docs: unify README presentation

README.md

@@ -1,15 +1,42 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-core.svg" alt="npm package"></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmtrends.com/mtlx-core"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/dw/mtlx-core.svg" alt="npm downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # mtlx
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> View, edit, validate, and ship MaterialX materials on the web.
+
+- 🎨 Interactive 3D Material Preview
+- 🧩 Drop-In Web Component
+- 🕸️ Node Graph Editing
+- ✅ Validation and Inspection
+- 📦 Portable `.mtlx.zip` Packages
+- 💻 CLI and VS Code Extension
+
+mtlx is a set of TypeScript and JavaScript tools for working with [MaterialX](https://materialx.org) materials. Work with loose `.mtlx` files or portable `.mtlx.zip` archives in the browser, terminal, or VS Code.
 
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/mtlx-core.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core)
-[![npm version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-core.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/).
 
-TypeScript and JavaScript tools for viewing, editing, validating, and delivering [MaterialX](https://materialx.org) materials. Work with loose `.mtlx` files or portable `.mtlx.zip` archives in the browser, terminal, or VS Code.
+## Packages
+
+| Package                                            | Version (click for changelogs)                                                                                                                                    |
+| -------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| [mtlx-core](packages/core)                         | [![mtlx-core version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-core.svg?label=%20)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/releases)                                           |
+| [mtlx-viewer](packages/viewer)                     | [![mtlx-viewer version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-viewer.svg?label=%20)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/releases)                                       |
+| [mtlx-cli](packages/cli)                           | [![mtlx-cli version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-cli.svg?label=%20)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/releases)                                             |
+| [mtlx-sdk](packages/sdk)                           | [![mtlx-sdk version](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-sdk.svg?label=%20)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/releases)                                             |
+| [mtlx-vscode-extension](packages/vscode-extension) | [![mtlx-vscode-extension version](https://img.shields.io/open-vsx/v/benhouston3d/mtlx-vscode-extension.svg?label=%20)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/releases) |
 
 [Try the viewer](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/viewer/) · [Open the editor](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/editor/) · [Get started](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/quick-start/)
 
@@ -53,9 +80,13 @@ mtlx transform material.mtlx -o material.mtlx.zip --profile web
 
 Node tools require Node.js 22+. Browser rendering needs GPU-backed WebGPU or WebGL2. Validation covers selected document rules; preview support follows Three.js's MaterialX loader.
 
-## Contribute
+## Releases
+
+See [RELEASING.md](RELEASING.md) for release instructions.
+
+## Contribution
 
-Read [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for setup and the issue → branch → PR workflow. Full guides and API references live on the [documentation website](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/); release instructions are in [RELEASING.md](RELEASING.md).
+See [Contributing Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md).
 
 ## License
 

packages/cli/README.md

@@ -1,15 +1,31 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://npmjs.com/package/mtlx-cli"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-cli.svg" alt="npm package"></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmtrends.com/mtlx-cli"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/dw/mtlx-cli.svg" alt="npm downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/cli/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # mtlx-cli
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> Inspect, validate, preview, and package MaterialX from your terminal.
+
+- ✅ Validate Materials
+- 👀 Preview in a Browser
+- 📦 Package for the Web
+- 🖼️ Render PNG Previews
+- ☁️ MTLX.ai Hosted Materials
 
-[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-cli.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-cli)
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/cli/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/mtlx-cli.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-cli)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+Includes the `mtlx` and `mtlx-ai` commands for local files and the MTLX.ai service.
 
-Inspect, validate, preview, and package MaterialX from your terminal. Includes the `mtlx` and `mtlx-ai` commands for local files and the MTLX.ai service.
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/cli/).
 
 ```sh
 npm install --global mtlx-cli
@@ -42,6 +58,10 @@ mtlx download alice/copper -o copper.mtlx.zip
 
 Read the [CLI guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/cli/) for conversion workflows and options, or the [agent guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/agents/) for MCP integration. Run `mtlx --help` or `mtlx <command> --help` for terminal help.
 
+## Contribution
+
+See [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## License
 
 MIT

packages/core/README.md

@@ -1,15 +1,31 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-core.svg" alt="npm package"></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmtrends.com/mtlx-core"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/dw/mtlx-core.svg" alt="npm downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/core/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # mtlx-core
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> Parse, validate, package, and transform MaterialX in TypeScript.
+
+- 🌐 Browser and Node Support
+- ✅ Document Validation Reports
+- 📦 `.mtlx.zip` Packaging
+- 🖼️ Texture Resizing and Conversion
+- 🕸️ Headless Graph Editing
 
-[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-core.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core)
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/core/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/mtlx-core.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-core)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+The root API works with bytes and text in browsers and Node. Filesystem and texture-processing helpers use separate Node-only imports.
 
-Parse, validate, package, and transform MaterialX in TypeScript or JavaScript. The root API works with bytes and text in browsers and Node; filesystem and texture-processing helpers use separate Node-only imports.
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/core/).
 
 ```sh
 npm install mtlx-core
@@ -41,6 +57,10 @@ Node.js 22+ is required for Node helpers. Installing the package includes native
 
 See the [core guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/core/) for the document model, headless graph editing, transforms, and [API reference](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/api/core/).
 
