diff --git a/engine/inc/uf/engine/entity/entity.h b/engine/inc/uf/engine/entity/entity.h
index c9574036..330f519a 100644
--- a/engine/inc/uf/engine/entity/entity.h
+++ b/engine/inc/uf/engine/entity/entity.h
@@ -110,53 +110,32 @@ namespace uf {
 		template<typename T> T loadChild( const uf::Serializer&, bool = true );
 		template<typename T> T loadChild( const uf::stl::string&, bool = true );
 
-	/*
-		uf::hashed_string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string_view n, size_t uid, bool fetch );
-		uf::hashed_string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string_view n );
-	*/
-		uf::stl::string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n, size_t uid, bool fetch );
-		uf::stl::string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n );
-
-		template<typename T> size_t addHook( const uf::stl::string& name, T function );
-		uf::Hooks::return_t lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string& );
-		uf::Hooks::return_t lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string&, const pod::Hook::userdata_t& );
-		template<typename T> uf::Hooks::return_t lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const T& payload );
-		void queueHook( const uf::stl::string&, float = 0 );
-		void queueHook( const uf::stl::string&, const ext::json::Value& json, float = 0 );
-		template<typename T> void queueHook( const uf::stl::string&, const T&, float = 0 );
+		uf::hashed_string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n );
+		static uf::hashed_string formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n, size_t uid, bool fetch = false );
 		
-		inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const uf::stl::string& name ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( this->formatHookName( name ) );
-		}
-		inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const pod::Hook::userdata_t& payload ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( this->formatHookName( name ), payload );
-		}
-		template<typename T> inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const T& p ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( this->formatHookName( name ), p );
+		inline size_t resolveHookKey(size_t hash) const { return hash; }
+		inline size_t resolveHookKey(const uf::stl::string& name) { return this->formatHookName(name); }
+	
+		template<typename T> size_t addHook( const size_t& name, T function );
+		template<typename T> inline size_t addHook( const uf::stl::string& name, T function ) {
+			return this->addHook( this->formatHookName( name ), function );
 		}
 
-	/*
-		inline void queueHook( const size_t& name, float timeout = 0 ) {
-				return this->queueHook( name, timeout);
-		}
-		inline void queueHook( const size_t& name, const ext::json::Value& json, float timeout = 0 ) {
-				return this->queueHook( name, timeout);
-		}
-		template<typename T> inline void queueHook( const size_t& name, const T& payload, float timeout = 0 ) {
-			return this->queueHook( name, timeout);
-		}
-
-		inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const size_t& name ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( name );
-		}
-		inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const size_t& name, const pod::Hook::userdata_t& payload ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( name, payload );
-		}
-		template<typename T> inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const size_t& name, const T& p ) {
-			return uf::hooks.call( name, p );
-		}
-	*/
+		template<typename K> inline void queueHook( const K& name, float timeout = 0 );
+		template<typename K, typename V> inline void queueHook( const K& name, const V&, float = 0 );
 		
+		template<typename K, typename... Args> uf::Hooks::return_t lazyCallHook(const K& name, Args&&... args) {
+			if ( uf::Object::deferLazyCalls ) {
+				this->queueHook(name, std::forward<Args>(args)..., 0.0f);
+				return {};
+			}
+			return this->callHook( name, std::forward<Args>(args)... );
+		}
+
+		template<typename K, typename... Args> inline uf::Hooks::return_t callHook( const K& name, Args&&... args ) {
+			return uf::hooks.call( this->resolveHookKey(name), std::forward<Args>(args)... );
+		}
+
 		uf::stl::string resolveURI( const uf::stl::string& filename, const uf::stl::string& root = "" );
 		uf::asset::Payload resolveToPayload( const uf::stl::string& filename, const uf::stl::string& mime = "" );
 
diff --git a/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/behavior.h b/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/behavior.h
index 780ea609..6c1e1dca 100644
--- a/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/behavior.h
+++ b/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/behavior.h
@@ -17,9 +17,10 @@ namespace uf {
 		UF_BEHAVIOR_DEFINE_FUNCTIONS();
 		UF_BEHAVIOR_DEFINE_METADATA(
 			struct Queued {
-				uf::Hooks::name_t name = "";
+				uf::stl::string name = "";
+				size_t hash = 0;
 				double timeout = 0;
-				int_fast8_t type = 0;
+				int type = 0;
 
 				pod::Hook::userdata_t userdata{};
 				ext::json::Value json{};
diff --git a/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/object.inl b/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/object.inl
index a4e864af..3dad55f3 100644
--- a/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/object.inl
+++ b/engine/inc/uf/engine/object/object.inl
@@ -16,33 +16,43 @@ T uf::Object::loadChild( const uf::stl::string& filename, bool initialize ) {
 	// T is reference
 	return this->loadChild(filename, initialize);
 }
+
 template<typename T>
-size_t uf::Object::addHook( const uf::stl::string& name, T callback ) {
-	auto parsed = this->formatHookName( name );
-	std::size_t id = uf::hooks.addHook( parsed, callback );
-
+size_t uf::Object::addHook( const size_t& name, T callback ) {
+	size_t id = uf::hooks.addHook( name, callback );
 	auto& metadata = this->getComponent<uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata>();
-	metadata.hooks.bound[parsed].emplace_back(id);
-
+	metadata.hooks.bound[name].emplace_back(id);
 	return id;
 }
 
