diff --git a/autogen/src/object/codegen.cpp b/autogen/src/object/codegen.cpp
index dc3f117..b15aa22 100644
--- a/autogen/src/object/codegen.cpp
+++ b/autogen/src/object/codegen.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ static std::string castToVariant(std::string valueStr, std::string fieldType) {
         return "Data::Int((int)" + valueStr + ")";
     }
 
-    // InstanceRef
+    // std::shared_ptr<Instance>
     std::string subtype = parseWeakPtr(fieldType);
     if (!subtype.empty()) {
         return "Data::Variant(" + valueStr + ".expired() ? Data::InstanceRef() : Data::InstanceRef(std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Instance>(" + valueStr + ".lock())))";
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ static void writePropertySetHandler(std::ofstream& out, ClassAnalysis state) {
     bool first = true;
     for (auto& prop : state.properties) {
         out << (first ? "" : " else ") << "if (name == \"" << prop.name << "\") {";
-        // InstanceRef
+        // std::shared_ptr<Instance>
         std::string subtype = parseWeakPtr(prop.backingFieldType);
 
         if (prop.flags & PropertyFlag_Readonly) {
diff --git a/client/src/main.cpp b/client/src/main.cpp
index fe13d52..67da5a0 100644
--- a/client/src/main.cpp
+++ b/client/src/main.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ int main() {
         .color = glm::vec3(0.639216f, 0.635294f, 0.647059f),
     }));
 
-    for (InstanceRef inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
         if (inst->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         gWorkspace()->SyncPartPhysics(part);
diff --git a/core/src/common.cpp b/core/src/common.cpp
index c5ad1ba..fc58748 100644
--- a/core/src/common.cpp
+++ b/core/src/common.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ void addSelectionListener(SelectionUpdateHandler handler) {
     selectionUpdateListeners.push_back(handler);
 }
 
-void sendPropertyUpdatedSignal(InstanceRef instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue) {
+void sendPropertyUpdatedSignal(std::shared_ptr<Instance> instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue) {
     for (PropertyUpdateHandler handler : propertyUpdatelisteners) {
         handler(instance, property, newValue);
     }
diff --git a/core/src/common.h b/core/src/common.h
index b9344f5..70f68b2 100644
--- a/core/src/common.h
+++ b/core/src/common.h
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
 
 class Instance;
 // typedef std::function<void(std::shared_ptr<Instance> element, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newParent)> HierarchyUpdateHandler;
-typedef std::function<void(InstanceRef object, std::optional<InstanceRef> oldParent, std::optional<InstanceRef> newParent)> HierarchyPreUpdateHandler;
-typedef std::function<void(InstanceRef object, std::optional<InstanceRef> oldParent, std::optional<InstanceRef> newParent)> HierarchyPostUpdateHandler;
+typedef std::function<void(std::shared_ptr<Instance> object, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> oldParent, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newParent)> HierarchyPreUpdateHandler;
+typedef std::function<void(std::shared_ptr<Instance> object, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> oldParent, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newParent)> HierarchyPostUpdateHandler;
 typedef std::function<void(std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> oldSelection, std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newSelection, bool fromExplorer)> SelectionUpdateHandler;
-typedef std::function<void(InstanceRef instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue)> PropertyUpdateHandler;
+typedef std::function<void(std::shared_ptr<Instance> instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue)> PropertyUpdateHandler;
 
 // TEMPORARY COMMON DATA FOR VARIOUS INTERNAL COMPONENTS
 
@@ -28,5 +28,5 @@ void setSelection(std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newSelection, bool from
 const std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> getSelection();
 void addSelectionListener(SelectionUpdateHandler handler);
 
