Create/Load SKTilemapnode without using SKS/Scene files

Question

I create my sprite kit games programmatically and the sks files end up just confusing me.

Is there a way to load or create a tile map node without having to use the sks/scene file?

This [post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/39533705/programmatically-create-sktilemapnode-in-swift/39544119#39544119) discusses how to create the map with an existing tileset created in the editor. — Mark Brownsword, Jan 17 '17 at 02:47
This [post](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41352251/what-is-the-proper-way-to-programmatically-create-a-spritekit-sktilemap/41434435#41434435) discusses how to create both tileset and map. — Mark Brownsword, Jan 17 '17 at 02:47
if you add your solution as an answer, you might get the `Self Learner` badge! — Mark Brownsword, Jan 17 '17 at 19:40

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 27 '17 at 18:57

I figured out a way to to do it:

1) Create a SKS file called tilemaps
2) Create all your maps in there

3) Add this extension to load that scene file in your current scene:

extension SKNode {
class func unarchiveFromFile(file : NSString) -> SKNode? {
    if let path = Bundle.main.path(forResource: file as String, ofType: "sks") {
        let sceneData = NSData(contentsOfFile: path)

        let archiver = NSKeyedUnarchiver(forReadingWith: sceneData as! Data)

        archiver.setClass(self.classForKeyedUnarchiver(), forClassName: "SKScene")
        let scene = archiver.decodeObject(forKey: NSKeyedArchiveRootObjectKey) as! SKNode
        archiver.finishDecoding()
        return scene
    } else {
        return nil
    }
}

}

Then grab the tile map from the sks file. Weird trick is that you have to remove it from its parent first:

    guard 
      let tileScene = SKScene.unarchiveFromFile(file: "TileMaps"),
      let testMap = tileScene.childNode(withName: "Dungeon1")
        as? SKTileMapNode else {
            fatalError("Background node not loaded")
    }
    self.testMap = testMap
    self.testMap.removeFromParent()
    self.testMap.zPosition = 1200

    self.addChild(testMap)

Create/Load SKTilemapnode without using SKS/Scene files

1 Answers1