-template<typename T>
-uf::Hooks::return_t uf::Object::lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const T& p ) {
-	if ( uf::Object::deferLazyCalls ) {
-		this->queueHook( name, p, 0.0f );
-		return {};
-	}
-	return this->callHook( name, p );
-}
-
-template<typename T>
-void uf::Object::queueHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const T& p, float d ) {
+template<typename K> inline void uf::Object::queueHook( const K& name, float d ) {
 	auto& metadata = this->getComponent<uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata>();
 	auto& queue = metadata.hooks.queue.emplace_back(uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata::Queued{
-		.name = name,
 		.timeout = uf::time::current + d,
-		.type = 1,
 	});
-	queue.userdata.create<T>(p);
+	if constexpr ( std::is_same<K, size_t>::value ) {
+		queue.hash = name;
+	} else {
+		queue.name = name;
+	}
+}
+
+template<typename K, typename V>
+void uf::Object::queueHook( const K& name, const V& p, float d ) {
+	auto& metadata = this->getComponent<uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata>();
+	auto& queue = metadata.hooks.queue.emplace_back(uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata::Queued{
+		.timeout = uf::time::current + d,
+	});
+	if constexpr ( std::is_same<K, size_t>::value ) {
+		queue.hash = name;
+	} else {
+		queue.name = name;
+	}
+	if constexpr ( std::is_same<V, ext::json::Value>::value ) {
+		queue.type = -1;
+		queue.json = p;
+	} else {
+		queue.type = 1;
+		queue.userdata.create<V>(p);
+	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/engine/inc/uf/utils/hook/hook.h b/engine/inc/uf/utils/hook/hook.h
index 7f9ebbb2..5ac0116c 100644
--- a/engine/inc/uf/utils/hook/hook.h
+++ b/engine/inc/uf/utils/hook/hook.h
@@ -36,11 +36,16 @@ namespace pod {
 	};
 }
 
+#define UF_HOOKS_HASH_KEYS 1
+
 namespace uf {
 	class UF_API Hooks {
 	public:
-		//typedef uf::hashed_string name_t;
+	#if UF_HOOKS_HASH_KEYS
+		typedef uf::hashed_string name_t;
+	#else
 		typedef uf::stl::string name_t;
+	#endif
 		typedef uf::stl::vector<pod::Hook> hooks_t;
 		typedef uf::stl::unordered_map<name_t, hooks_t> container_t;
 
diff --git a/engine/inc/uf/utils/string/hash.h b/engine/inc/uf/utils/string/hash.h
index fe76d9bb..9ade4bfc 100644
--- a/engine/inc/uf/utils/string/hash.h
+++ b/engine/inc/uf/utils/string/hash.h
@@ -18,6 +18,9 @@ namespace uf {
 	}
 
 	struct hashed_string {
+		typedef uf::stl::string string_t;
+		typedef size_t hash_t;
+
 		size_t hash;
 
 		constexpr hashed_string() : hash(0) {}
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/entity/entity.cpp b/engine/src/engine/entity/entity.cpp
index 0a166a37..6fe13847 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/entity/entity.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/entity/entity.cpp
@@ -174,9 +174,5 @@ uf::Entity* uf::Entity::globalFindByName( const uf::stl::string& name ) {
 }
 
 uf::stl::string uf::string::toString( const uf::Entity& entity ) {
-#if UF_USE_FMT
 	return ::fmt::format("({}): {}", entity.getUid(), entity.getName());
-#else
-	return "(" + std::to_string(entity.getUid()) + ") :" + entity.getName();
-#endif
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/ext/baking/behavior.cpp b/engine/src/engine/ext/baking/behavior.cpp
index 2014cc89..fce61036 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/ext/baking/behavior.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/ext/baking/behavior.cpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ void ext::BakingBehavior::initialize( uf::Object& self ) {
 
 	this->addHook( "entity:PostInitialization.%UID%", [&](){
 		metadata.output = this->resolveURI( metadataJson["baking"]["output"].as<uf::stl::string>(), metadataJson["baking"]["root"].as<uf::stl::string>() );
-		metadata.renderModeName = "B:" + std::to_string((int) this->getUid());
+		metadata.renderModeName = ::fmt::format("B:{}", this->getUid());
 
 		metadata.trigger.mode = metadataJson["baking"]["trigger"]["mode"].as( metadata.trigger.mode );
 		metadata.trigger.value = metadataJson["baking"]["trigger"]["value"].as( metadata.trigger.value );
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/ext/light/behavior.cpp b/engine/src/engine/ext/light/behavior.cpp
index 50e83a2e..9d687a31 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/ext/light/behavior.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/ext/light/behavior.cpp
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ void ext::LightBehavior::initialize( uf::Object& self ) {
 		camera.setProjection( uf::matrix::perspective( fov, (float) size.x / (float) size.y, radius.x, radius.y ) );
 		camera.update();
 		
-		uf::stl::string name = "RT:" + std::to_string((int) this->getUid());
+		uf::stl::string name = ::fmt::format("RT:{}", this->getUid());
 		renderMode.blitter.process = false;
 		renderMode.execute = false;
 		renderMode.width = size.x;
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/ext/scene/behavior.cpp b/engine/src/engine/ext/scene/behavior.cpp
index 36905bef..c83e058a 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/ext/scene/behavior.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/ext/scene/behavior.cpp
@@ -85,10 +85,12 @@ void ext::ExtSceneBehavior::initialize( uf::Object& self ) {
 		*/
 		};
 	});
+
+	// I don't think this ever gets called
 	this->addHook( "world:Entity.LoadAsset", [&](pod::payloads::assetLoad& payload){
 		if ( !payload.object ) return;
 
