How to Queue_Free() Correctly?

[captain_gloval]

godot-4

New to Godot and I’m trying to learn how to use queue_free() correctly.

Inside the gameScene:

var new_scene = scene.instantiate()
new_scene.connect("removeNewScene, _remove_scene)
new_scene_margin_container.add_child(new_scene)
new_scene_margin_container.visible = true

Above is basically how I add the new scene (in this example a quick game explainer) to the tree.

Now the player can tap a button in new_scene which signals the function to remove the scene, so _remove_scene() would be:

new_scene_margin_container.remove_child(new_scene)

When I run this code in the _remove_scene function I see the child count = 1 before I call “remove_child” and then = 0 after I call “remove_child”:

_new_scene_margin_container.get_child_count()

Okay, so success with removing the child (new_scene) from the tree. However, it is my understanding the scene, in this case “new_scene” still exists in memory. It has not be deleted, just removed from the tree. Now, I see how this is convenient in the case I need to call it again, but what if I’m done with the “new_scene?” How to remove it from memory?

I thought queue_free() was the solution, but when I call it:

new_scene_margin_container.queue_free()

I just get a crash. What would be the correct way to call queue_free() in this scenario - or is not even applicable? Thanks.

[soapspangledgames]

new_scene.queue_free()

[captain_gloval]

Thanks so much for your help. I’m not sure where to place this solution - I added but got several crashes.

I initially thought to add it the new_scene code BEFORE I called the signal “removeNewScene” - but when I did so I got some crashes.

So I think the proper place to add it would be in the parent scene, in this case “main_scene” (the scene where I instantiated the new_scene).

So I’ve tried:

main_scene.get_child(0).queue_free()

which worked (as in the Godot didn’t crash). Does look to be the correct approach for this? Thanks.

[soapspangledgames]

For this example, that is correct. It will fail if you have other children in the main scene before you add the new scene.

[captain_gloval]

Thank you again for your help. I will try to implement this now in my game!