Adding multiple nodes on different positions on Y axis - swift

I am trying to add many nodes on different positions on Y axis. The problem is that for some reason the positions are always (0:0).
I've went through pretty much every SO question related to this but couldn't find answer.
I am generating random number between the maximum and minimum value:
func randomBetweenTwoNumbers(firstNumber: CGFloat, secondNumber: CGFloat) -> CGFloat{
return CGFloat(arc4random())/CGFloat(UINT32_MAX) * abs(firstNumber - secondNumber) + min(firstNumber, secondNumber)
}
Now I am trying to add them like this:
func addLeftSparks(){
let randomNumber = Helper().randomBetweenTwoNumbers(firstNumber: leftSparkMinimumY, secondNumber: leftSparkMaximumY)
print(randomNumber)
let positions = [CGPoint(x: -275, y: randomNumber), CGPoint(x: -275, y: randomNumber)]
print(positions) // this is (0:0)
positions.enumerated().forEach { (index, point) in
let spriteNode = SKNode()
spriteNode.position = point
let sprite = SKSpriteNode(imageNamed: "Spark")
sprite.name = "Spark"
spriteNode.addChild(sprite)
}
}
The thing I am trying to achieve in picture:
Any help is appreciated, really.

You generated a random number, but you used it twice
let randomNumber = Helper().randomBetweenTwoNumbers(firstNumber: leftSparkMinimumY, secondNumber: leftSparkMaximumY)
print(randomNumber)
let positions = [CGPoint(x: -275, y: randomNumber), CGPoint(x: -275, y: randomNumber)]
positions is 2 points with the same y, so you will only see one node. You need to call the random number function for each new random number you want.
(I know you said it was 0,0, but I don't think that's right, so I am ignoring that part -- if you really believe that, put more information in the print statement so that you know you aren't being fooled by some other output)

Related

How to randomly spawn enemies on my screen

Here is my code for enemy spawn:
let randomNumber = arc4random_uniform(2)
let x: CGFloat = randomNumber == 0 ? 1 : -1
enemy.position = CGPoint(x: (CGFloat(arc4random_uniform(UInt32(UIScreen.main.bounds.width))) * x), y: UIScreen.main.bounds.height)
It works but some of my enemies are spawning outside of my screen. What can I change to make them all spawn inside the border?
honestly haven't the foggiest clue what this is, but it seems like something is being multiplied by x, which would put it outside of its bounds, maybe not all, but if they happen to spawn at a particularly large (or negative) number.

How to exclude positions in a field in SpriteKit?

I have a function that spawns little balls, randomly positioned, on the screen. The problem I face is that I want to distribute the balls randomly, but when I do so, some balls spawn on top of each other. I want to exclude all the positions that are already taken (and maybe a buffer of a few pixels around the balls), but I don't know how to do so. I worked around this by giving the balls a Physicsbody, so they move off from one another if they happen to spawn on top of each other. But I want them to not spawn on top of each other in the first place. My code for now is the following:
spawnedBalls = [Ball]()
level = Int()
func setupLevel() {
let numberOfBallsToGenerate = level * 2
let boundary: CGFloat = 26
let rightBoundary = scene!.size.width - boundary
let topBoundary = scene!.size.height - boundary
while spawnedBalls.count < numberOfBallsToGenerate {
let randomPosition = CGPoint(x: CGFloat.random(in: boundary...rightBoundary), y: CGFloat.random(in: boundary...topBoundary))
let ball = Ball()
ball.position = randomPosition
ball.size = CGSize(width: 32, height: 32)
ball.physicsBody = SKPhysicsBody(circleOfRadius: ball.size.width)
ball.physicsBody?.affectedByGravity = false
ball.physicsBody?.allowsRotation = false
ball.physicsBody?.categoryBitMask = 1
ball.physicsBody?.collisionBitMask = 1
spawnedBalls.append(ball)
self.addChild(ball)
}
}
I don't know if this problem should be solved by having an array that stores all taken positions, or if I should use some kind of FiledNode, where occupied space can be sort of subtracted, but sadly I am unfamiliar with FieldNodes, so I don't know if that's the right way to face the problem.
Step 1) Replace
let randomPosition = ....
with
let randomPosition = randomPositionInOpenSpace()
Step 2) Write the randomPositionInOpenSpace function:
Idea is:
a) generate a random position
b) is it in open space? if so return that
c) repeat until OK
Then Step 3) write the 'is it in open space' function
For that you need to know if the proposed coordinate is near any of the other balls. For circles, you can test the distance between their centers is greater than (radiuses + margins). Distance between centers is pythagoras: sqrt of the x delta squared plus the y delta squared.

