lookdev

$npx mdskill add arjun988/blender-skills/lookdev

Iterates materials, lighting, and camera for Blender asset shading until approved.

  • Finalizes asset shading by comparing screenshots against reference or expectations.
  • Depends on Blender, MCP, and standard light rigs like neutral 3-point or HDRI.
  • Decides next iteration by analyzing gaps in grayscale values, specular, and emissive.
  • Delivers a QA-approved shading setup with optional grade and turntable render.

SKILL.md

.github/skills/lookdevView on GitHub ↗
---
name: lookdev
description: Look development loop for Blender assets combining materials, lighting, camera, and screenshot comparison until shading reads correctly via MCP.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: https://github.com/arjun988
  version: "1.0.0"
  domain: blender
  role: specialist
  triggers: lookdev, look development, shading review, material lighting loop, turntable, asset presentation
  related-skills: materials, lighting, rendering, camera-cinematography, compositing, qa-review
---

# Lookdev

Material + light + camera loop. Screenshot compare. Stop when it reads.

## When to Use

- Finalizing asset shading before export/portfolio
- Turntable / grey shader checks
- Matching material references
- Bridging `materials` and `lighting` intentionally

## Workflow

```
Clay/grey pass → Base materials → Neutral light rig
  → Beauty light → Screenshot → Gap list → Iterate (≤3–5)
  → Optional grade → QA
```

## Standard Rigs

| Rig | Use |
|-----|-----|
| Neutral 3-point | Evaluate materials fairly |
| HDRI studio | Product / character |
| In-situ scene lights | Final context |

Keep a reusable `COL_Lookdev_Lights` + `CAM_Lookdev_*`.

## Checklist

- [ ] Values read in grayscale
- [ ] Specular roughness believable
- [ ] Edges catch light (bevels/normals)
- [ ] Emissive under control
- [ ] No pure black / pure white traps unless stylized
- [ ] Matches reference palette if provided

## Iteration Rule

Each pass: change one major variable (material OR light OR camera), then screenshot.

## Constraints

### MUST DO
- Grey pass before fancy textures when forms unsure
- Capture screenshots each iteration
- Hand off to `qa-review` before ship

### MUST NOT DO
- Fix modeling problems only with roughness maps
- Infinite tweak loops without gap list

## Reference Guide

| Topic | Reference | Load When |
|-------|-----------|----------|
| Lookdev Rig | `references/lookdev-rig.md` | When needed |
| Lookdev Checklist | `references/lookdev-checklist.md` | When needed |

More from arjun988/blender-skills

SkillDescription
analog-found-footage-horrorAnalog, VHS, CRT, and found-footage horror aesthetics for Blender shots including camera imperfections and documentary framing.
animationGame-ready animation in Blender including walk/run/idle cycles, combat, mechanical animation, camera animation, constraints, Graph Editor, and NLA workflows via MCP.
anime-styleAnime and cel-shaded art direction for Blender with hard color breaks, toon shaders, clean silhouettes, and anime proportion language.
apocalypse-worldsApocalyptic and dystopian world art direction for Blender including post-apocalyptic, zombie, alien invasion, post-human, dystopian, and utopian contrast sets.
archvizArchitectural visualization in Blender for interiors/exteriors with real-world scale, camera composition, PBR materials, and still/animation delivery via MCP.
asset-optimizationValidates and optimizes Blender assets for polycount, topology, UV efficiency, material count, naming, collections, and game-ready performance. Use before export on all production assets via MCP.
biome-worldsBiome and setting art direction for Blender covering underwater, desert, arctic, jungle, underground, and floating-island environments.
blender-directorUse when starting any Blender asset task, planning a production pipeline, coordinating multiple disciplines, or matching a reference photo/concept art. Invoke for game-ready assets, hard surface, environment, character, creature, export, or any multi-skill Blender workflow.
blender-modelerCore Blender modeling specialist for Edit Mode, modifiers, collections, precision modeling, and scene organization. Use for general 3D modeling, blockouts, cleanup, non-destructive workflows, and scene structure in Blender via MCP.
body-horror-styleBody horror art direction for Blender focusing on flesh wrongness, mutation, fusion, and visceral material storytelling.