First of all, before we explore the Unreal Navigation System, it is useful to define what we would expect from a generic Navigation System. The following is required from the Navigation System:
- It needs to determine if a path (that can be traversed by the agent performing the query) exists between two generic points on the map
- If such a path exists, return the one that is the most convenient for the agent (usually the shortest)
However, while searching for the best path, there are many aspects to take into consideration. A good navigation system should not only consider these, but also perform the query in a relatively short period of time. Some of these aspects are as follows:
- Is the AI agent who's performing the query able to pass through a specific portion of the map? For instance, there might be a lake, and the AI character may...