# Getting Started

This page is the beginner path. If you are new to BRG and instancing, follow these sections in order.

## Flora

* Flora renders many objects as **instances** using shared prefab/template data.
* You still author with familiar Unity objects (prefabs, terrain, volumes), but Flora owns runtime draw/culling data.
* In current Flora, culling/drawing runs on Unity's **Batch Renderer Group (BRG)** path.

***

## Install

Install Flora from the Unity Asset Store: [Installing Asset Store Packages](https://docs.unity3d.com/6000.1/Documentation/Manual/upm-ui-import.html).

Use the **Flora Package Manager** to install or update Flora modules and optional add-ons.

<figure><img src="https://2882982566-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fyo4B7EVXffipTxnJzee6%2Fuploads%2FTi1jFFB30coOobWs7BfW%2FScreenshot%202025-11-14%20at%208.41.26%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=02f54206-492e-4e4a-8f06-afb7d92f5742" alt="Flora Package Manager" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Open the package manager from **Window → Flora → Package Manager**.

**Expected outcome:** Flora menu items and samples are available.

***

## Scene Bootstrap

1. Create **Flora Scene Settings** (`Create → Flora → Scene Settings`).
2. Confirm terrain options:
   * `EnableTerrainFoliage` enabled
   * `AutoRegisterTerrains` enabled
3. Open **Project Settings → Graphics** and configure [Runtime Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/runtime-settings) if needed.
4. Add Flora overrides to the default volume profile:
   * [Render Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/render-settings)
   * [Density Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/density-settings)

<figure><img src="https://2882982566-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fyo4B7EVXffipTxnJzee6%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-e0abaf553b5b08d2fe15b28a79c6149841f10544%2Fgraphics-settings-flora.webp?alt=media" alt="Default Volume Profile with Flora settings"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Expected outcome:** scene has global Flora control and default render/density behavior.

***

## Conversion

To convert existing prefab objects into Flora-rendered instances:

1. Select one or more prefab instances in Hierarchy.
2. Right-click → **Convert to Instance Renderer**.
3. Verify converted objects now use [`FloraInstanceRenderer`](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/instance-renderer).

> See [Conversion](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/getting-started/conversion) for all conversion options.

***

## First Run

1. Open [Container Mesh Sample](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/container-samples#container-mesh-sample) and press Play.
2. Open [Container Prefab Sample](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/container-samples#container-prefab-sample) and verify `FloraInstanceRenderer` and `FloraInstanceContainer` instances render correctly.
3. Open [Fish Boids](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/runtime-samples#fish-boids) sample and press Play.
4. Open [Tree Effect](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/terrain-samples#tree-effect) and verify terrain trees animate.
5. Open [Tree Wrecking Ball](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples/terrain-samples#tree-wrecking-ball) and verify trees are disabled/replaced on impact.

If these pass, your Flora setup is functioning.

***

## Quick Troubleshooting

* Nothing renders: check [`EnableRendering`](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/scene-settings).
* Terrain foliage missing: check [`EnableTerrainFoliage`](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/scene-settings) and auto registration.
* Motion vectors missing: check [Runtime Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/runtime-settings) and [`AllowPerObjectMotionVectors`](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/scene-settings).

> Relevant pages: [Runtime Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/runtime-settings), [Scene Settings](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/scripts/scene-settings), [Samples](https://flora.magneticarcade.com/samples)