`Class.SurfaceGui` allows for the rendering of UI objects onto a part's
surface in the 3D world while also allowing for basic user interaction to
occur. Similar to `Class.Decal|Decals` and `Class.Texture|Textures`, UI
objects such as `Class.TextLabel|TextLabels` and
`Class.ImageLabel|ImageLabels` parented to a `Class.SurfaceGui` face the same
direction as the surface they're on, editable through the
`Class.SurfaceGui.Face|Face` property.

<img src="/assets/ui/in-experience/SurfaceGui-Diagram.jpg" width="800" alt="SurfaceGui on a 3D part in the place with an ImageLabel child to depict a screen console." />

Note that interactive UI elements like `Class.ImageButton|ImageButtons` and
`Class.TextButton|TextButtons` inside a `Class.SurfaceGui` will only receive
user input if they are parented to the `Class.PlayerGui`, typically via
placing the `Class.SurfaceGui` inside `Class.StarterGui` (the
`Class.SurfaceGui.Adornee|Adornee` property can be used to target a part in
the 3D world while the `Class.SurfaceGui` itself remains in the
`Class.PlayerGui`). Additionally, the part's
`Class.BasePart.CanQuery|CanQuery` property must be `true` for the interactive
UI element to receive input.

See [In-Experience UI](/ui/in-experience-containers#surface-ui) for
a guide on working with `Class.SurfaceGui` containers.

##### Caching Behavior

To help improve performance, the appearance of a `Class.SurfaceGui` is cached
until one of the following occurs, after which its appearance will be
recomputed on the next rendering frame.

- A descendant is added to or removed from the `Class.SurfaceGui`.
- A property of a descendant of the `Class.SurfaceGui` changes.
- A property of the `Class.SurfaceGui` itself changes.


SurfaceGui

This property determines whether the `Class.SurfaceGui` will always render
on top of other 3D objects.

When set to `false` (default), the `Class.SurfaceGui` renders like other
3D content and is occluded by other 3D objects. When set to `true`, the
`Class.SurfaceGui` always renders on top of 3D content and the appearance
changes significantly:

- Colors match how they appear inside a `Class.ScreenGui`.
- Text may appear sharper on high DPI devices.
- `Class.SurfaceGui.LightInfluence|LightInfluence` is treated as though
  it's `0`.
- `Class.SurfaceGui.Brightness|Brightness` has no effect.


SurfaceGui.AlwaysOnTop

Determines whether the `Class.SurfaceGui` will always be rendered on top
of other 3D objects.


This property determines the factor by which the `Class.SurfaceGui`
container's light is scaled when
`Class.SurfaceGui.LightInfluence|LightInfluence` is `0`. By default, this
property is `1` and can be set to any number between `0` and `1000`. By
modifying this property, the apparent brightness of a `Class.SurfaceGui`
can be better matched to its environment. For instance, a video billboard
can be brightened inside a dark room by increasing
`Class.SurfaceGui.Brightness|Brightness` to `10`.

Note that `Class.SurfaceGui.Brightness|Brightness` is inaccessible in
Studio and has no effect when either
`Class.SurfaceGui.LightInfluence|LightInfluence` is `1` or
`Class.SurfaceGui.AlwaysOnTop|AlwaysOnTop` is `true`.


SurfaceGui.Brightness

Determines the factor by which the `Class.SurfaceGui` container's light is
scaled when `Class.SurfaceGui.LightInfluence|LightInfluence` is `0`.


The size of a "virtual screen" in "virtual pixels" which makes
`Class.SurfaceGui|SurfaceGuis` pixel-to-pixel compatible with
`Class.ScreenGui|ScreenGuis`.


SurfaceGui.CanvasSize

When set to `true` (default), portions of `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`
that fall outside of the `Class.SurfaceGui` canvas borders will not be
drawn.

Even when this property is `false`, `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects` that are
**completely** outside of the canvas will not render.


SurfaceGui.ClipsDescendants

Whether portions of `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects` that fall outside of the
`Class.SurfaceGui` canvas borders will be drawn.


Controls how much the `Class.SurfaceGui` is influenced by environmental
lighting, in a range from `0` to `1`. Setting this to `1` means that
surrounding lighting has complete control over the appearance, while
setting it to `0` means that the lighting has no effect.


SurfaceGui.LightInfluence

Controls how much the `Class.SurfaceGui` is influenced by environmental
lighting.


This property controls how far from the camera the `Class.SurfaceGui` will
be displayed before it stops rendering. A value of `0` means there is no
limit and it will render infinitely far away. The default value of `1000`
works fine for most cases.

For `Class.SurfaceGui|SurfaceGuis` that appear outdoors, it's recommended
that `Class.SurfaceGui.MaxDistance|MaxDistance` is high enough to ensure
that the container's UI is sufficiently small on the screen when it
appears or disappears, minimizing the sudden pop‑in/out effect.


