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# Octree Generation

The octree is used for 3D flight navigation, and is the 3D equivalent of the navigation mesh used for ground-based navigation. Like navmeshes, the physical geometry of the level is used as the basis. Unlike navmeshes, no dynamic updates are currently supported, and generation must be triggered explicitly.

## Bounds setup

Octree generation will take place within bounds components present in the level. Use the Polygon Prism Shape component to form the bounds, and use a Bounds Octree component to mark it for octree generation. It is possible to tag an entity for both octree and navmesh generation.

One entity in the scene should have the Octree component on it, which supplies global octree generation settings. Default settings will be used otherwise.

## Configuration

PropertyDescription
Cell SizeThe size of the smallest cells in the octree in world units. The cell size should be set slightly larger than the radius of the smallest ship, so that if the radius changes slightly, the smallest ship doesn’t immediately jump up into the next category. You can set this property to a fraction of the radius of the smallest ship if navigation closer to geometry is required. For example, if your current ships have a radius just under 4m, you might set the cell size to 4. Smaller cell sizes usually result in more nodes and require more memory, but it’s not a direct relationship.
Min Ship RadiusThis specifies the radius of the smallest ship in octree cell size units. Set this property to 1 if you set the cell size based on the radius of the smallest ship, or to the appropriate multiple if you set it based on a fraction of the ship radius.
Max Ship RadiusThis specifies the maximum radius of ships that can use the octree for navigation, in octree cell size units. A wide range of radii will create more nodes, and require more memory. A single radius is ideal.
Tree DepthExplicitly set the depth (number of levels) of the octree. Setting this too low will result in missing chunks. Using auto-depths is recommended.
Hard BoundariesWhen selected, the edge of the nav bounds is a hard boundary. This will prevent AI from leaving the octree. In many use cases this is not a practical requirement and it does increase memory usage significantly
Auto DepthsWhen selected, sets the tree depth based upon the cell size and the bounds size. Using auto-depths is recommended.

Only one configuration is supported for a level. However, unlike navmeshes, this is designed to accommodate multiple 3D agent (ship) sizes. There is no equivalent to the NavMesh.xml file.

## Minimizing Nodes and Memory

The more nodes in the octree, the longer searches will take and the more memory is required. To improve performance and decrease memory usage do the following:

• Enable Hard Boundaries, if possible.

• Use the largest possible Cell Size. Ensure that the smallest aperture you require will be reliably captured by an off-axis cell. Ask the Kythera team for guidance on this.

• Keep the difference between Min Ship Radius and Max Ship Radius as small as possible. Ideally they should be equal. If you have trouble with memory while trying to support a very small ship and very large ship, consider if there is another approach you can take or talk to the Kythera team.

• Leave Auto Depths enabled.

## Generation

To generate or regenerate the octree, use the console command kyt_GenOctree.

A modal dialog will pop up when complete.

Alternatively, use the Generate Octree button () on the Kythera toolbar.

## Saving

To save the octree to disk, use the console command kyt_SaveOctree.

Alternatively, use the Save Octree button () on the Kythera toolbar.

## Debug Visualisation

Kythera provides debug draw of octrees.

To enable octree debug draw, use the console variables kyt_DrawMaster 1 and kyt_DrawNavOctree <1-3>.

Navigable octree cells are drawn in yellow, and non-navigable octree cells are drawn in red.

There are several debug modes:

• 0 off
• 1 draw navigable spaces
• 2 draw unnavigable spaces
• 3 draw both