Documentation — nordvader.com

Configuration Reference

This page summarizes the most important InstanceForge settings and tags.

Use it as a quick reference after reading the workflow pages.

Recommended first-pass configuration

Setting	Recommended value
Scan Scope	`Selected Actors`
Required Actor/Component Tag	`IF_Instance`
Exclude Tags	`IF_NoInstance`
Target	`Auto`
Auto Strategy	`Smart Prefer ISM`
Smart Auto Preset	`Balanced`
Original Handling	`Hide originals after build`

Tag	Purpose
`IF_Instance`	Source is allowed for InstanceForge scan.
`IF_NoInstance`	Source should be excluded from InstanceForge scan.
`IFBuildISM`	Optional manual workflow tag for an ISM pass.
`IFBuildHISM`	Optional manual workflow tag for an HISM pass.

Generated actors/components can receive tracking tags:

IF_Generated
IF_BuildId_<BuildId>

Hidden originals can receive tracking tags:

IF_OriginalHidden
IF_BuildId_<BuildId>

Target	Description
`Auto`	Uses Auto Strategy to choose per group.
`ISM`	Forces `UInstancedStaticMeshComponent`.
`HISM`	Forces `UHierarchicalInstancedStaticMeshComponent`.
`Split ISM`	Smart Auto result that creates multiple ISM clusters.

Mode	Description	Recommended use
`Keep originals visible after build`	Leaves sources visible after build.	Comparison only.
`Hide originals after build`	Hides/tag sources and keeps them recoverable.	First production pass.
`Delete safe originals after backup`	Deletes eligible simple sources after backup.	Cleanup after restore validation.

Generated content can be organized into World Outliner folders:

Actor type	Folder
Cluster actors	`InstanceForge/Clusters`
Build history actor	`InstanceForge/Build History`

A build group requires matching compatibility fields:

This avoids mixing incompatible sources into one generated component.

The standard editor workflow does not require Console Variables.

Use the InstanceForge UI, Operation Log, Build Plan diagnostics, and Benchmark tab for normal usage.