navmesh

NavMesh Navigation

Setup

1. Add NavMeshSurface component to environment parent object
2. Click "Bake" to generate NavMesh
3. Add NavMeshAgent to moving characters

NavMeshAgent Configuration

[SerializeField] private NavMeshAgent _agent;

private void Awake()
{
    _agent = GetComponent<NavMeshAgent>();
    _agent.speed = 3.5f;
    _agent.acceleration = 8f;
    _agent.angularSpeed = 120f;
    _agent.stoppingDistance = 0.5f;
    _agent.autoBraking = true;
}

public void MoveTo(Vector3 destination)
{
    _agent.SetDestination(destination);
}

Path Status Checking

private void Update()
{
    if (_agent.pathPending) return; // Still calculating

    switch (_agent.pathStatus)
    {
        case NavMeshPathStatus.PathComplete:
            // Full path found
            break;
        case NavMeshPathStatus.PathPartial:
            // Can only get partway — obstacle or unreachable
            break;
        case NavMeshPathStatus.PathInvalid:
            // No path possible
            break;
    }

    // Check if arrived
    if (!_agent.pathPending && _agent.remainingDistance <= _agent.stoppingDistance)
    {
        // Arrived at destination
    }
}

Patrol Pattern

public sealed class PatrolBehavior : MonoBehaviour
{
    [SerializeField] private Transform[] _waypoints;
    [SerializeField] private float _waitTime = 2f;

    private NavMeshAgent _agent;
    private int _currentWaypoint;
    private float _waitTimer;

    private void Update()
    {
        if (_agent.pathPending) return;

        if (_agent.remainingDistance <= _agent.stoppingDistance)
        {
            _waitTimer -= Time.deltaTime;
            if (_waitTimer <= 0f)
            {
                _currentWaypoint = (_currentWaypoint + 1) % _waypoints.Length;
                _agent.SetDestination(_waypoints[_currentWaypoint].position);
                _waitTimer = _waitTime;
            }
        }
    }
}

NavMeshObstacle

• Carve: cuts a hole in the NavMesh (expensive, use for static/rare movement)
• Block: agents path around without modifying NavMesh (cheaper, use for moving obstacles)

Off-Mesh Links

For jumps, ladders, teleporters — connections between disconnected NavMesh areas.

• Auto-generated: set Jump Distance and Drop Height on NavMeshSurface
• Manual: NavMeshLink component between two points

Runtime NavMesh Modification

// Rebake at runtime (e.g., after terrain change)
_navMeshSurface.BuildNavMesh();

// Or update only:
_navMeshSurface.UpdateNavMesh(_navMeshSurface.navMeshData);

Areas and Costs

• Define areas: Walkable, Water, Road (in Navigation settings)
• Set area cost: higher cost = agents avoid that area
• Override per-agent: _agent.SetAreaCost(areaIndex, cost)
• Use for: roads (low cost = preferred), mud (high cost = avoided)