Map's Navigation Network aka Bot Support - basics

[Nelsona]

Here I think I will start with the beginning, I will not start from the middle as other tutorials are written.

I have a simple cubed map - I'm a beginner, I have PlayerStart as I read somewhere but I see Bots not very moving, how do I do map for making Bots to roam around ?
The basic knowledge: Bot is a roamer having as main goals (hard-coded inside internal script) Inventories with a more or less dynamic desire. Team-Games have some deal here with another Bot Code but that's another chapter.
In order to see Bot Moving and collecting items (weapons, armors, ammo, etc.) these must have paths linking them through some points used as references where Pawn can reach and even camp on them - not on walls or stupid vertical pipes. These points have to be placed where Bots should move without hitting walls or flying to reach at their location - yes, gravity is another factor in account. Editor by default will build paths based on a ground unit not a flier unit. Other U227 stuff and XC_Engine can do various stunts, but here we speak about basics in order to learn them. Bot is a pawn which is running and walking and... swimming when map uses water-zones.
Basic element for those referenced way-points which are part of an entire road is PathNode by default - others might have various different purposes.

BP_00.PNG (20.78 KiB) Viewed 13018 times

This Actor is pointing the sequences of a whole road split in small pieces. Each piece of the road is limited by such two nodes in a straight line.
Other docs might specify that Nodes have to be visible each-other and placed at decent distances ( the mostly around 500-800 UU except tiny spots ). The problem of this "visible" stories is causing confusions at random. It's not about visibility it's about MOVEMENT WITHOUT HITTING WALLS in order to reach at that point using current LOCOMOTION based on movement PHYSICS required for that location. Pawn running and walking will not reach at a point over his head or twice bigger than pawn, must reach in the center of Node - Even if this is well VISIBLE, it is not always reachable. In a Teleporter case and certain Lift cases definitely points are not so visible each-other or they are not even a bit visible, so you can forget this visibility myth running for 18-19 Years - it's just BULLSHIT from those who never wrote any new Navigation stuff, simple as that - to not forget ramps problems which will be described here.
Based on the same "visibility" joke as a main "Do not do this" samples are people adding multiple nodes in spot making sure about visibility. This is completely wrong causing processing errors when network is build (AS-Guardia as a stock plonk). When engine decides that Pawn can move to a nearby NavigationPoint, doesn't matter if pawn can see it or not. If pawn is guided to that node (because can move to the node's location), other nodes added in spot are an useless nonsense, Engine computes movement capabilities having nothing with "CanSee()","LineOfSight()" and all that "EYE" dummy stuff.
Use your brain and just think if Pawn can reach where you want before moving nodes manually based on "I guess" and/or "let me see this" plonk type habits.
After this INTRO type I will quote some original doc copied from Epic which later removed this information for some brain-fart of them, even if people are still playing UT99 and making maps/mods for it...

[Nelsona]

A htm document called UT_AI.htm from that time was like this:

• Porting Unreal I maps to Unreal Tournament
  
  Unreal I content is automatically replaced by Unreal Tournament content if you run an Unreal I DM map with one of the Unreal Tournament gametypes. However, we recommend that you manually replace the Unreal I inventory items in your level with their UT equivalents and release an updated version of the map. Otherwise, both the Unreal I and UT versions will be loaded on the content, which will cause swapping on clients with low amounts of memory.
  The Navigation Network
  Creating the Navigation Network
  
  Unreal Tournament bots use a system of waypoints to navigate the level. Using waypoints allows UT to minimize the CPU cycles used by the AI, and gives level designers maximum control over how the AI navigates their levels.
  
  These waypoints are defined by placing actors which are subclassed from NavigationPoint in the level. This includes actors such as PlayerStarts and Teleporters which designers will place to make their level playable. Certain NavigationPoints, such as InventorySpots and WarpZoneMarkers are automatically placed when the designer "defines" the paths (described below). Other NavigationPoints are intended for Unreal I style single player situations and are not used at all in UT. These include AlarmPoints, ButtonMarkers, PatrolPoints, QueenDests, SpawnPoints, Transporters, and TriggerMarkers.
  
  Once the level geometry is complete, the level designer should fully map the level into the navigation network using PathNodes. Place PathNodes at intersections and turns so that there is as much clearance as possible from corners (at least 50 world units if possible). Paths need a line of sight to each other, clear to the width of the maximum width (2 * collisionradius) of creatures which will use this path. PathNodes should not be placed more than 700 units apart. Since PlayerStarts and Inventory will be placed on the navigation network, the designer can (and should) not place PathNodes where these other NavigationPoints can substitute. On stairs and ramps, the PathNodes should only be 350 units apart. The objective should be to use a minimum number of PathNodes to completely cover a level.
  
  Version 402 of Unreal Tournament has an automatic PathNode generator which will do part of the work of placing paths automatically. It will attempt to cover the level with paths, but will not place special NavigationPoints such as playerstarts, liftcenters, etc.. To use the automatic PathNode generator, open your level in UnrealEd. Select the Window menu, and from it the log. At the prompt type 'Paths Build' (no quotes). This will take 5 to 10 minutes for a typical level.
  
