func_instance_parms
func_instance_parms is an internal point entity available in all 
Source games. When placed inside an instance, it handles conversion between $parameters and the properties of other entities in the instance.
KeyValues
- parm1 to parm10 <instance_parm>
- This is a parameter. It goes in the form of
$variable type [default value].- $variable: The $name can be anything and then used as a KeyValue for an entity within the instance. For example, it can be $beamcolor. In turn, $beamcolor is used as the value for the color property (instead of the standard "255 255 255" value) of a prop_static entity, appropriately a metal crossbeam model.
- type: It is a value type that is selected from a list. The value type for $beamcolor is color1.
Note:It is currently assumed that the type matches the keyvalue that it represents. This will require more testing in order to confirm that.
- angle
- angle_negative_pitch
- axis
- boolean
- choices
- color1
- color255
- decal
- filterclass
- flags
- float
- instance_file
- instance_parm
- instance_variable
- integer
- material
- node_dest
- node_id
- npcclass
- origin
- particlesystem
- pointentityclass
- scene
- script
- scriptlist
- side
- sidelist
- sound
- sprite
- string
- string_instanced
- studio
- target_destination
- target_name_or_class
- target_source
- vecline
- vector
- [default value]: The default value of the value type. In the case of value type color1, the default value is 255 255 255.
Note:Parameters seem to not be usable in I/O parameters.
Warning: If using a targetname variable, Hammer will add the fix-up name to the variable wherever it's used, i.e. myinstance-$variableUsage
Alien Swarm SDK has great examples of the use of func_instance_parms in instances. Some instances containing func_instance_parms are used in mapsrc/ASI-Jac1-LandingBay_01.vmf:
- mapsrc/instances/railings_80square.vmf
- mapsrc/instances/landingbay_door_unlocked_01.vmf
- mapsrc/instances/spawners/floor_spawn_holdout01.vmf
One such case is railings_80square.vmf. It is a complex set of models that are placed repeatedly throughout the map with varying colors. func_instance_parms is added to the actual VMF/map file that contains the prefab (i.e. treated as an instance) and can "pass along" parameters to any func_instance that refers to it. In other words, each func_instance that refers to that VMF/map file containing the model set can have a different color set up.
See also
- func_instance
- func_instance_io_proxy - Entity that is used as a proxy for entity I/O within instances.
- func_instance_origin - Helper entity that defines the center point of an instance.