-		uf::asset::load("asset:Load." + std::to_string(payload.object.uid), payload);
+		uf::asset::load(this->formatHookName("asset:Load.%UID%", payload.object.uid), payload);
 	});
 	this->addHook( "shader:Update.%UID%", [&](ext::json::Value& json){
 		metadata.shader.mode = json["mode"].as<uint32_t>();
@@ -335,11 +337,7 @@ void ext::ExtSceneBehavior::tick( uf::Object& self ) {
 
 			for ( uf::Scene* scene : uf::scene::scenes ) {
 				if ( !scene ) continue;
-			#if UF_USE_FMT
 				uf::iostream << ::fmt::format("Scene: {}\n", uf::string::toString( *scene ));
-			#else
-				uf::iostream << "Scene: " << uf::string::toString( *scene ) << "\n";
-			#endif
 				scene->process([]( uf::Entity* entity, int depth ) {
 					uf::stl::string indent = ""; for ( auto i = 1; i < depth; ++i ) indent += "\t";
 					uf::stl::string location = "";
@@ -349,11 +347,7 @@ void ext::ExtSceneBehavior::tick( uf::Object& self ) {
 						location = uf::string::toString( t.position ) + " " + uf::string::toString( t.orientation );
 					}
 
-				#if UF_USE_FMT
 					uf::iostream << ::fmt::format("{} {} {}\n", indent, uf::string::toString( *entity ), location );
-				#else
-					uf::iostream << indent << " " << uf::string::toString( *entity ) << " " << location << "\n";
-				#endif
 				}, 1);
 			}
 		}
@@ -1174,7 +1168,7 @@ void ext::ExtSceneBehavior::bindBuffers( uf::Object& self, uf::renderer::Graphic
 	while ( textures3D.size() < metadata.max.textures3D ) textures3D.emplace_back().aliasTexture(uf::renderer::Texture3D::empty);
 
 	static uf::stl::unordered_map<uf::stl::string, UniformDescriptor> previousUniformsMap;
-	auto& previousUniforms = previousUniformsMap[shaderType+":"+shaderPipeline+":"+std::to_string((size_t) &graphic)];
+	auto& previousUniforms = previousUniformsMap[::fmt::format("{}:{}:{}", shaderType, shaderPipeline, (size_t)&graphic)];
 
 	// update uniform information
 	// hopefully write combining kicks in
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/ext/voxelizer/behavior.cpp b/engine/src/engine/ext/voxelizer/behavior.cpp
index b7de94d6..c90cccef 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/ext/voxelizer/behavior.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/ext/voxelizer/behavior.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ void ext::VoxelizerSceneBehavior::initialize( uf::Object& self ) {
 		if ( metadata.fragmentSize.y == 0 ) metadata.fragmentSize.y = metadata.voxelSize.y;
 
 		auto& renderMode = this->getComponent<uf::renderer::RenderTargetRenderMode>();
-		metadata.renderModeName = "VXGI:" + std::to_string((int) this->getUid());
+		metadata.renderModeName = ::fmt::format("VXGI:{}", this->getUid());
 		renderMode.metadata.name = metadata.renderModeName;
 		if ( uf::renderer::settings::experimental::registerRenderMode ) uf::renderer::addRenderMode( &renderMode, metadata.renderModeName );
 
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/graph/convert.cpp b/engine/src/engine/graph/convert.cpp
index 5b957b06..08e610e1 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/graph/convert.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/graph/convert.cpp
@@ -15,6 +15,12 @@
 	#include <uf/ext/xatlas/xatlas.h>
 #endif
 
+namespace {
+	uf::stl::string keyID( size_t id ) {
+		return ::fmt::format("{}", id);
+	}
+}
+
 namespace {
 	size_t process( uf::Object& object, pod::Graph& graph, pod::Node& parent ) {
 		auto& storage = uf::graph::getStorage( graph );
@@ -23,7 +29,7 @@ namespace {
 		size_t meshID = graph.meshes.size();
 		size_t objectID = storage.entities.keys.size();
 
-		uf::stl::string keyName = graph.name + "[" + std::to_string(objectID) + "]";
+		uf::stl::string keyName = ::fmt::format("{}[{}]", graph.name, objectID);
 
 		auto& node = graph.nodes.emplace_back();
 		node.name = object.getName();
@@ -34,12 +40,12 @@ namespace {
 		node.mesh = -1;
 		node.skin = -1;
 
-		storage.entities[std::to_string(objectID)] = &object;
+		storage.entities[::keyID(objectID)] = &object;
 
 		pod::Instance::Object instanceObject;
 		instanceObject.model = uf::transform::model( object.getComponent<pod::Transform<>>() );
 		instanceObject.previous = instanceObject.model;
-		storage.objects[std::to_string(objectID)] = instanceObject;
+		storage.objects[::keyID(objectID)] = instanceObject;
 
 		if ( object.hasComponent<uf::renderer::Graphic>() ) {
 			auto& graphic = object.getComponent<uf::renderer::Graphic>();
@@ -51,7 +57,7 @@ namespace {
 				size_t textureID = graph.textures.size();
 				size_t texture2DID = graph.images.size();
 
-				uf::stl::string subName = keyName + "[" + std::to_string(sub++) + "]";
+				uf::stl::string subName = ::fmt::format("{}[{}]", keyName, sub++);
 				auto& material = storage.materials[graph.materials.emplace_back(subName)];
 				auto& texture = storage.textures[graph.textures.emplace_back(subName)];
 				auto& texture2D = storage.images[graph.images.emplace_back(subName)].handle;
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/graph/encode.cpp b/engine/src/engine/graph/encode.cpp
index cd7a8da6..9822c257 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/graph/encode.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/graph/encode.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ namespace {
 