SurfaceGui.MaxDistance

Controls how far away the `Class.SurfaceGui` can be displayed before it
stops rendering.


This property determines the density of pixels used for each world-space
stud to render the contents of the `Class.SurfaceGui`. Higher values will
cause the various `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects` within to appear smaller if
they are kept the same size. Conversely, lower values will cause objects
to appear larger. However, if the `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects` are scaled
proportionally through use of `Class.UIScale`, `Class.GuiObject.Size`,
`Class.TextLabel.TextSize`, or similar, this property allows for higher
definition to be used.

It's important to select a value based on how far away you expect a player
to view the `Class.SurfaceGui`. Also be mindful that a large pixel density
could negatively affect performance if the face of the adorned part is
large enough.


SurfaceGui.PixelsPerStud

Determines the density of pixels used for each world-space stud to render
the contents of the `Class.SurfaceGui`.


When set to `Enum.SurfaceGuiSizingMode.PixelsPerStud` (default), the
`Class.SurfaceGui` renders with a variable size based on
`Class.SurfaceGui.PixelsPerStud|PixelsPerStud` and the surface's size in
studs.

When set to `Enum.SurfaceGuiSizingMode.FixedSize`, the `Class.SurfaceGui`
renders with a fixed size set through
`Class.SurfaceGui.CanvasSize|CanvasSize`.


SurfaceGui.SizingMode

Determines whether the `Class.SurfaceGui` will render at a fixed size or
scale with its size in studs.


Sets the distance in which left clicking starts acting on the
`Class.SurfaceGui` instead of for the held `Class.Tool`. If a character is
within this distance of the `Class.SurfaceGui`, the `Class.Tool` will not
activate on click.


SurfaceGui.ToolPunchThroughDistance

Sets the distance in which left clicking starts acting on the
`Class.SurfaceGui` instead of for the held `Class.Tool`.


Layers this `Class.SurfaceGui` in relation to others on the same face
(changing this does not visually "lift" or "sink" a `Class.SurfaceGui`
from the surface).


SurfaceGui.ZOffset

Layers this `Class.SurfaceGui` in relation to other
`Class.SurfaceGui|SurfaceGuis` on the same face.


Container for GuiObjects that are rendered on the surface of a part.


SurfaceGuiBase

This property determines whether the `Class.SurfaceGui` will sink input,
for example if the parent or `Class.SurfaceGuiBase.Adornee|Adornee` part
contains a `Class.ClickDetector` class like `Class.DragDetector`.

Note that interactive UI elements like `Class.ImageButton|ImageButtons`
and `Class.TextButton|TextButtons` inside a `Class.SurfaceGui` will only
receive user input if they are parented to the `Class.PlayerGui` (the
`Class.SurfaceGui.Adorneee` property can be used to target a part in the
3D world while the `Class.SurfaceGui` itself remains in the
`Class.PlayerGui`). Additionally, the part's
`Class.BasePart.CanQuery|CanQuery` property must be `true` for the
interactive UI element to receive input.


SurfaceGuiBase.Active

`Class.BasePart` on which to apply the `Class.SurfaceGui`, overriding the
default parent association.


SurfaceGuiBase.Adornee

`Enum.NormalId` face of the `Class.SurfaceGui` parent (or its
`Class.SurfaceGuiBase.Adornee|Adornee`) upon which to apply the
`Class.SurfaceGui`.


SurfaceGuiBase.Face

`Enum.NormalId` face upon which to apply the `Class.SurfaceGui`.


**LayerCollector** is the base class of 2D UI containers which render
`Class.GuiObject` descendants, such as `Class.ScreenGui`.

For performance improvements, the appearance of a `Class.LayerCollector` is
cached until one of the following events occurs:

- A descendant is added to or removed from it.
- A property of a descendant changes.
- A property of the `Class.LayerCollector` itself changes.


LayerCollector:GetLayoutNodeTree

LayerCollector

Toggles the visibility of this `Class.LayerCollector`. When `false`, the
UI contents will not render, process user input, or update in response to
changes.


LayerCollector.Enabled

Toggles the visibility of this `Class.LayerCollector`.


When set to `false` and this `Class.LayerCollector` is a direct child of
`Class.StarterGui`, it will only be cloned into each player's
`Class.PlayerGui` once and it will not be deleted when the player's
character respawns.

When set to `true` (default), or if this `Class.LayerCollector` is an
**indirect** descendant of `Class.StarterGui`, it will be cloned into each
player's `Class.PlayerGui` when their character respawns, and it will
delete itself when the player's character respawns again.


LayerCollector.ResetOnSpawn

Determines if the `Class.LayerCollector` resets (deletes itself and
re-clones into the player's `Class.PlayerGui`) every time the player's
character respawns.


