AI Basics (NavMesh) In Unity

NavMesh (Navigation Mesh) is a simplified map of your scene that tells AI where it can walk. Unity's NavMesh system calculates paths and moves characters around obstacles automatically.

• AI moves around walls and obstacles
• Finds shortest path automatically
• No need for complex pathfinding code

1. Setting Up NavMesh

Step 1: Open Navigation window: Window - AI - Navigation.

Step 2: Mark objects as walkable or not

• Select floor/ground objects
• Check "Navigation Static" in Inspector

Step 3: Mark obstacles (walls, trees, rocks)

• Select obstacle objects.
• Check "Navigation Static".
• Set Navigation Area to "Not Walkable".

Step 4: Bake the NavMesh.

• Navigation window - Bake tab.
• Click "Bake" button.

The blue area appears in Scene view showing where AI can walk.

2. Adding NavMesh Agent to Enemy

The NavMesh Agent component moves the enemy along the calculated path.

Step 1: Select your enemy GameObject.

Step 2: Add Component - NavMeshAgent.

Important settings:

3. Making Enemy Follow Player

Example:

Output:

agent.SetDestination() tells the enemy where to go. NavMeshAgent automatically finds the path and moves there.

NavMesh vs Simple Movement

Common NavMesh Issues

• Enemy not moving check NavMeshAgent is attached and NavMesh is baked.
• Enemy stuck on walls increase Radius in NavMeshAgent.
• Enemy goes through obstacles re-bake NavMesh after scene changes.
• No blue area visible open Navigation - Bake and generate NavMesh.