Chapter 1: Naming / Labeling Parts for Callouts

Created by Sarah Choi (prompt writer using ChatGPT)

Naming / Labeling Parts for Callouts (No Fabrication Guidance)

Purpose and Scope

This article is a practical naming guide for concept and production artists who need to label moving parts for callouts without implying fabrication instructions. The focus is depiction: actions, locks, and safeties. The goal is to help you create clean, consistent callouts for orthos, cutaways, exploded views, and animation sheets so downstream teams (modeling, rigging, VFX, audio, design) instantly grasp what moves, what prevents motion, and what state changes look like—without drifting into how to machine or assemble anything.

Principles of Depiction‑Only Nomenclature

Use neutral, platform‑agnostic names. Prefer function over brand (e.g., “charging handle,” not a proprietary name). Keep names atomic (one function per label). Use stateful qualifiers where helpful—“SAFE,” “SEMI,” “FIRE”—but avoid numeric specs. Stick to observable behaviors (slides, rotates, latches) instead of internal tolerances. When in doubt, name what the player can see or operate.

Callout Hygiene: How to Place and Phrase

Write short noun phrases: Bolt carrier, Top cover latch, Selector lever. Keep leader lines straight, avoid crossing, and anchor to a clear silhouette corner or engraved flat—never to noisy greeble. Use a hierarchy: primary motion parts in bold or larger type; secondary parts smaller. Reserve color for state or safety only. Group related callouts (e.g., all safety elements) on one side. Always include a legend of symbols (↺ rotates, ⇅ slides, ● detent, ⌁ electrical interlock) in the corner of the sheet.

Neutral Lexicon: Actions

You don’t need to explain the physics—name the user‑facing mechanism and moving assemblies.

  • Manual cycling: Bolt handle (or Charging handle), Bolt/bolt carrier, Bolt lugs, Bolt cam pin, Ejection port cover, Dust cover, Forward assist (if present), Extractors, Ejector.
  • Slide‑operated pistols: Slide, Slide serrations, Recoil spring guide, Barrel hood, Locking surfaces (generic), Slide stop / Slide catch, Takedown lever.
  • Pump/slide‑action: Forend/slide, Action bars, Shell lifter (depiction only), Ejection port, Feed gate.
  • Lever‑action: Lever loop, Linkage, Loading gate, Carrier/lifter, Ejection port.
  • Break‑action: Top lever, Hinge pin, Locking bites, Extractor/Ejector star.
  • Self‑loading rifles/SMGs (depiction): Charging handle, Bolt carrier group, Gas block (if externally visible), Operating rod (if visible), Return spring, Ejection port deflector.
  • Revolvers: Cylinder, Cylinder latch, Crane/Yoke, Ejector rod, Extractor star, Forcing cone (surface term), Gate (single‑action types).

Neutral Lexicon: Locks and Latches

Use verbs lightly; prefer the noun that implies its purpose.

  • Primary lockup: Locking lugs, Locking shoulder, Barrel extension, Breech block (generic), Tilting link (if visible), Rotating collar (sci‑fi/energy analog).
  • Retention: Magazine catch, Mag release, Top cover latch, Dust cover latch, Handguard lock, Stock latch, Folding hinge lock, Charging handle detent.
  • Interlocks (depiction/UI): Trigger disconnect, Bolt catch, Out‑of‑battery interlock, Battery/cassette lock (energy weapons).

Neutral Lexicon: Safeties and Selectors

Keep it simple and consistent across families.

  • Manual safety: Safety lever, Safety button, Selector lever (SAFE/SEMI/BURST/AUTO). Label positions, not mechanics.
  • Passive safeties: Trigger safety tab, Grip safety, Drop safety, Firing pin block, Magazine disconnect (depiction only), Decocker lever.
  • Energy/Exotic interlocks: Arming collar, Field interlock, Charge gate, Overheat lockout, Service keyway.

Controls and User Touchpoints (Context Labels)

Add these to guide animation and usability reads.

  • Charging handle, Bolt release/Bolt catch, Slide stop, Takedown pin/lever, Stock adjustment lever, Cheek riser dial, Muzzle device lock collar, Battery cassette cam, Top cover latch, Belt feed pawl cover.

State Labels Without Specs

Use plain language and icons instead of numbers. Examples: SAFE, FIRE, LOCK, UNLOCK, OPEN, CLOSED, CHARGED, DEPLETED, OVERHEAT, VENTING. Pair with a simple symbol set: ■ locked, □ unlocked, ▲ hot, ◆ energized. Keep these consistent across factions.

Revolver‑Specific Depiction Labels

  • Loading gate, Half‑cock notch (state), Hammer spur, Transfer bar, Cylinder stop/bolt, Timing window (small view exposing the hand/pawl—no mechanics described), Ejector rod head.