  To navigate around the level, bots will first find the nearest reachable NavigationPoint, and move to it. They will then move toward their destination, going from NavigationPoint to NavigationPoint. It is important that some NavigationPoint is reachable (there are no obstructions in the way) from any location a bot may reasonably get to in the level. If a bot can't find a valid path, either because it can't find a way to get on the network, or there is no valid way to get from the network to its destination, or the path on the network is broken, then the bot will wander (walking) around its current area.
  
  The final step in setting up the navigation network is performing a PATHS DEFINE. This can be done by typing PATHS DEFINE into the UnrealEd console, or pressing the "Paths Define" button in the lighting section of the rebuild window. The designer can examine the network generated in any of the UnrealEd world view windows by selecting "Show Paths" from that window's "View" menu. NavigationPoints which are successfully connected will have either blue or red lines between them. Bots will use either blue or red paths, but blue paths are preferable - they indicate a cleaner, more obstruction free path. Each time geometry is changed or NavigationPoints are added or moved (including inventory, since paths are generated from inventory items), a PATHS DEFINE should be performed.
  
  There are several common problems that result from assumptions and approximations made by the AI to minimize CPU overhead. Make sure that all NavigationPoints are separated by at least 50 world units. If two pathnodes are too close together, a bot may get stuck on them. The editor log window will display warnings during a PATHS DEFINE if paths are too close together. This problem commonly occurs with InventorySpots, which are automatically placed near all inventory items. Don't place PathNodes too near to inventory.
  
  In some situations, bots may get stuck on the edge of a ledge where it runs into a wall. This occurs because of a threshold problem. Bots won't jump off ledges until the angle of their destination is greater than 45 degrees from the ledge direction. If they run into a wall right around this threshold, they may get confused. The solution is to adjust the NavigationPoint they were trying to reach, or add an intermediate PathNode.
  
  Bots will have problems if the NavigationPoints are too high off the ground. Make sure that the NavigationPoint is no more than 1.5x the bot's collisionheight off the ground. This will normally be the case automatically, but in a few situations (such as very steep ramps), the level designer may need to manually adjust the Z position of the NavigationPoint.
  
  PathNodes for the bots to use while swimming must be in the water. Placing paths above the water's surface will result in bots bobbing at that spot, attempting unsuccessfully to levitate to the PathNode's location.
  
  WarpZones should be at least 70 units deep to allow the AI to handle them properly.
  
  Adding Support for Lifts
  
  There are two special NavigationPoint classes used to help bots understand how to use lifts, LiftCenters and LiftExits. Give the lift a unique tag. Place a LiftCenter on the lift, and set its LiftTag attribute to be the tag of the lift. At each exit from the lift, far enough away so that bots standing at that spot won't interfere with the lift, add a LiftExit. Each LiftExit should have its LiftTag set to the tag of the lift.
  
  The default state for movers is BumpOpenTimed. Do not use this state for lifts! Bots misinterpret movers that are BumpOpenTimed as being doors. Instead, use the StandOpenTimed state for most lifts. Bots will also understand triggered lifts (TriggerOpenTimed, TriggerToggle, etc.). In many cases, they will use triggered lifts without any further help. However, for certain complex situations, such as when a delayed dispatcher is used to control the lift, bots may need a hint. In these cases, set the LiftCenter's LiftTrigger attribute to the tag of the trigger the bot should use to control this lift.
  
  There are two other configurable LiftCenter attributes of interest. These should be modified only if absolutely necessary. MaxZDiffAdd, which defaults to 0, specifies an additional allowable difference in height between the bot and the LiftCenter for the bot to consider that LiftCenter reachable. This is useful if the bot must stand below the lift (down stairs or a ramp) while waiting for it. MaxDist2D is the maximum distance between the bot and the LiftCenter. It defaults to 400 world units.
  
  NavigationPoint Attributes
  
  The only configurable NavigationPoint attribute that should be modified is bOneWayPath. bOneWayPath can be set to true so that paths will only be valid in the direction the NavigationPoint is facing. Turn on the bDirectional attribute of the NavigationPoint to adjust the direction it faces.
  
  Special Purpose NavigationPoints
  
  Several special purpose NavigationPoints exist to provide tactical or game specific positions or to provide support for special movement modes such as using translocators and jumpboots. Game specific NavigationPoints will be described in the section of this document devoted to that game type.
  
  PlayerStarts specify allowed spawning locations for players and bots. There are two relevant configurable attributes in PlayerStarts. The TeamNumber attribute specifies which team is allowed to spawn at that PlayerStart in teamgames where team specific PlayerStarts are enforced. The bEnabled attribute, which is true by default, can be toggled to enable or disable the PlayerStart by triggering the PlayerStart.
  
  AmbushPoints are used to specify good camping spots. They are directional and should be pointed in the direction the bot should be looking while using that AmbushPoint. AmbushPoints have two configurable attributes, SightRadius and bSniping. SightRadius specifies how far out the bot should be looking for enemies when camped at the AmbushPoint. bSniping specifies that bots using this ambushpoint should stay at this point and snipe after acquiring an enemy, rather than chasing after the enemy.
  