-void sendPropertyUpdatedSignal(InstanceRef instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue);
+void sendPropertyUpdatedSignal(std::shared_ptr<Instance> instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue);
 void addPropertyUpdateListener(PropertyUpdateHandler handler);
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/src/objects/base/instance.cpp b/core/src/objects/base/instance.cpp
index 44d15e0..07ce9a2 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/base/instance.cpp
+++ b/core/src/objects/base/instance.cpp
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ void Instance::updateAncestry(std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> updatedCh
     }
 
     // Update ancestry in descendants
-    for (InstanceRef child : children) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> child : children) {
         child->updateAncestry(updatedChild, newParent);
     }
 }
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ void Instance::Serialize(pugi::xml_node parent, RefStateSerialize state) {
         pugi::xml_node propertyNode = propertiesNode.append_child(meta.type->name);
         propertyNode.append_attribute("name").set_value(name);
 
-        // Update InstanceRef properties using map above
+        // Update std::shared_ptr<Instance> properties using map above
         if (meta.type == &Data::InstanceRef::TYPE) {
             std::weak_ptr<Instance> refWeak = GetPropertyValue(name).expect("Declared property is missing").get<Data::InstanceRef>();
             if (refWeak.expired()) continue;
@@ -306,18 +306,18 @@ void Instance::Serialize(pugi::xml_node parent, RefStateSerialize state) {
     state->refsAwaitingRemap[shared_from_this()].clear();
 
     // Add children
-    for (InstanceRef child : this->children) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> child : this->children) {
         child->Serialize(node, state);
     }
 }
 
-result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> Instance::Deserialize(pugi::xml_node node, RefStateDeserialize state) {
+result<std::shared_ptr<Instance>, NoSuchInstance> Instance::Deserialize(pugi::xml_node node, RefStateDeserialize state) {
     std::string className = node.attribute("class").value();
     if (INSTANCE_MAP.count(className) == 0) {
         return NoSuchInstance(className);
     }
     // This will error if an abstract instance is used in the file. Oh well, not my prob rn.
-    InstanceRef object = INSTANCE_MAP[className]->constructor();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> object = INSTANCE_MAP[className]->constructor();
     object->GetChildren();
 
     // const InstanceType* type = INSTANCE_MAP.at(className);
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> Instance::Deserialize(pugi::xml_node node, R
             continue;
         }
 
-        // Update InstanceRef properties using map above
+        // Update std::shared_ptr<Instance> properties using map above
         if (meta_.expect().type == &Data::InstanceRef::TYPE) {
             if (propertyNode.text().empty())
                 continue;
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> Instance::Deserialize(pugi::xml_node node, R
 
     // Read children
     for (pugi::xml_node childNode : node.children("Item")) {
-        result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> child = Instance::Deserialize(childNode, state);
+        result<std::shared_ptr<Instance>, NoSuchInstance> child = Instance::Deserialize(childNode, state);
         if (child.isError()) {
             std::get<NoSuchInstance>(child.error().value()).logMessage();
             continue;
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> Instance::Clone(RefStateClone state) {
         
         if (meta.flags & (PROP_READONLY | PROP_NOSAVE)) continue;
 
-        // Update InstanceRef properties using map above
+        // Update std::shared_ptr<Instance> properties using map above
         if (meta.type == &Data::InstanceRef::TYPE) {
             std::weak_ptr<Instance> refWeak = GetPropertyValue(property).expect().get<Data::InstanceRef>();
             if (refWeak.expired()) continue;
diff --git a/core/src/objects/base/instance.h b/core/src/objects/base/instance.h
index 744e2fb..cb74c96 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/base/instance.h
+++ b/core/src/objects/base/instance.h
@@ -138,9 +138,6 @@ public:
     std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> Clone(RefStateClone state = std::make_shared<__RefStateClone>());
 };
 