Controls how `Class.GuiObject.ZIndex` behaves on all descendants of this
`Class.LayerCollector`.

With `Enum.ZIndexBehavior.Sibling` (default), children always render above
their parents, and the `Class.GuiObject.ZIndex|ZIndex` is used to decide
the order in which children of a single UI object will render over each
other.

`Enum.ZIndexBehavior.Global` sorts all descendants according to the
`Class.GuiObject.ZIndex|ZIndex`, then breaks ties using the hierarchy
order. As a result, descendants of a `Class.GuiObject` need to have a
`Class.GuiObject.ZIndex|ZIndex` value that's at least as high as the
parent, or they will render underneath their parent.


LayerCollector.ZIndexBehavior

Controls how `Class.GuiObject.ZIndex` behaves on all descendants of this
`Class.LayerCollector`.


The base class of 2D UI containers which render `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`
in layers.


`Class.GuiBase2d` is an abstract class inherited by 2D
`Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`.


This event fires when the gamepad selection moves to, leaves, or changes
within the connected `Class.GuiBase2d` or any descendant
`Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`. When the selection highlight moves to a
`Class.GuiObject`, the event bubbles from that `Class.GuiObject` to all of
its ancestors, informing them that the selection has
changed/entered/exited to a `Class.GuiObject` in their descendant tree.


GuiBase2d.SelectionChanged

amISelected

True if the new selection matches the attached GuiBase2d.


previousSelection

newSelection

Fires when the gamepad selection moves to, leaves, or changes within the
connected `Class.GuiBase2d` or any descendant
`Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`.


GuiBase2d

`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition|AbsolutePosition` is a read-only
property that provides the screen position of a `Class.GuiBase2d` element
in pixels. This represents the actual pixel position at which an element
renders as a result of its ancestors' sizes and positions. Note that
`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition|AbsolutePosition` always represents the
top-left corner of the `Class.GuiBase2d` element.

If the `Class.GuiBase2d` is in a `Class.ScreenGui`, the
`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition|AbsolutePosition` property uses the
`Enum.ScreenInsets|CoreUISafeInsets` viewport coordinate system. The
origin of this coordinate system is located at the bottom-left corner of
the Roblox top bar. Note that this is the same coordinate system used by
the `Class.InputObject.Position` property.

<img src="/assets/engine-api/classes/GuiBase2d/AbsolutePositionCoordinateSystem.png" width="840" alt="Diagram showing the origin of the AbsolutePosition coordinate system." />

See also `Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteRotation|AbsoluteRotation` and
`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteSize|AbsoluteSize`.


GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition

Describes the actual screen position of a `Class.GuiBase2d` element, in
pixels.


`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteRotation|AbsoluteRotation` is a read-only
property that describes the actual screen rotation of a `Class.GuiBase2d`
element, in degrees. It does **not** perform bounds checking, so its value
may not be in the range `0` to `360`.

See also `Class.GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition|AbsolutePosition` and
`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteSize|AbsoluteSize`.


GuiBase2d.AbsoluteRotation

Describes the actual screen rotation of a `Class.GuiBase2d` element, in
degrees.


`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteSize|AbsoluteSize` is a read-only property that
describes the actual screen size of a `Class.GuiBase2d` element, in
pixels.

See also `Class.GuiBase2d.AbsolutePosition|AbsolutePosition` and
`Class.GuiBase2d.AbsoluteRotation|AbsoluteRotation`.


GuiBase2d.AbsoluteSize

Describes the actual screen size of a `Class.GuiBase2d` element, in
pixels.


When set to `true`, localization will be applied to this `Class.GuiBase2d`
and its descendants. The entries used for localization are the same set of
entries returned by `Class.LocalizationService:GetTableEntries()`. Entries
with `Class.GuiBase2d.AutoLocalize|AutoLocalize` enabled are automatically
re-translated after the cloud table loads if necessary.

See also `Class.GuiBase2d.RootLocalizationTable|RootLocalizationTable`.


GuiBase2d.AutoLocalize

When set to `true`, localization will be applied to this `Class.GuiBase2d`
and its descendants.


This property is automatically set to true when a localization table's
`Class.LocalizationTable.Root` targets this object, or an ancestor of this
object. `Class.LocalizationTable|LocalizationTables` with their
`Class.LocalizationTable.Root` property pointed at an instance will
localize all `Class.TextLabel.TextButton` that are descendants of the root
instance.


GuiBase2d.Localize

Automatically set to true when a localization table's
`Class.LocalizationTable.Root` targets this object, or an ancestor of this
object.


A reference to a `Class.LocalizationTable` to be used to apply automated
localization to this `Class.GuiBase2d` and its descendants.
`Class.GuiBase2d.AutoLocalize|AutoLocalize` must be set to `true` on the
`Class.GuiBase2d` and its ancestors for automated localization to be
applied.

