| name | character-portrait-scene-planner |
| description | Plan a character-portrait scene (subject, pose, expression, wardrobe, framing, lighting, background) before any modeling or render attempt. |
character-portrait-scene-planner
Purpose
Translate a character-portrait intent (a single character in a hero / editorial / mood frame) into a structured scene plan that downstream quality / runtime / handoff skills validate. Distinct from product-hero-scene-planner (which targets manufactured products).
Quick start
- pin subject identity (real / stylized / archetype) + age + body type + role
- pin pose + expression + gaze
- pin wardrobe + props
- pin framing + camera + lens
- pin lighting + background + mood
- emit a structured plan + handoff to quality checkers
When to use
- intent is explicitly a character / person / creature portrait
- before any modeling or scene file is built
- when the consumer is editorial / brand / catalog / cinematic
When not to use
- product hero scenes (use
product-hero-scene-planner)
- environment establishing shots (use
environment-establishing-shot-planner)
- interior arch viz (use
interior-architectural-scene-planner)
- multi-character ensemble (this skill is single-subject)
Trigger phrases
- "portrait of"
- "character looking at the camera"
- "headshot"
- "hero shot of [person / mascot / creature]"
Prerequisites / readiness
- brief from
intent-to-3d-brief-writer is locked
- character identity + style is known
- target aspect + use case is known
Input schema
Required inputs
| Input | Why it is required |
|---|
| Subject identity | Determines proportions / rig / asset strategy |
| Pose + expression + gaze | Drives camera and lighting decisions |
| Framing intent | Close-up / medium / wide |
| Aspect ratio | Required for composition rules |
Optional inputs
| Input | Use |
|---|
| Reference images | Calibrate proportions / style |
| Wardrobe / prop list | Adds asset rows |
| Existing rig / model | Reuse instead of re-build |
Assumptions to confirm
- Single subject only.
- Camera is locked unless animation called out.
- Style is consistent across subject + wardrobe + background.
Output schema
Primary output
A structured character portrait plan with sections: Subject, Pose / expression / gaze, Wardrobe + props, Camera / framing / lens, Lighting, Background, Mood, Style notes.
Secondary output
- asset list flagged for
blender-asset-discovery-planner
- next-skill handoff list (composition / lighting / quality checkers)
- explicit Not Run / Not Produced labels
Evidence / caveat output
Runtime status: Not Run | Attempted | Produced | Verified | Failed | Blocked / Not Run
Artifact status: Not Run | Not Produced | Produced | Verified | Failed
Evidence used: <links, paths, logs, or "none">
Limitations: <known gaps>
Required laws
../../laws/evidence-before-done.md../../laws/non-blender-user-language.md../../laws/no-arbitrary-python-interface.md../../laws/official-runtime-only.md
Official runtime boundary
Planning skill — does not run Blender, model, or render. Output is a textual plan downstream quality and runtime skills validate against. If brief is unclear, hand off to intent-to-3d-brief-writer.
Operating procedure
- Read brief; confirm subject identity + framing intent.
- Fill subject section (age / body type / archetype / style).
- Fill pose / expression / gaze (one decision per row).
- Fill wardrobe + props.
- Fill camera + framing + lens (per
references/portrait-framing-rules.md).
- Fill lighting plan (key + fill + rim, HDRI presence).
- Fill background + mood.
- List assets needed; flag for asset discovery.
- Emit handoff to quality / lighting / composition checkers.
Decision tree
Subject is identifiable real person?
→ Add Warn for likeness rights + reference image needed
Pose unclear?
→ Hand off to intent-to-3d-brief-writer
Framing close-up but lens 18mm?
→ Warn (likely distortion); propose 50–85mm
Background detailed but framing tight close-up?
→ Warn (background mostly out of frame; simplify)
Playbooks
Playbook A: Hero close-up (16:9 web)
50–85mm equivalent; eyes on upper third; key + soft fill; rim for separation; simple gradient or studio HDRI background.
Playbook B: Editorial 9:16 mobile
24–35mm; subject head + upper body; environmental story background; mixed warm + cool lighting.
Playbook C: Stylized character mascot
Style-specific; flat or simplified background; key + bounce; consistent stylization across face + wardrobe.
Mode handling
Text-only mode
Pure plan; mark Artifact status: Not Run.
Runtime-ready mode
Plan plus runtime path attribution; do not upgrade to Verified without rendered evidence.
Blocked runtime mode
Plan only; flag what cannot be confirmed.
Validation checklist
Pass / Warn / Fail rubric
| Verdict | Criteria |
|---|
| Pass | All sections filled; no "TBD"; framing rules respected; assets flagged. |
| Warn | One section ambiguous (e.g. mood line missing); assets list partial. |
| Fail | Subject identity unclear; framing impossible (15mm + tight close-up); no lighting plan. |
Failure handling
- Brief unclear →
intent-to-3d-brief-writer.
- Style inconsistent → flag and ask user to lock style.
- Likeness rights unknown → Warn until confirmed.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Response |
|---|
| Real person reference but no rights | Pause; require rights confirmation. |
| Stylization clashes with wardrobe | Re-lock style early; cheaper than later. |
| Lighting + background fight subject | Re-balance per lighting-quality-checker rules. |
Best practices
- Lock style early; revisions are cheap pre-modeling.
- Pair pose decisions with camera decisions in one row.
- Always flag assets for
blender-asset-discovery-planner before committing modeling work.
Good examples
- "Subject: stylized 30s tech founder, neutral build. Pose: 3/4 toward camera, slight smile, gaze direct. Wardrobe: dark turtleneck. Camera: 85mm equivalent, eye-line upper third, 16:9. Lighting: soft key 250W + fill 50W + rim 100W; HDRI 0.7 studio. Background: gradient gray. Mood: confident editorial."
Bad examples
- "Person looking at camera." — no proportions, lighting, or framing.
- "Verified ready" — no rendered evidence.
User-facing response template
Subject: <identity / age / body / archetype>
Pose / expression / gaze: <three lines>
Wardrobe + props: <list>
Camera / framing / lens: <aspect> | <focal length> | <distance> | <eye-line>
Lighting: <key> | <fill> | <rim> | <HDRI>
Background: <type + tone>
Mood + style notes: <line>
Assets to discover: <list>
Limitations: <gaps>
Next: blender-asset-discovery-planner / composition-quality-checker / lighting-quality-checker
Anti-patterns
- Performing modeling decisions inside this skill.
- Inventing likeness without rights confirmation.
- Skipping mood / style notes.
- Mixing multi-character or environment scope.
Cross-skill handoff
- Brief writer →
../intent-to-3d-brief-writer/SKILL.md
- Asset discovery →
../blender-asset-discovery-planner/SKILL.md
- Composition validation →
../composition-quality-checker/SKILL.md
- Lighting validation →
../lighting-quality-checker/SKILL.md
- Material validation →
../material-quality-checker/SKILL.md
- Quality readiness →
../blender-scene-quality-checker/SKILL.md
Non-goals
- Model the character.
- Animate the character.
- Render.
- Run Blender.
References
references/portrait-framing-rules.mdreferences/portrait-lighting-patterns.mdreferences/style-consistency-rules.md../../docs/skill-system.md