-typedef std::shared_ptr<Instance> InstanceRef;
-typedef std::weak_ptr<Instance> InstanceRefWeak;
-
 // https://gist.github.com/jeetsukumaran/307264
 class DescendantsIterator {
 public:
diff --git a/core/src/objects/datamodel.cpp b/core/src/objects/datamodel.cpp
index 22eff4c..539b913 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/datamodel.cpp
+++ b/core/src/objects/datamodel.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ void DataModel::SaveToFile(std::optional<std::string> path) {
     pugi::xml_document doc;
     pugi::xml_node root = doc.append_child("openblocks");
 
-    for (InstanceRef child : this->GetChildren()) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> child : this->GetChildren()) {
         child->Serialize(root);
     }
 
@@ -59,50 +59,6 @@ void DataModel::SaveToFile(std::optional<std::string> path) {
     Logger::info("Place saved successfully");
 }
 
-// void DataModel::DeserializeService(pugi::xml_node node, RefStateDeserialize state) {
-//     std::string className = node.attribute("class").value();
-//     if (INSTANCE_MAP.count(className) == 0) {
-//         Logger::fatalErrorf("Unknown service: '%s'", className.c_str());
-//         return;
-//     }
-
-//     if (services.count(className) != 0) {
-//         Logger::fatalErrorf("Service %s defined multiple times in file", className.c_str());
-//         return;
-//     }
-
-//     // This will error if an abstract instance is used in the file. Oh well, not my prob rn.
-//     InstanceRef object = INSTANCE_MAP[className]->constructor();
-//     AddChild(object);
-
-//     // Read properties
-//     pugi::xml_node propertiesNode = node.child("Properties");
-//     for (pugi::xml_node propertyNode : propertiesNode) {
-//         std::string propertyName = propertyNode.attribute("name").value();
-//         auto meta_ = object->GetPropertyMeta(propertyName);
-//         if (!meta_) {
-//             Logger::fatalErrorf("Attempt to set unknown property '%s' of %s", propertyName.c_str(), object->GetClass()->className.c_str());
-//             continue;
-//         }
-//         Data::Variant value = Data::Variant::Deserialize(propertyNode, state);
-//         object->SetPropertyValue(propertyName, value).expect();
-//     }
-
-//     // Add children
-//     for (pugi::xml_node childNode : node.children("Item")) {
-//         result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> child = Instance::Deserialize(childNode, state);
-//         if (child.isError()) {
-//             std::get<NoSuchInstance>(child.error().value()).logMessage();
-//             continue;
-//         }
-//         object->AddChild(child.expect());
-//     }
-
-//     // We add the service to the list
-//     // All services get init'd at once in InitServices
-//     this->services[className] = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Service>(object);
-// }
-
 std::shared_ptr<DataModel> DataModel::LoadFromFile(std::string path) {
     std::ifstream inStream(path);
     pugi::xml_document doc;
@@ -174,7 +130,7 @@ std::shared_ptr<DataModel> DataModel::CloneModel() {
         
         if (meta.flags & (PROP_READONLY | PROP_NOSAVE)) continue;
 
-        // Update InstanceRef properties using map above
+        // Update std::shared_ptr<Instance> properties using map above
         if (meta.type == &Data::InstanceRef::TYPE) {
             std::weak_ptr<Instance> refWeak = GetPropertyValue(property).expect().get<Data::InstanceRef>();
             if (refWeak.expired()) continue;
diff --git a/core/src/objects/part.cpp b/core/src/objects/part.cpp
index 2f527b3..f7a842c 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/part.cpp
+++ b/core/src/objects/part.cpp
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ void Part::MakeJoints() {
     // TEMPORARY
     // TODO: Use more efficient algorithm to *actually* find nearby parts)
     for (auto it = workspace().value()->GetDescendantsStart(); it != workspace().value()->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef obj = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> obj = *it;
         if (obj == shared_from_this()) continue; // Skip ourselves
         if (obj->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue; // TODO: Replace this with a .IsA call instead of comparing the class name directly
         std::shared_ptr<Part> otherPart = obj->CastTo<Part>().expect();
diff --git a/core/src/objects/part.h b/core/src/objects/part.h
index 94c0c83..27c7987 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/part.h
+++ b/core/src/objects/part.h
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public:
 
