Paths yes or no

[azurill]

As much as I love my paths on my main island I’m not sure about placing them on my second. They look nice and make the map look nice but it’s also nice not having them. I just finished placing all my fencing for where my villagers houses will go. So now would be the time to set the paths.
How did you decide what path or if you wanted paths. Did you put paths all over or just in some places. What paths did you prefer custom or in game. Sorry if this has been asked before but I’m curious.
Here is a video showing without paths.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1351158267205079045

 

[Matt0106]

I use paths, but only in-game ones. I've tried using custom dirt paths, and the lack of sound coming from them really butchered it for me. It would be cool if in a future update, we could assign a sound from a small list of effects given by Nintendo, such as "dirt" and "sand" and "stone". That way, you could have whatever path you want have it actually work sonically!

 

[JellyBeans]

throughout NL I always had paths bc I was always aiming to get dirt paths, and I sort of carried that into NH even though obviously dirt paths aren't a think anymore (at least not in the same sense as they were then). I mostly use the in-game paths throughout my island, although in the mountainous bit at the back I use The Path just because i think it looks more natural than the regular dirt path you can lay. I do agree that the lack of sound on custom paths is a bit of a let down!
I quite like the look of no paths, but they can also help separate different areas a bit more (e.g. the walkway vs a villager house like you have in the video). ultimately it's up to you though! maybe play around with having no path and then if you miss it too much then add some in

 

[Pintuition]

What I do is put paths two my shopping area and around my villager neighborhood. Everywhere else has no paths and is more natural. You could try stepping stone paths in areas that aren’t just solid colors everywhere, that can give the look of a path without it being so stark. It’s tough to find a balance between too much and not enough!!

 

[azurill]

I use paths, but only in-game ones. I've tried using custom dirt paths, and the lack of sound coming from them really butchered it for me. It would be cool if in a future update, we could assign a sound from a small list of effects given by Nintendo, such as "dirt" and "sand" and "stone". That way, you could have whatever path you want have it actually work sonically!

Yea I tried using custom on my main island and changed them because of no sound. It would be nice if they change it at some point.

 

[maria110]

I use custom paths because I think they look pretty. I have The Path and one called Worn Cobblestone Path.

 

[azurill]

throughout NL I always had paths bc I was always aiming to get dirt paths, and I sort of carried that into NH even though obviously dirt paths aren't a think anymore (at least not in the same sense as they were then). I mostly use the in-game paths throughout my island, although in the mountainous bit at the back I use The Path just because i think it looks more natural than the regular dirt path you can lay. I do agree that the lack of sound on custom paths is a bit of a let down!
I quite like the look of no paths, but they can also help separate different areas a bit more (e.g. the walkway vs a villager house like you have in the video). ultimately it's up to you though! maybe play around with having no path and then if you miss it too much then add some in

I probably will wait a bit and maybe add just a few. It would be great if they added sound to custom paths. It would also be nice if custom paths showed on the map.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

What I do is put paths two my shopping area and around my villager neighborhood. Everywhere else has no paths and is more natural. You could try stepping stone paths in areas that aren’t just solid colors everywhere, that can give the look of a path without it being so stark. It’s tough to find a balance between too much and not enough!!

That’s a great idea I might try that. Yea it is hard finding a balance.

 

[moon_child]

I use custom paths because of my fairy/cottagecore theme. The paths just ties together the whole aesthetic and gives it the right “feel” to it. The in game paths sadly, can’t achieve the same effect visually that’s why I have to sacrifice the footstep sound effects.

 

[JKDOS]

I like paths, but it's challenging to connect them everywhere. So maybe only in some areas?

I use custom paths because of my fairy/cottagecore theme. The paths just ties together the whole aesthetic and gives it the right “feel” to it. The in game paths sadly, can’t achieve the same effect visually that’s why I have to sacrifice the footstep sound effects.

I don't think Villagers walk on custom paths like they do with normal paths. So it's something else that gets sacrificed.

 

[Holla]

I use the in game paths with a simple custom pattern border around them. It fits the feel I'm going for by making everything feel organized. If going for a more natural town I could see forgoing paths all together and just making little dirt patches here and there instead.

 

[Imbri]

I've used some of the in-game paths, but only in certain areas. In front of my shops and the airport is brick, on the other side of the bridge, where my villagers live, I used the dirt path, and then I have a broken path of dirt, dark dirt, and terracotta going to my house. I also placed terracotta tiles at my sanctuary and the tiled stone in front of the the museum.

For the rest of the island, paths are grassy, defined by trees, rivers, and decorations. I think it keeps a nice balance.

 

[Foreverfox]

I started using paths when I was grabbing straws trying to figure out what else to do to get me to 5-star-island status a few months back. I did some fencing and used in-game paths. I like those best, as I love the footstep noises. I do use custome paths, but more as area flooring, I actually don't use them as "paths". I have an arcade path as a floor, and a nice cobblestone as a floor for my bistro café. I also have an antique floor for my outdoor library. But, all actual walking paths are in-game path options.

 

[Sara?]