+## Contribution
+
+See [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## License
 
 MIT

packages/sdk/README.md

@@ -1,15 +1,31 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://npmjs.com/package/mtlx-sdk"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-sdk.svg" alt="npm package"></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmtrends.com/mtlx-sdk"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/dw/mtlx-sdk.svg" alt="npm downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/sdk/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # mtlx-sdk
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> Typed TypeScript client for the MTLX.ai REST API.
+
+- 🔎 Search Hosted Materials
+- ⬆️ Upload Packages
+- 👤 Users, Comments, Notifications
+- 🧰 Standalone Functions
+- 🟦 Fully Typed
 
-[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-sdk.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-sdk)
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/sdk/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/mtlx-sdk.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-sdk)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+A JavaScript and TypeScript client for the [MTLX.ai](https://mtlx.ai) REST API, built from standalone functions.
 
-Typed JavaScript and TypeScript client for the [MTLX.ai](https://mtlx.ai) REST API. Search hosted materials, upload packages, and work with users, comments, and notifications through standalone functions.
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/sdk/).
 
 ```sh
 npm install mtlx-sdk
@@ -25,6 +41,10 @@ console.log(assets);
 
 Keep secret tokens on the server. See the [SDK guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/sdk/) for authentication, uploads, schemas, and the [API reference](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/api/sdk/).
 
+## Contribution
+
+See [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## License
 
 MIT

packages/viewer/README.md

@@ -1,15 +1,31 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://npmjs.com/package/mtlx-viewer"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-viewer.svg" alt="npm package"></a>
+  <a href="https://www.npmtrends.com/mtlx-viewer"><img src="https://img.shields.io/npm/dw/mtlx-viewer.svg" alt="npm downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/material-viewer/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # mtlx-viewer
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> Embed interactive MaterialX previews in any website.
+
+- 🧩 `<material-viewer>` Web Component
+- ⚛️ Optional React Wrapper
+- 🎥 Orbit Controls and Lighting
+- 🎛️ Built-In Settings Panel
+- 📸 Screenshot Export
 
-[![npm](https://img.shields.io/npm/v/mtlx-viewer.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-viewer)
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/material-viewer/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![npm downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/mtlx-viewer.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/mtlx-viewer)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+Works in plain HTML and any framework. Load one script from a CDN or import it from npm, then add the element.
 
-Embed interactive MaterialX previews in any website with `<material-viewer>`. Works in plain HTML and any framework, with orbit controls, lighting, a settings panel, loading progress, and screenshot export. React is optional.
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/material-viewer/).
 
 ## Plain HTML
 
@@ -48,6 +64,10 @@ import { MaterialViewer } from 'mtlx-viewer/react';
 
 See the [element guide and live demo](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/material-viewer/) for attributes, events, camera controls, and screenshots, or the [viewer integration guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/viewer/) for React and lower-level Three.js APIs. Preview support follows Three.js's MaterialX loader.
 
+## Contribution
+
+See [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## License
 
 MIT

packages/vscode-extension/README.md

@@ -1,13 +1,31 @@
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">
+    <img alt="mtlx logo" src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" height="96">
+  </a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=benhouston3d.mtlx-vscode-extension"><img src="https://img.shields.io/open-vsx/v/benhouston3d/mtlx-vscode-extension.svg" alt="open vsx version"></a>
+  <a href="https://open-vsx.org/extension/benhouston3d/mtlx-vscode-extension"><img src="https://img.shields.io/open-vsx/dt/benhouston3d/mtlx-vscode-extension.svg" alt="open vsx downloads"></a>
+  <a href="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx"><img src="https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg" alt="coverage"></a>
+  <a href="https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/chat-discord-blue?style=flat&logo=discord" alt="discord chat"></a>
+  <a href="https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/vscode/"><img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-read-blue?style=flat" alt="documentation"></a>
+</p>
+<br/>
+
 # Mtlx Viewer for MaterialX
 
-<img src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/logo.webp" alt="mtlx logo" width="96">
+> Preview, inspect, and package MaterialX inside VS Code.
+
+- 🎨 Interactive 3D Preview
+- 🕸️ Node Graph Tab
+- ✅ Validation Report
+- 🔄 Refreshes on Save
+- 📦 Pack and Unpack `.mtlx.zip`
 
-[![Documentation](https://img.shields.io/badge/docs-website-blue)](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/vscode/)
-[![CI](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
-[![Coverage](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx/branch/main/graph/badge.svg)](https://codecov.io/gh/bhouston/mtlx)
-[![Discord](https://img.shields.io/badge/discord-join-5865F2?logo=discord&logoColor=white)](https://discord.gg/wzQWaBBxup)
+Open `.mtlx` or `.mtlx.zip` files for an interactive 3D preview, node graph, and validation report. Saving a material or its textures refreshes the preview.
 
-Preview, inspect, and package MaterialX without leaving VS Code. Open `.mtlx` or `.mtlx.zip` files for an interactive 3D preview, node graph, and validation report. Saving a material or its textures refreshes the preview.
+[Read the Docs to Learn More](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/vscode/).
 
 ![Material preview and node graph in VS Code](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/bhouston/mtlx/main/assets/extension.gif)
 
@@ -21,6 +39,10 @@ Requires desktop VS Code 1.85+ with GPU acceleration. Preview support follows Th
 
 See the [extension guide](https://mtlx.ben3d.ca/docs/vscode/) for settings, custom lighting and models, conversion workflows, and troubleshooting.
 
+## Contribution
+
+See [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/bhouston/mtlx/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
 ## License
 
 MIT