  DefensePoints are a subclass of AmbushPoint used in team games. DefensePoints have three additional configurable attributes, Team, Priority, and FortTag. The Team attribute specifies which team should use this defensepoint (0=Red, 1=Blue, 2=Green, 3=Gold). The Priority attribute is used in team games to determine which DefensePoints will be manned first (higher priorities are manned earlier). The FortTag attribute is used in Assault games to associate a defensepoint with a particular FortStandard.
  
  BlockedPaths are used to keep bots from attempting to follow routes which are initially blocked (such as a bridge which must be lowered). . When triggered, the BlockedPath is unblocked. Once unblocked, a BlockedPath cannot be re-blocked. If using a BlockedPath, make sure that there aren't any path connections which bypass the BlockedPath and render it useless. AS-Mazon has some good examples of the use of BlockedPaths.
  
  TranslocDests are a special type of LiftCenter which are not associated with a mover. TranslocDests are used to define places that bots can use a translocator to cut a route short. A lifttexit should be placed at the spot where the bot should stand a use his translocator, and a TranslocDest should be placed where the Translocator Target should be thrown. Another liftexit should be placed near the TranslocDest, as an "exit" from this "lift". The LiftExits and the TranslocDest should be given the same LiftTag.
  
  Bots will assume that any LiftExit with the same LiftTag as a TranslocDest can be directly reached from the TranslocDest, without any special action on the bot's part. If the bot must use the translocator to get from the TranslocDest to one of the LiftExits, replace that LiftExit with a TranslocStart.
  
  JumpSpots are similar to TranslocDests, and are also placed in conjunction with LiftExits all given the same LiftTag. Bots understand that in low gravity areas, or in JumpMatch, or if they have JumpBoots, they can also jump to reach JumpSpots. In addition, if the bImpactJump attribute of the JumpSpot is true, higher skill bots will impact jump (using the impact hammer) to reach the JumpSpot. If the bAlwaysAccel attribute is true, bots will use air control to reach the JumpSpot (try this only if they are failing without it).
  
  Teleporters send any pawn which touches them instantly to their destination teleporter, as specified by their URL attribute. If the URL attribute is empty, the teleporter acts only as a teleporter destination. If it contains the same string as the tag of another teleporter in the level, that teleporter will be the destination. If it contains a string in the form of LevelName/TeleporterName, it will teleport to a different level on this server (single player only). If it contains a string in the form of Unreal://Server.domain.com/LevelName/TeleporterName, it will teleport to a different server on the net.
  
  If a teleporter's bEnabled attribute is false, then it will not teleport pawns which touch it, although it can still act as a teleporter destination. The bEnabled attribute is toggled by triggering the teleporter. If the bChangesYaw attribute is true, pawns arriving at this teleporter will have their yaw changed to the teleporter's yaw. If the bChangesVelocity attribute is true, pawns arriving at this teleporter will have their velocity set to the teleporter's TargetVelocity.
  
  Tweaking and Debugging the Navigation Network
  
  After placing and "defining" the navigation network, the level designed should tweak and debug it by watching bots play the level. The designer should the game as a spectator, and add first one and then later several bots to the level. The designer can watch them play, advancing through the bot cameras using the fire button, and looking for problem areas. If the bot currently being viewed seems to be acting strangely, using the console command verbose will indicate what it is thinking. After the play session, reviewing the log file may also provide insight to problems.
  
  If the bots don't seem to understand how to get to a certain destination, the designer can use the rememberspot and showpath console commands to look for breaks in the navigation network. When the rememberspot command is used, the current location is saved. Subsequent showpath commands will cause the best visible NavigationPoint on the path to the remembered location to become visible. If no NavigationPoint becomes visible, there is no valid path to the remembered location.
  
  If a player cannot fit in the position specified by a PlayerStart, then the player cannot properly enter the game and will either wander as a spectator or the game will crash. The log file for that play session will have information on which PlayerStart caused the failure.
  UT Game Types
  
  The Unreal Tournament team games require special actors to be placed in the level.
  
  Domination
  
  Domination requires ControlPoints, which are a type of NavigationPoint, to be placed at strategic locations in the level. As with all NavigationPoints, these must not be placed too close to another navigation point, and they must be placed at ground level or bots will be confused by them.
  
  ControlPoints have several editable attributes of interest. When a player gains control of a ControlPoint (by touching it), the optional event related to the player's team is triggered. These events are specified by the RedEvent, BlueEvent, GoldEvent, and GreenEvent attributes. The bSelfDisplayed attribute specifies whether the ControlPoint mesh (which depends on which team controls it) is visible. The PointName attribute gives a human readable name to the ControlPoint. The ControlSound attribute specifies the sound to be played when control of the ControlPoint changes.
  
  Capture the Flag
  
  Capture the Flag requires FlagBases, which are a type of NavigationPoint to specify the home location of the flag for each CTF team. There can only be two CTF teams, and each can only have one FlagBase. The team attribute of the FlagBase specifies to which team the FlagBase is associated, with 0=Red, and 1=Blue.
  