You can set this to reference a `Class.LocalizationTable` anywhere in the
`Class.DataModel`. The `Class.GuiBase2d` object and all of its children
will try to use that specific `Class.LocalizationTable` and its ancestors
for automatic text replacement before using the tables under
`Class.LocalizationService` in an undefined order and the cloud table.

If there is no translation available in the referenced table, it will look
for a translation in the parent of that table, if it is also a
`Class.LocalizationTable`, and so on.

See also `Class.LocalizationService:GetTableEntries()` which explains how
the `Class.GuiBase2d.RootLocalizationTable|RootLocalizationTable` is used
for automated localization.


GuiBase2d.RootLocalizationTable

A reference to a `Class.LocalizationTable` to be used to apply automated
localization to this `Class.GuiBase2d` and its descendants.


Customizes gamepad selection behavior in the down direction.


GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorDown

Customizes gamepad selection behavior in the left direction.


GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorLeft

Customizes gamepad selection behavior in the right direction.


GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorRight

Customizes gamepad selection behavior in the up direction.


GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorUp

Allows for customization of how gamepad selection can move between
buttons, which are descendants of the selection group, leave the group,
and select other buttons.

Setting `Class.GuiBase2d.SelectionGroup|SelectionGroup` to `true` exposes
the `Class.GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorUp|SelectionBehaviorUp`,
`Class.GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorDown|SelectionBehaviorDown`,
`Class.GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorLeft|SelectionBehaviorLeft`, and
`Class.GuiBase2d.SelectionBehaviorRight|SelectionBehaviorRight`
properties. For these selection behaviors, a setting of
`Enum.SelectionBehavior.Escape` (default) means the gamepad selection
tries to first find a selection within the selection group and only moves
outside if it does not find a suitable button. Alternatively, a setting of
`Enum.SelectionBehavior.Stop` means gamepad selection only looks within
the selection group and does not move outside of the group from the
selection behavior direction.


GuiBase2d.SelectionGroup

Allows customization of gamepad selection movement.


An abstract class inherited by 2D `Class.GuiObject|GuiObjects`.


GuiBase is an abstract class which most graphical user interface objects
inherit from.


GuiBase

`Instance` is the base class for all classes in the Roblox class hierarchy
which can be part of the `Class.DataModel` tree.

It is not possible to directly create root `Instance` objects, but the special
`Datatype.Instance.new()` constructor creates objects via code, taking the
name of the class as a parameter and returning the created object.


Demonstrates detecting changes to an instance's ancestry by connecting to the `Class.Instance.AncestryChanged` event.

The ChangingPart's Parent is set to different values overtime. The parent of the part is the part's ancestor, so the `Class.Instance.AncestryChanged` event will fire whenever it changes.

Fires when the `Class.Instance.Parent` property of the object or one of
its ancestors is changed.

This event includes two parameters: `child` refers to the `Class.Instance`
whose `Class.Instance.Parent` was actually changed, while `parent` refers
to this instance's new `Class.Instance.Parent`.

You can use this event to track the deletion of an instance in Studio,
such as manual deletion in the Explorer or through a plugin. If you need
to detect when an instance is destroyed using `Class.Instance:Destroy()`,
use the `Class.Instance.Destroying` event instead.


Instance.AncestryChanged

child

The `Class.Instance` whose `Class.Instance.Parent` has been changed.


parent

The new `Class.Instance.Parent` of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Instance.Parent` was changed.


Fires when the `Class.Instance.Parent` property of the object or one of
its ancestors is changed.


This event fires whenever any attribute is changed on the instance,
including when an attribute is set to `nil`. The name of the changed
attribute is passed to the connected function.

For example, the following code snippet connects the `attributeChanged()`
function to fire whenever one of the part's attributes changes:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Workspace.Part

local function attributeChanged(attributeName)
	print(attributeName, "changed")
end

part.AttributeChanged:Connect(attributeChanged)
```

See also `Class.Instance:GetAttributeChangedSignal()` which returns an
event that fires when a specific given attribute changes.


Instance.AttributeChanged

attribute

The name of the attribute that has been changed.


Fires whenever an attribute is changed on the `Class.Instance`.


This snippet prints the names of objects as they are added to the Workspace:

Fires after an object is parented to this `Class.Instance`.

Note, when using this function on a client to detect objects created by
the server it is necessary to use `Class.Instance:WaitForChild()` when
indexing these object's descendants. This is because the object and its
descendants are not guaranteed to replicate from the server to the client
simultaneously. For example:

