. Add a conversation-distance hand/grip capture and fix hand geometry before
    judging hand items.
 3. Audit hems and footwear in walk/sit/block poses.
-4. Re-run the 48-frame baseline, the 96-frame final-context review, the 24-NPC
+4. Refine nose/lip/ear shapes only if the portrait pass still flags them after
+   the hands and clothing read cleanly.
+5. Re-run the 48-frame baseline, the 96-frame final-context review, the 24-NPC
    budget and `blender_assets.py audit/fit`; publish the next comparison sheet.

tools/blender_assets.py

@@ -728,23 +728,48 @@ def _hood(name, mat, head_center):
     return _finish(_link(name, bm), mat, smooth=True, sharp_angle=60)
 
 
+def _shape_head_mesh(head):
+    """Sculpt a chin plate and cheekbones into the head sphere itself.
+
+    Separate jaw/cheek spheres leave visible intersection rings in the baked AO,
+    which read as a beard shadow. Moving the head's own front vertices keeps the
+    surface continuous while still giving the key light something to catch.
+    """
+    bm = bmesh.new()
+    bm.from_mesh(head.data)
+    for v in bm.verts:
+        x, y, z = v.co
+        if y >= 0.0:
+            continue
+        ax = abs(x)
+        # Chin/jaw plate: forward and slightly wider below the mouth.
+        jaw = (max(0.0, 1.0 - abs(z - 1.565) / 0.055)
+               * max(0.0, 1.0 - ax / 0.075))
+        v.co.y -= 0.012 * jaw
+        v.co.x *= 1.0 + 0.06 * jaw
+        # Cheekbone: a shallow, wide lift under each eye.
+        cheek = (max(0.0, 1.0 - abs(z - 1.610) / 0.040)
+                 * max(0.0, 1.0 - abs(ax - 0.072) / 0.050))
+        v.co.y -= 0.006 * cheek
+    bm.normal_update()
+    bm.to_mesh(head.data)
+    bm.free()
+
+
 def _face(mats, spec):
     """Head with readable eyes, brow ridge, nose, lips and ears.
 
     At conversation distance the eye region carries the read, so each eye gets a
-    white sclera, a dark iris and an upper lid, and the face gets cheekbones and
-    a nose bridge instead of a single cone (realism pass detail work).
+    white sclera, a dark iris and an upper lid, and the face gets sculpted
+    cheekbones and a nose bridge instead of a single cone (realism pass detail
+    work).
     """
     skin, acc, hair = mats["skin"], mats["accessory"], mats["hair"]
     white = material("eye_white", textured_solid=True)
-    parts = [sphere("Head", 0.155, (0, 0, 1.635), skin, seg=18, rings=12,
-                    scale=(0.92, 1.0, 1.12))]
-    # jaw / chin and cheekbones soften the egg into a face
-    parts.append(sphere("Jaw", 0.10, (0, -0.04, 1.556), skin, seg=12, rings=8,
-                        scale=(1.0, 1.0, 0.8)))
-    for s in (-1.0, 1.0):
-        parts.append(sphere("Cheek", 0.034, (0.076 * s, -0.104, 1.606), skin, seg=8,
-                            rings=5, scale=(1.0, 0.7, 0.8)))
+    head = sphere("Head", 0.155, (0, 0, 1.635), skin, seg=18, rings=12,
+                  scale=(0.92, 1.0, 1.12))
+    _shape_head_mesh(head)
+    parts = [head]
     # nose: bridge and ball (nostrils were cut to stay inside the vertex budget)
     parts.append(cyl("NoseBridge", 0.016, 0.022, 0.06, (0, -0.145, 1.652), skin, seg=8,
                      rot=(math.radians(-72), 0, 0), smooth=True))
@@ -756,20 +781,25 @@ def _face(mats, spec):
                             scale=(0.42, 1.0, 1.35)))
         parts.append(sphere("EarLobe", 0.018, (0.142 * s, -0.005, 1.605), skin, seg=8,
                             rings=5, scale=(0.45, 1.0, 0.9)))
-        # eye: sclera, iris, upper lid and brow
-        ex, ey, ez = 0.052 * s, -0.138, 1.664
+        # Eye: recess the sclera into the socket, then wrap it with skin lids.
+        # The old white ball sat ~1 cm proud of the head; this keeps the iris
+        # readable without the doll-like bulge.
+        ex, ey, ez = 0.052 * s, -0.134, 1.664
         parts.append(sphere("EyeWhite", 0.019, (ex, ey, ez), white, seg=8, rings=5,
-                            scale=(1.25, 0.7, 0.85)))
-        parts.append(sphere("Iris", 0.0105, (ex, ey - 0.013, ez), acc, seg=8, rings=5,
+                            scale=(1.25, 0.62, 0.85)))
+        parts.append(sphere("Iris", 0.0105, (ex, ey - 0.007, ez), acc, seg=8, rings=5,
                             scale=(1.0, 0.55, 1.0)))
-        parts.append(box("Lid", (0.038, 0.010, 0.008), (ex, ey + 0.004, ez + 0.014),
-                         skin, rot=(math.radians(-10), 0, 0)))
+        # One thin upper lid; no lower lid, which made the eyes read as
+        # half-closed slits at conversation distance.
+        parts.append(sphere("UpperLid", 0.020, (ex, ey - 0.006, ez + 0.014), skin,
+                            seg=8, rings=4, scale=(1.20, 0.32, 0.24),
+                            rot=(math.radians(-10), 0, 0)))
         parts.append(box("Brow", (0.055, 0.014, 0.012), (0.052 * s, -0.143, 1.699), hair,
                          rot=(0, 0.14 * s, 0.0)))
     # lips: upper and lower instead of a single bar
-    parts.append(box("LipUpper", (0.052, 0.012, 0.008), (0, -0.145, 1.588), acc,
+    parts.append(box("LipUpper", (0.052, 0.012, 0.008), (0, -0.156, 1.588), acc,
                      rot=(math.radians(6), 0, 0)))
-    parts.append(box("LipLower", (0.046, 0.012, 0.009), (0, -0.143, 1.578), acc))
+    parts.append(box("LipLower", (0.046, 0.012, 0.009), (0, -0.154, 1.578), acc))
     if spec.get("beard"):
         parts.append(sphere("Beard", 0.105, (0, -0.06, 1.55), hair, seg=12, rings=8,
                             scale=(1.0, 0.9, 0.75), cut_below=-0.2))