     static inline std::shared_ptr<Part> New() { return std::make_shared<Part>(); };
     static inline std::shared_ptr<Part> New(PartConstructParams params) { return std::make_shared<Part>(params); };
-    static inline InstanceRef Create() { return std::make_shared<Part>(); };
+    static inline std::shared_ptr<Instance> Create() { return std::make_shared<Part>(); };
 
     inline Vector3 position() { return cframe.Position(); }
 
diff --git a/core/src/objects/workspace.cpp b/core/src/objects/workspace.cpp
index a8f9672..694ec66 100644
--- a/core/src/objects/workspace.cpp
+++ b/core/src/objects/workspace.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ void Workspace::InitService() {
 
     // Sync all parts
     for (auto it = this->GetDescendantsStart(); it != this->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef obj = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> obj = *it;
         if (!obj->IsA<Part>()) continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = obj->CastTo<Part>().expect();
         this->SyncPartPhysics(part);
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ void Workspace::InitService() {
 
     // Activate all joints
     for (auto it = this->GetDescendantsStart(); it != this->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef obj = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> obj = *it;
         if (!obj->IsA<JointInstance>()) continue;
         std::shared_ptr<JointInstance> joint = obj->CastTo<JointInstance>().expect();
         joint->UpdateProperty("Part0");
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void Workspace::PhysicsStep(float deltaTime) {
     // Naive implementation. Parts are only considered so if they are just under Workspace
     // TODO: Add list of tracked parts in workspace based on their ancestry using inWorkspace property of Instance
     for (auto it = this->GetDescendantsStart(); it != this->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef obj = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> obj = *it;
         if (obj->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue; // TODO: Replace this with a .IsA call instead of comparing the class name directly
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(obj);
         const rp::Transform& transform = part->rigidBody->getTransform();
diff --git a/core/src/rendering/renderer.cpp b/core/src/rendering/renderer.cpp
index 4daf506..0ac8f43 100644
--- a/core/src/rendering/renderer.cpp
+++ b/core/src/rendering/renderer.cpp
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ void renderParts() {
     // Sort by nearest
     std::map<float, std::shared_ptr<Part>> sorted;
     for (auto it = gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsStart(); it != gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef inst = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = *it;
         if (inst->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         if (part->transparency > 0.00001) {
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void renderSurfaceExtras() {
     ghostShader->set("viewPos", camera.cameraPos);
 
     for (auto it = gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsStart(); it != gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef inst = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = *it;
         if (!inst->IsA("Part")) continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ void renderAABB() {
     ghostShader->set("color", glm::vec3(1.f, 0.f, 0.f));
 
     // Sort by nearest
-    for (InstanceRef inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
         if (inst->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         glm::mat4 model = CFrame::IDENTITY + part->cframe.Position();
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ void renderWireframe() {
     wireframeShader->set("color", glm::vec3(1.f, 0.f, 0.f));
 
     // Sort by nearest
-    for (InstanceRef inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst : gWorkspace()->GetChildren()) {
         if (inst->GetClass()->className != "Part") continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         glm::mat4 model = part->cframe;
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@ void renderOutlines() {
     int count = 0;
 
     for (auto it = gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsStart(); it != gWorkspace()->GetDescendantsEnd(); it++) {
-        InstanceRef inst = *it;
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = *it;
         if (inst->GetClass() != &Part::TYPE) continue;
         std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst);
         if (!part->selected) continue;
diff --git a/editor/mainwindow.cpp b/editor/mainwindow.cpp
index 48f6dbf..7d2c3c8 100644
--- a/editor/mainwindow.cpp
+++ b/editor/mainwindow.cpp
@@ -94,13 +94,13 @@ MainWindow::MainWindow(QWidget *parent)
     });
 
     addSelectionListener([&](auto oldSelection, auto newSelection, bool __) {
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : oldSelection) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : oldSelection) {
             if (inst.expired() || inst.lock()->GetClass() != &Part::TYPE) continue;
             std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst.lock());
             part->selected = false;
         }
 