```
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

Workspace.ChildAdded:Connect(function(child)
	-- Use WaitForChild() since descendants may not have replicated yet
	local head = child:WaitForChild("Head")
end)
```

Note, this function only works for immediate children of the
`Class.Instance`. For a function that captures all descendants, use
`Class.Instance.DescendantAdded`.

See also `Class.Instance.ChildRemoved`.


Instance.ChildAdded

The `Class.Instance` that has been added.


Fires after an object is parented to this `Class.Instance`.


This snippet prints the names of objects as they are removed from the
Workspace:

Fires after a child is removed from this `Class.Instance`.

Removed refers to when an object's parent is changed from this
`Class.Instance` to something other than this `Class.Instance`. Note, this
event will also fire when a child is destroyed (using
`Class.Instance:Destroy()`) as the destroy function sets an object's
parent to `nil`.

This function only works for immediate children of the `Class.Instance`.
For a function that captures all descendants, use
`Class.Instance.DescendantRemoving`.

See also `Class.Instance.ChildAdded`.


Instance.ChildRemoved

The `Class.Instance` that has been removed.


Fires after a child is removed from this `Class.Instance`.


This following example will print the name of any object that is added to the
Workspace:

This event fires after a descendant is added to the `Class.Instance`.

As it fires for every descendant, parenting an object to the
`Class.Instance` will fire the event for this object and all of its
descendants individually.

If you're only concerned with the **direct children** of the
`Class.Instance`, use `Class.Instance.ChildAdded` instead.

See also `Class.Instance.DescendantRemoving`.


Instance.DescendantAdded

descendant

Fires after a descendant is added to the `Class.Instance`.


The following example prints the name of any descendant as it is being removed
from the Workspace:

This event fires **immediately before** the parent `Class.Instance`
changes such that a **descendant** instance will no longer be a
descendant. `Class.Instance:Destroy()|Destroy()` changes an instance's
`Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` to `nil`, so calling that method on a
descendant of the parent will cause this event to fire.

Since this event fires **before** the descendant's removal, the parent of
the descendant will be unchanged at the time of this event firing. If the
descendant is also a **direct child** of the parent, this event will fire
before `Class.Instance.ChildRemoved`.

If a descendant has children, this event fires with the descendant first,
followed by its descendants.

##### Warning

This event fires with the descendant object that is being removed.
Attempting to set the `Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` of the descendant to
something else will fail. Below is an example that demonstrates this:

```
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

Workspace.DescendantRemoving:Connect(function(descendant)
	-- Do not manipulate the parent of the descendant in this function!
	-- This event fires BECAUSE the parent was manipulated, and the change hasn't happened yet
	-- Therefore, it is problematic to change the parent like this:
	descendant.Parent = game
end)

local part = Instance.new("Part")
part.Parent = Workspace
part.Parent = nil
```

See also `Class.Instance.DescendantAdded|DescendantAdded`.


Instance.DescendantRemoving

The `Class.Instance` that is being removed.


Fires immediately before a descendant of the `Class.Instance` is removed.


This sample demonstrates how, when using Immediate signal behavior, an Instance being destroyed remains in place until the connected function yields.

This sample demonstrates how, when using Deferred signal behavior,
an Instance is destroyed before the signal fires.

The `Class.Instance` will never be deleted from memory while a connected
function is still using it. However, if the function yields at any point,
the `Class.Instance` and its descendants will be parented to `nil`.

If the `Class.Workspace.SignalBehavior` property is set to
`Enum.SignalBehavior.Immediate`, this event fires immediately before the
`Class.Instance` or one of its ancestors is destroyed with
`Class.Instance:Destroy()`.

If the `Class.Workspace.SignalBehavior` property is set to
`Enum.SignalBehavior.Deferred`, this event fires at the next resumption
point, which will be after the `Class.Instance` or one of its ancestors is
destroyed with `Class.Instance:Destroy()`.

With `Enum.SignalBehavior.Deferred|Deferred` behavior, connecting a script
to its own `Class.Instance.Destroying` event is problematic, as the script
will be destroyed before the callback can be called (meaning it will not
execute).

When deleting an `Class.Instance` in Studio, such as manually deleting
through the [Explorer](/studio/explorer) or through a plugin,
the `Class.Instance` isn't destroyed. Instead, the parent is set to `nil`
which you can track with `Class.Instance.AncestryChanged`.


Instance.Destroying

Fires immediately before (or is deferred until after) the instance is
destroyed via `Class.Instance:Destroy()`.


This event fires whenever any style property is changed on the instance,
including when a property is set to `nil`.