  AlternatePaths are used to indicate alternate routes that bots can use to enter an opponent's base. The AlternatePath's team attribute should be the same as the team of the FlagBase for which the AlternatePath is pointing out a route. The AlternatePath's SelectionWeight is used to modify the likelihood of bots using that path. Bots use AlternatePaths by first moving along the shortest route to the AlternatePath they have chosen, and then moving along the shortest route from their to the FlagBase. If the AlternatePath is set up so that the shortest route to the AltermatePath involves running right by the FlagBase, bots will do that (a bad thing!). The location of AlternatePaths may need to be adjusted to provide the desired results. AlternatePaths with the bReturnOnly flag set true are used by bots with the same team number returning to their base with a flag.
  
  Assault
  
  The FortStandard is used to define the objectives in the Assault map. There can be multiple FortStandards in a map. The bFinalFort attribute if true specifies that when the FortStandard is destroyed, the level is completed even if there are other FortStandards still active. The DefensePriority attribute specifies the order in which the FortStandards should be defended, with the highest DefensePriority FortStandards defended first. The NearestPathNodeTag attribute should always be used to provide bots a hint about how to get to the FortStandard. Set it to the tag of the nearest reachable PathNode. The optional FallBackFort attribute specifies which fort defenders should fallback to if the FortStandard is destroyed (set the FallBackFort to the tag of the desired FortStandard). The bTriggerOnly attribute specifies that the FortStandard should be triggered (using a trigger or by touching it) rather than shot.
  
  The bSelfDisplayed attribute specifies that the FortStandard is visible (using its mesh). This is typically turned off and the FortStandard is displayed with level geometry. The bFlashing attribute specifies that the FortStandard should flash when it is damaged. The bSayDestroyed attribute specifies that bots should announce when they have destroyed this FortStandard (turn this off if the FortStandard marks a strategic location, and not a visible objective). If the DestroyedMessage is not empty, it will be displayed on everyone's HUD when the FortStandard is destroyed. The DamageEvent[] and DamageEventThreshold[] arrays are used to specify events which occur when the FortStandard has incurred specific amounts of damage.
  
  The ChargeDist and bForceRadius attributes are advanced AI tweaks used to determine how aggressively bots will go after a FortStandard, when they feel they don't have adequate backup.
  
  One of the FortStandards in the level should have the DefenseTime attribute (the total time the base needs to be defended) set. Also, one FortStandard should have the EndCamTag attribute (the tag of the spectatorcam to use when the game ends).
  
  The TeamCannon can be placed in Assault levels to support defenders. The MinigunCannon is a minigun version of the TeamCannon.
  
  Every Assault level must have an AssaultInfo somewhere in it. The AssaultInfo contains the text (in the ObjDesc[] array) and screenshots (in the ObjShots[] array) which describe the objectives for the level. The NumObjShots should be se to the number of text/screenshot elements.
  
  The AssaultRandomizer can be used to force bot attackers to vary their entry routes randomly. Place an AssaultRandomizer in a spot along the shortest path, making sure there are no connections around it along that path. Set the ToggledCost attribute to an appropriate value to increase the distance cost of that path. The use a trigger to toggle the AssaultRandomizer on and off as desired, causing the path to appear longer or shorter. Never use a negative value for the ToggledCost.
  The Level Info
  
  The LevelInfo contains several properties which should be set to describe the level, including the Title string, the Author string, and the IdealPlayerCount string.
  
  Import a screenshot and set it as the ScreenShot texture. Your preview screenshot must be a 256 x 256 pixel, 256 color .PCX or .BMP file. In UnrealEd select Textures in the Browser window and then click the Import button to import your screenshot. A file dialog will pop up. Browse to the location where your preview is stored and select it, then click the OK button. The Import Texture dialog will pop up. In the "Name:" field enter "screenshot" and in the "Package:" field enter "MyLevel". Uncheck the "Generate MipMaps" option and then click the OK Button. After UnrealEd works for a moment you should see the "MyLevel" package displayed in the browser with your preview screenshot shown in the browser texture window. Go to Level Properties from the Ued's drop down menus and there's a field called "Screenshot" (or something like that); you need to click on your newly created textured screenshot in the Browser window to have the name come up] Rebuild and save your map. (Thanks Steve Keene for this explanation.)
  When you run UT and select your map (when starting a practice session or network game) you should see your screenshot displayed just as it does with all of the maps that came with UT.
  
  RecommendedEnemies, RecommendedTeammates, and the LevelEnterText are not used.
  
  The LevelInfo is the default ZoneInfo for zones that don't have their own ZoneInfo. See the section on ZoneInfos below.
  Trigger
  
  The Trigger actor is used to trigger events. When a Trigger is activated, it broadcasts its event to all other actors in the level. Any actors whose tag matches this event will be triggered.
  
  The TriggerType of a Trigger specifies what situations will cause a trigger to activate. The possible settings of TriggerType are
  
  TT_PlayerProximity Trigger is activated by player (or bot) proximity.
  TT_PawnProximity Trigger is activated by any pawn's proximity.
  TT_ClassProximity Trigger is activated by actor of the class specified by the Trigger attribute ClassProximityType.
  TT_AnyProximity Trigger is activated by any actor in proximity.
  TT_Shoot, Trigger is activated by player shooting it. The optional DamageThreshold attribute specifies the minimum damage required for triggering (instantaneous, not cumulative).
  