 		ext::json::reserve( json["buffers"], mesh.buffers.size() );
 		for ( auto i = 0; i < mesh.buffers.size(); ++i ) {
-			const uf::stl::string filename = settings.filename + ".buffer." + std::to_string(i) + "." + ( settings.compression == "none" ? "bin" : settings.compression );
+			const uf::stl::string filename = ::fmt::format("{}.buffer.{}.{}", settings.filename, i, settings.compression == "none" ? "bin" : settings.compression );
 			uf::io::write( filename, mesh.buffers[i] );
 			json["buffers"].emplace_back(uf::io::filename( filename ));
 		}
@@ -292,14 +292,14 @@ uf::stl::string uf::graph::save( const pod::Graph& graph, const uf::stl::string&
 				auto& name = graph.meshes[i];
 				auto& mesh = /*graph.storage*/storage.meshes.map.at(name);
 				if ( !s.encodeBuffers ) {
-					s.filename = directory+"/mesh."+std::to_string(i)+".json";
+					s.filename = ::fmt::format("{}/mesh.{}.json", directory, i );
 					encode(mesh, s, graph).writeToFile(s.filename);
 					uf::Serializer json;
 					json["name"] = name;
 					json["filename"] = uf::io::filename(s.filename);
 					serializer["meshes"].emplace_back( json );
 				} else {
-					s.filename = directory+"/mesh."+std::to_string(i);
+					s.filename = ::fmt::format("{}/mesh.{}", directory, i );
 					auto json = encode(mesh, s, graph);
 					json["name"] = name;
 					serializer["meshes"].emplace_back(json);
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ uf::stl::string uf::graph::save( const pod::Graph& graph, const uf::stl::string&
 			for ( size_t i = 0; i < graph.images.size(); ++i ) {
 				auto& name = graph.images[i];
 				auto& image = /*graph.storage*/storage.images.map.at(name).data;
-				uf::stl::string f = "image."+std::to_string(i)+".png";
+				uf::stl::string f = ::fmt::format("{}/image.{}.png", directory, i );
 				image.save(directory + "/" + f);
 
 				// export DC's .dtex
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ uf::stl::string uf::graph::save( const pod::Graph& graph, const uf::stl::string&
 				// to-do: properly scale per my script
 				auto converted = image.scale( {32, 32}, "nearest" );
 				auto dtex = ext::texconv::convert( converted );
-				ext::texconv::save( dtex, directory + "/image."+std::to_string(i) );
+				ext::texconv::save( dtex, ::fmt::format("{}/image.{}", directory, i ) );
 			#endif
 
 				uf::Serializer json;
@@ -407,9 +407,9 @@ uf::stl::string uf::graph::save( const pod::Graph& graph, const uf::stl::string&
 		if ( !settings.combined ) {
 			for ( auto i = 0; i < graph.animations.size(); ++i ) {
 				auto& name = graph.animations[i];
-				uf::stl::string f = "animation."+std::to_string(i)+".json";
+				uf::stl::string f =::fmt::format("animation.{}.json", i);
 				auto& animation = /*graph.storage*/storage.animations.map.at(name);
-				encode(animation, settings, graph).writeToFile(directory+"/"+f);
+				encode(animation, settings, graph).writeToFile(::fmt::format("{}/{}", directory, f));
 				serializer["animations"].emplace_back(f);
 			}
 		} else {
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/graph/graph.cpp b/engine/src/engine/graph/graph.cpp
index 1fc68e2c..ede6dcfd 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/graph/graph.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/graph/graph.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
 // to-do: fix LOD1+ breaking
 
 namespace {
+	uf::stl::string keyedID( size_t id ) {
+		return ::fmt::format("{}", id);
+	}
 	size_t allocateObjectID( pod::Graph::Storage& storage ) {
 		return storage.entities.keys.size();
 	}
@@ -812,7 +815,7 @@ void uf::graph::process( pod::Graph& graph ) {
 		for ( auto& name : graph.primitives ) {
 			auto& primitives = storage.primitives[name];
 			for ( auto& primitive : primitives ) {
-				filenames[primitive.instance.auxID] = uf::string::replace(UF_GRAPH_DEFAULT_LIGHTMAP, "%i", std::to_string(primitive.instance.auxID));
+				filenames[primitive.instance.auxID] = uf::string::replace(UF_GRAPH_DEFAULT_LIGHTMAP, "%i", ::keyedID(primitive.instance.auxID));
 
 				lightmapCount = std::max( lightmapCount, primitive.instance.auxID + 1 );
 			}
@@ -1215,19 +1218,19 @@ void uf::graph::process( pod::Graph& graph, int32_t index, uf::Object& parent )
 	// convert metadata["valve"] into internal values:
 	auto& metadataValve = node.metadata["valve"];
 	if ( ext::json::isObject( metadataValve ) ) {
-		// bind door script
-		if ( ext::json::isObject( metadataValve["door"] ) ) {
-			node.metadata["door"] = metadataValve["door"];
-			loadJson["imports"].emplace_back("ent://door.json");
-		}
 		// bind io connectivity
 		if ( ext::json::isArray( metadataValve["connections"] ) || metadataValve["targetname"].is<uf::stl::string>() ) {
 			node.metadata["connections"] = metadataValve["connections"];
 			loadJson["assets"].emplace_back("ent://scripts/io.lua");
 		}
 
-		// assume all funcs are to have a physics body
-		if ( node.name.starts_with("func_") ) {
+		// bind door script
+		if ( ext::json::isObject( metadataValve["door"] ) ) {
+			node.metadata["door"] = metadataValve["door"];
+			loadJson["imports"].emplace_back("ent://door.json");
+		}
+		// assume all other funcs are to have a physics body
+		else if ( node.name.starts_with("func_") ) {
 			if ( ext::json::isNull( node.metadata["physics"] ) ) {
 				//node.metadata["physics"]["type"] = "bounding box";
 				node.metadata["physics"]["type"] = "mesh";
@@ -1383,7 +1386,7 @@ void uf::graph::process( pod::Graph& graph, int32_t index, uf::Object& parent )
 	if ( 0 <= node.mesh && node.mesh < graph.meshes.size() ) {
 		{
 			node.object = ::allocateObjectID( storage );
-			auto objectKeyName = std::to_string( node.object );
+			auto objectKeyName = ::keyedID( node.object );
 
 			storage.entities[objectKeyName] = &entity;	
 			storage.objects[objectKeyName] = pod::Instance::Object{
@@ -1612,7 +1615,7 @@ bool uf::graph::tick( pod::Graph::Storage& storage ) {
 
