Refine the NPC nose, mouth and ears

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.