This blog provides a step-by-step guide to creating your first VisionOS app using SwiftUI in Xcode 15. It introduces VisionOS, explains how to set up a project, and covers topics like blending 2D and 3D content, immersive experiences, and creating modal popups for a seamless user interface.
If VisionOS is new to you, begin by creating a fresh project in Xcode. This is like the starting point for understanding what VisionOS can do and how things work there. When you make an app for VisionOS, using something called SwiftUI is a smart move. It lets you use all the cool stuff that VisionOS offers. While there are other tools you can use (they're called UIKit) to build some parts of your app, you'll need SwiftUI for the special things that make VisionOS different. It's like having a special key that unlocks all the unique features and experiences of VisionOS.
In SwiftUI apps, you arrange what you want to show on the screen using something called "scenes." A scene is like a frame that holds all the things you want people to see and interact with on the screen. It's not just about putting things on the screen – scenes also decide how things should look when they're displayed.
Now, when we're talking about VisionOS, things get even more exciting. You can put both 2D and 3D views together in the same scene. It's like combining regular pictures with pictures that pop out of the screen. And the cool part? You can show these scenes in a window, or you can make them part of the environment around the person using the app. It's like bringing your creations to life in the real world!
Xcode 15 beta 4: This version of Xcode is essential, as it empowers you to build, test, and share apps across Apple's platforms. It supports various SDKs for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, macOS 14, and the VisionOS 1 platform. As of writing this blog, I'm utilizing Xcode 15 beta 4 for illustration.
VDine is not your typical food delivery app. It's a revolutionary vision that blends technology with gastronomy to redefine how we order and enjoy meals. At its core, VDine utilizes spatial computing, allowing users to see their meal choices in 3D, virtually explore restaurant kitchens, and interact with dishes as if they were right in front of them. With VDine, ordering becomes a seamless process, complete with real-time delivery tracking and an augmented reality dining experience. Gamification and partnerships with local restaurants enhance variety and engagement, while user feedback and data analytics ensure personalized recommendations. VDine is where the future of food delivery meets innovation, making each meal an extraordinary experience.
And that's it! You've now kickstarted your Xcode project for your VisionOS app. The adventure begins as you design scenes that will captivate users and make your app truly stand out.
Let's dive into modifying your existing window and building your initial interface using SwiftUI:
In this code, you're enhancing your app's interface in a few steps:
With these modifications, you're customizing your app's window and creating an immersive experience that users will enjoy. Your VisionOS app is taking shape, combining design and interactivity seamlessly.
Think of an app's scenes as different stages where you can do stuff. These stages can look different – some might fill a window, others could be in a tab or even cover the whole screen. Some scenes can even put things all around you. How they look depends on what kind they are, what device you're using, and the situation you're in.
When you open your app, SwiftUI searches for the first special thing you set up, like a WindowGroup, Window, or DocumentGroup. Then, it sets up a scene that matches. This scene might fill a new window or take up the whole screen, depending on whether you're on a phone, computer, or something else.
First, build and run your app in the Simulator. This is where the magic happens – you'll see exactly how your app looks and works.
Inside the VisionOS Simulator, your app gets a special virtual background. It adds a unique touch to your app's content, making it stand out.
Now, use your keyboard, mouse, or trackpad to explore and interact with your app. Click on things, move around – see how your app reacts.
If you want to change the window's position, it's easy! Just tap and drag the window bar under your app's content. Think of it as moving things around in a virtual space.
To resize the window, move your cursor to a corner. And to close the window, hover over the circle next to the window bar.
So, dive into the Simulator, have fun experimenting, and watch your app come to life in this cool virtual world. It's your opportunity to see your ideas in action!
In this SwiftUI code snippet, we encounter an visionOS app called "VDine" designed to provide immersive dining experiences. Let's break down this code and understand its key components.
The code starts with the import statement, bringing in the SwiftUI framework, which is Apple's declarative framework for building user interfaces.
The @main attribute indicates that the VDineApp struct serves as the entry point for the application.
Inside the VDineApp struct, we have the declaration of a State property called 'model,' initialized with a ViewModel. This 'model' is likely used to manage the application's data and state.
The body property defines the main user interface of the application. It consists of a TabView, which allows users to navigate between different sections of the app.
The first tab, "Home," is associated with the HomeContainer view.
The second tab, "ImmersiveSpace," leads to the CustomImmersiveSpace view.
Each tab is labeled with an icon using the Label view, making the app's interface more user-friendly.
The 'environment' modifier is used to pass the 'model' to the TabView, allowing the views within the tabs to access and interact with the application's data.
