xianwen-asset-pipeline

name	xianwen-asset-pipeline
description	Art asset management for Xianwen Online: sprite processing, background removal, image splitting, AI prompt generation for monsters/NPCs/backgrounds, and asset registration. Use when user needs image processing, art prompts, '去背', '提示詞', or asset management.

Xianwen Asset Pipeline

Art asset processing workflow, extracted from 20+ asset management sessions.

Asset Directories

Type	Location	Format
Cat breed sprites	web-client/src/assets/sprites/	PNG (6-expression sheets)
Split expressions	web-client/src/assets/sprites/split/<breed>/	PNG (individual)
Monster sprites	web-client/src/assets/monsters/	PNG (transparent)
NPC portraits	web-client/src/assets/npcs/	PNG (transparent)
Backgrounds	web-client/src/assets/backgrounds/	PNG/WebP
UI elements	web-client/src/assets/ui/	SVG/PNG

Sprite Processing

6-Expression Sheet Splitting

Each breed has a composite image with 6 expressions: happy, sad, angry, serious, surprised, default

Split using Python PIL/Pillow:

# Grid: 3x2 or 2x3 depending on source
from PIL import Image
img = Image.open("breed.png")
w, h = img.size
cell_w, cell_h = w // 3, h // 2

Background Removal

• Use rembg or manual PIL processing
• CRITICAL: If watermark overlaps with subject, use neighbor-color fill, NOT cut-out
• Persian cat sprites have black background (others have white)
• Verify transparency after processing

Quality Checklist

• No visible background remnants
• No Gemini star watermarks
• Consistent size across expressions
• Alpha channel properly set
• File size reasonable (<500KB per sprite)

AI Art Prompt Writing

Prompt Document Location

Art prompts are saved to docs/ files:

• docs/monster-sprite-prompts.md
• docs/npc-art-prompts.md
• docs/background-prompts.md
• docs/world-boss-art-prompts.md
• docs/equipment-item-art-prompts.md

Xianwen Art Style Guidelines

All prompts should include these style anchors:

• Medium: Chinese ink-wash painting (水墨畫) meets digital fantasy art
• Color palette: Dark ink (#0F1629), gold (#C9A84C), jade (#4ECDC4)
• Tone: Epic, grand, profound (史詩/壯闊/深邃)
• Subject: Cat cultivators in Xianxia setting
• Avoid: Cute/chibi, Western fantasy, generic mobile game style

Monster Prompt Template

A [monster_name] in Chinese Xianxia ink-wash style.
[Physical description]. [Spiritual/cultivation attributes].
Dark atmospheric background with subtle qi/spiritual energy particles.
Transparent PNG, centered composition, game sprite format.
Style: Traditional Chinese fantasy illustration, detailed linework,
muted colors with jade/gold accents.

NPC Portrait Template

Portrait of [npc_name], a [role] cat cultivator in [sect_name].
[Physical features, breed]. [Clothing and accessories].
Expression: [emotion]. Cultivation level: [realm].
Chinese ink-wash painting style, dark cinematic background,
golden light accents. Upper body portrait, slight 3/4 angle.

Asset Registration

After adding new images:

1. Import in the relevant component or utility file
2. Add mapping entry (e.g., monster name → image path)
3. Verify mapping works with various screen sizes
4. Check that missing images show a fallback, not a broken icon