# Setting up the NavMesh Link Component

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**Important:** Ensure you have a NavMesh Link Component on your AI.
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**Important:** Ensure you have baked your scene with NavMesh and have NavMesh Links generated. For a tutorial on how to do this, see Unity's tutorial here: <https://docs.unity3d.com/560/Documentation/Manual/class-NavMeshLink.html>
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**Note:** This update is not live yet but should be by April 7th 2026.
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## Setting up the NavMesh Link Component

The NavMesh Link Component gives AI the ability to use NavMesh Links generated by Unity's NavMesh. This allows them to jump up, drop down, and jump over obstacles while navigating with NavMesh. This allows AI to feel more intelligent, difficult to evade, and allow them to take shortcuts when navigating.

<figure><img src="https://4021441153-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fv03IiZPaMe8fX49a9MnO%2Fuploads%2FFQnShxJeMttzTH7Rkrhd%2FNavMesh%20Link%20Example.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=70d7a96b-9ef5-4f96-92f8-975fcb7e931e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Applying NavMesh Link Animations

You should first assign an AI's NavMesh Link Animations. This can be done through an AI's Animation Profile and opening the NavMesh Link Animations foldout. Here, you will be able to assign a Jump, Land, Drop, and Vault animation.

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**Required: If you are using an AI created from an update prior to version 1.4.0**, will need to regenerate your Animation Profile in order to have the new NavMesh Link States added. Not doing so will not allow the cover animations to play or be assigned to the Animator Controller. This can be done by [Regenerating your Animator Controller](https://black-horizon-studios.gitbook.io/emerald-ai-wiki/emerald-profiles-and-objects/animation-profile/regenerate-animator-controllers). This will update your Animator Controller to the newest version and apply the missing NavMesh Link States.
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<figure><img src="https://4021441153-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fv03IiZPaMe8fX49a9MnO%2Fuploads%2FdaT7Cy1h0JXgtI0uS58I%2FAssigning%20NavMesh%20Link%20Animations.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5a518fb7-878a-497c-8ba2-1887a344818e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Jump** - The animation that plays when at the start of jumping up or across a NavMesh Link.
* **Land** - The animation that plays when landing from any NavMesh Link.
* **Drop** - The animation that plays when descending from an upper NavMesh Link.
* **Vault** - The animation that plays when jumping across a small distanced NavMesh Link.

### Adjusting the NavMesh Link Component Settings

Most of this component is automatic. Currently, the only only setting is the NavMesh Link Cooldown that stops an AI from using NavMesh Links until the cooldown amount has passed. This is to prevent AI from using NavMesh Links too often or unintentionally (due to a target that quickly changes position).
