Switch navigation modes

BP_WaypointComponent supports two ways to visualize the same nav-mesh path. This tutorial switches between them with copy-paste presets.

ENavMode overview

flowchart TB
  Query[Nav path query] --> Mode{Nav Mode}
  Mode -->|Spawn| Actors[BP_WaypointActor at Mesh Distance]
  Mode -->|SplineMesh| Spline[SplineMesh along SplineComp]
  Actors --> Pool[Spawned Meshes array]
  Spline --> BPI[BPI_Waypoint on pawn]

Mode	Visual	Best for
Spawn	Discrete BP_WaypointActor arrows	Quest markers, classic “breadcrumb” trail
SplineMesh	Continuous mesh deformed along path	Ground-hugging line, sci-fi floor guides

Default shipped value: Spawn.

Example A — Spawn mode (shipped default)

Open BP_WaypointComponent on your pawn → Class Defaults:

Property	Value
Nav Mode	Spawn
Max Number Of Meshes	60
Mesh Distance	250
Draw Debug Strings	false

Press Play and call Find Path to Actor. The component runs Internal_PathFinding_SpawnMode, spawning BP_WaypointActor instances up to Max Number Of Meshes.

Spawn tuning presets

Preset	Max Meshes	Mesh Distance	Use case
Shipped	60	250	General outdoor demo
Dense indoor	25	120	Corridors
Open world	30	400	Long paths, fewer actors

Caution

Max Number Of Meshes = 0 removes the cap and can spawn hundreds of actors — avoid in production.

Example B — SplineMesh mode

1. Switch mode

Property	Value
Nav Mode	SplineMesh

2. Implement BPI_Waypoint on your pawn

SplineMesh mode calls BPI_Waypoint on the owning actor:

Interface function	Purpose
Add Waypoint Spline Component	Attach a new spline mesh segment
Remove Spline Meshes	Clear segments before rebuilding

ThirdPersonCharacter already implements this interface — open it as a reference when adding the interface to your own pawn.

3. Pass a Spline Component

Find Path to Actor and Find Path to Location accept a Spline Component input. The demo passes the pawn’s root Spline component.

Find Path to Actor
  Actor = Objective
  Spline Component = Spline (on pawn)

Without BPI_Waypoint implemented, spline mode will not render correctly.

4. Internal behaviour

When Nav Mode is SplineMesh:

1. Internal_PathFinding_SplineMode samples nav path points.
2. Internal_RemoveSplineMeshes clears old segments.
3. New SplineMesh components are added via BPI_Waypoint → Add Waypoint Spline Component.

sequenceDiagram
  participant WC as BP_WaypointComponent
  participant Pawn as Pawn with BPI_Waypoint
  WC->>WC: Internal_PathFinding_SplineMode
  WC->>Pawn: Remove Spline Meshes
  loop Each path segment
    WC->>Pawn: Add Waypoint Spline Component
  end

Side-by-side test on Overview

1. Open Map/Overview, press Play.
2. Note the default Spawn trail when pressing F.
3. Stop PIE, set Nav Mode = SplineMesh on the character’s BP_WaypointComponent.
4. Play again — compare the continuous spline trail.

Revert to Spawn when finished unless your game targets spline mode.

Auto-refresh in both modes

Tick Time works regardless of Nav Mode:

Tick Time	Behaviour
0	Path updates only when you call Find Path again
0.5	Re-path twice per second (good for moving targets)
2.0	Light refresh for slow-moving goals

Internal_TryStartTimer schedules the repeat using Timer Handle Find Path To Actor.

Choose a mode for your game

Choose Spawn when…	Choose SplineMesh when…
You want per-marker actors you can customize (BP_WaypointActor child)	You want a continuous ground decal / tube
Minimal pawn setup (no interface)	Pawn already has spline infrastructure
Performance-sensitive mobile (cap with Max Number Of Meshes)	Art direction needs smooth curves

Next

• Customize waypoint visuals
• Blueprint reference — ENavMode