  The attribute ReTriggerDelay specifies the minimum time before a trigger can be triggered again. The bTriggerOnceOnly attribute, when true, specifies that the trigger should only activated once and then go dormant.
  
  There are several possible states for the Trigger actor. The desired state is set using the InitialState attribute (in the Object section of the Trigger properties). The alternate states are used for Trigger actors that are turned on or off by other triggers, in conjunction with the bInitiallyActive property. If bInitiallyActive is false, the Trigger will be disabled initially. The possible states for the Trigger actor are:
  
  NormalTrigger Triggering the Trigger has no effect.
  OtherTriggerToggles When triggered, the Trigger will toggle its bInitiallyActive property on and off.
  OtherTriggerTurnsOn When triggered, the Trigger will turn be come active.
  OtherTriggerTurnsOff When triggered, the Trigger will turn be come inactive.
  
  RepeatTriggerTime, if set to a value greater than zero, causes the trigger to send out its event at an interval of RepeatTriggerTime seconds while the triggering actor remains within the trigger�s radius.
  
  Special Trigger Types
  
  The TimedTrigger is not triggered by being touched like other triggers. Rather, it triggers at a fixed interval after the level starts, specified by its DelaySeconds attribute. If its bRepeating attribute is true, the TimedTrigger will continue to trigger at every DelaySeconds interval.
  
  The TeamTrigger is only activated by pawns which do not belong to the team specified by its Team attribute.
  Triggers
  
  Classes which are subclassed from Triggers, but are not subclassed from Trigger, are recipients rather than sources of trigger events.
  
  The SpecialEvent has several possible states. The desired state is set using the InitialState attribute (in the Object section of the SpecialEvent properties).
  
  DisplayMessage Just displays the message in the Message attribute.
  DamageInstigator Damages the instigator who triggered this event. The Damage attribute specifies the amount of damage. The DamageType and DamageString attributes are also relevant for this state.
  KillInstigator Kills the instigator, using the DamageString for his death message if the DamageType is SpecialDamage.
  PlaySoundEffect Plays the sound specified by the Sound attribute at the SpecialEvent's location.
  PlayersPlaySoundEffect All players play this sound effect at their location on the client side (so they hear it at full volume).
  PlayAmbientSoundEffect Places the SpecialEvent's AmbientSound on the instigating player.
  PlayerPath Sends the instigating actor on a spline path through the level as specified by InterpolationPoints placed in the level.
  
  If the Message string is not empty, it will be sent to the instigating player, unless bBroadcast is true in which case it will be broadcast to all players. This will happen in any SpecialEvent state.
  
  TBD: TriggerLight, DistanceViewTrigger, Kicker, Dispatcher, Counter
  ZoneInfos
  
  This section describes the attributes of ZoneInfos which are relevant to gameplay. For more information on the importance of properly zoning your level for rendering performance, review Zones.htm. Every zone can optionally include a ZoneInfo which specifies special attributes of that zone. Zones with no ZoneInfo in them use the LevelInfo's zon attributes.
  
  There are several pre-defined ZoneInfo classes which should be used when possible, including WaterZones, LavaZones, and SlimeZones. The relevant attributes for these ZoneInfo classes are already properly set. While any zone can be filled with water simply by setting its bWaterZone attribute to true, the zone will not have all the normal characteristics of WaterZones, such as entry and exit splashes.
  
  Several ZoneInfo attributes affect physics within the zone. These include ZoneGravity (for which only the Z component is relevant), ZoneGroundFriction (used for walking), ZoneFluidFriction (used for swimming in water zones), ZoneVelocity (constant velocity added to moving actors in this zone), ZoneTerminalVelocity (which specifies the maximum falling velocity), and bWaterZone (which causes the zone to be filled with water if true). If a zone has a ZoneVelocity, the bMoveProjectiles attribute specifies whether this velocity should be imparted to projectiles and effects.
  
  Zones with bWaterZone true can also specify an EntrySound, an ExitSound, an EntryActor (such as a splash effect), and an ExitActor.
  
  Zones can be set to damage actors that enter them by setting the bPainZone attribute to true, and specifying a DamagePerSec value and a DamageType. Setting the bDestructive attribute to true will prevent fragments and gibs from hanging around in the zone, while settingthe bNoInventory attribute to true will prevent dropped inventory items from hanging around in the zone. The actual damage inflicted on a pawn depends on the DamagePerSec value and how much of the pawn is immersed in the zone. If the DamageType is SpecialDamage, then the DamageString will be used to describe deaths.
  
  Zones with bKillZone set to true will instantly kill any pawn that enter them. Pawns will not take damage in zones with bNeutralZone set to true.
  
  The ZonePlayerEvent is triggered whenever a player enters the zone.
  
