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# CHARACTER SHEET TEXT-VISUAL TEMPLATE <!-- GENERATED:toc — do not edit by hand. Generated in the source package --> ## Contents - [Universal Character Reference Layout — Text Mirror of the Visual Sheet](#universal-character-reference-layout-text-mirror-of-the-visual-sheet) - [LAYOUT STRUCTURE](#layout-structure) - [VISUAL DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS](#visual-design-specifications) - [REQUIRED CHARACTER IDENTITY FIELDS](#required-character-identity-fields) - [RULES FOR USING THIS TEMPLATE](#rules-for-using-this-template) - [FILLED EXAMPLE (generic warrior, fillable)](#filled-example-generic-warrior-fillable) - [END OF CHARACTER SHEET TEXT-VISUAL TEMPLATE](#end-of-character-sheet-text-visual-template) - [MANDATORY PANEL SET](#mandatory-panel-set) <!-- /GENERATED:toc --> ## Universal Character Reference Layout — Text Mirror of the Visual Sheet This is the **written/visual template** of the character sheet reference (first drawn for a Gilgamesh project; the ground and lettering follow the piece, rule 5). Use it as a layout guide for generating any character sheet image, or as a structural reference when describing the layout to image generators. Generic placeholders only — fill with any project's content. --- ## LAYOUT STRUCTURE ``` ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CHARACTER SHEET [CHARACTER NAME] [PROJECT TITLE] ║ ║ [ERA / DATE] ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ ┌──────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ║ ║ │ ↕ height │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ │ scale │ │ FULL BODY │ │ FULL BODY │ │ FULL BODY │ │ FULL BODY │ ║ ║ │ ~XX cm │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ │ X' Y" │ │ FRONT │ │ BACK │ │ LEFT SIDE │ │ RIGHT SIDE │ ║ ║ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ └──────────┘ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ ║ ║ FRONT BACK LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ FACE IDENTITY (same light) │ ACCESSORIES ║ ║ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ │ ║ ║ │ 1 FRONT, │ │ 2 SMILE, │ │ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ║ ║ │ NEUTRAL │ │ TEETH │ │ │ ITEM │ │ ITEM │ │ ITEM │ │ ITEM │ │ ITEM │ ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ │ │ 1 │ │ 2 │ │ 3 │ │ 4 │ │ 5 │ ║ ║ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ │ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ ║ ║ │ 3 3/4 LEFT │ │ 4 3/4 RIGHT│ │ [NAME 1] [NAME 2] [NAME 3] [NAME 4] [NAME 5] ║ ║ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ │ ║ ║ ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ║ ║ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ │swatch│ ║ ║ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ ║ ║ [COLOR 1] [COLOR 2] [COLOR 3] [COLOR 4] [COLOR 5] [COLOR 6] [COLOR 7] [COLOR 8] ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ ``` --- ## VISUAL DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS **Background**: Cream (#F4ECDD) museum-catalog presentation **Typography** (the default; rule 5 lets it follow the piece's register): - Brand/Title in elegant serif uppercase (Trajan or Cormorant Garamond style) - Small caps for labels - Pose labels under each turnaround cell **Header (top strip, 3-column)**: - LEFT: "CHARACTER SHEET" in small caps serif - CENTER: Large elegant serif uppercase character name - RIGHT: Project title (small serif), optional era/date below **Main row** — 4 equal cells (mandatory full-body turnaround): 1. FRONT view (neutral pose, slight contrapposto, weight balanced) 2. BACK view (matching pose, showing hair fall, wardrobe back details) 3. LEFT SIDE view (profile, left-side asymmetry visible) 4. RIGHT SIDE view (profile, right-side asymmetry visible) Height scale on the left of first cell (e.g., "approx. 