The WindowGroup struct defines two windows for the application:
The first WindowGroup serves as the main window for the app, displaying the TabView. It uses the '.plain' window style.
Certainly! The `HomeContainer` struct is a crucial component of the VDineApp, a SwiftUI-based application. In this context, the `HomeContainer` represents the "Home" tab of the app, which is responsible for displaying a list of menu items and the details associated with the selected item.
At its core, `HomeContainer` is a SwiftUI view, which means it defines both the visual layout and the behavior of this particular tab. Inside this struct, there are several key components that work together to create the user interface and enable user interaction.
First, there's a private constant called `assetClasses`. This constant holds an array of `SideMenuItem` instances, which presumably represent various menu categories or options. These options will be displayed as a list for users to choose from.
Next, we have a `@State` property named `selectedSideMenu`. This property is responsible for keeping track of the user's selection within the list of menu items. It utilizes the `@State` property wrapper, indicating that it's mutable and capable of updating the UI when its value changes. Initially, `selectedSideMenu` is set to `SideMenuItem.delivery`, implying that "Delivery" is the default selected menu item.
The core of the `HomeContainer` view is defined within the `body` property. SwiftUI uses this property to determine what to display on the screen. In this case, the `body` property presents a `NavigationSplitView`. This view is responsible for creating a split view interface where there's a list on one side and detailed content on the other.
The left side of the split view contains a list of `assetClasses`, which are the menu items from the `assetClasses` array. Users can select an item from this list, and the `selectedSideMenu` state variable is updated accordingly.
Finally, the right side of the split view shows different content based on the selected menu item. Depending on what the user chooses, `HomeContainer` conditionally displays either a `DeliveryView`, a `DiningOutView`, or a `ExploreMealView`. Each of these views likely contains specific information and functionality related to the chosen menu category.
In summary, `HomeContainer` is a central component of the VDineApp's "Home" tab. It allows users to select from a list of menu items and dynamically displays relevant content based on their selection, demonstrating the power of SwiftUI for building dynamic and interactive user interfaces.
The body property is where the magic happens. This computed property defines the entire user interface of the "Delivery" tab.
ScrollView for Scrolling Bliss: The outermost element, a ScrollView, encapsulates the other views. It enables users to scroll through content seamlessly, even if it exceeds the screen's size. This ensures that all content remains accessible, no matter how extensive it is.
Combining Components: Within the ScrollView, three essential components are integrated: InspirationView(), TopBrandsView(), and DeliveryRestaurantView(). These views collectively create a rich and engaging user experience.
InspirationView(): This view is responsible for showcasing a list of horizontal scrollable meal items. Users can swipe left or right to explore various food options. It's like flipping through a menu with the flick of a finger.
TopBrandsView(): Here, you'll encounter a list of horizontal scrollable top brands. These are displayed in a sleek manner, making it easy to navigate and discover popular food establishments. It's akin to flipping through a gallery of culinary excellence.
DeliveryRestaurantView(): The pièce de résistance, this view presents a grid of meal items, each accompanied by a meal info card. Users can explore different dishes and access essential details like ingredients and pricing. It's like having an interactive menu right on your device.
Discover how to unveil and hide distinct areas within your app. SwiftUI in VisionOS empowers you to do just that, providing a dynamic user experience. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating an app with two distinct windows, all with the magic of SwiftUI.
Defining the AppTo get started, let's define our app using the `@main` attribute. Our `ExampleApp` struct will house the essential elements for our multi-window experience.
Creating Window.
In VisionOS, `WindowGroup` serves as our ticket to crafting windows. Our app features two windows: the primary window and a secondary window, identified as "SecondWindow". These windows are like different scenes where users interact with your app's content.
PrimaryWindow: Exploring a New Realm
Our `PrimaryWindow` view is the anchor of the primary window. It showcases a button allowing users to venture into the second window. The `openWindow` environment variable enables this transition, providing a seamless experience for users to explore further.
SecondWindow: Exploring Another Dimension
The `SecondWindow` view, residing in the secondary window, offers a reverse journey. A dismiss button lets users return to the primary window. The `dismissWindow` environment variable facilitates this seamless transition, ensuring a cohesive user experience.
Putting it All Together
With these views in place, our `ExampleApp` leverages the power of SwiftUI to bring multiple windows to life. Users can switch between windows effortlessly, enjoying a versatile and engaging app experience.
Positioning and sizing windows
In VisionOS, you can easily adjust the position and size of windows. Your app can also control how windows appear initially using scene modifiers. This includes specifying how the system sets minimum and maximum window sizes.
