How to make an app like pixelmator

Asked on 2024-07-30

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To create an app similar to Pixelmator, you can leverage several tools and frameworks introduced at WWDC. Here are some relevant sessions and features that can help you build such an app:

  1. Image Playground API:

    • The Image Playground API allows you to integrate image creation features into your app effortlessly. This API provides a pre-built UI for users to create and embed images, and it runs locally on the device, so users can create as many images as they want without worrying about costs.
    • You can see how to get started with the Image Playground API in the Platforms State of the Union session.
  2. RealityKit and SwiftUI:

    • For advanced 3D capabilities, you can use RealityKit combined with SwiftUI. This combination supports creating customized meshes, textures, and shaders, which can be useful for a sophisticated image editing app.
    • The session Build a spatial drawing app with RealityKit covers how to set up spatial tracking, build a UI, and generate brush geometry.
  3. Apple Pencil Integration:

    • If you want to support drawing features similar to Pixelmator, integrating Apple Pencil is crucial. The session Squeeze the most out of Apple Pencil discusses new features in the tool picker, building custom tools, and integrating Apple Pencil Pro features and APIs.
  4. AppKit Enhancements:

    • For macOS apps, AppKit has several new features that can enhance your app's capabilities, such as window tiling, SwiftUI integrations, and new system standard components.
    • Check out the session What’s new in AppKit for more details.
  5. Document Management:

By combining these tools and frameworks, you can create a powerful image editing app similar to Pixelmator. Here are the relevant sessions mentioned:

  1. Platforms State of the Union
  2. Build a spatial drawing app with RealityKit
  3. Squeeze the most out of Apple Pencil
  4. What’s new in AppKit
  5. Evolve your document launch experience