Rebuild the NPC hands and add a hand capture

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 3,762–4,754 triangles
-  and 3,474–4,584 vertices.
+  the 2026-11-01 face/hand pass). The current range is 4,042–5,034 triangles
+  and 3,894–4,948 vertices. The vertex cap is now the tighter budget.
 
 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_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) |
 | <img src="shoulder_bag.png" width="280" alt="shoulder_bag.png"> | [`shoulder_bag.png`](shoulder_bag.png) |

docs/development-status.md

@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ 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 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.
 - 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

@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 # NPC visual baseline and acceptance criteria
 
-Status: baseline captured 2026-11-02. The first P1 fixes (tourist photo-prop
-visibility, backpack straps), the neck/shoulder and torso/hip transitions and
-the face-depth pass are applied. Remaining hand/clothing work is open; the
-baseline remains the reference for 0.9.4. Comparison sheets:
+Status: baseline captured 2026-11-02. The P1 fixes (tourist photo-prop
+visibility, backpack straps), the neck/shoulder and torso/hip transitions, the
+face-depth pass and the first hand pass are applied. Hand-item grip alignment
+and clothing work remain 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-torso.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg).
+the latest [`sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline_compare-torso.jpg),
+and the conversation-distance hand pass
+[`sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg).
 
 ## What was captured
 
@@ -37,6 +40,17 @@ python3 tools/npc_baseline.py sheet --dir tmp/npc-baseline
 
 The 48 raw PNGs are local QA under `tmp/` (gitignored). The committed contact
 sheet is [`blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_baseline.jpg).
+For the P2 hand/grip check there is an optional eighth view, captured separately
+so the 48-frame baseline stays stable:
+
+```bash
+godot --path . --script res://src/test/capture_npc_baseline.gd -- \
+  --out=res://tmp/npc-hands --view=hand
+```
+
+That writes eight `*__hand.png` frames at 0.80 m from the right hand; the
+before/after review image is
+[`sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg`](blender_previews/sheet_npc_hands_compare.jpg).
 The capture is deterministic apart from engine rasterisation; re-running into
 the same directory keeps the earlier files and writes `-vN` copies rather than
 overwriting them.
@@ -100,19 +114,19 @@ From `python3 tools/blender_assets.py fit` and the manifest:
 
 | Character | Tris | Verts | Head width | Clothing radius | Notable gear clearances |
 | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | --- |
-| `npc_casual` | 3,762 | 3,474 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | backpack x −0.041, radial −0.162 |
-| `npc_jacket` | 4,152 | 3,900 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | lanyard x −0.116, radial +0.023 (runtime +4 cm forward) |
-| `npc_coat` | 4,754 | 4,584 | 0.315 m | 0.225 m (skirt) | sunglasses width ratio 0.641; bag x +0.037, radial −0.130 |
-| `npc_vest` | 4,260 | 4,183 | 0.315 m | 0.191 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
-| `npc_dress` | 4,180 | 3,863 | 0.315 m | 0.260 m (skirt) | bag x +0.002, radial −0.095 |
-| `npc_hoodie` | 4,584 | 4,294 | 0.315 m | 0.190 m (hip) | — |
-| `npc_firefighter` | 4,624 | 4,583 | 0.315 m | 0.255 m (skirt) | helmet width ratio 1.651; SCBA x −0.105, radial −0.076 |
-| `npc_guard` | 4,326 | 4,443 | 0.315 m | 0.194 m (hip) | cap width ratio 1.067 |
+| `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 |
 
-The widest character is `npc_coat` at 4,754 triangles and 4,584 vertices, so the
-current headroom is 1,246 triangles and 416 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.
+`npc_coat` is widest at 5,034 triangles (966 below the cap); `npc_firefighter` is
+closest on vertices at 4,948 (only 52 below the 5,000 cap). Any further hand or
+clothing detail must replace existing geometry rather than adding it. The refit
+backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices.
 
 ## Baseline findings, ranked
 
@@ -140,9 +154,12 @@ refit backpack measures 380 triangles / 406 vertices.
 
 ### P2 — fix after the first P1 pass
 
-4. **Hands and grips are not proven at conversation distance.** The full-body
-   frame shows small block hands; the camera, phone and clipboard need a
-   close-up grip check before the hand mesh is accepted.
+4. **Hands: first pass fixed 2026-11-02; grip alignment still open.** The palm
+   is wider and shallower, and each finger is now a two-segment bent tube with a
+   rounded tip and a separate bent thumb. The hand capture shows a readable
+   four-finger hand instead of flat bars. The camera, phone, cup, clipboard and
+   sign still need their attach offsets checked: several props occlude the palm
+   or read as floating beside it.
 5. **Clothing detail is tile-driven and transitional seams are visible.** The
    fabric pattern repeats strongly on the casual, coat and dress variants, and
    collar/cuff/waist edges are abrupt. This is more visible than the shoe/hem
@@ -189,15 +206,16 @@ 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 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.
 
 ## Next implementation order
 
-1. Add the remaining body-shape variation between variants and re-measure the
+1. Fix hand-item grip offsets (phone, cup, clipboard, camera, sign, flashlight,
+   wand and radio) against the new palm/finger geometry.
+2. Add the remaining body-shape variation between variants and re-measure the
    LOD/impostor silhouettes.
-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. Refine nose/lip/ear shapes only if the portrait pass still flags them after
    the hands and clothing read cleanly.