In VisionOS, when your app opens a window from a specific scene for the first time, it usually appears centered on the screen. For scenes that allow multiple windows, the system slightly shifts extra windows to prevent overlap.
You have the power to change where the first window appears by using the defaultPosition(_:) scene modifier. This lets you determine a different starting spot on the screen, like asking for a new window to appear at the bottom right corner of the screen:
The defaultPosition(_:) function is a handy tool that lets you set a preferred starting position for a window. By calling this function, you can indicate where you'd like the window to appear on the screen by default.
Position
A "UnitPoint" serves as a coordinate that instructs where a newly opened window should be positioned in relation to the screen boundaries.
Specify initial window size
To define the initial size of a window that the system generates based on a Scene declaration, you can utilize default size scene modifiers, such as defaultSize(width:height:). This allows you to specify the dimensions you desire for a new window.
In VisionOS, combine RealityKit and SwiftUI to effortlessly blend 2D and 3D content in your app. You can easily use existing USDZ assets or create scenes in Reality Composer Pro. These scenes can have animations, physics, lighting, sounds, and special behaviors for your content.
Using USDZ to Display 3D Models
Think of a 3D model like an image, but with a 3D twist. It's a convenient way to bring in and show 3D content. However, there's a cool difference: 3D models load in a special way. Unlike images that load all at once, 3D models load asynchronously, meaning they load in the background, making your app smoother and more responsive.
Incorporating a USDZ file to present a 3D model is straightforward. You can seamlessly integrate your USDZ file within your app. For instance, let's consider a USDZ file named "Birthday_Cake." Here's how to showcase it using the `WindowGroup`:
Inside the `DisplayEmbedded3DModel`, the code is structured like this:
Within the `DisplayEmbedded3DModel` section, a `VStack` arrangement showcases the 3D model using the `Model3D` component. This code ensures that your USDZ 3D model is seamlessly integrated and displayed within the app's window. The `rotationAngle` and `rotationAxis` properties control dynamic rotations for an enhanced user experience.
To display the 3d_window_module,' simply execute the following line of code: openWindow(id: "3d_window_module"). This action will trigger the presentation of a captivating 3D model featuring a mouthwatering burger. As depicted in the accompanying image, the code seamlessly embeds the '3d_window_module' within the 'news window group,' showcasing 3D content.
In this scenario, we're using RealityView to showcase 3D content. RealityView is a special SwiftUI view that acts as a container for your RealityKit creations. Plus, you can make changes to your content using the familiar techniques you know from SwiftUI.
Let's dive in with an example: Imagine you want to display a 3D sphere. With RealityView, it's easy peasy. Check out the code below. We've got a simple SwiftUI view called `SphereView` that's using RealityView. Inside the view's code, we're setting up a 3D sphere using RealityKit and putting it right into the view:
So, with RealityView, you're diving into a world where your 3D content becomes part of your app's interface, and you control it using the simplicity of SwiftUI.
VisionOS Pro offers a seamless and intuitive user experience, and one way to enhance it is by using modal popups. Modal popups provide a focused and contextual way to display information or gather user input without disrupting the overall flow of your app.
In this tutorial, we'll dive into the world of VisionOS Pro and explore how to create and present a modal popup using SwiftUI. To illustrate this, we'll use a practical example: a login modal.
Modal popups are a popular choice in user interface design for various reasons. They allow you to:
With these advantages in mind, let's get started by creating a login modal in VisionOS Pro.
We'll break down the process into manageable steps, starting with the creation of a custom LoginButton component that triggers our login modal. Here's a sneak peek at what we're going to achieve:
The LoginButton component will serve as the entry point to our login modal. When tapped, it will reveal the modal for users to log in.
Our journey begins with the LoginButton component. This SwiftUI view represents the login button that users will tap to open the login modal. Here's the code:
In this code, we define the structure of our LoginButton component and establish its interaction with the login modal. Let's dive into the code and break it down step by step.
Explanation:
In summary, the LoginButton component is a SwiftUI view that represents a button. When tapped, it sets a state variable (showLoginModal) to trigger the presentation of a login modal. The modal communicates with the parent view through bindings and a callback closure, allowing the user to enter their login credentials and initiate the login process.
Let's explain the LoginModalView component
Explanation:
In summary, the LoginModalView component is a SwiftUI view that represents a login modal. It provides a user-friendly interface for entering login credentials and offers options for alternative login methods. The component communicates with the parent view through bindings and a callback closure, allowing for dynamic user interactions. The LoginModalView streamlines the login process in VisionOS Pro. It's user-friendly, efficient, and offers alternative login options. With seamless communication through bindings and callbacks, it's the key to a polished and hassle-free login experience.