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : newSelection) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : newSelection) {
             if (inst.expired() || inst.lock()->GetClass() != &Part::TYPE) continue;
             std::shared_ptr<Part> part = std::dynamic_pointer_cast<Part>(inst.lock());
             part->selected = true;
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
     });
 
     connect(ui->actionDelete, &QAction::triggered, this, [&]() {
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : getSelection()) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : getSelection()) {
             if (inst.expired()) continue;
             inst.lock()->SetParent(std::nullopt);
         }
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
 
     connect(ui->actionCopy, &QAction::triggered, this, [&]() {
         pugi::xml_document rootDoc;
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : getSelection()) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : getSelection()) {
             if (inst.expired()) continue;
             inst.lock()->Serialize(rootDoc);
         }
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
     });
     connect(ui->actionCut, &QAction::triggered, this, [&]() {
         pugi::xml_document rootDoc;
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : getSelection()) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : getSelection()) {
             if (inst.expired()) continue;
             inst.lock()->Serialize(rootDoc);
             inst.lock()->SetParent(std::nullopt);
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
         rootDoc.load_string(encoded.c_str());
 
         for (pugi::xml_node instNode : rootDoc.children()) {
-            result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
+            result<std::shared_ptr<Instance>, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
             if (!inst) { inst.logError(); continue; }
             gWorkspace()->AddChild(inst.expect());
         }
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
     connect(ui->actionPasteInto, &QAction::triggered, this, [&]() {
         if (getSelection().size() != 1) return;
 
-        InstanceRef selectedParent = getSelection()[0];
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> selectedParent = getSelection()[0];
 
         const QMimeData* mimeData = QApplication::clipboard()->mimeData();
         if (!mimeData || !mimeData->hasFormat("application/xml")) return;
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
         rootDoc.load_string(encoded.c_str());
 
         for (pugi::xml_node instNode : rootDoc.children()) {
-            result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
+            result<std::shared_ptr<Instance>, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
             if (!inst) { inst.logError(); continue; }
             selectedParent->AddChild(inst.expect());
         }
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
         pugi::xml_document modelDoc;
         pugi::xml_node modelRoot = modelDoc.append_child("openblocks");
 
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : getSelection()) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : getSelection()) {
             if (inst.expired()) continue;
             inst.lock()->Serialize(modelRoot);
         }
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
 
     connect(ui->actionInsertModel, &QAction::triggered, this, [&]() {
         if (getSelection().size() != 1) return;
-        InstanceRef selectedParent = getSelection()[0];
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> selectedParent = getSelection()[0];
 
         std::optional<std::string> path = openFileDialog("Openblocks Model (*.obm)", ".obm", QFileDialog::AcceptOpen);
         if (!path) return;
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ void MainWindow::connectActionHandlers() {
         modelDoc.load(inStream);
 
         for (pugi::xml_node instNode : modelDoc.child("openblocks").children("Item")) {
-            result<InstanceRef, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
+            result<std::shared_ptr<Instance>, NoSuchInstance> inst = Instance::Deserialize(instNode);
             if (!inst) { inst.logError(); continue; }
             selectedParent->AddChild(inst.expect());
         }
diff --git a/editor/panes/explorermodel.cpp b/editor/panes/explorermodel.cpp
index a02092d..b13f683 100644
--- a/editor/panes/explorermodel.cpp
+++ b/editor/panes/explorermodel.cpp
@@ -10,11 +10,11 @@
 
 std::map<std::string, QIcon> instanceIconCache;
 
