.project-carousel-outer {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    overflow: hidden;
    /*background: linear-gradient(135deg, #070b2a, #0c1038);*/
    border-radius: 40px;
    padding: 80px 0 40px;
}

.project-scroll-wrapper {
    display: flex;
    width: 100%;
    overflow-x: auto;
    scroll-snap-type: x mandatory;
    scroll-behavior: smooth;
}

.project-scroll-wrapper::-webkit-scrollbar { display: none; }
.project-scroll-wrapper { scrollbar-width: none; }

.project-slide {
    flex: 0 0 100%;
    display: flex;
    gap: 30px;
    padding: 0 90px;
    scroll-snap-align: start;
    box-sizing: border-box;
    align-items: stretch;
}

.project-image {
    width: 50%;
    position: relative;
    display: flex;
}

.project-image img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    border-radius: 20px;
}

.image-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 24px;
    left: 0px;
    background: transparent; /* 🔥 key */
    padding: 0;              /* 🔥 remove box feel */
    color: #fff;
    background-color: #0000009c;
    width: 100% !important;
    padding: 0px 30px;
}

/* Category text */
.image-overlay span {
    font-size: 14px;
    opacity: 0.9;
    display: block;
}

/* Title */
.image-overlay h3 {
    font-size: 24px;
    font-weight: 600;
    margin-top: 6px;
    color: #ffffff;
    text-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.45); /* 🔥 readability without box */
}

.project-image::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    bottom: 0;
    height: 35%;
    background: linear-gradient(
        to top,
        rgba(0,0,0,0.45),
        transparent
    );
    border-radius: 30px;
    pointer-events: none;
}

.project-content {
    width: 50%;
    background: #f3f5fc;
    padding: 70px;
    border-radius: 20px;
    text-align: center;
    display: flex;
    flex-direction: column;
    justify-content: center;
}

.project-content h2 {
    font-size: 38px;
    margin: 20px 0;
}

.project-content .btn {
    background: #0a0f2c;
    color: #fff;
    padding: 14px 32px;
    border-radius: 10px;
    text-decoration: none;
}

.carousel-arrow {
    position: absolute;
    top: 50%;
    transform: translateY(-50%);
    width: 55px;
    height: 55px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: #0a0f2c;
    color: #fff;
    font-size: 24px;
    border: none;
    cursor: pointer;
    z-index: 10;
}

.carousel-arrow.left { left: 25px; }
.carousel-arrow.right { right: 25px; }

.carousel-dots {
    display: flex;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 12px;
    margin-top: 25px;
}

.carousel-dots button {
    width: 10px;
    height: 10px;
    border-radius: 50%;
    border: none;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,.4);
}

.carousel-dots button.active {
    background: #fff;
    transform: scale(1.4);
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
    .project-slide {
        flex-direction: column;
        padding: 0 20px;
    }
    .project-image,
    .project-content {
        width: 100%;
    }
    .carousel-arrow {
        display: none;
    }
}