How to node maps properly

A guide on how to node properly maps so npcs can get around that darn table that is blocking their way, or make them turn around the corner so they can fry your ass with bullets.

Get the tools (Actual in-game tools)

So, for this guide we will be using the marvelous tool that the nodegraph editor is, i'm not familiar with hammer noding so strider nodes and jump nodes won't be a thing is this guide, sorry guys!

So, to download the nodegraph tool we will need to go onto this link, the nodegraph editor has been created by Silverlan: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=104487190

Getting started

So, obviously we will need to pick a map to start noding, you can edit / create a nodegraph for any map that isn't part of a gcf and doesn't have a nodegraph built into the .bsp.

After we pick the map we'll want to node it, in order to do this we need to load up said map and select the nodegraph tool in the tools section.

Basic noding thingy

The basics of noding are easy, basically what nodes do is act as guide points and paths for npcs, so they follow you n' stuff, this is done by connecting two or more nodes, so when the npc needs to make a path to find you, the nodes help him out.

To make a node just select the nodegraph editor and left click anywhere to place a node on your crosshair (you can also remove a node by left clicking on it), if you want to edit the connections of the node, hold crouch key or use key and click on a node to edit its connections, when you are in connection editing mode, you can double click on the selected node to remove all of its connections, and click on another node that is/isnt already connected to the selected node to remove/add its connection and vice-versa.

Do's and don'ts

This section consists of tips and tricks to make your nodes better.

1) Dont make node lines go through props

I know this might sound stupid, but i have found a lot of maps that do this, here is an example of what you should and shouldnt do in these cases.

2) Always remove all links that appear when a new node is placed and simplify the node connections or "lines"

And you may say, "but those lines are created because npcs can follow them right?"
Well no, at least not most of the time, the problem with these auto generated lines is that they always go through props or connect nodes that arent even accessible, thus confusing the npcs, here is an example of how a node with auto generated lines looks like and how it should actually look like after simplifying the connections.

3)Save your progress constantly

Its not necessary to do this, but gmod can be pretty unstable and crash, so always save your progress constantly if you dont want to lose an entire hour of work.

If you want to save your progress just open the q menu and click on save nodegraph, also never hit restore nodegraph, because that will undo all the progress and load in the original "nodes" of the map.

How to use the nodes you created

So, lets say you already noded a map and saved it, to apply the nodes to the map you will need to go to:
(disk with steam installed):\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\GarrysMod\garrysmod
when you get to your gmod folder, follow the instructions given on this image:


all of these steps shall be done while gmod is closed or not running the map you just noded, once you've finished following these simple steps run the map and voilá, your map should now use the nodes you have created.

Also if you own Half Life 2: Deathmatch you should check out my node collection that i made for all of the official Half Life 2: Deathmatch maps! http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=479526789

[G-Man_918]

I want to use this on a supersizedroom v2 map. Is there a command that will make this easier? The map is huge!

[Dęštįńÿ]

Do the nodes *need* to connect together, or?

[CsakEgySuttyó]

Node strider?

[skye fan the voices are so loud]

when i rename the file it just changes to gm_mapname.ain.txt

[sakamoto]

not really sure what steps does the image have

[Gnilomord]

I can’t, NPCs both stood still and stand, why?

[shadowforce62]

might have to make sure you arent using x64 it is... well theres a lot of mods that break with it

[shadowforce62]

@gwesty33 try loading the nav_mesh afte rloading the maps, GMOD does not always default it

[Gwesty33]

Some maps just won't load the nodegraphs

[Anomalyfyed]

bro i can't use this i need a better tutorial