Reference Library Updater Skill

Purpose

Improve the reference library based on successful shot generation, extracting high-quality generated images to serve as improved references.

Trigger

After visual continuity validation and manual review of episode.

Inputs Required

• •SHOTS_EP{{XX}}/*.png - Generated shots
• •SHOT_QA_REPORT_EP{{XX}}.md - Quality scores
• •VISUAL_CONTINUITY_REPORT_EP{{XX}}.md
• •CHARACTER_REFS/*/refs/*.png - Current references
• •LOCATION_REFS/*/refs/*.png - Current references
• •CANON_DB.json

Outputs Produced

• •Updated reference images (if improvements found)
• •REFERENCE_UPDATE_LOG.md
• •Updated CANON_DB.json (new reference paths)

Process

Step 1: Identify High-Quality Shots

From QA reports, find shots that:

• •Scored highly on consistency (0.90+)
• •Passed all quality checks
• •Received positive manual review

Step 2: Evaluate for Reference Potential

A shot is a good reference candidate if:

• •Character is clearly visible
• •Pose/expression is useful for future generation
• •Lighting is representative
• •No distracting elements

Best Candidates:

• •Clean single-character shots
• •Clear facial expressions
• •New poses not in current references
• •Better quality than existing references

Step 3: Compare to Existing References

For each candidate:

1. •Identify which reference it could replace/supplement
2. •Compare quality objectively
3. •Determine if it adds value to library

Replacement Criteria:

• •Clearly better consistency scores when used
• •Better detail/quality
• •More representative of character

Supplement Criteria:

• •New pose not currently covered
• •New expression not currently covered
• •Different context useful for future shots

Step 4: Extract and Process

For approved candidates:

1. •Crop to appropriate framing
2. •Ensure consistent dimensions
3. •Apply any necessary color correction
4. •Save to appropriate reference directory

Naming Convention: {character}_{type}_{variant}_gen.png

The _gen suffix indicates generated (not hand-crafted) reference.

Step 5: Test New References

Before committing:

1. •Use new reference to regenerate a known shot
2. •Compare quality to original generation
3. •Verify improvement

Step 6: Update Reference Library

If tests pass:

1. •Add new reference to appropriate directory
2. •Update CANON_DB.json with new path
3. •Keep old reference as backup

"reference_images": {
  "front_neutral": "CHARACTER_REFS/ALICE/refs/alice_front_neutral.png",
  "front_neutral_gen": "CHARACTER_REFS/ALICE/refs/alice_front_neutral_gen.png",
  "action_running": "CHARACTER_REFS/ALICE/refs/alice_running_gen.png"
}

Step 7: Document Changes

Log all updates:

# Reference Library Update Log

## Update: 2026-01-25

### ALICE_CHEN

**Added**:
- `alice_determined_gen.png`
  - Source: EP01_SC08_SH03
  - Reason: Better determined expression than original
  - Quality: 0.94

**Considered but Rejected**:
- EP01_SC05_SH02
  - Reason: Lighting too specific to scene

### PRECINCT_BULLPEN

**Added**:
- `bullpen_night_gen.png`
  - Source: EP01_SC12_SH01
  - Reason: Night variant not previously covered

Reference Quality Hierarchy

Tier 1: Seed References (Original)

• •Hand-crafted turnarounds
• •Expression packs
• •Core poses
• •Never replace, only supplement

Tier 2: Generated References (High Quality)

• •Extracted from successful shots
• •High consistency scores
• •Tested and validated
• •Can supplement Tier 1

Tier 3: Context References

• •Scene-specific variations
• •Lower priority
• •Used for specific shot types
• •Use when Tier 1/2 not suitable

When NOT to Update

• •Don't replace seed references
• •Don't add marginal improvements
• •Don't bloat library with redundant refs
• •Don't add scene-specific refs as general refs

Feedback Loop

The update cycle improves generation over time:

Generate Shots → Quality Check → Find High Performers
      ↑                                    ↓
      └──── Update References ← Extract Best ←

Notes

• •Be conservative about updates
• •Quality over quantity in reference library
• •Seed references remain authoritative
• •Generated refs supplement, don't replace
• •Track performance of new refs
• •Roll back if new refs cause problems