-ExplorerModel::ExplorerModel(InstanceRef dataRoot, QWidget *parent)
+ExplorerModel::ExplorerModel(std::shared_ptr<Instance> dataRoot, QWidget *parent)
     : QAbstractItemModel(parent)
     , rootItem(dataRoot) {
     // TODO: Don't use lambdas and handlers like that
-    hierarchyPreUpdateHandler = [&](InstanceRef object, std::optional<InstanceRef> oldParent, std::optional<InstanceRef> newParent) {
+    hierarchyPreUpdateHandler = [&](std::shared_ptr<Instance> object, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> oldParent, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newParent) {
         if (oldParent.has_value()) {
             auto children = oldParent.value()->GetChildren();
             size_t idx = std::find(children.begin(), children.end(), object) - children.begin();
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ ExplorerModel::ExplorerModel(InstanceRef dataRoot, QWidget *parent)
         }
     };
 
-    hierarchyPostUpdateHandler = [&](InstanceRef object, std::optional<InstanceRef> oldParent, std::optional<InstanceRef> newParent) {
+    hierarchyPostUpdateHandler = [&](std::shared_ptr<Instance> object, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> oldParent, std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> newParent) {
         if (newParent.has_value()) endInsertRows();
         if (oldParent.has_value()) endRemoveRows();
     };
@@ -50,11 +50,11 @@ QModelIndex ExplorerModel::index(int row, int column, const QModelIndex &parent)
     return {};
 }
 
-QModelIndex ExplorerModel::toIndex(InstanceRef item) {
+QModelIndex ExplorerModel::toIndex(std::shared_ptr<Instance> item) {
     if (item == rootItem || !item->GetParent().has_value())
         return {};
 
-    InstanceRef parentItem = item->GetParent().value();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> parentItem = item->GetParent().value();
     // Check above ensures this item is not root, so value() must be valid
     for (int i = 0; i < parentItem->GetChildren().size(); i++)
         if (parentItem->GetChildren()[i] == item)
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ QModelIndex ExplorerModel::toIndex(InstanceRef item) {
     return QModelIndex{};
 }
 
-QModelIndex ExplorerModel::ObjectToIndex(InstanceRef item) {
+QModelIndex ExplorerModel::ObjectToIndex(std::shared_ptr<Instance> item) {
     return toIndex(item);
 }
 
@@ -72,13 +72,13 @@ QModelIndex ExplorerModel::parent(const QModelIndex &index) const {
 
     Instance* childItem = static_cast<Instance*>(index.internalPointer());
     // NORISK: The parent must exist if the child was obtained from it during this frame
-    InstanceRef parentItem = childItem->GetParent().value();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> parentItem = childItem->GetParent().value();
 
     if (parentItem == rootItem)
         return {};
 
     // Check above ensures this item is not root, so value() must be valid
-    InstanceRef parentParent = parentItem->GetParent().value();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> parentParent = parentItem->GetParent().value();
     for (int i = 0; i < parentParent->GetChildren().size(); i++)
         if (parentParent->GetChildren()[i] == parentItem)
             return createIndex(i, 0, parentItem.get());
@@ -196,13 +196,13 @@ Qt::DropActions ExplorerModel::supportedDropActions() const {
 }
 
 
-InstanceRef ExplorerModel::fromIndex(const QModelIndex index) const {
+std::shared_ptr<Instance> ExplorerModel::fromIndex(const QModelIndex index) const {
     if (!index.isValid()) return rootItem;
     return static_cast<Instance*>(index.internalPointer())->shared_from_this();
 }
 
 struct DragDropSlot {
-    std::vector<InstanceRef> instances;
+    std::vector<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> instances;
 };
 
 bool ExplorerModel::dropMimeData(const QMimeData *data, Qt::DropAction action, int row, int column, const QModelIndex &parent) {
@@ -216,8 +216,8 @@ bool ExplorerModel::dropMimeData(const QMimeData *data, Qt::DropAction action, i
         return true;
     }
 
