Raise the NPC character budget to 24k and refine the prototype neck

tools/blender_assets.py

@@ -53,14 +53,14 @@ MANIFEST = OUT_DIR / "manifest.json"
 SLOTS = ["skin", "cloth", "pants", "accessory", "hair"]
 BONES = ["Head", "HipL", "HipR", "KneeL", "KneeR", "ShoulderL", "ShoulderR",
          "ElbowL", "ElbowR", "HandL", "HandR"]
-# Character cap raised to 16000/16000 on 2026-11-04 for the head/face/hand
-# overhaul and possible MakeHuman parts. The required 13 core bones stay, but
-# optional extra bones (fingers, face, toes) are allowed; they must not move the
-# core rest positions. The glTF vertex count is after UV-seam splits; each
-# avatar is still one skinned mesh, and `smoke_npc_budget.gd` must confirm the
-# 24-NPC frame time before accepting the increase.
-CHAR_MAX_TRIS = 16000
-CHAR_MAX_VERTS = 16000
+# Character cap raised to 24000/24000 on 2026-11-05 for the MPFB body, the
+# accepted MakeHuman head and a seamless neck/shoulder junction. The required
+# 13 core bones stay, but optional extra bones (fingers, face, toes) are
+# allowed; they must not move the core rest positions. The glTF vertex count is
+# after UV-seam splits; each avatar is still one skinned mesh, and the 24-NPC
+# smoke test must confirm frame time before shipping.
+CHAR_MAX_TRIS = 24000
+CHAR_MAX_VERTS = 24000
 GEAR_MAX_TRIS = 1500
 PROP_MAX_TRIS = 4000
 
@@ -2486,7 +2486,7 @@ def inspect_glb(path, category=None) -> dict:
     return result
 
 
-def adapt_glb(path, out_path, target_tris=16000):
+def adapt_glb(path, out_path, target_tris=24000):
     """Import an external GLB and adapt it toward the library contract.
 
     Applies node transforms, grounds the feet (lowest vertex at y = 0), welds
@@ -2892,8 +2892,8 @@ def main(argv=None):
     ada.add_argument("--file", required=True,
                      help="external GLB to adapt (absolute path; runs in Blender)")
     ada.add_argument("--out", required=True, help="where to write the adapted GLB")
-    ada.add_argument("--target-tris", type=int, default=16000,
-                     help="decimate target (default 16000)")
+    ada.add_argument("--target-tris", type=int, default=24000,
+                     help="decimate target (default 24000)")
     tex = sub.add_parser("texels", help="per-slot texel density of the character GLBs")
     tex.add_argument("--only", default="")
     tex.add_argument("--json", action="store_true")