info_node
| Info node | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Point entity |
| Engine |  Source |
| Availability | In all games |
info_node is a point entity available in all Source games except 
Left 4 Dead series.
Important:This is a preserved entity in 
.
- On a new round entities with this classname will intentionally not reset. You can use
logic_autoto emulate resetting it. - Killing it removes it forever, as it is not respawned on a new round.
- It cannot be spawned with a
point_template. - Parenting this with non preserved entities may have undesirable effects.
Entity description
It is a ground navigation node for ground moving NPCs. Navigation nodes are baked into the nodegraph so that NPCs can move to them.
- Ground nodes fall to the ground when they spawn, so you can place them up to 128 units above any solid world geometry, which excludes func_brush, and they will still work.
- When placing nodes on displacements, place them slightly above the terrain to ensure connections are properly made. Use the Transform tool (Ctrl+M) to move many nodes quickly.
- Nodes have a maximum connection distance of 720 units apart
- The surface the node is placed on should be at least 32 units thick.
Usage
Create an interesting map, place some enemies in it, and run it. Don't kill them straight away but turn on mat_wireframe and watch their actions as you move around. You'll see them, more or less, run straight at you and shoot. This is because they have no bearings in the world other than your position.
Leave the game and lay down info_node entities across the map, preferably at each point where the AI would have to choose what to do, or anywhere the AI might want to go - basically, any important place for the AI. Then recompile and do the same as last time. You should now see them group and attack together if they need to, seek cover, throw grenades at far more suitable times, try to get around you and more - all because you added a few nodes.
This alone has fully set up your AI for a map.
Note:If, for some reason, your NPCs are not moving to the nodes or are simply not moving at all despite the existence of nodes, the first thing you want to try is to add a few hint nodes with contextual information like Crouch Cover Low. If they are not moving to those nodes either, then the game did not build or rebuild the node graph data. In order to get them to build automatically at every new compile you make, create an autoexec.cfg in your cfg folder and add ai_norebuildgraph 0. You may also use the command map_edit right after compiling your map, as this command will force the nodes to rebuild when you edit, add or remove nodes while in-game. Check the nodegraph page for a full explanation on nodegraph usage.Keyvalues
- Node ID
(nodeid)<integer> - Read-only internal Hammer value.
Flags
Force human permission : [1]
Force small_centered permission : [2]
Force wide_human permission : [4]
Force tiny permission : [8]
Force wide_short permission : [16]
Force medium permission : [32]
Force tiny_centered permission : [64]
Force large permission : [128]
Force large_centered permission : [256]
Keep editor position : [512]
