Path Grid mechanics

[asaccharum]

Hello all:

 

I'm just getting started with modding and to my complete horror I spend as much time doing that as I do in game (maybe more). But it's so much fun to have things PERFECT.

 

Well, I've been wont to find mods that accomplish mostly what I want and then tweak them myself to make them perfect for my characters. I found it's a lot easier to learn that way, as if I screw something up I can always reinstall the original. I'm working on programming my own NPCs to the Elyssian Estates mod, and I think I have the package thing figured out, but then I read about path grids.

 

A.) If two grids are linked, does that mean the NPC walks the link?

B.) If the NPC is running a wander package, does it only stay on the path or will it walk off and then back on when another package starts? (Do I have to add lots of paths for realism)

C.) If the rooms are separated by load doors, do the grid paths need to somehow link between departure and desination or does it work if there's one point by either door?

 

1.) Off topic, but if the NPC is in the chapel and the next package it runs is eat when near reference (dining room), and must reach location is checked, will it travel to the dining room to execute or do I have to run a travel package to get it to the dining room first?

 

:thanks:

[wizardmirth]

Linked path grids means the NPC has a choice if there is more than one link and path point on the route the NPC must take to reach his or her destination. They will pretty much always take the most direct route unless you have "preferred" path point set up. Wander packages are radial -- in any direction -- limited by the range you set up and also by whatever path points are available so they do not try and wander into walls or off cliffs.

 

You basically want path points roughly every 500 game units wherever walking is able, such as floors where there is no furniture in the way and then link and cross link all of them whereever walking to and from them is available. For example there will be path points on both sides of a large piece of furniture but you cannot link them directly. Links going around it will tell NPCs that they have to walk around if they need to get to the other side.

 

NPCs automatically know to use load doors if they have to move from one cell to another -- you do not ever, nor is there any way, to link path points between two different cells.

[asaccharum]

Thank you VERY much. This helps me greatly!