Merge 817154c42a into bff37d7de7

markdown/landing/index.md

@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ Documentation and by extension headers/categories are a work in progress.
 - [Advanced Model Exporting](../mapping/model-exporting.md)
 - [Model Alpha Transparency](../mapping/alpha-transparency.md)
 - [Fog](../mapping/fog.md)
+- [Waypointing](../mapping/waypointing.md)
 
 ### Map Entities
 - [Barricades](../mapping/barricades.md)

markdown/mapping/waypointing.md

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+% Waypointing - NZ:P Mapping Documentation
+# Waypointing
+
+## Introduction
+
+![Zombies pathfinding between waypoint nodes on Nacht Der Untoten.](../res/images/Waypoint_Pathing.webp)
+
+_Nazi Zombies: Portable_ makes use of a waypointing system to define nodes that zombies may path between. This allows for a fairly simple and intuitive, albeit limited, way to allow mappers to create custom pathfinding for their maps.
+
+Waypoints are edited directly in-game via a special Waypoint Mode, as opposed to creating them in the map editor. This mode can be accessed via `waypoint_mode` cvar.
+Saving a set of waypoints via this mode will generate a `.way` file within the maps folder of NZ:P, matching the original map file name. This `.way` file must be supplied alongside the original map file when sharing maps.
+
+![Waypoint Mode UI with waypoint nodes visible.](../res/images/waypoint_mode.webp)
+
+## .way Files
+
+Due to `.way` files being plain-text, they can be opened in any text editor. Doing so will reveal the following data structure:
+
+![Data structure of a `.way` file when opened in a text editor.](../res/images/waypoint_plain_text.webp)
+
+| Data Identifier | Description |
+|---|---| 
+| Origin | The co-ordinates of the waypoint node. | 
+| ID | The numerical identifier of the waypoint node. |
+| Special | The associated `wayTarget` ID of a valid `nzp_func_door` that has been correctly linked to the waypoint node. | 
+| Target 1-8 | 8 Possible waypoint nodes that are connected to the waypoint node. | 
+
+Up to 256 total nodes are supported at this time. Additionally, when a node is deleted within waypoint mode, the ID it occupied within the `.way` will not be freed up for use by following nodes as they are created. This can be remidied by manually reassigning ID's via opening the file in a text editor.
+
+## Interacting with Waypoints
+
+![(Left to right) Blue-Default, Yellow-Selected, Red-Linked to Current, Special-Used for Doors (Same 3 colours as previous). ](../res/images/waypoint_types.webp)
+
+| Actions | Description |
+|---|---| 
+| Create | Creates a default (blue) waypoint node at the players position. | 
+| Select | Selects waypoint node currently being aimed at. | 
+| Link  | Link selected (yellow) node to aimed at default (blue) node. | 
+| Remove  | Deletes current selected (yellow) node. | 
+| Move  | Move current selected (yellow) node to player position. | 
+| Create Special | Converts selected (yellow) node to a special node. Must be adjacent to a valid `func_nzp_door`. | 
+
+## Special Waypoints
+
+Special Waypoint nodes are used in conjunction with a valid `func_nzp_door` to prevent zombies from attempting to path through currently closed doors.
+
+A valid `func_nzp_door` requires an ID to be set in the `wayTarget` entity field. Targetting this `wayTarget` within waypoint mode is done via placing a waypoint node within the door entity you have created, and creating a special entity
+whilst this node is selected. Correct use of this function can be clarifyed by a console output.
+
+## Pathing Behaviour
+
+Zombies will move along a path dictated by the mapper through connected waypoint nodes until they are within sight range to path to a player on their own (Where "Sight" is dictated by both the zombies shins, chest and forehead being able to see the player).
+
+When zombies reacquire a path to the player (Whether that be after hopping a barricade post-spawn, or in attempt to find the player after they have teleported outside and back into the map.), 
+they will do so via the closest waypoint node to them. There is however a heuristic cost, meaning zombies will attempt different paths via alternate nodes if the closest node to them is not reachable.
+
+![Example map of connected waypoint nodes, arrows indicating that nodes are linked in both directions.](../res/images/example_waypoints.webp)