Instance

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An instance is a map (.vmf) file referenced inside another map through a func_instance, possibly aided by a func_instance_parms.

Note:While working inside Hammer for all Source games, instances are currently only supported by the Left 4 Dead 2 and Alien Swarm engines, and will therefore not work in-game for any other games.

Instances are helpful in many ways:

• They provide a more dynamic alternative to prefabs, as any changes to the instanced map will be reflected in all instances of it.
• They provide an alternative to visgroups, as they can be used to divide a large, unwieldy map into several smaller, manageable ones (that can even be worked on by multiple authors simultaneously).
• They provide a simple way to edit portions of a map that needs to be at a non-orthogonal angle. (Build the map on-grid inside a separate map, and then instance it into another map through a func_instance rotated at the correct angle.
• They provide a way for maps to work on multiple platforms, such as Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 versions of the same map.

Manifests

^[Todo]

Also see

• L4D2_Level_Design/VMF_Instances - A Valve tutorial on instances.