```lua
local Players = game:GetService("Players")

local player = Players.LocalPlayer
local playerGui = player.PlayerGui
local HUDContainer = playerGui:WaitForChild("HUDContainer")
local meterBar = HUDContainer.MeterBar

local function stylePropertyChanged()
	print("Styled properties changed")
end

meterBar:StyledPropertiesChanged():Connect(stylePropertyChanged)
```


Instance.StyledPropertiesChanged

Fires whenever any style property is changed on the instance, including
when a property is set to `nil`.


Instance.childAdded

This method applies a tag to the instance, with no effect if the tag is
already applied. Successfully adding a tag will fire a signal created by
`Class.CollectionService:GetInstanceAddedSignal()` with the given tag.

##### Warnings

- An instance's tags that were added client-side will be dropped if the
  server later adds or removes a tag on that instance because the server
  replicates all tags together and overwrites previous tags.

- When tagging an instance, it is common that some resources are used to
  give the tag its functionality, for example event connections or tables.
  To prevent memory leaks, it's a good idea to clean these up (disconnect,
  set to `nil`, etc.) when no longer needed for a tag. Do this when
  calling `Class.Instance:RemoveTag()`, calling
  `Class.Instance:Destroy()`, or in a function connected to a signal
  returned by `Class.CollectionService:GetInstanceRemovedSignal()`.


Instance:AddTag

This function destroys all of an instance's children and descendants.

```
local part = Instance.new("Part")

-- Add some sparkles
for i = 1, 3 do
	local sparkles = Instance.new("Sparkles")
	sparkles.Parent = part

  local sc = Instance.new("Sparkles")
  sc.Parent = sparkles
end

print("Children:", #part:GetChildren())  --> Children: 3

part:ClearAllChildren()

print("Children:", #part:GetChildren())  --> Children: 0
```

If you do not wish to destroy **all** children and descendants, use either
`Class.Instance:GetChildren()` or `Class.Instance:GetDescendants()` to
loop through those children/descendants and select what to destroy. For
example, the following code sample will destroy all
`Class.BasePart|BaseParts` descending from a `Class.Model`:

```
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local model = Workspace:FindFirstChild("TestModel")

for _, descendant in model:GetDescendants() do
	if descendant:IsA("BasePart") then
		descendant:Destroy()
	end
end
```


Instance:ClearAllChildren

This function destroys all of an instance's children.


Demonstrates cloning a model using `Class.Instance:Clone()`.

`Clone()` creates a copy of an instance and all of its descendants,
ignoring all instances that are not
`Class.Instance.Archivable|Archivable`. The copy of the root instance is
returned by this method and its `Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` is set to
`nil`. Note that if the instance itself has
`Class.Instance.Archivable|Archivable` set to `false`, this function will
return `nil`.

If a reference property such as `Class.ObjectValue.Value` is set in a
cloned instance, the value of the copy's property depends on original's
value:

- If a reference property refers to an instance that was **also** cloned,
  the copy will refer to the copy.
- If a reference property refers to an object that was **not** cloned, the
  same value is maintained in the copy.


Instance:Clone

Create a copy of an instance and all its descendants, ignoring instances
that are not `Class.Instance.Archivable|Archivable`.


Demonstrates destroying a Part using the `Class.Instance:Destroy()` function.

This function is the correct way to dispose of objects that are no longer required.

Sets the `Class.Instance.Parent` property to `nil`, locks the
`Class.Instance.Parent` property, disconnects all connections, and calls
`Destroy()` on all children. This function is the correct way to dispose
of objects that are no longer required.

Disposing of unneeded objects is important, since unnecessary objects and
connections in a place use up memory which can lead to serious performance
issues over time.

As a best practice after calling `Destroy()` on an object, set any
variables referencing the object (or its descendants) to `nil`. This
prevents your code from accessing anything to do with the object.

```lua
local part = Instance.new("Part")
part.Name = "Hello, world"
part:Destroy()
-- Don't do this:
print(part.Name)  --> "Hello, world"
-- Do this to prevent the above line from working:
part = nil
```

Once an `Class.Instance` has been destroyed by this method, it cannot be
reused because the `Class.Instance.Parent` property is locked. To
**temporarily** remove an object instead of destroying it, set
`Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` to `nil`. For example:

```
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

object.Parent = nil
task.wait(2)
object.Parent = Workspace
```

To destroy an object after a set amount of time, use
`Class.Debris:AddItem()`.


Instance:Destroy

Sets the `Class.Instance.Parent` property to `nil`, locks the
`Class.Instance.Parent` property, disconnects all connections, and calls
`Destroy()` on all children.


Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Instance.Name` is equal to the given name.

This function works upwards, meaning it starts at the instance's immediate
`Class.Instance.Parent` and works up towards the `Class.DataModel`. If no
matching ancestor is found, it returns `nil`.

The following code snippet would find the first ancestor of the object
named `Car`.

