# How to convert Static Meshes to Instances? **URL:** \ **Category:** Asset Creation\ **Tags:** convert, instance, unreal-engine, Instanced-Mesh, question\ **Created:** [November 1, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100 "2015-11-01T03:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/1 "2015-11-01T03:25:58Z")
Hi, I was wondering how would I convert Static Meshes to Static Instances. Since Instances are better for performance. I can’t find a direct way to do this, and I found a plugin that can do what I want, but I don’t know how to add it. [Here](https://answers.unrealengine.com/questions/323539/how-to-add-plugins.html) ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_cc69b907)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/2 "2015-11-02T19:18:13Z")
Hello SoraJr, In order to add a plugin you would need to add the downloaded plugin to Unreal’s Plugin folder. So, navigate to Program Files \> Epic Games \> 4.9 \> Engine \> Plugins, and add the plugins folder there. If there is no folder Create a new one and put the files in there. This will add the plugin to that version of the engine. Now, launch a project in 4.9. Go to Edit \> Plugins \> " The plugin that you added" \> and in that section make sure the Enabled check box is checked on. ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/3 "2015-11-02T19:58:46Z")
I followed your directions, but the plugin is not working. It is showing up under plugins in the editor. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_cc69b907)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 8:18pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/4 "2015-11-02T20:18:54Z")
Interesting. If the plugin itself is not working but you are able to view it in the editor I would tend to lean towards an issue with the plugin itself. Can you give me the name of the plugin so I can look into any previous reported issues with this plugin? ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/5 "2015-11-02T20:22:46Z")
This one right [HERE](https://wiki.unrealengine.com/File:VictoryPlugin.zip) The Victory Plugin ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_cc69b907)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/6 "2015-11-02T20:39:34Z")
Can you please provide some reproductions steps for how you are converting this static mesh? I have just downloaded and installed the plugin and I will be attempting to reproduce this issue here. ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/7 "2015-11-02T20:49:08Z")
After following your steps you provided, I click on one static mesh then multiple static meshes then pressed i, nothing happen. I then pressed shift+i, again nothing happen. Those are the keyboard shortcuts that were mention in the video [HERE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uToLHLrSbDw) ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_cc69b907)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/8 "2015-11-02T21:03:59Z")
I followed the video tutorial and discovered he bound that function to the I key. After searching I see that under the Level Editor tab in editor preferences the Create Instance Static Mesh From Selection, does not exist as a function anymore. If you listen to what the guy says in the first part he says he is submitting a pull request for this to be implemented. I believe RAMA is using a custom build of the engine from GitHub. You may need to contact Rama and see if he will post a CL of his engine and go from there. This feature is not currently supported within our version of UE4. ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/9 "2015-11-02T21:12:19Z")
Ok, thank you for help. He also has a page with instructions and his C++ Source code [HERE](https://wiki.unrealengine.com/Rama's_Vertex_Snap_Editor_Plugin) If you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![caner\_ozdemir](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@caner\_ozdemir](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/caner_ozdemir)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/10 "2015-11-10T12:45:30Z")
The developer seperated Instanced Static Mesh Editor plugin. > **[A new, community-hosted Unreal Engine Wiki](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/a-new-community-hosted-unreal-engine-wiki/141494)** > > After over a year in maintenance mode, the official Unreal Engine Wiki is now permanently offline. These resources now live on a new community-run Unreal Engine Community Wiki — ue4community.wiki! You will be able to find content from the official... - Download VictoryEdEngine.zip - Create a “Plugins” folder in your project. The exact path would be like this. Unreal Projects\MyProjectName\Plugins\VictoryEdEngine - Make sure it is checked as being active. - Go to MyProjectName/Config/DefaultEngine.ini and add these lines. [/Script/Engine.Engine] UnrealEdEngine=/Script/VictoryEdEngine.VictoryEdEngine - Load the editor again. - You have to now see the Victory Editor HotKeys button in the top left. Tested 4.9.2 and working ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/11 "2015-11-10T20:07:55Z")
It’s so weird that I’ve tried this so many times and nothing, but it’s working. Thank You!!! ---
**Author:** ![SoraJr](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/sorajr/32/562282_2.png) [@SoraJr](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/SoraJr)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/12 "2015-11-10T21:12:41Z")
Sorry to keep posting back and forth, but I got it to work and show up. But now it only works half the time… I can’t convert a static mesh, but I can convert another. It’s like the plugin is being selective. Also, when I do convert into instance mesh. They just disappear, but show that they’re still there in the World Outliner … ---
**Author:** ![anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/2/8/5/28502927f1d97ba1051b3b47ccfe17233bf41ef0.png) [@anonymous\_user\_cc69b907](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/anonymous_user_cc69b907)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/13 "2015-11-11T14:43:34Z")
SoraJr, I am in the same boat as you with the mesh’s working randomly. I believe this is a plugin issue. ---
**Author:** ![Jdfskitz](https://d1ap1mz92jnks1.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/forums.unrealengine.com/jdfskitz/32/466740_2.png) [@Jdfskitz](https://forums.unrealengine.com/u/Jdfskitz)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2018, 5:11am UTC](https://forums.unrealengine.com/t/how-to-convert-static-meshes-to-instances/337100/14 "2018-10-25T05:11:31Z")
As of today the plugin did not work for me on 4.20 My Resolution is as follows Spawn a new actor with the base actor class with the transform relative to where you would like the instance. Add the actor to (Add Instanced Static Mesh Component) The Add the Instanced Mesh Component we just created to Add Instance. Proceed with Removal of the Instanced Mesh through the variables we created. ![257560-screenshot.png](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/f/5/6/f56c6d37ccbc47d80769bc0ecf568ae48c0124b9.png) ![257581-screenshot2.png](https://d3kjluh73b9h9o.cloudfront.net/original/4X/6/f/d/6fdddc275010f6f06c1f9d9cad7f7aac2a60efb1.png)