 		#if UF_USE_VULKAN
 			if ( commands && !grouped.empty() ) {
-				auto objectKeyName = std::to_string(grouped.front().objectID);
+				auto objectKeyName = ::keyedID(grouped.front().objectID);
 				if ( storage.entities.map.count(objectKeyName) > 0 ) {
 					auto& entity = *storage.entities.map[objectKeyName];
 					if ( entity.hasComponent<uf::renderer::Graphic>() ) {
@@ -2254,7 +2257,7 @@ void uf::graph::reload( pod::Graph& graph, pod::Node& node ) {
 
 	bool graphicOwner = graphMetadataJson["renderer"]["render"].as<bool>();
 	if ( graphicOwner ) {
-		auto objectKeyName = std::to_string(storage.instances.map[graph.primitives[node.mesh]].front().objectID);
+		auto objectKeyName = ::keyedID(storage.instances.map[graph.primitives[node.mesh]].front().objectID);
 		graphicOwner = storage.entities[objectKeyName] == &entity;
 	}
 	// update graphic
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/object/behavior.cpp b/engine/src/engine/object/behavior.cpp
index 762a304e..fd684745 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/object/behavior.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/object/behavior.cpp
@@ -328,11 +328,19 @@ void uf::ObjectBehavior::tick( uf::Object& self ) {
 			else unprocessed.emplace_back(q);
 		}
 		for ( auto& q : executeQueue ) {
-			if ( q.type == 1 ) {
-				this->callHook( q.name, q.userdata );
+			if ( q.hash ) {
+				if ( q.type == 1 ) {
+					this->callHook( q.hash, q.userdata );
+				}
+				else if ( q.type == -1 ) this->callHook( q.hash, q.json );
+				else this->callHook( q.hash );
+			} else {
+				if ( q.type == 1 ) {
+					this->callHook( q.name, q.userdata );
+				}
+				else if ( q.type == -1 ) this->callHook( q.name, q.json );
+				else this->callHook( q.name );
 			}
-			else if ( q.type == -1 ) this->callHook( q.name, q.json );
-			else this->callHook( q.name );
 		}
 		queue = std::move(unprocessed);
 	}
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/object/object.cpp b/engine/src/engine/object/object.cpp
index 739cd73a..d0fc907a 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/object/object.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/object/object.cpp
@@ -65,110 +65,30 @@ void uf::Object::queueDeletion() {
 	this->callHook("entity:Destroy.%UID%");
 }
 
-
-uf::Hooks::return_t uf::Object::lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string& name ) {
-	if ( uf::Object::deferLazyCalls ) {
-		this->queueHook( name, 0.0f );
-		return {};
-	}
-	return this->callHook( name );
-}
-uf::Hooks::return_t uf::Object::lazyCallHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const pod::Hook::userdata_t& payload ) {
-	if ( uf::Object::deferLazyCalls ) {
-		this->queueHook( name, payload, 0.0f );
-		return {};
-	}
-	return this->callHook( name, payload );
-}
-
-void uf::Object::queueHook( const uf::stl::string& name, float timeout ) {
-	auto& metadata = this->getComponent<uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata>();
-	auto& queue = metadata.hooks.queue.emplace_back(uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata::Queued{
-		.name = name,
-		.timeout = uf::time::current + timeout,
-		.type = 0,
-	});
-}
-
-void uf::Object::queueHook( const uf::stl::string& name, const ext::json::Value& payload, float timeout ) {
-	auto& metadata = this->getComponent<uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata>();
-	auto& queue = metadata.hooks.queue.emplace_back(uf::ObjectBehavior::Metadata::Queued{
-		.name = name,
-		.timeout = uf::time::current + timeout,
-		.type = -1,
-	});
-	queue.json = payload;
-}
-/*
-uf::hashed_string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string_view n, size_t uid, bool fetch ) {
+uf::hashed_string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n, size_t uid, bool fetch ) {
 	if ( fetch ) {
-		uf::Object* object = (uf::Object*) uf::Entity::globalFindByUid( uid );
+		auto* object = (uf::Object*) uf::Entity::globalFindByUid( uid );
 		if ( object ) return object->formatHookName( n );
 	}
 
-	size_t uidPos = n.find("%UID%");
-	if ( uidPos == uf::stl::string_view::npos ) {
-		return n;
-	}
+	size_t hash = {};
+	uf::hash( hash, n );
+	if ( n.ends_with("%UID%") ) uf::hash( hash, uid );
 
-	uf::stl::string_view base = n.substr(0, uidPos);
-	uf::stl::string_view suffix = n.substr(uidPos + 5);
-
-	size_t seed = uf::hashed_string( base );
-	uf::hash( seed, uid );
-
-	if ( !suffix.empty() ) {
-		uf::hash( seed, suffix );
-	}
-
-	return seed;
+	return hash;
 }
 
-uf::hashed_string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string_view n ) {
-	if ( n.find("%UID%") == uf::stl::string_view::npos && n.find("%P-UID%") == uf::stl::string_view::npos ) {
-		return n;
-	}
 
+uf::hashed_string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n ) {
 	size_t uid = this->getUid();
 	size_t parent = this->hasParent() ? this->getParent().getUid() : uid;
 
-	uf::stl::string name(n);
-	name = uf::string::replace(name, "%UID%", std::to_string(uid));
-	name = uf::string::replace(name, "%P-UID%", std::to_string(parent));
+	size_t hash = {};
+	uf::hash( hash, n );
+	if ( n.ends_with("%P-UID%") ) uf::hash( hash, parent );
+	else if ( n.ends_with("%UID%") ) uf::hash( hash, uid );
 
