Refine the NPC nose, mouth and ears

docs/blender-assets.md

@@ -96,8 +96,8 @@ All eight use the `npc_base` contract, so each one can replace
   variants (vertex count after seam splits; `CHAR_MAX_TRIS`/`CHAR_MAX_VERTS` in
   `tools/blender_assets.py`, raised from 6,000/5,000 on 2026-11-02). The frozen
   `npc_base` fallback keeps its original 6,000/4,000 contract. The current range
-  is 4,042–5,034 triangles and 3,894–4,948 vertices, leaving room for the
-  remaining face, grip and clothing detail.
+  is 4,226–5,218 triangles and 4,119–5,240 vertices, leaving room for the
+  remaining grip and clothing detail.
 
 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

@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ Committed contact sheets and local Blender renders for the character, gear and p
 | <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_baseline_compare-torso.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg) |
+| <img src="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg`](sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg) |
 | <img src="sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg" width="280" alt="sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg"> | [`sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`](sheet_npc_hands_compare.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) |

docs/development-status.md

@@ -42,7 +42,8 @@ Implemented so far:
 - 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 torso/hip transition (0.9.4 work): the pelvis and chest are slightly wider than the waist, giving shirts and jackets a readable taper into the hips without changing the build multipliers or the skeleton. The comparison is `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg`.
-- NPC mesh budget (0.9.4 work): the eight library variants now have an 8,000-triangle / 8,000-glTF-vertex cap (up from 6,000/5,000); the `npc_base` fallback remains 6,000/4,000. Current characters measure 4,042–5,034 triangles and 3,894–4,948 vertices.
+- NPC mesh budget (0.9.4 work): the eight library variants now have an 8,000-triangle / 8,000-glTF-vertex cap (up from 6,000/5,000); the `npc_base` fallback remains 6,000/4,000. Current characters measure 4,226–5,218 triangles and 4,119–5,240 vertices.
+- NPC face-detail pass (0.9.4 work): ala wings and a smaller nose bridge/tip, one rounded mouth slot, and a darker ear concha; all eight rebuilt. The comparison is `sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg`.
 - NPC hand pass (0.9.4 work): wider, shallower palms; four two-segment bent fingers with rounded tips and a separate bent thumb; optional `--view=hand` capture at 0.80 m. The hand comparison is `sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`; item grip offsets remain open.
 - 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.

docs/npc-visual-review.md

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ 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)
 the latest [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg),
+the face-detail pass [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg),
 and the conversation-distance hand pass
 [`sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg).
 
@@ -115,17 +116,17 @@ From `python3 tools/blender_assets.py fit` and the manifest:
 
 | Character | Tris | Verts | Head width | Clothing radius | Notable gear clearances |
 | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
-| `npc_casual` | 4,042 | 3,894 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | backpack x −0.041, radial −0.162 |
-| `npc_jacket` | 4,432 | 4,265 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | lanyard x −0.116, radial +0.023 (runtime +4 cm forward) |
-| `npc_coat` | 5,034 | 4,814 | 0.315 m | 0.225 m (skirt) | sunglasses width ratio 0.641; bag x +0.037, radial −0.130 |
-| `npc_vest` | 4,540 | 4,503 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
-| `npc_dress` | 4,460 | 4,191 | 0.315 m | 0.260 m (skirt) | bag x +0.002, radial −0.095 |
-| `npc_hoodie` | 4,864 | 4,506 | 0.315 m | 0.190 m (hip) | — |
-| `npc_firefighter` | 4,904 | 4,948 | 0.315 m | 0.255 m (skirt) | helmet width ratio 1.651; SCBA x −0.105, radial −0.076 |
-| `npc_guard` | 4,606 | 4,679 | 0.315 m | 0.194 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
+| `npc_casual` | 4,226 | 4,119 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | backpack x −0.041, radial −0.162 |
+| `npc_jacket` | 4,616 | 4,447 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | lanyard x −0.116, radial +0.023 (runtime +4 cm forward) |
+| `npc_coat` | 5,218 | 4,975 | 0.315 m | 0.225 m (skirt) | sunglasses width ratio 0.641; bag x +0.037, radial −0.130 |
+| `npc_vest` | 4,724 | 4,713 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
+| `npc_dress` | 4,644 | 4,439 | 0.315 m | 0.260 m (skirt) | bag x +0.002, radial −0.095 |
+| `npc_hoodie` | 5,048 | 4,712 | 0.315 m | 0.190 m (hip) | — |
+| `npc_firefighter` | 5,088 | 5,240 | 0.315 m | 0.255 m (skirt) | helmet width ratio 1.651; SCBA x −0.105, radial −0.076 |
+| `npc_guard` | 4,790 | 4,865 | 0.315 m | 0.194 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
 
-`npc_coat` is widest at 5,034 triangles (2,966 below the 8,000 cap);
-`npc_firefighter` is closest on vertices at 4,948 (3,052 below the 8,000 cap).
+`npc_coat` is widest at 5,218 triangles (2,782 below the 8,000 cap);
+`npc_firefighter` is closest on vertices at 5,240 (2,760 below the 8,000 cap).
 The refit backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices.
 
 ## Baseline findings, ranked
@@ -139,12 +140,13 @@ The refit backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices.
    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. **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.
+2. **Face depth and detail. 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. The nose
+   now has ala wings and a smaller bridge/tip, the mouth is one rounded slot
+   instead of a flat bar, and the ears have a darker concha. That removes the
+   dark intersection rings and the moustache-like read at portrait distance; the
+   low-poly brows remain stylized.
 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
@@ -206,6 +208,7 @@ The committed runs are
 [`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).
 The transition pass is [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg).
+The face-detail pass is [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-face-detail.jpg).
 The hand pass is [`sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg).
 Keep the baseline sheet as the before artifact and add a new comparison sheet
 rather than replacing it.
@@ -217,7 +220,5 @@ rather than replacing it.
 2. Add the remaining body-shape variation between variants and re-measure the
    LOD/impostor silhouettes.
 3. Audit hems and footwear in walk/sit/block poses.
-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
+4. 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.