  The ZoneName (in the LocationStrings section of the ZoneInfo properties) is used to identify the location of teammates on the scoreboard or when giving orders to bots. In large zones, a level designer can place LocationID actors in the zone to provide a finer granularity of location descriptions. The CollisionRadius of the LocationID (in world units) determines the area in which the LocationID's LocationName will supercede the zone's ZoneName.
  
  The ZoneTag is used to tag a zone which is to be triggered by a ZoneTrigger. WarpZones can be triggered to sequence through an array of destinations specified in their properties. Other zones will toggle the bPainZone attribute on and off when triggered.
  
  The ViewFog and ViewFlash properties (in the ZoneLight section of the ZoneInfo properties) allow the level designer to change the player�s display color/fogging while the player is in that zone. ViewFog is used to color the screen. It is a vector whose components are RGB values between 0 and 1.
  
  As ViewFog increases the brightness of the screen, ViewFlash should be used to keep it from over-brightening. ViewFlash is a vector whose components should be between 0 and �1 (for example (-0.5, -0.5, -0.5). It reduces the brightness of the screen. Typically, all the components will have the same value, which should have a magnitude about the same as the average magnitude of the ViewFog components to keep the screen from changing brightness.
  
  Special Zone Types
  
  When a player enters a TeleporterZone, he is teleported by the associated teleporter (specified by the TeleporterZone�s TeleporterTag).
  
  TBD: PressureZone, VacuumZone, WarpZone
  AI Difficulty Differences
  
  Unreal Tournament has 8 AI skill levels, along with a continuous range of intermediate skill levels. Skill levels 0 to 3 are called "novice" skills, because bots at these skill levels move more slowly than players and their weapons do less damage than player weapons. Bots with skill levels between 4 and 7 move at the same speed as players and their weapons do the same amount of damage.
  
  Lower skill bots turn more slowly, and take longer to acquire an opponent. They also have worse peripheral vision. Higher skill bots have better aim, and do a better job of leading opponents. Higher skill bots are also better able to strafe, or to move toward an objective while firing at an enemy at the same time. Low skill bots move much more slowly when strafing. Higher skill bots are less disoriented when hit, and tend to fire their weapons faster (although never faster than players can).
  
  High skill (non-novice) bots also understand the special moves with weapons, including the shock rifle combo move, the sniper rifle headshot, and impact jumping with the impact hammer.
  Console commands useful for tweaking levels
  These commands can be typed into the console.
  
  PlayersOnly Only player actors are ticked. Everything else in the level is frozen in place.
  AddBots n Adds n bots to the level.
  ViewClass xxx View the game from the point of view of a member of class "xxx". Successive executions of this function will iterate through the class. For example, ViewClass Bot will show you the game from the point of view of a Bot in the level, if there is one. If you are a spectator, you can viewclass any bot or player in the level. If you are on a team in a team game, you can only viewclass teammates.
  CheatView xxx This is used to viewclass bots on the opposing team in a single player game.
  Verbose Shows you what the bot you are currently viewclassing is thinking.
  KillAll xxx Destroys all actors of class xxx (including subclasses). For example, KillAll Inventory will remove all inventory, including all weapons and pickups..
  Fly Allows you to fly around the level.
  Walk Returns you to the normal walking state.
  Ghost Allows you to fly around the level and go through walls. While ghosting, you cannot pick up any items.
  Loaded Gives you all the UT weapons except for the Redeemer.
  AllAmmo Gives you 999 ammo for all the weapons you have.
  Invisible b With b=1 makes you invisible, while b=0 makes you visible.
  God Toggles god mode.
  BehindView b Toggles your view from first person (b=0) to third person (b=1).
  SloMo f Changes the rate of time in the game. 1.0 is normal speed. 2.0 is twice normal speed. and 0.2 is one fifth normal speed.
  KillPawns Removes all pawns from the game.
  Summon xxx Adds an actor of class �xxx� right in front of you. This can be anything (a weapon, ammo, a creature, etc.). By default, the class is assumed to be in the botpack package. If it is in another package, you must prefix the package name, e.g. 'summon unrealshare.vase'.
  RememberSpot Remember your current location (see ShowPath below).
  ShowPath Show the recommended path back to location remembered by RememberSpot.

And after these we can complete explanations about tricks/hints.

[Nelsona]

You can read above document and consider what options has UT and I will explain what is FAKE over there.

Version 402 of Unreal Tournament has an automatic PathNode generator which will do part of the work of placing paths automatically. It will attempt to cover the level with paths, but will not place special NavigationPoints such as playerstarts, liftcenters, etc.. To use the automatic PathNode generator, open your level in UnrealEd. Select the Window menu, and from it the log. At the prompt type 'Paths Build' (no quotes). This will take 5 to 10 minutes for a typical level.

Nelsona saying: Forget this !!! - Yelling with 300 dB audible sound at more than 3 miles away and scaring all wild animals around...
Polge did a VERY POORLY coded stuff here, in more maps here you'll make a mess with ZERO LIFT support. Do not mess with such maps if you have a self respect and you don't want a self defaming quest. This feature has the same "//fixme" things used in many UT assets - enough said so far.