Belt‑Fed and Top‑Cover Labels

  • Top cover, Top cover hinge, Top cover latch, Feed tray, Feed pawls, Link guide, Starter tab, Belt box latch, Ejection chute, Deflector plate. Keep all as surface naming; avoid interior timing claims.

Energy Weapon/Battery Labels (Depiction Parity)

  • Power cassette, Connector blades, Busbar cover, Regulator block (face only), Cooling fins, Status window, Arming collar, Overtemp latch, Service port. For charge states, label FULL, MID, LOW, LOCKOUT.

Callout Sets by View Type

  • Orthographic (front/side/top): prioritize controls, ports, and safeties along edges; place labels just outside silhouette with short leaders.
  • Cutaway (depiction only): gray back interior; call out only the named surfaces that guide motion (e.g., Locking surface, Guide slot, Cam ramp). Do not label tolerances or manufacturing features.
  • Exploded: label subassemblies, not fasteners: Bolt carrier group, Top cover assembly, Charging handle assembly, Battery cassette. Keep an assembly legend keyed A/B/C rather than itemizing every screw.
  • Animation sheet: label beats, not frames: Charge, Lock, Vent, Return.

Style and Tone for Labels

Write in Title Case. Avoid emojis and slang. Keep to one or two words where possible. Use the same name in UI, blockout, and final sheets. If a part serves multiple roles, choose the player‑facing role for the main label and put alternates in a small legend: Bolt catch (aka bolt release).

Faction and Doctrine Naming Skins

Keep the core noun the same; skin the prefix and glyphs.

  • Corporate/Milspec: “ASSY” suffixes allowed in legends (Top Cover Assy), engraved pictograms for SAFE/FIRE.
  • Frontier/Insurgent: stenciled text and tape tags (SAFETY TAB, COVER LATCH), hand‑painted glyphs.
  • Arcane/Exotic: retain core label but add a motif prefix (Aether Regulator, Phase Gate) while icons carry the meaning.

Accessibility and Localization

Avoid idioms (“deadman switch”). Prefer verb‑agnostic nouns and single‑word states that localize cleanly. Provide a translation key for state labels and icons. Keep icons solid‑fill, not outline‑only, to hold at small sizes.

Production Handoff: File Organization

Deliver labels as vector text (SVG/AI) on a separate layer. Group by Callout Set (Controls, Locks, Safeties, Action). Name layers with prefixes: CLT_, LCK_, SFT_, ACT_. Include a legend panel with symbol key and state chips (SAFE/FIRE/LOCK/UNLOCK). Add a mini map of do‑not‑shrink zones around tiny controls so LOD passes don’t erase critical labels.

Mini Glossary (Depiction‑Only)

  • Action — The cycling mechanism users perceive (manual, slide, pump, lever, break, self‑loading).
  • Lock — The element that prevents unintended opening or movement (lugs, shoulders, collars, latches).
  • Safety — The element that prevents firing or energizing (selector, button, interlock, block).
  • Port — Any opening with a functional exchange (ejection port, charging slot, service port).
  • Latch — A retention feature the user operates (magazine catch, cover latch, cam lever).

Worked Examples (Text‑Only Templates)

Slide‑operated pistol (orthos): Slide • Barrel Hood • Ejection Port • Extractor • Slide Stop • Safety Lever (SAFE/FIRE) • Magazine Release • Grip Safety • Takedown Lever.

Belt‑fed support weapon (exploded): Top Cover Assy • Feed Tray • Bolt Carrier Group • Charging Handle • Belt Box Latch • Deflector Plate • Gas Block (ext.) • Stock Hinge Lock • Selector (SAFE/SEMI/AUTO).

Energy rifle (orthos): Power Cassette • Connector Blades • Regulator Block (Face) • Cooling Fins • Arming Collar • Overtemp Latch • Status Window (FULL/MID/LOW) • Charging Handle • Ejection Port Cover (if hybrid).

Common Pitfalls

Over‑specific: avoid naming branded mechanisms. Over‑numerical: skip dimensions and materials. Over‑busy: too many labels dilute clarity—prioritize motion, lock, and safety first. Mis‑anchored leaders: don’t point into shadows or ambiguous edges. Inconsistent synonyms: pick Slide stop or Slide catch and stick with it.

QA Checklist (Depiction, Not Fabrication)

Can a new reader point at all user‑operated controls? Are lock and safety states labeled? Are motion directions implied by icons? Do labels survive at gameplay size? Do orthos, cutaways, and exploded views use the same names? If yes, your callouts will travel cleanly from concept to production without implying how to build anything.

Closing

Naming is design. A crisp, neutral lexicon turns your sheets into reliable communication for every downstream partner. Keep labels functional, stateful, and camera‑proof; avoid fabrication language; and maintain consistency across your weapon families. Your mechanisms will read instantly, your safeties will communicate trust, and your locks will feel inevitable—no manuals required.