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Quickstart

Quickstart

This page shows the shortest safe workflow for using InstanceForge in a level.

The goal is to scan repeated Static Mesh sources, review the Build Plan, create instances, and keep the result recoverable.

  1. Select a small test set of Static Mesh actors in the level.
  2. Add the IF_Instance tag to the actors or components you want InstanceForge to scan.
  3. Open Tools > InstanceForge.
  4. Open the Scan tab.
  5. Use Selected Actors for the first test pass.
  6. Click Scan Sources.
  7. Open Plan & Build.
  8. Use Auto, Smart Prefer ISM, and Balanced.
  9. Use Hide originals after build for the first build.
  10. Click Build Instances after reviewing the plan.
  11. Open Instances to inspect generated components and build history.
  12. Use Benchmark to compare before/after results.

Warning: Do not use Delete safe originals after backup on the first test pass. Validate the generated result and test restore first.

Step 1: Scan a limited set

Choose scan scope

Selected Actors is the safest first scan scope.

It limits the scan to the actors you intentionally selected.

Step 2: Use the default tags

Scan filters and tags

Recommended tag setup:

Required Tag: IF_Instance
Exclude Tags: IF_NoInstance

Use IF_Instance for actors/components that are allowed to be converted.

Use IF_NoInstance for sources that must never be converted.

Step 3: Build with recoverable source handling

Build with recommended Auto settings

Recommended first build settings:

Target: Auto
Auto Strategy: Smart Prefer ISM
Smart Auto Preset: Balanced
Original Handling: Hide originals after build

This lets InstanceForge choose the layout per group while keeping originals recoverable.

Step 4: Inspect build history

Instances overview

Open Instances after build.

Confirm that generated components and build history records are visible before doing any cleanup pass.

Next steps