195 cm" / "6'5""). For an invented or cartoon character with no real height, use a relative scale (heads tall, or height beside a named cast member or object) and record it. Pose labels in tiny serif caps below each cell: FRONT, BACK, LEFT SIDE, RIGHT SIDE. **Second row LEFT (~50% width)**: Mandatory face identity grid, 4 equal close-ups 1. FRONT, NEUTRAL — eyes to camera, mouth closed 2. SMILING, TEETH VISIBLE — or the open-mouth state for a character with no teeth 3. THREE-QUARTER LEFT — turned 30 to 45 degrees 4. THREE-QUARTER RIGHT — turned 30 to 45 degrees All four use identical lighting, crop and camera height. **Second row RIGHT (~50% width)**: ACCESSORIES grid - 5-7 items, each isolated on cream background with subtle drop shadow - Captions in tiny serif uppercase below each item - Section header "ACCESSORIES" at top right in elegant serif caps **Bottom strip (full width)**: Color palette - 6-8 color swatches as 1:1 squares (some can be material textures: skin, fabric, metal, wood, etc.) - Captioned in tiny serif uppercase below each swatch --- ## REQUIRED CHARACTER IDENTITY FIELDS When filling this template, define and lock the following: - **NAME**: [character name] - **ERA / SETTING**: [date or fictional era] - **HEIGHT / BUILD**: [exact height, build register described physically] - **SKIN**: [tone with nuance, finish — matte, dewy, weathered, oiled] - **HAIR**: [color nuance, length, texture, style, parting] - **FACIAL HAIR** (if applicable): [type, style, length] - **EYES**: [shape, color, brow shape] - **DISTINGUISHING MARKS**: [scars, tattoos, jewelry, freckles — only if visible] - **WARDROBE (head to toe)**: [headwear, top layer, inner layer, bottom, footwear, belt, outerwear] - **ACCESSORIES**: [list with materials and colors] - **BODY LANGUAGE / DEFAULT POSE**: [posture, stance, energy] - **DEFAULT EXPRESSION**: [neutral, slight smirk, hardened, soft] --- ## RULES FOR USING THIS TEMPLATE 1. Use box-drawing characters for the ASCII layout. 2. Keep all 4 turnaround cells equal width with consistent pose direction. 3. The four-face identity grid and accessories grid share the second row; neither may be collapsed to one hero portrait. 4. Color palette strip spans full width at the bottom. 5. Background is cream (#F4ECDD) by default, the museum-catalog presentation that matches the location and props sheets — or a dark ground where the character's palette needs it (a pale-costumed figure, a bright animation character, a dark-brand project). Pick one ground and hold it across every sheet in the same production, exactly as `sheet-location.md` and `sheet-props.md` do. What is not optional is a plain, even, uncluttered ground. The label typography follows the piece's register the same way: the serif catalogue lettering is the default, and a children's piece takes a rounded sans. 6. All accessories isolated on the same plain ground chosen in rule 5. 7. Same character identity locked across all 4 body views and all 4 face views — same face, hair, wardrobe, accessories. 8. Even, neutral lighting across all cells, with no photographic set-up such as window light or catchlights by default; the four face panels use identical lighting and crop. --- ## FILLED EXAMPLE (generic warrior, fillable) ``` ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CHARACTER SHEET RAGNAR BLOOD OF THE NORTH ║ ║ CIRCA 850 AD ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ ┌──────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ ║ ║ │ approx. │ │ warrior │ │ warrior │ │ warrior │ │ warrior │ ║ ║ │ 188 cm │ │ facing │ │ from back,│ │ left │ │ right │ ║ ║ │ 6'2" │ │ forward, │ │ braided │ │ profile, │ │ profile, │ ║ ║ │ │ │ neutral, │ │ hair, │ │ scar side │ │ not a │ ║ ║ │ │ │ hands │ │ cloak fall│ │ │ │ mirror of │ ║ ║ └──────────┘ │ empty │ │ │ │ │ │ the left │ ║ ║ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ │ ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ ║ ║ FRONT BACK LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ FACE IDENTITY (same light) │ ACCESSORIES ║ ║ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ │ ║ ║ │ 1 front, │ │ 2 smile, │ │ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ║ ║ │ neutral │ │ teeth │ │ │ axe │ │ braid│ │ arm │ │ wool │ │ iron │ ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ │ │ head │ │ clasp│ │ ring │ │ cloak│ │amulet│ ║ ║ ┌────────────┐ ┌────────────┐ │ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ ║ ║ │ 3 3/4 left │ │ 4 3/4 right│ │ IRON AXE HAIR ARM RING WOOL IRON ║ ║ │ scar brow│ │ calm gaze│ │ HEAD CLASP CLOAK AMULET ║ ║ └────────────┘ └────────────┘ │ ║ ║ ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ ║ ║ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ┌──────┐ ║ ║ │ pale │ │ blond│ │ steel│ │ wool │ │ brown│ │ iron │ │ ice │ │ scar │ ║ ║ │ skin │ │ braid│ │ blue │ │ taupe│ │ leath│ │ gray │ │ blue │ │ pink │ ║ ║ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ └──────┘ ║ ║ PALE BLOND STEEL WOOL BROWN IRON ICE BLUE SCAR ║ ║ SKIN BRAID BLUE TAUPE LEATHER GRAY (EYES) PINK ║ ║ ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ CHARACTER NAME: Ragnar ERA: Circa 850 AD, Northern Europe HEIGHT/BUILD: Approx 188 cm / 6'2", broad-shouldered warrior frame, muscular SKIN: Pale weathered, freckled across cheeks, sun-marks on forearms HAIR: Dirty blond, long, braided into two heavy plaits down chest, beard braided to match EYES: Ice blue, sharp almond shape DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Vertical scar above left eyebrow, faded blue runic tattoo on neck WARDROBE: Iron circlet with hair clasps, fur-lined wool cloak (taupe), sleeveless leather tunic (brown), heavy linen trousers (cream), wrapped leather boots ACCESSORIES: Iron-head war axe, iron arm ring, braid clasp (bronze), iron amulet on cord, wool cloak with bone clasp BODY LANGUAGE: Wide stance, weight forward, calm hardened presence, hands empty (the axe is on the accessories grid, not in the hand) DEFAULT EXPRESSION: Hardened, calm, focused, slight squint from harsh light ``` --- ## END OF CHARACTER SHEET TEXT-VISUAL TEMPLATE This template is generic and reusable for any character — historical, fantasy, sci-fi, modern. Fill placeholders with the project's content while keeping the visual structure identical. --- ## MANDATORY PANEL SET The project owner's standing specification. A sheet missing any of these is incomplete, and a face that was never referenced from every angle drifts the moment the camera moves. `CHARACTER_SHEET_SCHEMA: full_body=front,back,left_side,right_side; face=front_neutral,smile_open_mouth,three_quarter_left,three_quarter_right` ### Full body - four views, not three ``` FRONT BACK LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE ``` Left and right are both required and are **not** mirror images of each other. Asymmetric wardrobe, a scar, a sword worn on one hip, a braid falling one way - all of it is lost when one side is assumed to mirror the other. A three-quarter view may be added; it does not replace a side. `sheet.char.full_body_four_views_not_three` ### Face - four close-ups ``` 1 FRONT, NEUTRAL eyes to camera, mouth closed, the identity anchor 2 SMILING, TEETH VISIBLE the hardest expression to keep stable, and the one most often wrong 3 THREE-QUARTER LEFT turned about 30 to 45 degrees, same lighting as 1 4 THREE-QUARTER RIGHT turned about 30 to 45 degrees, same lighting as 1 ``` **Why the smile is mandatory.** Teeth are where generated faces break: shape, count, colour and gum line all drift, and the identity goes with them. A sheet with only a neutral mouth gives the model nothing to hold onto the first time the character smiles, and every later shot inherits that gap. For a historical character the teeth must also match the period - see the character record on modern cosmetic grooming, which stays forbidden. **On a character with no teeth, the panel is still mandatory and shows the open mouth instead.** A clay-render puppet, a felt or carved figure, a creature, a mask or a stylised character may have a mouth that opens without teeth in it — and that mouth is exactly as unstable as a set of teeth, in the same way and for the same reason. So the fourth panel holds whatever the open mouth actually is: the shape of the aperture, what lines the inside of it, how far it opens, whether the jaw hinges or the whole face deforms. What the panel is for is fixing the **open mouth**; teeth are only the most common thing found in one. **Lighting is identical across all four face panels.** Changing key direction between them teaches the model that the face changes shape, which is the exact failure the sheet exists to prevent. `sheet.char.face_four_close_ups` ### Expression range, beyond the four The four above are the identity set and are always required. A character carrying real dramatic weight also gets the expressions its scenes actually need - anger, grief, fear, resolve, exhaustion - rendered on the same face at the same angle and lighting as panel 1. These are **additions**, never replacements: the identity set comes first and every added expression is generated from it. `sheet.char.expression_range_beyond_the_four` ### What this sheet is for It is the reference pack the prompt stages draw from, not decoration. The image prompt guide cites the panel it is working from; a shot needing a smiling three-quarter face uses panels 2 and 3 together rather than describing them in words. `sheet.char.what_this_sheet_is_for`
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