---
name: "d.path"
section: "1grass"
platform: "linux"
package: "grass-doc"
version: "8.4.1-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/d.path"
---

# d.path(1grass)

Finds shortest path for selected starting and ending node.

## NAME

**d.path**  - Finds shortest path for selected starting and ending node.

## KEYWORDS

display, network, shortest path

## SYNOPSIS

**d.path**\
 **d.path --help**\
 **d.path** \[-**gb**\] **map**=*name*  \[**arc\_type**=*string*\[,*string*,...\]\]  **coordinates**=*x1,y1,x2,y2*  \[**arc\_layer**=*string*\]   \[**node\_layer**=*string*\]   \[**arc\_column**=*string*\]   \[**arc\_backward\_column**=*string*\]   \[**node\_column**=*string*\]   \[**highlight\_color**=*string*\]   \[--**help**\]  \[--**verbose**\]  \[--**quiet**\]  \[--**ui**\]

### Flags:

- **-g**

  Use geodesic calculation for longitude-latitude locations

- **-b**

  Render bold lines

- **--help**

  Print usage summary

- **--verbose**

  Verbose module output

- **--quiet**

  Quiet module output

- **--ui**

  Force launching GUI dialog

### Parameters:

- **map**=*name* **\[required\]**

  Name of vector map\
   Or data source for direct OGR access

- **arc\_type**=*string\[,string*,...\]

  Arc type\
   Options: *line, boundary*\
   Default: *line,boundary*

- **coordinates**=*x1,y1,x2,y2* **\[required\]**

  Starting and ending coordinates

- **arc\_layer**=*string*

  Arc layer\
   Vector features can have category values in different layers. This number determines which layer to use. When used with direct OGR access this is the layer name.\
   Default: *1*

- **node\_layer**=*string*

  Node layer\
   Vector features can have category values in different layers. This number determines which layer to use. When used with direct OGR access this is the layer name.\
   Default: *2*

- **arc\_column**=*string*

  Arc forward/both direction(s) cost column (number)

- **arc\_backward\_column**=*string*

  Arc backward direction cost column (number)

- **node\_column**=*string*

  Node cost column

- **highlight\_color**=*string*

  Highlight color\
   Default: *red*

## DESCRIPTION

*d.path* enables shortest path vector networking. Costs may be either line lengths, or attributes saved in a database table. Supported are cost assignments for both arcs and nodes, and also different in both directions of a vector line. For areas cost will be calculated along boundary lines.

## NOTE

The user needs to display a vector map before using d.path. If no graphics monitor is open, a file `map.png` is generated in the current directory.

The ’from’ and ’to’ points are entered by mouse into the map displayed in the GRASS monitor, or if the **coordinates** option is used they can be specified non-interactively. The actions bound to the mouse buttons are described in the terminal window when running the command.

To calculate shortest path non-interactively and save the path to a new vector map, use the *v.net.path* module.

## EXAMPLES

Interactive shortest path routing on road network (North Carolina sample dataset):\

```
g.region vector=roadsmajor -p
d.vect roadsmajor
d.path roadsmajor coordinates=668646.15,224447.16,668348.83,235894.02
```

Non-interactive shortest path routing on road network (North Carolina sample dataset):\

```
d.path -b roadsmajor coordinates=668646.15,224447.16,668348.83,235894.02
```

## SEE ALSO

*v.net.path*

## AUTHOR

Radim Blazek, ITC-Irst, Trento, Italy

## SOURCE CODE

Available at: d.path source code (history)

Accessed: Monday Feb 24 17:50:25 2025

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