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 and/or func_instance_io_proxy.

Note:While working inside Hammer for all Source games, instances are currently only supported by the map compilers for Left 4 Dead 2, Alien Swarm and Portal 2, and will therefore not work 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.

How to

In portal 2 to give input to an entity within a instance use this:

	My Output	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	<Output>	<Instance>	instance:<entity>;<input>	<none>	0.00	No

Or, alternatively, you can do this:

	My Output	Target Entity	Target Input	Parameter	Delay	Only Once
	<Output>	<Instance>-<entity>	<input>	<none>	0.00	No

Manifests

^[Todo]

Also see

• L4D2 Level Design/VMF Instances - A Valve tutorial on how to use instances in Left 4 Dead 2.
• Working with instances - A tutorial on how to use instances in Portal 2.