Another story (Epic have forgot their own codes and variables) is ramp problem with that 350 UU (more nodes required in ramps - FALSE).
Me personally, I can setup a Demo Map where I can use 600-700 UU distances on a ramp (even a very long ramp) without having any issue. Ramp problem is coming from default PathNode size, because of this cylinder, Editor attempts to locate it too high and causing a fake "reachable" response, Bot will never touch the location of Node because it goes too high - CTF-Command -> BlueBase ramp as a direct sample.

Mapper: I like maps with ramps - How do I solve this ramping-crap ?
Nelsona's advice:
Select that PathNode > RightClick for properties -> Expand Movement -> Expand Location -> modify Z by decreasing 10-14 UU depending on your need (testing Bots later). This is described in document above but in a different way.

BP_01.PNG (734.64 KiB) Viewed 13014 times

By pushing this lower we gain it reachable. Of course, CTF-Command has PathNodes hidden in order to not see what sh!t mess is there, but we can bring them to surface with simple clicks or ... a smart builder (that's another story).

TriggerMarker - No explanations, just showing the script:

Code: Select all

//=============================================================================
// TriggerMarker.
//=============================================================================
class TriggerMarker extends NavigationPoint
	native;

// OBSOLETE - to be removed

For completion... when a class is removed, in next generation of game you'll have a hole breaking compatibility. It's not only obsolete as much as is the rest of idiotic comment. NO CLASS should be ever removed in any UPDATE for UE1.

[Nelsona]

AHAH, time for Lifts - some mappers are using doors or buttons instead of lifts. Stuff different explained here if above original info is too long or too complex.

It's surprisingly a bit to see people in 2019 still having no clue what the heck is a Lift and how to make paths over it when DM-Deck16][ and other maps are direct examples of such things - including COMBO stuff for accessing highly located Inventories like UDamage and all similar occurrences.
The question is: Do these people need explanations in Chinese language or whatever explanations or are simply incompetent in all ways unable to open a stock map and doing a check on it for 3 minutes ?
I'll use term COMBO in here for that Navigation-Triangle which is configured from: LiftExit(and child) - LiftCenter(and child) - LiftExit(andWhateverchild)
These are not only self explanatory toward a LIFT, but they can be used in the wild separate from any Lift but marked accordingly with a "Virtual LIFT" - using a LiftTag for these 3 points NOT for ALL combos from map.
Why using a string (a decent string) for this LiftTag even if we do not have any ? Because this is the main criteria of creating paths through these COMBO things. If here string is empty (None), map will have stupid links through walls NEVER reachable as long as all NONE stuff will get connected each-other - check this well by yourself and look what you did, plonker. LiftCenters are connected with LiftExits in the wild far away...

Reconfiguration in colors this time:
1 map has 2 Lifts. Each Lift has a particular Tag, has a LiftCenter and at least TWO LiftExit types (Entrance and Exit), these having LiftTag defined for said Lift.

Simplified: LiftTag(NavPoints) = Tag(Mover) = a private string used only by this LIFT.
Simplified without LIFT: LiftTag(NavPoints) = a private string used only by this COMBO triad.

Doing math: 2 Lifts × 4 LiftExit(2×2) × 2 LiftCenter × two private strings used by these Lifts is THE MINIMAL charge for making these two Lifts to work with A.I. separate each-other and not guessing crap with default PathNodes pulled into Lifts.

These Movers have to use preferable a small route (unless you know to setup a trigger) and being StandOpenTimed else Bot will summon them, when you'll be shocked to see that Lift is not listening at you but is listening Bots - BOT Trivia in stage. Combos usually are Bi-Directional, Bot can use way-up and way-down (crashing to the death here !!). These Combos Used without a Mover must have the same Combo identification called LiftTag and not only added in map, build and saved.

Notes: For DevPath LiftCenters (JumpSpot TranslocDest etc ) have the same directives, differences are a few A.I. specific codes and reactions toward their condition(s). These are a bit of load for engine compared with default PathNodes due to their A.I. "handling" used. If you don't need a combo, maybe your need is PathNode instead of a LiftExit which has no purpose if is alone being taken as a PathNode.

[Nelsona]

Teleporters.

Here I have only a mention as long as entire theory is simple and already explained inside document posted above. You can forget messing with teleporters between servers in 2019. Let's say that some people have skill in fixing their packages and the guy crawling around might have a mismatch or a faulty connection when tries to switch into a server INCOMPATIBLE with previous server where was playing.
If player is a real genius using a 451 version and server uses 436, results from a travel task is very ... entertaining, as long as default 451 player might have problems in 436 servers due to "compatibilty" happily brought by UTPG. Good luck with the travel between servers...

[Nelsona]

In mean-time, I'll explain other basics about checking a new Navigation Network and How to do that. Original Epic Doc won't show exactly what's the deal, perhaps a small video is helpful for a better understanding...
I will use map DM-Deck16][ as a testing ground. In video (a subtitle should be available as well ) I'm testing if I can see paths heading me from Flak's lower area to "ut_biorifle". I should have paths moving like a Bot node by node if network is consistent, here map has no problems.
Nearby ut_biorifle I'll send command RememberSpot, then I'll go to UT_FlakCannon. When I'm there I'll drop command ShowPath, beacon should spawn heading my steps.