I tried both in game paths and custom ones and at the end i had to return to in game cause i missed the sound of what ever shoe i was wearing while walking AND it drove me crazy every time I erased a piece of pathing while picking stuff on the floor so im never going back to custom paths hahah. I also tried for a while no pathing and recreate the pathway with bushes, flowers,trees and fences which i honestly did really like but again i felt weird every time i dressed up a bit more formally, specially when i was wearing high heels or any kind of fancy dress, it made me always feel weird cause i mean who would wear any kind of high heels on grass its suicidal for both you and the beautiful heels lol, so thats why I decided to go back to paths.

Honestly if i could have a second island i would totally make it without path and have a even more simple and natural look, i did enjoy when i had no paths, the simplicity and the wildness of the place .

I am sure whatever you end up doing you will love no worries just stay true to your nature .

 

[Rajescrossing]

I love using path on my island, it looks so beautiful when you use the path there are so many custom designs paths like dirt and even natural looking paths but yes it’s a little bit tricky but when you’re got into to it , You will find very easy work with

 

[Pyoopi]

I use both in-game and custom paths. I like overlaying the custom path on the in-game ones.

Yeah running on a custom path sounds like a yoga mat but it looks good on my island. I use my own creations. I have a main "downtown" area and then small off-trails. It's a mixture of big paths and no paths, I guess.
Downtown:

 

[JKDOS]

I use both in-game and custom paths. I like overlaying the custom path on the in-game ones.

Yeah running on a custom path sounds like a yoga mat but it looks good on my island. I use my own creations. I have a main "downtown" area and then small off-trails. It's a mixture of big paths and no paths, I guess.
Downtown:

Do you have a dream address you don't mind sharing?

 

[azurill]

I use custom paths because of my fairy/cottagecore theme. The paths just ties together the whole aesthetic and gives it the right “feel” to it. The in game paths sadly, can’t achieve the same effect visually that’s why I have to sacrifice the footstep sound effects.

There are some amazing custom paths. They do give a different feel then the in game ones.

 

[Pyoopi]

@JKDOS
Oh I don't have one, sorry! I'm feel like my island isn't presentable at all rn, lol.

 

[azurill]

I like paths, but it's challenging to connect them everywhere. So maybe only in some areas?



I don't think Villagers walk on custom paths like they do with normal paths. So it's something else that gets sacrificed.

Yes it can be challenging to connect then maybe I might start with the shopping plaza. Villagers not walking on custom paths is something to consider.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

I use the in game paths with a simple custom pattern border around them. It fits the feel I'm going for by making everything feel organized. If going for a more natural town I could see forgoing paths all together and just making little dirt patches here and there instead.

That’s how my main island is in game paths with custom borders. Yea for my second I’m trying for it to more natural so dirt patches might work thanks.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

I've used some of the in-game paths, but only in certain areas. In front of my shops and the airport is brick, on the other side of the bridge, where my villagers live, I used the dirt path, and then I have a broken path of dirt, dark dirt, and terracotta going to my house. I also placed terracotta tiles at my sanctuary and the tiled stone in front of the the museum.

For the rest of the island, paths are grassy, defined by trees, rivers, and decorations. I think it keeps a nice balance.

That sounds awesome. If I do eventually use paths dirt paths sound like the best for the villagers. A broken path might be a good way to go thanks.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

I started using paths when I was grabbing straws trying to figure out what else to do to get me to 5-star-island status a few months back. I did some fencing and used in-game paths. I like those best, as I love the footstep noises. I do use custome paths, but more as area flooring, I actually don't use them as "paths". I have an arcade path as a floor, and a nice cobblestone as a floor for my bistro café. I also have an antique floor for my outdoor library. But, all actual walking paths are in-game path options.

That’s a great idea I hadn’t thought of using custom paths as flooring. On my main I did use a custom pattern as a blanket for a picnic on the beach.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

I tried both in game paths and custom ones and at the end i had to return to in game cause i missed the sound of what ever shoe i was wearing while walking AND it drove me crazy every time I erased a piece of pathing while picking stuff on the floor so im never going back to custom paths hahah. I also tried for a while no pathing and recreate the pathway with bushes, flowers,trees and fences which i honestly did really like but again i felt weird every time i dressed up a bit more formally, specially when i was wearing high heels or any kind of fancy dress, it made me always feel weird cause i mean who would wear any kind of high heels on grass its suicidal for both you and the beautiful heels lol, so thats why I decided to go back to paths.

Honestly if i could have a second island i would totally make it without path and have a even more simple and natural look, i did enjoy when i had no paths, the simplicity and the wildness of the place .

I am sure whatever you end up doing you will love no worries just stay true to your nature .

It does drive me crazy on my main island every time I pick up a custom pattern by accident . I really wish they would have made it so you only pick them up when terraforming. It is one reason I’m not sure about using them on my second. I do think it looks more natural without the paths. Though I do like the look of the map with paths.

Post automatically merged: Jan 18, 2021

I use both in-game and custom paths. I like overlaying the custom path on the in-game ones.

Yeah running on a custom path sounds like a yoga mat but it looks good on my island. I use my own creations. I have a main "downtown" area and then small off-trails. It's a mixture of big paths and no paths, I guess.
Downtown:

The paths do look nice overlaying them. I really like your paths.
Your bushes gave me an idea I might switch my flowers by RS for bushes. Use the flowers next to the river.

 

[Bluebellie]

I like the in game paths. I like to easily navigate through my town and they help a lot. I also like that it makes the maps look nice. The custom paths don’t show in the map, and I don’t really like that.