Nodegraph Editor+
Overview
Nodegraph Editor+ is a fork of Exbo’s Nodegraph Editor. It is a tool to create or edit a map’s nodegraph without the need to recompile the map. It introduces many new features to help users creating nodegraph for their map more faster and efficient.
Feature Highlights
- Comprehensive Nodegraph Generation: Inspired by SMOD’s "nav_converttoainode" console command feature, this tool allows for almost complete nodegraph generation, including Air Nodes and Jump Links. With just one click, you can fully node a map that has a complete Navmesh. A simple generate and save process is usually sufficient to fully node small to medium-sized maps without issues. While editing the nodes after generation is recommended, it is not mandatory.
- Functional Air Nodes and Climb Nodes: Finally, flying NPCs such as Manhacks can now follow Air Nodes, and NPCs with the climbing capability such as Fast Zombies can climb Climb Nodes!
- Jump Links: NPCs with the jump capability flag such as Fast Zombies, can use these links to jump from one node to another.
- Fullbright Nodes: The visibility of all nodes is no longer affected by the map’s lighting.
- Automatic Yaw Adjustment: No need to adjust the yaw angle each time you place Climb Nodes. Just place and connect.
- Node Projection: Automatically generated links between nodes are less likely to overlap, resulting in cleaner links.
- Step Check: Previously known as "Staircase Check", this feature automatically checks if a link to another node is reachable by NPCs without additional assistance.
- Create Nodeable Map: This feature detects if the map has a built-in .ain file in the BSP and optionally modifies the BSP for you.
- Trace Hull for Link Visibility Check: Instead of using a simple line, this feature uses a bounding box to check link visibility, resulting in fewer stuck NPCs and better link results. It works best on flat geometry but is less effective on displacements.
- Node Z/Height Offset: Easier node creation on displacements by floating the node slightly to be able to generate links on their own, which means less manual linking. This feature only works for Ground nodes.
- Snap Nodes to the Ground: Easily reposition all nodes to the ground without manually replacing them. This feature only works for Ground nodes.
Note: Almost all features are optional and can be turned on or off.
Usage
Here’s a brief step-by-step guide on how to use this tool:
- Create a nodegraph for the map. You can either generate it or manually create one. After finishing, make sure to save your nodegraph.
- Go to your Garry’s Mod "garrysmoddatanodegraph" directory and rename the extension of the map’s nodegraph file from ".txt" to ".ain". For example, rename "cs_office.txt" to "cs_office.ain".
- Copy the nodegraph file and paste it into your Garry’s Mod "garrysmodmapsgraphs" directory.
- Load up the map, and you should see your NPCs moving throughout the map following the nodes you have created.
Notes/Issues
- The option to create hint nodes has been removed as they do not function.
- Automatic node generation may encounter issues with larger maps.
- If performance becomes laggy, increase the think delay or disable functions with "slow" tags.
Credits
- Silverlan – The original creator of Nodegraph Editor.
- ExboCooope – For their Nodegraph Editor Ex Version addon.
- #INVALID_USER – For their Nodegraph Editor BlueLinker Extension addon, I used their code initially as a reference to create different node links.
