Paths (GTA4)

Paths in GTA IV are similar to the 64 node-files introduced with San Andreas. Like the first version of the format there are 64 node files where each file corresponds to a 750x750 square unit starting with nodes0.nod in the south-west corner (-3000.0, -3000.0) and ending in the north-east corner (3000.0, 3000.0) of the game's world in row-major order.

Preamble

Before trying to understand the format of GTA IV's path files, it is recommended to read the San Andreas paths article, since GTA IV paths are an update of the old format.

Unlike San Andreas, paths are not stored in the major archive file (gta3.img) and the node files also do not have the extension .dat anymore. In GTA IV, paths are stored in the ~\pc\data\cdimages\paths.img file as 64 .nod files. Furthermore the file structure has generally changed: If San Andreas had 7 sections per node file, GTA IV only got 2. Linking works in a different way and there are no navi nodes any longer.

This section is incomplete. You can help by fixing and expanding it.

File Format

The following data types and structures are used within this article:

• INT8/UINT8 - signed/unsigned 8 bit integer (1 byte)
• INT16/UINT16 - signed/unsigned 16 bit integer (2 byte)
• INT32/UINT32 - signed/unsigned 32 bit integer (4 byte)
• FLOAT - single precision floating point number (4 byte)

Header

The header is a structure of 4 values with a size of 16 bytes.

4b - UINT32  - Number of nodes (section 1)
4b - UINT32  - Number of car-nodes
4b - UINT32  - Number of intersection nodes
4b - UINT32  - Number of links (section 2)

This section is incomplete. You can help by fixing and expanding it.

Section 1 - Nodes

4b - UINT32 - MemAddress
4b - UINT32 - Zero (Allways)
2b - UINT16 - Area ID
2b - UINT16 - Node ID
4b - UINT32 - Unknown - may be related into interpolation
2b - UINT16 - Allways 0x7FFE
2b - UINT16 - LinkID
6b - INT16[3] - Position (XYZ)
1b - BYTE  - Path Width
1b - BYTE  - Path Type
4b - UINT32 - Flags

Area ID

defines the area where the node lays in. Usually this is the same number as the one of the node file.

Node ID

defines the id of the node. This is important for linking the node to others. Using the node and area id nodes can be identified as unique. There cannot be 2 nodes with the same area and node id.

Link ID

points to an link in section 2. The link ID cannot point into another node file. It points to a link in the same node file. However this link is able to point to an node in another or the same area.

Position (X,Y,Z)

The world-coordinates of the node. To get the floating point X and Y coordinates divide the 16 bit integer by 8. For Z coords you have to divide by 128 (Unlike San Andreas).

Path Width

used to set the width of the paths. For cars this is related in how much space there is between 2 lanes. Divide the 8 bit unsigned integer by 8 to get the floating point value.

Path Type

descripes the type of an node. This is used to isolate certain nodes from others. For boats this is allways 0x01.

Flags

the flags are used to influence the behaviour of non-person-characters (NPC's), which are spawned along the paths on the nodes (See below).

Path Node Flags

Flag 0-4: Unknown
Flag 5: Traffic Light
Flag 6: Ped Roadcross (?)
Flag 7: Car Stop Sign(?) 
Flag 8: Ped spawn (?)

Flag 9-15: Unknown
Flag 16: Ped Spawn(?)

Flag 17: Slow Trafiic
Flag 18: Highway 
Flag 19: Dirt Road

Note: Flag 'Slow Traffic' make the average car speed = 30 KM/H; 'Highway' = 70 KM/H; Dirt Road = 50(?) KM/H. Speed Value may be wrong, but these three flags are fully known.

Flag 20: Unknown Ped Flag
Flag 21: Boat Movement
Flag 22: Unknown
Flag 23: Using only in Manhat?
Flag 24: Unknown

Section 2 - Links

2b - UINT16  - Area ID
2b - UINT16  - Node ID
1b - UINT8   - Unknown
1b - UINT8   - Link length
2b - UINT16  - Flags

• Structure unconfirmed and partially incomplete

This section is incomplete. You can help by fixing and expanding it.

Tools and Scripts

•  GTAForums: PathViewer – a tool by Aschratt which allows to view paths and highlight nodes with special flags in 3D.

External Links

•  GTAForums: IV Paths Format