.NAV File Extension
Id Tech 3 Bot Navigation File
| Developer | Valve |
| Popularity |
4.5 | 22 Votes |
What is a NAV file?
Navigation mesh used by games developed with the id Tech 3 game engine or a derivative of the id Tech 3 engine such as Valve's Source Engine; saves a mesh of walkable areas within a .BSP map file; allows artificial intelligence (AI) bots to know how to move around the map.
More Information
NAV files are automatically generated by the game engine when a user first plays a map with bots. The loading process may take several minutes for large maps. You can manually start the NAV generation process by typing nav_generate in the game console. You can also edit navigation meshes manually by typing nav_generate 1 in the game console while "sv_cheats" is enabled.
NAV files are similar to .AIN files, but AIN files are more commonly used for non-player characters (NPCs) instead of bots.
NOTE: Example games that use NAV files include Quake 3 (id Tech 3 engine), Counter-Strike: Source (Source Engine), and Team Fortress 2 (Source Engine).
Programs that open NAV files
MSN Application Extension File
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
2.7 | 7 Votes |
A NAV file may also be an application extension file used by legacy Microsoft Network (MSN) software, such as MSN Content Plus and MSN Explorer. It stores program components that extend or support specific features within MSN applications, such as adding functionality or enabling support for certain file types. NAV files are not meant to be opened.
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MSN applications load NAV files automatically at runtime to enable features or behaviors defined by the extension. The NAV format is application-specific and proprietary, meaning it is designed to be read only by the MSN software it belongs to. Additionally, users will likely only encounter NAV files while browsing installed program folders or archived MSN application files.
NOTE: Because MSN software is discontinued, NAV files are now obscure, mainly found in older systems, backups, or legacy software collections.
How to open a NAV file
NAV files are not meant to be opened. MSN software, such as MSN Content Plus and MSN Explorer, references the files, but the software is no longer supported.