-	return name;
-}
-*/
-
-uf::stl::string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n, size_t uid, bool fetch ) {
-	if ( fetch ) {
-		uf::Object* object = (uf::Object*) uf::Entity::globalFindByUid( uid );
-		if ( object ) return object->formatHookName( n );
-	}
-	uf::stl::unordered_map<uf::stl::string, uf::stl::string> formats = {
-		{"%UID%", std::to_string(uid)},
-	};
-	uf::stl::string name = n;
-	for ( auto& pair : formats ) {
-		name = uf::string::replace( name, pair.first, pair.second );
-	}
-	return name;
-}
-uf::stl::string uf::Object::formatHookName( const uf::stl::string& n ) {
-	size_t uid = this->getUid();
-	size_t parent = uid;
-	if ( this->hasParent() ) {
-		parent = this->getParent().getUid();
-	}
-	uf::stl::unordered_map<uf::stl::string, uf::stl::string> formats = {
-		{"%UID%", std::to_string(uid)},
-		{"%P-UID%", std::to_string(parent)},
-	};
-	uf::stl::string name = n;
-	for ( auto& pair : formats ) {
-		name = uf::string::replace( name, pair.first, pair.second );
-	}
-	return name;
+	return hash;
 }
 
 bool uf::Object::load( const uf::stl::string& f, bool inheritRoot ) {
diff --git a/engine/src/engine/scene/scene.cpp b/engine/src/engine/scene/scene.cpp
index e664414c..8e305fdd 100644
--- a/engine/src/engine/scene/scene.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/engine/scene/scene.cpp
@@ -175,14 +175,8 @@ uf::Scene& uf::scene::loadScene( const uf::stl::string& name, const uf::stl::str
 	uf::Scene* scene = uf::instantiator::objects->has( name ) ? (uf::Scene*) &uf::instantiator::instantiate( name ) : new uf::Scene;
 	uf::scene::scenes.emplace_back( scene );
 
-#if UF_USE_FMT
 	uf::stl::string filename = _filename;
-	if ( _filename == "" ) {
-		filename = ::fmt::format("/{}/scene.json", uf::string::lowercase(name));
-	}
-#else
-	const uf::stl::string filename = _filename != "" ? _filename : (uf::stl::string("/") + uf::string::lowercase(name) + "/scene.json");
-#endif
+	if ( _filename == "" ) filename = ::fmt::format("/{}/scene.json", uf::string::lowercase(name));
 	scene->load(filename);
 
 	auto& metadata = scene->getComponent<uf::SceneBehavior::Metadata>();
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/gltf/gltf.cpp b/engine/src/ext/gltf/gltf.cpp
index ea7dedbb..bd87db1a 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/gltf/gltf.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/gltf/gltf.cpp
@@ -366,17 +366,9 @@ void ext::gltf::load( pod::Graph& graph, const uf::stl::string& filename, const
 				const tinygltf::Buffer& buffer = model.buffers[view.buffer];
 				const void* dataPtr = &buffer.data[accessor.byteOffset + view.byteOffset];
 
-			#if UF_MATRIX_ALIGNED	
-				skin.inverseBindMatrices.resize(accessor.count);
-				const float* buf = static_cast<const float*>(dataPtr);
-				for ( size_t i = 0; i < accessor.count; ++i ) {
-					memcpy( &skin.inverseBindMatrices[i], (const void*) &buf[i*16], sizeof(float) * 16 );
-				}
-			#else
 				skin.inverseBindMatrices.reserve(accessor.count);
 				const pod::Matrix4f* buf = static_cast<const pod::Matrix4f*>(dataPtr);
 				for ( size_t i = 0; i < accessor.count; ++i ) skin.inverseBindMatrices.emplace_back( buf[i] );
-			#endif
 			}
 
 			skin.joints.reserve( s.joints.size() );
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/lua/lua.cpp b/engine/src/ext/lua/lua.cpp
index b66673ca..48f9de63 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/lua/lua.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/lua/lua.cpp
@@ -155,7 +155,6 @@ namespace binds {
 	}
 	namespace io {
 		void print( sol::variadic_args va ) {
-		#if UF_USE_FMT
 			size_t count = va.size();
 			for ( auto value : va ) {
 				uf::stl::string str = ext::lua::state["tostring"]( value );
@@ -164,16 +163,6 @@ namespace binds {
 			}
 			::fmt::print("\n");
 			std::cout.flush();
-		#else
-			size_t count = va.size();
-			for ( auto value : va ) {
-				uf::stl::string str = ext::lua::state["tostring"]( value );
-				std::cout << str;
-				if ( --count != 0 ) std::cout << "\t";
-			}
-			std::cout <<"\n";
-			std::cout.flush();
-		#endif
 		};
 	}
 	namespace math {
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/lua/usertypes/object.cpp b/engine/src/ext/lua/usertypes/object.cpp
index 6d0de3e8..d5a871c5 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/lua/usertypes/object.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/lua/usertypes/object.cpp
@@ -41,15 +41,10 @@ namespace binds {
 	}
 	*/
 
-	/*
-	size_t formatHookName(uf::Object& self, const uf::stl::string n ){
+	uf::hashed_string formatHookName(uf::Object& self, const uf::stl::string n ){
 		return self.formatHookName(n);
 	}
-	*/
 