-    InstanceRef parentInst = fromIndex(parent);
-    for (InstanceRef instance : slot->instances) {
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> parentInst = fromIndex(parent);
+    for (std::shared_ptr<Instance> instance : slot->instances) {
         instance->SetParent(parentInst);
     }
 
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ bool ExplorerModel::dropMimeData(const QMimeData *data, Qt::DropAction action, i
     return true;
 }
 
-void ExplorerModel::updateRoot(InstanceRef newRoot) {
+void ExplorerModel::updateRoot(std::shared_ptr<Instance> newRoot) {
     beginResetModel();
     rootItem = newRoot;
     endResetModel();
diff --git a/editor/panes/explorermodel.h b/editor/panes/explorermodel.h
index 4085349..e7fb4d1 100644
--- a/editor/panes/explorermodel.h
+++ b/editor/panes/explorermodel.h
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ class ExplorerModel : public QAbstractItemModel {
 public:
     Q_DISABLE_COPY_MOVE(ExplorerModel)
 
-    explicit ExplorerModel(InstanceRef dataRoot, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit ExplorerModel(std::shared_ptr<Instance> dataRoot, QWidget *parent = nullptr);
     ~ExplorerModel() override;
 
     QVariant data(const QModelIndex &index, int role) const override;
@@ -29,15 +29,15 @@ public:
     QStringList mimeTypes() const override;
     Qt::DropActions supportedDragActions() const override;
     Qt::DropActions supportedDropActions() const override;
-    InstanceRef fromIndex(const QModelIndex index) const;
-    QModelIndex ObjectToIndex(InstanceRef item);
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> fromIndex(const QModelIndex index) const;
+    QModelIndex ObjectToIndex(std::shared_ptr<Instance> item);
     
     QIcon iconOf(const InstanceType* type) const;
 
-    void updateRoot(InstanceRef newRoot);
+    void updateRoot(std::shared_ptr<Instance> newRoot);
 private:
-    InstanceRef rootItem;
-    QModelIndex toIndex(InstanceRef item);
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> rootItem;
+    QModelIndex toIndex(std::shared_ptr<Instance> item);
 };
 
 // #endif
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/editor/panes/explorerview.cpp b/editor/panes/explorerview.cpp
index 388c6a8..0cd5510 100644
--- a/editor/panes/explorerview.cpp
+++ b/editor/panes/explorerview.cpp
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ ExplorerView::ExplorerView(QWidget* parent):
         if (fromExplorer) return;
 
         this->clearSelection();
-        for (InstanceRefWeak inst : newSelection) {
+        for (std::weak_ptr<Instance> inst : newSelection) {
             if (inst.expired()) continue;
             QModelIndex index = this->model.ObjectToIndex(inst.lock());
             this->selectionModel()->select(index, QItemSelectionModel::SelectionFlag::Select);
@@ -112,6 +112,6 @@ void ExplorerView::buildContextMenu() {
     }
 }
 
-void ExplorerView::updateRoot(InstanceRef newRoot) {
+void ExplorerView::updateRoot(std::shared_ptr<Instance> newRoot) {
     model.updateRoot(newRoot);
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/editor/panes/explorerview.h b/editor/panes/explorerview.h
index 82da25e..e181840 100644
--- a/editor/panes/explorerview.h
+++ b/editor/panes/explorerview.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ public:
     // void dropEvent(QDropEvent*) override;
 
     void buildContextMenu();
-    void updateRoot(InstanceRef newRoot);
+    void updateRoot(std::shared_ptr<Instance> newRoot);
 private:
     ExplorerModel model;
     QMenu contextMenu;
diff --git a/editor/panes/propertiesview.cpp b/editor/panes/propertiesview.cpp
index 1637ddf..12ddaf9 100644
--- a/editor/panes/propertiesview.cpp
+++ b/editor/panes/propertiesview.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ public:
         if (index.column() == 0) return nullptr;
     
         if (!index.parent().isValid() || view->currentInstance.expired()) return nullptr;
-        InstanceRef inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
 
