Roblox Scripting Tutorial: Path Finding Service

Introduction

• Presenter: Defconn Gear
• Topic: Path Finding Service in Roblox

What is Path Finding Service?

• Allows a character to navigate a calculated path.
• Example demonstrated: Character moves along a path to a specified point.

Setting Up

1. Create a Baseplate
   • Insert a character to move around.
2. Inserting a Character
   • Use Roblox Toolbox to find a free NPC or use the "Load Character" plugin.
   • Ensure the character has a humanoid to utilize movement functions.

Scripting the Path Finding

Steps to Script

1. Insert a Script
   • Name it "Pathfinding Script".
2. Get Path Finding Service

   local pathFindingService = game:GetService("PathfindingService")
   

3. Define Humanoid and Torso

   local human = script.Parent:WaitForChild("Humanoid")
   local torso = script.Parent:WaitForChild("Torso")
   

4. Creating the Path

   local path = pathFindingService:CreatePath()
   

Computing the Path

• Use ComputeAsync to define start and end points.

  path:ComputeAsync(torso.Position, game.Workspace.EndingPart.Position)
  

Moving the Character Along the Path

1. Get Waypoints

   local waypoints = path:GetWaypoints()
   

2. Loop Through Each Waypoint

   for i, waypoint in ipairs(waypoints) do
       human:MoveTo(waypoint.Position)
       human.MoveToFinished:Wait()
   end
   

Handling Obstacles

• If the path encounters a wall, it will get stuck unless it calculates the new path.
• Handle blocked paths using path.Status and PathBlocked.

Testing and Improvements

• Ensure the character can jump over obstacles by checking the waypoint action.

  if waypoint.Action == Enum.PathWaypointAction.Jump then
      human:ChangeState(Enum.HumanoidStateType.Jumping)
  end
  

Visualizing the Path

• Create visual indicators for waypoints as spheres or blocks using loops:

  local part = Instance.new("Part")
  part.Size = Vector3.new(1, 1, 1)
  part.Material = Enum.Material.Neon
  part.Position = waypoint.Position + Vector3.new(0, 2, 0)
  part.Parent = game.Workspace
  

Conclusion

• Recap of pathfinding functionality and how to implement it in Roblox.
• Encourage viewers to explore further tutorials and join the scripting community.
• Reminder to like, subscribe, and check the description for resources.