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− | {{Quality|Exceptional}} | + | {{Quality|Exceptional|21:45, 30 September 2016 (UTC)}} |
{{av}} | {{av}} | ||
− | + | '''Pathing''' is a videogame concept that refers to the path the AI selected to route from point A to B. It has important implications for [[workshop design|fortress design]], [[security design]] and [[framerate]] management. | |
− | == | + | == Implications == |
− | + | ''Dwarf Fortress'' uses a modified [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A*_search_algorithm A* search algorithm] ([http://qiao.github.io/PathFinding.js/visual/ a nice demo]) ([http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131954/interview_the_making_of_dwarf_.php?page=8 confirmation]), which quickly calculates a decent path between points. The A* method takes point A and tries to quickly calculate a decent path to reach point B. This path is not always the quickest path - in fact, in a game with as complicated and ever-changing an environment as ''Dwarf Fortress'', pathing probably rarely chooses the quickest path. The purpose and utility of the algorithm is to find a useful path without using a lot of processing space, balancing speed and computability. | |
− | + | Pathing to raw materials uses the so-called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_metric Manhattan metric]: meaning the material is checked by distance from the [[dwarf]]'s current position, rather than by an actual search. Thus, when constructing things, the valid materials list will be ordered from nearest to farthest; this, however, ignores any walls or obstacles in the way. An important part of fortress design is to be as open as possible, as more doorways will result in quicker paths (and thus better performance) as well as avoiding the hurdles of cross-map walks to find something the metric says is a short distance away. Workshops automatically path to the nearest valid raw materials; building things allows you to choose what to grab. | |
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== Applications == | == Applications == | ||
+ | In the following examples, A is a creature and B is its goal. | ||
− | For workshop jobs, the closest available valid material is used for the job. The simplest way to use pathing to your advantage is to surround a workshop with a stockpile accepting only specific raw materials that you want it to be using. | + | For workshop jobs, the closest available valid material is used for the job. The simplest way to use pathing to your advantage is to surround a workshop with a stockpile accepting only specific raw materials that you want it to be using; in previous versions, this was the only way to ensure [[magma-safe]] materials would be used for application with [[magma]], and the only way to ensure certain jobs would be done in a certain way. Now, this process is better handled by linked stockpiles instead. Nonetheless, it remains useful when trying to understand why, instead of decorating some beds in your furniture stockpile, your [[gem setter]] decides to fancify some commoners' [[coffin]]s in the next-door [[mason's workshop]]. |
− | The way pathing is handled should | + | The way pathing is handled should inform the way you design your fortress. An important part of fortress design is to be as open as possible, as more doorways will result in quicker paths (and thus better performance) as well as avoiding the hurdles of cross-map walks to find something the metric says is a short distance away. |
[[File:Pathing.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Applications of pathing (aka pathing abuse). Note that they do see every path, so if the green bottom bridge is raised, they will take the caravan entrance instead.]] | [[File:Pathing.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Applications of pathing (aka pathing abuse). Note that they do see every path, so if the green bottom bridge is raised, they will take the caravan entrance instead.]] | ||
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If you want to use this, keep those (path-through) restricted areas as small as possible. On the other side, the higher the restricted costs, the more likely dwarves stick to the correct site. The same is true for longer tunnels. And the longer the tunnel, the less additional pathing will be done. If the tunnel is at least as long as the costs of the restricted area, you don't have to bother additional costs. So, this should only be used for long tunnels. Never use it to control traffic inside your fort between rooms unless you restrict most of your fort's area! | If you want to use this, keep those (path-through) restricted areas as small as possible. On the other side, the higher the restricted costs, the more likely dwarves stick to the correct site. The same is true for longer tunnels. And the longer the tunnel, the less additional pathing will be done. If the tunnel is at least as long as the costs of the restricted area, you don't have to bother additional costs. So, this should only be used for long tunnels. Never use it to control traffic inside your fort between rooms unless you restrict most of your fort's area! | ||
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{{Translation | {{Translation |