---
title: "Path Tool options"
canonical: "https://documentation.chaos.com/space/ANIMA/953614337/Path%20Tool%20options"
format: markdown
---
This page provides information about Path Tool options in Anima.


## **Overview**

---


*To decide which type suits the project best, see **[Choosing the right Path](#choose)** section below.*


## **Normal Path tool**

---

Creates a manually placed walkway by clicking to add path points. Actors will follow the path in sequence.

## **Hybrid Path tool**

---

Creates a walkway guided by the background navigation mesh. Requires a background geometry to be loaded to the scene.

## **AI Pathfinding tool**

---

## **Waypoint path tool**

---


## **Further adjustments**

---

## > Macro (anchor)

**Choosing the Right Path Type**

---

Each type of path is meant to be used by a different type of actor (*Rigged – 4D walking*) to create a different density of people (*low – high*) for a different type of camera shot (*short – long*). So, depending on your needs, you should decide if you need to use one or the other before you start drawing it because both types of paths are fundamentally incompatible with each other and it is ***not possible to convert them*** after they are created.

We recommend using **4D Paths** to create actors that will be seen from a **short-mid distance** from the **camera** to take advantage of the **amazing realism** that the new **[4D Digital Humans](https://docs-chaos.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/ANIMA/pages/125108410)** have made possible. The downside of using them is that they take **a lot more resources** than the *Rigged* actors. 

Also, because of the technology used to create the 4D models, their animation is fixed and cannot be modified. That means it is technically impossible to combine these models with other crowd tools and make them stop socializing or climbing stairs and escalators. Also, 4D paths are very sensitive to the slopes and steps of the terrain because it is just not possible to adapt them to non-planar surfaces.

In short, the **4D Paths** have one big advantage (**state-of-the-art realism**) but also the following **functionality limitations** compared to the **Crowds Path.**

- Expensive Resources vs Highly optimized
- Only planar surfaces vs Perfect adaptation to slopes and steps
- Very little interaction vs Compatible with all the Crowd tools (socialization areas, stairs, escalators)