When to use gpu instancing?

[quasi dragon]

in what case would you enable gpu instancing for certain objects, please try to be specific

• how does unturned what objects to static batch

[sand bloom]

nerd

[quasi dragon]

[kind quail]

Not sure, if it applies to Unturned, but talking Unity in general;

Quick sum up on GPU Instancing is that its a technique used to render multiple instances of the same GameObject using a single draw call instead of multiple which can improve performance and allow efficient gpu rendering

When to use it?

• GPU Instancing is pretty much used when you've got large number of identical objects that share the same mesh and materials properties, like trees, rocks or buildings, structures;
• You can also use it when it comes to particles/particle or UI systems, especially when it comes to effects like sparks, smoke, fire, debris etc

A con that you gotta be aware of is the memory consideration that it uses on the GPU rather than the CPU to load the objects due to the storing per instance data, like matrices or with highly dynamic objects which move or require constant updates to their transform/position

[quasi dragon]

how much is a large number 50? maybe a couple hundred? and also how does untuned do static batching

[kind quail]

Well, large number, no idea what to say, but I'd use it if i was making objects which are gonna be re-used a lot, such as trees, rocks, etc, or practically most objects-

About static batching in Unturned, I've got no idea

In general it's pretty much a built-in Unity optimization method which combines multiple gameobjects with same mesh into a single draw call at runtime

but that requires the object to have static mesh, same material (shader & texture included) and same lightmap UVs

[quasi dragon]

what about lets say bollards, walls, fences? they seem to be used pretty frequently

[kind quail]

If those objects are static, and they're not like the vanilla fences which can break, should be OK to use gpu instancing

[quasi dragon]

i wonder what is considered "static" and also if gpu instancing even works since it gets overriden by static(unless the game specifically tell it to not to since unity does it by default)

[kind quail]

Can't really say much when it comes to Unturned

That's the method in general, but 0 idea if nelson has changed/disabled or done anything to it

I just used to work on development of games with Unity so, i just know allat 😭

[quasi dragon]

unturned just be unpredictable

[kind quail]

It could be completely different when it comes to Unturned, so take what i said with a grain of salt