> Learn about the new features of NavigationPlugin V2, including new mesh parameters, improved utilities, and performance optimizations.

Source: https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew

# Introduction to NavigationPlugin V2

The Babylon.js Navigation Plugin **V2** builds on V1 with **new parameters**, **additional utility functions**, and **performance improvements**.

It offers finer control over navmesh generation, per-query filtering, debugging, and path post-processing while remaining backward compatible where it matters.

_Note: Get familiar with NavigationPlugin V1 before you start reading about the new features in V2. Everything in the V1 docs applies to V2 as well._

## New Navigation Mesh Parameters

V2 introduces additional parameters to fine-tune navmesh generation. In addition to all parameters available in V1, you can now use these additional ones:

```ts
{
    offMeshConnections: IOffMeshConnection[],
    keepIntermediates: boolean,
    maxObstacles: number,
    expectedLayersPerTile: number,
    tileCacheMeshProcess: TileCacheMeshProcess
}
```

[Read more about the new parameters](v2NavParameters)

## The `options` Parameter (per-query)

Most plugin query functions accept an optional options object to pass query-specific settings down to Recast/Detour. Common properties include:

```ts
options?: {
    filter?: QueryFilter;
    halfExtents?: IVector3Like;
    // optionally other request-specific params depending on the function
}
```

[Read more about the new options parameter](v2Options)

## OffMeshConnections

Defines custom connections between points on the mesh. These can represent **teleports, jump links, or one-way passages** that agents can use.

[Read more about OffMeshConnections](v2OffMeshConnections)

## Exposed tileCache, navMeshQuery and intermediates

`await navigationPlugin.createNavMeshAsync()` returns the following type:

```ts
/**
 * Result of a navigation mesh creation.
 */
export type CreateNavMeshResult = Nullable<{
  /**
   * Navigation mesh
   */
  navMesh: NavMesh;
  /**
   * Navigation mesh query
   */
  navMeshQuery: NavMeshQuery;
  /**
   * Intermediates generated during the NavMesh creation process.
   * @remarks This is only available if the `keepIntermediates` parameter is set to true in the `INavMeshParametersV2`.
   * It can be used for debugging or visualization purposes.
   */
  intermediates?: GeneratorIntermediates;
  /**
   * Tile cache generated during the NavMesh creation process.
   * @remarks This is only available if the `maxObstacles` parameter is set to a value greater than 0 in the `INavMeshParametersV2`. Defaults `maxObstacles` to 128.
   * It can be used for obstacle avoidance and dynamic navigation mesh updates.
   * @see {@link INavMeshParametersV2}
   */
  tileCache?: TileCache;
}>;
```

so you can access these objects directly. They are also exposed via getters on the `navigationPlugin` object.

### navMeshQuery

The `navMeshQuery` object provides pathfinding and spatial queries on a built navigation mesh.
It is the primary interface for working with agents and movement once the navmesh has been created.

#### What is it good for?

A NavMeshQuery is mainly used to:

- Find paths between two positions on the navmesh.
- Clamp positions to the nearest valid polygon (e.g., snap a point onto the navmesh).
- Check reachability and test whether a position lies on the navmesh.
- Perform raycasts across the navmesh to simulate line-of-sight or bullet traces.
- Query random positions on the navmesh (useful for AI wandering).
- Handle multiple agents via QueryFilter (define which areas they can walk on, and how costly each area is).
- etc.

### tileCache

[Read more](v2TileCache)

### intermediates

[Read more](v2Debugger)

## The Navigation Debugger

It provides an interactive overlay for developers to better understand why agents behave the way they do, and makes tuning navmesh parameters much easier.

You can use **Navigation Debugger** to inspect:

- The generated navmesh (tiles & layers)
- Off-mesh connections (teleports / jump links)
- Intermediate build data (if `keepIntermediates: true`)

[Read more about the Navigation Debugger](v2Debugger)

## Raycasting

You can now use `navigationPlugin.raycast(startPoint, endPoint)` to perform raycasting through a navigation mesh.

Examples of usage:
- Line-of-sight or shooting checks: for example, is there an obstacle between the player and an enemy? Can it see the player? Can the player shoot at it?
- Smooth steering: you can start to steer your agents even before they reach a non-navigable part of the navmesh.
- NPCs moving randomly can avoid starting to walk into walls.

## New Utility Functions

V2 adds helper utility functions to post-process paths. You can use these functions to create L-shaped paths or smooth the curves of a path.

[Read more about the new utility functions](v2UtilFunctions)

## Pages in this section

- [New navigation mesh parameters](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2NavParameters.md): Learn about the extended parameters for creating a navigation mesh
- [The options parameter](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2Options.md): Detailed information about the options parameter added to the plugin functions
- [OffMeshConnections aka Teleports](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2OffMeshConnections.md): Learn how to use teleports
- [NavMeshCreateParams](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2TileCache.md): List of the NavMeshCreateParams class functions
- [Navigation Debugger](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2Debugger.md): Learn about the Navigation Debugger
- [Utility functions](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2UtilFunctions.md): Detailed information about the utility functions
- [Examples of how to use the NavigationPlugin V2](https://doc.babylonjs.com/features/featuresDeepDive/crowdNavigation/v2Intro/v2WhatsNew/v2Examples.md): Examples of how to use NavigationPlugin V2