```
local car = object:FindFirstAncestor("Car")
```

For variants of this function that find ancestors of a specific class,
please see `Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestorOfClass()` and
`Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestorWhichIsA()`.


Instance:FindFirstAncestor

name

The `Class.Instance.Name` to be looked for.


Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Instance.Name` is equal to the given name.


Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Object.ClassName` is equal to the given className.

This function works upwards, meaning it starts at the instance's immediate
`Class.Instance.Parent` and works up towards the `Class.DataModel`. If no
matching ancestor is found, it returns `nil`.

A common use of this function is finding the `Class.Model` a
`Class.BasePart` belongs to. For example:

```
local model = part:FindFirstAncestorOfClass("Model")
```

This function is a variant of `Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestor()` which
checks the `Class.Object.ClassName` property rather than
`Class.Instance.Name`. `Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestorWhichIsA()` also
exists, using the `Class.Object:IsA()` method instead to respect class
inheritance.


Instance:FindFirstAncestorOfClass

className

The `Class.Object.ClassName` to be looked for.


Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Object.ClassName` is equal to the given className.


Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` for whom
`Class.Object:IsA()` returns true for the given className.

This function works upwards, meaning it starts at the instance's immediate
`Class.Instance.Parent` and works up towards the `Class.DataModel`. If no
matching ancestor is found, it returns `nil`.

Unlike `Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestorOfClass()`, this function uses
`Class.Object:IsA()` which respects class inheritance. For example:

```
print(part:IsA("Part"))  --> true
print(part:IsA("BasePart"))  --> true
print(part:IsA("Instance"))  --> true
```

Therefore, the following code sample will return the first
`Class.BasePart` ancestor, regardless of if it is a `Class.WedgePart`,
`Class.MeshPart` or `Class.Part`.

```
local part = object:FindFirstAncestorWhichIsA("BasePart")
```

See also `Class.Instance:FindFirstAncestor()`.


Instance:FindFirstAncestorWhichIsA

Returns the first ancestor of the `Class.Instance` for whom
`Class.Object:IsA()` returns true for the given className.


The below would look in Workspace for an object name "Brick". If found, it
will change the name of the object to "Foo".

Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` with the given name, or
`nil` if no such child exists. If the optional `recursive` argument is
`true`, this function searches all descendants rather than only the
immediate children of the `Class.Instance`.

##### Checking the Existence of an Object

`FindFirstChild()` is necessary if you need to verify an object exists
before continuing. Attempting to index a child by name using the dot
operator throws an error if the child doesn't exist.

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

-- The following line errors if the part doesn't exist in the workspace
Workspace.Part.Transparency = 0.5
```

A better approach is to use `FindFirstChild()` to first check for `Part`,
then use an `if` statement to run code that needs it.

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Workspace:FindFirstChild("Part")
if part then
	part.Transparency = 0.5
end
```

##### Finding a Child Whose Name Matches a Property

Sometimes the `Class.Instance.Name|Name` of an object is the same as that
of a property of its `Class.Instance.Parent|Parent`. When using the dot
operator, properties take precedence over children if they share a name.

In the following example, a `Class.Folder` called `Color` is added to a
`Class.Part`, which also has the `Class.Part.Color` property. Notice that
`part.Color` refers to the `Datatype.Color3` property value, not the child
`Class.Folder` instance. A benefit of using
`Class.Instance:FindFirstChild()|FindFirstChild()` is that the
introduction of new properties does not impose a risk on your code.

```lua
local part = Instance.new("Part")
local folder = Instance.new("Folder")
folder.Name = "Color"
folder.Parent = part
local c1 = part.Color  -- The property
local c2 = part:FindFirstChild("Color")  -- The child folder
```

##### Performance Notes

`Class.Instance:FindFirstChild()|FindFirstChild()` takes about 20% longer
than using the dot operator and almost 8 times longer than simply storing
a reference to an object. Therefore, you should avoid calling it in
performance-dependent code such as in tight loops or functions connected
to `Class.RunService.Heartbeat` and `Class.RunService.PreRender`. Instead,
store the result in a variable, or consider using
`Class.Instance.ChildAdded|ChildAdded` or
`Class.Instance:WaitForChild()|WaitForChild()` to detect when a child of a
given name becomes available.


Instance:FindFirstChild

The `Class.Instance.Name` to be searched for.


recursive

Whether or not the search should be conducted recursively.


Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` found with the given name.


Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Object.ClassName|ClassName` is equal to the given `className`.
Unlike `Class.Instance:FindFirstChildWhichIsA()`, this function only
returns objects whose class matches `className`, ignoring class
inheritance. If no matching child is found, this function returns `nil`.


Instance:FindFirstChildOfClass

Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Object.ClassName|ClassName` is equal to the given class name.


Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` for whom
`Class.Object:IsA()` returns true for the given className.

If no matching child is found, this function returns `nil`. If the
optional recursive argument is true, this function searches all
descendants rather than only the immediate children of the
`Class.Instance`.

Unlike `Class.Instance:FindFirstChildOfClass()`, this function uses
`Class.Object:IsA()` which respects class inheritance. For example:

```lua
print(part:IsA("Part")) --> true
print(part:IsA("BasePart")) --> true
print(part:IsA("Instance")) --> true
```

Therefore, the following code sample will return the first
`Class.BasePart` child, regardless of if it is a `Class.WedgePart`,
`Class.MeshPart` or `Class.Part`.