RmbSpot_ShwPath.7z

(6.61 MiB) Downloaded 529 times

I do not have other way for showing details at this moment. Video is small for fitting into forum's deal, it's a screen-capture after a recorded session and using some command for making WayBeacon visible in DemoPlay mode - by default only a Direct Owner can see it...

[D13GO_{HoF}]

Man Nelsona, that explains a lot, i never understood correctly how to make them move, but i still made them work somehow in my maps. I didn't knew about the show path command either. Now to wait and see how to make bots use different path networks to reach a objective, but now i know more thanks to you.

[Nelsona]

It's not done yet, this is basically what we need to know, some others might want to know more such details and getting over Editor's crapping action when is about doing paths which are... not navigable because of other native from Engine which is making a mess. Such paths have to be removed and this task is a bit more advanced requiring a small "toy", combined with new XC v23 stuff paths network can be easily debugged.
For such details I have to think strategy in making it easy to be understood. Until that moment, I have to explain the mechanics which engine has toward a broken route, and such details which I need to recall based on my failures from the past.
I do not intend to make a defaming thread here toward mappers but maybe some "How To Do Not" images from maps will be educative than drawing manually such instances and confusing readers.

[Nelsona]

Broken networks.
Some basic problem of a paths network is common holes caused by such a road sequence between 2 nodes which actually has no complete navigation directives or has no link at all - missing path line - see also document for making paths visible. If between PlayerStart and Bot's Goal there is a single line broken or missing, Pawn is being discarded from navigation right from start, taking another route, or if any alternate route is missing, it won't go anywhere wandering around.

When a path (a piece of the road) might go broken:
1. Next PathNode is on a box/stair too high - at more than 32-48 UU is questioning if Path will have a link requiring a jump in "reachSpecs";
2. Next PathNode is behind a BSP bug - invisible barrier - and then Editor won't set a path through that "wall";
3. Next PathNode is too higher placed - UnReachable by common Bot;
4. Next PathNode is too close to a wall or into ground and pawn cannot reach at it properly.
If route to the goal has 20 paths and a single line is borked (not always seen in Editor) entire road is like None - all the rest of 19 Lines are simply ignored - this is what you need to fix in your mind. Yes, it's nasty, but it's true. A broken sequence is reacting exactly like a node called BlockedPath - all road is Gone.

The good news: Such a broken route can be found with above 2 commands very useful for debugging. Setting up rememberspot nearby goal and checking routes coming from start closer and closer until WayBeacon shows up. Location before spot where Beacon shows up might have a problem and you have to check nearby PathNodes around that spot. Imagine that I failed a few times here but I found the broken line using debugging strategy because Bot won't report anything clear.

[Nelsona]

Misc - broken spots - Bot's jerking habits

Here I must sample exactly a map where not a single time a bot was pushing a wall like he wanted to move it away. Author doing this was Shane Caudle itself in map DM-Conveyor. I witnessed not a single time Bot wanting to gain a HealthVial and pushing wall around minigun spot coming from lava area where is UDamage (another crapped thing at random).
Let's see what is about.

BP_02.PNG (742.76 KiB) Viewed 12973 times

Bot heading to an InventorySpot will crawl map until InventorySpot is reachable. When this InventorySpot6 is reachable and becomes Bot's "MoveTarget" Actor, Bot will switch direction to this marked Inventory (HealthVial1) which... because of paths building way is exactly behind the wall while InventorySpot6 is perfectly reachable/"visible" moved by Path-Constructor from Editor, Bot will be oriented by its own code to HealthVial1 which is not even visible from PathNode30. As result, some funky thing happens, Bot reacting like a moron in here, running to the wall and trying/retrying to avoid it attempting to gain HealthVial.
For some random "experts" who used to say that I'm talking crap I'll show even the Bot code where Bot is auto-hacking his MoveTarget:

Code: Select all

	if ( MoveTarget.IsA('InventorySpot') ) //When Bot's MoveTaget is an InventorySpot
	{
		if ( (!Level.Game.IsA('TeamGamePlus') || (TeamGamePlus(Level.Game).PriorityObjective(self) == 0))
			&& (InventorySpot(MoveTarget).markedItem != None)
			&& (InventorySpot(MoveTarget).markedItem.BotDesireability(self) > 0) )
		{
			if ( InventorySpot(MoveTarget).markedItem.GetStateName() == 'Pickup' ) //Not in state Sleeping
				MoveTarget = InventorySpot(MoveTarget).markedItem; //Here is the item set as new MoveTarget - go figure what's the deal in bad spots
........................

Occurrence can be seen not very often in this map (depending on Bot roaming direction) but it's really annoying when happens. This InventorySpot moved thing is coming from Paths Building process. What can be done here is part of advanced pathing which will be described in other topic, or if you have a coder closer ask him to rewrite this Bot's state sequence into another Bot root that can be used as replacement for default moron Bot.

Imagine now how many such "options" can be created even deliberated. Tiny spots with small Inventories unreachable but their "marker" very reachable making Bot to push walls like it's on drugs.