-	uf::stl::string formatHookName(uf::Object& self, const uf::stl::string n ){
-		return self.formatHookName(n);
-	}
 	/*
 	sol::object getComponentFromEnum( uf::Object& self, binds::enums::Components type ) {
 	#define UF_LUA_RETRIEVE_COMPONENT_FROM_ENUM( E, T )\
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/openal/openal.cpp b/engine/src/ext/openal/openal.cpp
index 70d9e5d9..76315e8e 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/openal/openal.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/openal/openal.cpp
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ uf::stl::string ext::al::getError( ALCenum error ) {
 		case AL_INVALID_OPERATION: return "AL_INVALID_OPERATION"; // the requested operation is not valid
 		case AL_OUT_OF_MEMORY: return "AL_OUT_OF_MEMORY"; // the requested operation resulted in OpenAL running out ofmemory 
 	}
-	return "AL_UNKNOWN(" + std::to_string(error) + ")";
+	return ::fmt::format("AL_UNKNOWN({})", error);
 }
 uf::audio::Metadata* ext::al::create( const uf::stl::string& filename, bool streamed, uint8_t buffers ) {
 #if UF_MEMORYPOOL_INVALID_MALLOC
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/texconv/texconv.cpp b/engine/src/ext/texconv/texconv.cpp
index 9de786e1..bbac6496 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/texconv/texconv.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/texconv/texconv.cpp
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ bool ext::texconv::convert(  const pod::TextureOptions& opts  ) {
 	int padding = expectedSize - ( (int) after - (int) before );
 	if ( padding > 0 ){
 		writeZeroes( out, padding );
-		UF_MSG_INFO( "Added {} padding bytes", std::to_string( padding ) );
+		UF_MSG_INFO( "Added {} padding bytes", padding );
 	}
 	out.close();
 	UF_MSG_INFO( "Wrote texture {}", opts.output );
diff --git a/engine/src/ext/vulkan/shader.cpp b/engine/src/ext/vulkan/shader.cpp
index dcc21921..f7ed09e2 100644
--- a/engine/src/ext/vulkan/shader.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/ext/vulkan/shader.cpp
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ ext::vulkan::userdata_t ext::vulkan::jsonToUserdata( const ext::json::Value& pay
 		}
 		if ( ext::json::isArray(value) ) {
 			ext::json::forEach(value, [&]( size_t i, const ext::json::Value& element ){
-				variableName.emplace_back("["+std::to_string(i)+"]");
+				variableName.emplace_back(::fmt::format("[{}]", i));
 				parse(element);
 			});
 			#if UF_SHADER_TRACK_NAMES
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ ext::vulkan::userdata_t ext::vulkan::jsonToUserdata( const ext::json::Value& pay
 			else if ( ext::json::isArray(input) ) {
 				ext::json::forEach( input, [&]( size_t i, const ext::json::Value& value){
 				#if UF_SHADER_TRACK_NAMES
-					variableName.emplace_back("["+std::to_string(i)+"]");
+					variableName.emplace_back(::fmt::format("[{}]", i));
 					SKIP_ADD = true;
 				#endif
 					parseDefinition(input[i], definition);
@@ -366,9 +366,8 @@ void ext::vulkan::Shader::initialize( ext::vulkan::Device& device, const uf::stl
 				if ( name == "" ) name = comp.get_name(type.parent_type);
 				if ( name == "" ) name = comp.get_fallback_name(type_id);
 				if ( type.vecsize > 1 ) {
-					name = "<"+name+">";
-					if ( type.columns > 1 ) name = "Matrix"+std::to_string(type.vecsize)+"x"+std::to_string(type.columns)+name;
-					else name = "Vector"+std::to_string(type.vecsize)+name;
+					if ( type.columns > 1 ) name = ::fmt::format( "Matrix{}x{}<{}>", type.vecsize, type.columns, name );
+					else name = ::fmt::format("Vector{}<{}>", type.vecsize, name )
 				}
 				{
 					ext::json::Value source = value;
@@ -385,7 +384,7 @@ void ext::vulkan::Shader::initialize( ext::vulkan::Device& device, const uf::stl
 						for ( size_t i = 0; i < arraySize; ++i ) {
 							value.emplace_back(source);
 						}
-						name += "[" + std::to_string(arraySize) + "]";
+						name += ::fmt::format("[{}]", arraySize);
 						size *= arraySize;
 					}
 				}
@@ -465,7 +464,7 @@ void ext::vulkan::Shader::initialize( ext::vulkan::Device& device, const uf::stl
 						case spv::Dim::DimBuffer: tname = "Buffer"; break;
 						case spv::Dim::DimSubpassData: tname = "SubpassData"; break;
 					}
-					uf::stl::string key = std::to_string(binding);
+					uf::stl::string key = ::fmt::format("{}", binding);
 				#if UF_SHADER_PARSE_AS_JSON
 					metadata.json["definitions"]["textures"][key]["name"] = name;
 					metadata.json["definitions"]["textures"][key]["index"] = index;
diff --git a/engine/src/spec/window/windows.cpp b/engine/src/spec/window/windows.cpp
index 29f1b739..61846747 100644
--- a/engine/src/spec/window/windows.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/spec/window/windows.cpp
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ namespace {
 			CASE_KEY_RETURN('9', "Num9");
 			CASE_KEY_RETURN('0', "Num0");
 		}
-		return std::to_string((int) key);
+		return ::fmt::format("{}", key);
 	}
 	uf::stl::string GetKeyName( WPARAM key, LPARAM flags = 0 ) {
 		return uf::string::uppercase( _GetKeyName( key, flags ) );
diff --git a/engine/src/utils/debug/checkpoint.cpp b/engine/src/utils/debug/checkpoint.cpp
index 02009660..41cb80f6 100644
--- a/engine/src/utils/debug/checkpoint.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/utils/debug/checkpoint.cpp
@@ -51,11 +51,7 @@ uf::stl::string uf::checkpoint::traverse( pod::Checkpoint* checkpoint ) {
 			case pod::Checkpoint::BEGIN: type = "BEGIN"; break;
 			case pod::Checkpoint::END: type = "END"; break;
 		}
-	#if UF_USE_FMT
 		res.emplace( res.begin(), ::fmt::format("[{}] [{}]: {}", type, checkpoint->info, checkpoint->name) );
-	#else
-		res.emplace( res.begin(), "[" + type + "] [" + checkpoint->info + "]: " + checkpoint->name );
-	#endif
 		checkpoint = checkpoint->previous;
 	}	
 
diff --git a/engine/src/utils/io/console.cpp b/engine/src/utils/io/console.cpp
index 88c484f9..f669246c 100644
--- a/engine/src/utils/io/console.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/utils/io/console.cpp
@@ -55,14 +55,12 @@ void uf::console::initialize() {
 
