Master SwiftUI's Image Eraser Tool - Day 2 Conclusion

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Tracking Mouse Position in Swift UI
3. Legacy APIs for Mouse Tracking
4. Filtering Events
5. Integrating Undo Functionality
6. Backend Integration
7. Translating Swifty Paths to CG Context
8. End Result: Mouse Position Tracking in Action
9. Completion of the Feature
10. Unexpected Speed of Development
11. Releasing the Eraser Tool
12. Paywalled Feature
13. Testing on Mobile
14. Making Tweaks for Mobile
15. Conclusion

Tracking Mouse Position in Swift UI

Tracking the mouse position in Swift UI on Mac OS can be a challenging task. Unlike other platforms, Swift UI does not provide an easy way to track the mouse position out of the box. However, by using legacy APIs and implementing certain techniques, it is possible to achieve this functionality.

Legacy APIs for Mouse Tracking

To track the mouse position in Swift UI, You need to utilize the NSEvent.addLocalMonitor(for:) method. This method allows you to add a local monitor for events, including mouse movements. However, it returns a monitor of Type Any, which means you need to handle the filtering of events yourself.

Filtering Events

Since the addLocalMonitor(for:) method provides a fire hose of events, it is crucial to filter them to ensure you are only capturing the events you need. This filtering process involves checking if the event is within the window you want to track. By implementing the necessary filtering logic, you can accurately track the mouse position.

Integrating Undo Functionality

To enhance the eraser tool's usability, integrating undo functionality is essential. This allows users to have a certain level of forgiveness when erasing something. By implementing undo functionality, users can easily revert their actions without the need for perfection every time.

Backend Integration

In order to use the eraser tool effectively, it is necessary to integrate it with the image editor's backend. This involves converting the Swifty paths into a CG context, which is the underlying technology used by the image editor. Ensuring a seamless transition between the eraser tool and the image editor is crucial for a smooth user experience.

Translating Swifty Paths to CG Context

The Swifty paths used by the eraser tool need to be accurately translated into a CG context. This translation ensures that the mask created by the eraser tool appears identical when applied to the CG context version of the image. By ensuring a 1:1 translation, users can trust that the eraser tool's effects will perfectly mirror their intentions.

End Result: Mouse Position Tracking in Action

After implementing the necessary functionality and completing the eraser tool feature, users can witness the direct impact of tracking the mouse position. The eraser tool's circular Cursor follows the user's mouse movements, with its size corresponding to the selected eraser size. This visual representation enhances user control and precision when erasing.

Completion of the Feature

With the eraser tool's functionality successfully implemented, the feature can be considered complete. However, before releasing it to users, a few additional steps need to be taken. These include integrating undo functionality and performing backend integration tasks to ensure a seamless user experience.

Unexpected Speed of Development

The development of the eraser tool has been progressing faster than anticipated. Initially estimated to take one week, the feature is already near completion after just two days. This Speedy development is largely attributed to the reuse of existing code and the similarities between the eraser tool and other features in the codebase.

Releasing the Eraser Tool

Once all necessary tweaks and integrations are in place, it is time to release the eraser tool. However, it is important to note that this feature will be paywalled. Users who have not paid for the app will encounter a pop-up that Prompts them to either make a purchase or forfeit access to the eraser tool.

Testing on Mobile

Before releasing the feature, it is crucial to conduct thorough testing on mobile devices. Since the eraser tool was primarily developed for macOS, it is necessary to ensure its functionality and usability translate seamlessly to mobile platforms as well.

Making Tweaks for Mobile

During the testing phase, it is common to identify areas that require tweaks and adjustments specifically for mobile devices. These tweaks can include fixing scaling issues, adjusting padding, and ensuring the overall user experience remains consistent across different platforms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tracking the mouse position in Swift UI on Mac OS requires utilizing legacy APIs and implementing event filtering. By integrating undo functionality, performing backend integration tasks, and ensuring seamless translation between Swifty paths and CG context, the eraser tool can provide a precise and user-friendly experience. The unexpected speed of development and the paywalled release add to the excitement of the feature's completion. Thorough mobile testing and necessary tweaks ensure a consistent user experience across different platforms.