```
local part = object:FindFirstChildWhichIsA("BasePart")
```

Developers looking for a child by name, should use
`Class.Instance:FindFirstChild()` instead.


Instance:FindFirstChildWhichIsA

The `Class.Object.ClassName` to be searched for.


Returns the first child of the `Class.Instance` for whom
`Class.Object:IsA()` returns true for the given className.


Returns the first descendant found with the given `Class.Instance.Name`.

This method is disabled and cannot be used. To find the first descendant
of an instance, consider using the `recursive` parameter on
`Class.Instance:FindFirstChild()` instead.


Instance:FindFirstDescendant

The `Class.Instance.Name` to search for.


Returns the first descendant found with the given `Class.Instance.Name`.


If the `Class.Instance` is an `Class.Actor`, the `Class.Actor` itself is
returned. Otherwise, its closest ancestor `Class.Actor` is returned. If no
ancestor is an `Class.Actor`, the result is `nil`.


Instance:GetActor

Returns the `Class.Actor` associated with the Instance, if any.


This method returns the value which has been assigned to the given
attribute name. If no attribute has been assigned, `nil` is returned.

For example, the following code snippet sets and then gets the value of
the instance's `InitialPosition` attribute:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Workspace.Part
part:SetAttribute("InitialPosition", part.Position)

local initialPosition = instance:GetAttribute("InitialPosition")
print(initialPosition)
```

##### See Also

- `Class.Instance:SetAttribute()` which sets the attribute with the given
  name to the given value.
- `Class.Instance:GetAttributes()` which returns a dictionary of key‑value
  pairs for each of the instance's attributes.


Instance:GetAttribute

The name of the attribute being retrieved.


The value which has been assigned to the given attribute name. If no
attribute has been assigned, `nil` is returned.


Returns the value which has been assigned to the given attribute name.


This function returns an event that behaves exactly like the
`Class.Object.Changed|Changed` event, except that it only fires when the
specific given attribute changes; effectively it is similar to
`Class.Object:GetPropertyChangedSignal()|GetPropertyChangedSignal()` but
for attributes.

It's generally a good idea to use this method instead of a connection to
`Class.Object.Changed|Changed` with a function that checks the attribute
name. Subsequent calls to this method on the same object with the same
attribute name return the same event.

The following code example returns a signal that fires the function
`attributeChanged()` when the part's `InitialPosition` attribute changes:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Workspace.Part
part:SetAttribute("InitialPosition", part.Position)

local function attributeChanged()
	print("Attribute changed")
end

part:GetAttributeChangedSignal("InitialPosition"):Connect(attributeChanged)
```

See also `Class.Instance.AttributeChanged` which fires whenever any
attribute is changed on the instance.


Instance:GetAttributeChangedSignal

The name of the specified attribute for which the change signal is
being returned.


An event that fires when the given attribute changes.


Returns an event that fires when the given attribute changes.


This method returns a dictionary of key‑value pairs for each attribute
where the key is the attribute's name and the value is a non‑`nil` value.

For example, the following code snippet outputs an instance's attributes
and values:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

local part = Workspace.Part
part:SetAttribute("InitialPosition", part.Position)
part:SetAttribute("CanUse", true)

for name, value in part:GetAttributes() do
	print(name .. " = " .. value)
end
```

See also `Class.Instance:GetAttribute()` which returns the value that has
been assigned to the given attribute name.


Instance:GetAttributes

A dictionary of string → variant pairs for each attribute where the
string is the name of the attribute and the variant is a non-nil
value.


Returns a dictionary of the instance's attributes.


The below would print the name of all objects currently in Workspace when ran.

Returns an array (a numerically indexed table) containing all of the
instance's direct children, or every `Class.Instance` whose
`Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` is equal to the object. The array can be
iterated upon using either a numeric or generic for-loop:

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

-- Numeric for-loop example
local children = Workspace:GetChildren()
for i = 1, #children do
	local child = children[i]
	print(child.Name .. " is child number " .. i)
end
```

```lua
local Workspace = game:GetService("Workspace")

-- Generic for-loop example
local children = Workspace:GetChildren()
for i, child in children do
	print(child.Name .. " is child number " .. i)
end
```

The children are sorted by the order in which their
`Class.Instance.Parent|Parent` property was set to the object.

See also the `Class.Instance:GetDescendants()|GetDescendants` function.


Instance:GetChildren

Returns an array containing all of the instance's children.


Instance

`Instance` is the base class for all classes in the Roblox class hierarchy
which can be part of the `Class.DataModel` tree.


/reference/engine/classes/SurfaceGui.yaml

SurfaceGui

Summary

Properties

Methods

Events

Properties

AlwaysOnTop

Brightness

CanvasSize

ClipsDescendants

LightInfluence

MaxDistance

PixelsPerStud

SizingMode

ToolPunchThroughDistance

ZOffset

Methods

Events