 		// this could probably be its own function
 		uf::stl::string s_result = "";
-	#if UF_USE_FMT
 		for ( auto i = 0; i < results.size(); ++i ) {
 			auto& res = results[i];
 			if ( res.is<uf::stl::string>() ) s_result += ::fmt::format("\n[{}] => {}", i, res.as<uf::stl::string>());
 			else if ( res.is<ext::json::Value>() ) s_result += ::fmt::format("\n[{}] => {}", i, ext::json::encode( res.as<ext::json::Value>() ));
 			else s_result += ::fmt::format("\n[{}] => Userdata: {}", i, (void*) res);
 		}
-	#endif
 
 		return "Hook executed: " + match[1] + s_result;
 	});
@@ -102,11 +100,7 @@ void uf::console::initialize() {
 		};
 		for ( uf::Scene* scene : uf::scene::scenes ) {
 			if ( !scene ) continue;
-		#if UF_USE_FMT
 			res += ::fmt::format("Scene: {}: {}\n", scene->getName(), scene->getUid());
-		#else
-			res += "Scene: " + scene->getName() + ": " + std::to_string(scene->getUid()) + "\n";
-		#endif
 			scene->process(filter, 1);
 		}
 
diff --git a/engine/src/utils/io/fmt.cpp b/engine/src/utils/io/fmt.cpp
index 111fd48d..1aa61e19 100644
--- a/engine/src/utils/io/fmt.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/utils/io/fmt.cpp
@@ -15,17 +15,9 @@ void uf::io::exception( const uf::stl::string& exception ) {
 }
 */
 uf::stl::string uf::io::log( const uf::stl::string& category, const uf::stl::string& file, const uf::stl::string& function, size_t line, const uf::stl::string& message ) {
-#if UF_USE_FMT
 	auto string = ::fmt::format("[{}] [{}:{}@{}]: {}", category, file, function, line, message);
 	::fmt::print("{}\n", string);
 	uf::iostream.pushHistory(string);
-#else
-	std::stringstream ss;
-	ss << "[" << category << "] [" << file << ":" << function << "@" << line << "]: " << message << "\n";
-	auto string = ss.str();
-	std::cout << string;
-	uf::iostream.pushHistory(string);
-#endif
 	std::cout.flush();
 
 	uf::console::print( string );
diff --git a/engine/src/utils/io/iostream.cpp b/engine/src/utils/io/iostream.cpp
index 41dcfc9b..979834ff 100644
--- a/engine/src/utils/io/iostream.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/utils/io/iostream.cpp
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ char uf::IoStream::readChar(const bool& loop) {
 	auto ch = std::cin.get();
 	
 	addCh(ch);
-//	::info.input.history.push_back( std::to_string(ch) );
+//	::info.input.history.push_back( ::fmt::format("{}", ch) );
 	return ch;
 }
 uf::stl::string uf::IoStream::readString(const bool& loop) {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ char uf::IoStream::writeChar( char ch ) {
 
 	if ( ch == '\n' ) std::cout << std::endl;
 	else std::cout << ch;
-//	::info.input.history.push_back( std::to_string(ch) );
+//	::info.input.history.push_back( ::fmt::format("{}", ch) );
 	return ch;
 }
 const uf::stl::string& uf::IoStream::writeString( const uf::stl::string& str ) {
diff --git a/engine/src/utils/text/graphic.cpp b/engine/src/utils/text/graphic.cpp
index 34c37928..55692161 100644
--- a/engine/src/utils/text/graphic.cpp
+++ b/engine/src/utils/text/graphic.cpp
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ bool uf::glyph::generateAtlas( const uf::stl::vector<pod::GlyphBox>& layout, con
 	// generate atlas
 	for ( const auto& g : layout ) {
 		auto key = uf::glyph::hashSettings( g.code, metadata );
-		auto hash = std::to_string( key );
+		auto hash = ::fmt::format( "{}", key );
 		auto& glyph = cache[key];
 
 		// already in atlas map
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ void uf::glyph::generateMesh( const uf::stl::vector<pod::GlyphBox>& layout, cons
 	indices.reserve(layout.size() * 6);
 
 	for ( const auto& g : layout ) {
-		auto hash = std::to_string( uf::glyph::hashSettings(g.code, metadata) );
+		auto hash = ::fmt::format( "{}", uf::glyph::hashSettings(g.code, metadata) );
 
 	#if EXT_COLOR_FLOATS
 		auto& color = g.color;
diff --git a/makefiles/dependencies.mk b/makefiles/dependencies.mk
index d0ef9955..ac33a51c 100644
--- a/makefiles/dependencies.mk
+++ b/makefiles/dependencies.mk
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ endif
 
 ifneq (,$(findstring simd,$(REQ_DEPS)))
 	ifeq (,$(findstring dreamcast,$(ARCH)))
-		FLAGS += -DUF_USE_SIMD -DUF_ALIGN_FOR_SIMD -DUF_MATRIX_ALIGNED
+		FLAGS += -DUF_USE_SIMD
 	endif
 endif