/isometric-style

name: isometric-style
description: Isometric and strategy-game art direction for Blender including diorama framing, true-iso camera setup, readable silhouettes, and tile asset rules.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: https://github.com/arjun988
  version: "1.0.0"
  domain: blender
  role: specialist
  triggers: isometric, iso camera, diorama, strategy game, tile asset, orthographic iso, city builder view
  related-skills: camera-cinematography, environment-artist, lowpoly-style, scene-assembly, rendering

Isometric Style

Readable dioramas. True iso framing. Tile-aware assets.

When to Use

• Strategy / sim / city-builder assets
• Isometric diorama renders
• Orthographic hero presentations

Camera Setup

Camera type: Orthographic
Rotation: typically 54.736° / 30° patterns (true iso) OR project-specific dimetric
Scale: frame subject with padding for UI
CAM_Iso_[Shot]

Match project’s exact iso angles — do not invent per asset.

Asset Rules

1. **Readable from iso angle first** — Not perspective hero camera 2. **Tile footprint** — Document cell size (e.g. 1×1, 2×2) 3. **Height clarity** — Vertical read without confusion 4. **Edge contrast** — Separate from ground plane 5. **LOD for dense maps** — Far tiles cheaper

Modeling

• Avoid detail only visible from ground FPS view
• Strong top/side planes
• Anchor pivot to tile corner or center per kit standard

Presentation

• Soft key + cool fill common for dioramas
• Slight AO / ground shadow for lift
• Optional `compositing` grade for portfolio

Constraints

MUST DO

• Lock camera angle for the set
• Document tile size and pivot rule
• Check readability at game ortho scale

MUST NOT DO

• Detail undersides invisible in iso
• Mix perspective cameras into iso kits without reason

Reference Guide

| Topic | Reference | Load When | |-------|-----------|----------| | Iso Camera | `references/iso-camera.md` | When needed | | Tile Footprints | `references/tile-footprints.md` | When needed |