novafarma/.agent/workflows/pixel_art_fix_protocol.md

🔒 PIXEL ART FIX PROTOCOL - Protect Good Assets

Purpose: Identify and replace ONLY pixelated images, protect already-smooth Style 32 assets.

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✅ PROTECTED ASSETS (DO NOT TOUCH)

These are LOCKED - already smooth Style 32:

Main Characters:

• ✅ /references/main_characters/ana/master_reference_nobg.png - GOLD STANDARD
• ✅ /references/main_characters/ana/master_reference.png - GOLD STANDARD

Test Assets:

• ✅ /references/BIOME_CROP_TEST_SHEET.png - SMOOTH QUALITY CONFIRMED

Any asset USER confirms is smooth:

• User will specify which assets are already good
• These remain untouched

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🔴 IDENTIFY PIXELATED ASSETS (Need Regeneration)

Process:

1. User identifies which portraits/sprites are pixelated
2. Create list of files needing regeneration
3. Regenerate ONLY those files
4. Replace old pixelated versions

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📋 REGENERATION CHECKLIST

For EACH pixelated asset identified:

Step 1: Verify Old File Exists

ls -la references/npcs/[npc_name]/master_reference.png

Step 2: View Original (Note Details)

• Character name
• Features (hair, clothes, piercings)
• Pose/angle

Step 3: Generate Smooth Replacement

Prompt Template:

[Character Name] portrait. EXACT Style 32 matching Ana reference quality:
SMOOTH vector-style lines (NOT pixel art),
5px thick black outlines #000000,
anti-aliased curves,
high-resolution 256x256px rendering,
flat cel shading,
NO pixelation, NO stair-stepping, NO chunky pixels,
[Character specific features: hair color, outfit, etc.],
Film-quality polish, Cult of the Lamb aesthetic,
Transparent background.

Step 4: Verify Quality

• Smooth lines (no stair-stepping)
• 5px black outlines
• Matches Ana's smoothness level
• High resolution
• Vibrant colors

Step 5: Replace Old File

# Backup old (optional)
mv references/npcs/[npc]/master_reference.png references/npcs/[npc]/master_reference_OLD_PIXELATED.png

# Copy new smooth version
cp ~/.gemini/.../[new_smooth_file].png references/npcs/[npc]/master_reference.png

Step 6: Update Manifest

python3 scripts/generate_asset_manifest.py
git add -A
git commit -m "Fixed pixelated [NPC name] portrait - replaced with smooth Style 32 version"

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🎯 BATCH REPLACEMENT WORKFLOW

Phase 1: Identification

USER PROVIDES LIST of pixelated assets:

Example:
- ivan_kovac: PIXELATED ❌
- kustos: PIXELATED ❌
- tehnik: PIXELATED ❌
- pek: SMOOTH ✅ (keep)
- sivilja: SMOOTH ✅ (keep)

Phase 2: Regeneration (Only Pixelated)

For each PIXELATED asset:

1. View original
2. Generate smooth replacement
3. Verify quality
4. Replace file
5. Commit change

Phase 3: Confirmation

Report to user:
"Regenerated [X] pixelated portraits:
- [NPC 1]: FIXED ✅
- [NPC 2]: FIXED ✅
- [NPC 3]: FIXED ✅

Protected [Y] already-smooth assets:
- Ana: PROTECTED ✅
- [Other smooth NPCs]: PROTECTED ✅

All pixelated images are now replaced with smooth Style 32 versions."

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🚫 WHAT NOT TO DO

NEVER:

• ❌ Regenerate Ana's smooth reference (it's the gold standard)
• ❌ Regenerate test sheet (already smooth)
• ❌ Blindly regenerate everything without checking
• ❌ Replace smooth assets with new versions (keep originals)
• ❌ Generate without viewing original first

ALWAYS:

• ✅ Ask user which assets are pixelated
• ✅ Protect confirmed smooth assets
• ✅ Only regenerate confirmed pixelated ones
• ✅ Verify smoothness before replacing
• ✅ Keep backups of old files (optional)

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📋 CURRENT STATUS

Awaiting USER input:

• Which NPCs are pixelated? (need regeneration)
• Which NPCs are already smooth? (protect)
• Which main characters need fixing? (Kai, Gronk?)

Once USER provides list:

• Execute batch regeneration ONLY for pixelated assets
• Protect all smooth assets
• Confirm completion

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🎯 QUALITY STANDARD

Every regenerated asset must match:

• Ana's smoothness level (GOLD STANDARD)
• Test sheet quality (CONFIRMED SMOOTH)
• 5px outlines, no pixelation
• Film-quality polish

If regenerated asset is still pixelated:

• Auto-reroll (max 3 attempts)
• Report to user if can't achieve smoothness

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AWAITING USER INPUT: Please specify which NPCs/characters are pixelated and need fixing.