         // If the property is deeper than 1 layer, then it is considered composite
         // Handle specially
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public:
         if (index.column() == 0) return;
     
         if (!index.parent().isValid() || view->currentInstance.expired()) return;
-        InstanceRef inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
 
         bool isComposite = index.parent().parent().isValid();
         std::string componentName = isComposite ? view->itemFromIndex(index)->data(0, Qt::DisplayRole).toString().toStdString() : "";
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public:
         if (index.column() == 0) return;
     
         if (!index.parent().isValid() || view->currentInstance.expired()) return;
-        InstanceRef inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
+        std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = view->currentInstance.lock();
 
         bool isComposite = index.parent().parent().isValid();
         std::string componentName = isComposite ? view->itemFromIndex(index)->data(0, Qt::DisplayRole).toString().toStdString() : "";
@@ -268,11 +268,11 @@ void PropertiesView::drawBranches(QPainter *painter, const QRect &rect, const QM
     QTreeWidget::drawBranches(painter, rect, index);
 }
 
-void PropertiesView::setSelected(std::optional<InstanceRef> instance) {
+void PropertiesView::setSelected(std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> instance) {
     clear();
     currentInstance = {};
     if (!instance) return;
-    InstanceRef inst = instance.value();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = instance.value();
     currentInstance = inst;
 
     std::map<PropertyCategory, QTreeWidgetItem*> propertyCategories;
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ void PropertiesView::propertyChanged(QTreeWidgetItem *item, int column) {
     // Necessary because otherwise this will catch setCheckState from onPropertyUpdated
     if (ignorePropertyUpdates) return;
     if (!item->parent() || (item->parent() && item->parent()->parent()) || currentInstance.expired()) return;
-    InstanceRef inst = currentInstance.lock();
+    std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst = currentInstance.lock();
 
     std::string propertyName = item->data(0, Qt::DisplayRole).toString().toStdString();
     PropertyMeta meta = inst->GetPropertyMeta(propertyName).expect();
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ void PropertiesView::rebuildCompositeProperty(QTreeWidgetItem *item, const Data:
 }
 
 // static auto lastUpdateTime = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
-void PropertiesView::onPropertyUpdated(InstanceRef inst, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue) {
+void PropertiesView::onPropertyUpdated(std::shared_ptr<Instance> inst, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue) {
     // if (!currentInstance || currentInstance->expired() || instance != currentInstance->lock()) return;
     // if (std::chrono::duration_cast<std::chrono::milliseconds>(std::chrono::steady_clock::now() - lastUpdateTime).count() < 1000) return;
     // lastUpdateTime = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
diff --git a/editor/panes/propertiesview.h b/editor/panes/propertiesview.h
index 7334bb3..b9c2882 100644
--- a/editor/panes/propertiesview.h
+++ b/editor/panes/propertiesview.h
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ class PropertiesView : public QTreeWidget {
     Q_DECLARE_PRIVATE(QTreeView)
 
     bool ignorePropertyUpdates = false;
-    InstanceRefWeak currentInstance;
+    std::weak_ptr<Instance> currentInstance;
     void propertyChanged(QTreeWidgetItem *item, int column);
     void activateProperty(QTreeWidgetItem *item, int column);
     void rebuildCompositeProperty(QTreeWidgetItem *item, const Data::TypeInfo*, Data::Variant);
-    void onPropertyUpdated(InstanceRef instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue);
+    void onPropertyUpdated(std::shared_ptr<Instance> instance, std::string property, Data::Variant newValue);
 
     friend PropertiesItemDelegate;
 protected:
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@ public:
     PropertiesView(QWidget* parent = nullptr);
     ~PropertiesView() override;
 
-    void setSelected(std::optional<InstanceRef> instance);
+    void setSelected(std::optional<std::shared_ptr<Instance>> instance);
 };
\ No newline at end of file