SWIFT Syntax question with regards to a CLOSURE

maybe one could be so kind as to explain me this snippet
There is this nice tutorial about Core Graphics on raywenderlich. Unfortunately, the comments on that page are closed
The author declares
//Weekly sample data
var graphPoints = [4, 2, 6, 4, 5, 8, 3]
Note the "s" at the end of graphPoints. Then, to calculate the y coordinate for a chart with such figures, he uses graphPoint (without an "s" at the end) within a closure. Nevertheless the code runs just fine to my confusion.
// calculate the y point
let topBorder = Constants.topBorder
let bottomBorder = Constants.bottomBorder
let graphHeight = height - topBorder - bottomBorder
let maxValue = graphPoints.max()!
let columnYPoint = { (graphPoint: Int) -> CGFloat in
let y = CGFloat(graphPoint) / CGFloat(maxValue) * graphHeight
return graphHeight + topBorder - y // Flip the graph
}
And there is no further use of graphPoint in this project (that I am aware of, using "find"). So I wonder, how are graphPoints with an "s" linked to columnYPoint.
Though I currently have no idea how the y values flow into the closure, let me already extend my question: if my values are in a 2D array with the structure [[x1, x2], [y1, y2]], how would I pass only my y (or only my x) values into this closure?
Cheers!
UPDATE
This is how columnYPoint is used, afterwards, to draw the graph:
// draw the line graph
UIColor.white.setFill()
UIColor.white.setStroke()
// set up the points line
let graphPath = UIBezierPath()
// go to start of line
graphPath.move(to: CGPoint(x: columnXPoint(0), y: columnYPoint(graphPoints[0])))
// add points for each item in the graphPoints array
// at the correct (x, y) for the point
for i in 1..<graphPoints.count {
let nextPoint = CGPoint(x: columnXPoint(i), y: columnYPoint(graphPoints[i]))
graphPath.addLine(to: nextPoint)
}
graphPath.stroke()
As you have correctly identified, this is a closure (put into the variable called columnYPoint, giving it a name):
let columnYPoint = { (graphPoint: Int) -> CGFloat in
let y = CGFloat(graphPoint) / CGFloat(maxValue) * graphHeight
return graphHeight + topBorder - y // Flip the graph
}
So really, it's like a function called columnYPoint:
func columnYPoint(_ graphPoint: Int) -> CGFloat {
let y = CGFloat(graphPoint) / CGFloat(maxValue) * graphHeight
return graphHeight + topBorder - y // Flip the graph
}
Why did the author wrote a closure and put it into a variable, instead of writing a function? I have no idea, because I can't read minds. It's a stylistic choice by the author.
And if you look at how it is being called, this function/closure calculates the Y coordinate of the bar, given the height of the bar, graphPoint. graphPoint is the parameter of the function, so of course it is not used in the rest of the code. As you can see from the caller:
graphPath.move(to: CGPoint(x: columnXPoint(0), y: columnYPoint(graphPoints[0])))
// and
let nextPoint = CGPoint(x: columnXPoint(i), y: columnYPoint(graphPoints[i]))
columnYPoint will be called for each element in graphPoints, so graphPoint will be each value in graphPoints. We need to calculate the coordinates of every bar, after all.
There seems to also be a columnYPoint closure mentioned earlier, which calculates the X coordinate given a given bar index. You can combine these two closures to give you a single closure that gives you a single CGPoint:
let margin = Constants.margin
let graphWidth = width - margin * 2 - 4
let topBorder = Constants.topBorder
let bottomBorder = Constants.bottomBorder
let graphHeight = height - topBorder - bottomBorder
let maxValue = graphPoints.max()!
let columnPoint = { (column: Int, graphPoint: Int) -> CGPoint in
//Calculate the gap between points
let spacing = graphWidth / CGFloat(self.graphPoints.count - 1)
let x = CGFloat(column) * spacing + margin + 2
let y = CGFloat(graphPoint) / CGFloat(maxValue) * graphHeight
return CGPoint(x: x, y: graphHeight + topBorder - y) // Flip the graph
}

How to make UIBezierPath smooth in Swift

I am trying to create a line chart which represents a set of values (x and y) in a smooth bezier curve. This works fine, except when the x-values are close to each other and the y-values go from a continuous line to a lower or higher value. The values are not shown in the chart itself, but here is an image illustrating my problem:
As you can see, the line makes a backwards movement before continuing to the next point. I would like this to not happen and smoothen out. To generate the data points, I use this library from Minh Nguyen, which has helped me a lot. The only problem is this issue still. For easiness, here is the code I currently use:
private func controlPointsFrom(points: [CGPoint]) -> [CurvedSegment] {
var result: [CurvedSegment] = []
let delta: CGFloat = 0.3
for i in 1..<points.count {
let A = points[i-1]
let B = points[i]
let controlPoint1 = CGPoint(x: A.x + delta*(B.x-A.x), y: A.y + delta*(B.y - A.y))
let controlPoint2 = CGPoint(x: B.x - delta*(B.x-A.x), y: B.y - delta*(B.y - A.y))
let curvedSegment = CurvedSegment(controlPoint1: controlPoint1, controlPoint2: controlPoint2)
result.append(curvedSegment)
}
for i in 1..<points.count-1 {
let M = result[i-1].controlPoint2
let N = result[i].controlPoint1
let A = points[i]
let MM = CGPoint(x: 2 * A.x - M.x, y: 2 * A.y - M.y)
let NN = CGPoint(x: 2 * A.x - N.x, y: 2 * A.y - N.y)
result[i].controlPoint1 = CGPoint(x: (MM.x + N.x)/2, y: (MM.y + N.y)/2)
result[i-1].controlPoint2 = CGPoint(x: (NN.x + M.x)/2, y: (NN.y + M.y)/2)
}
return result
}
func createCurvedPath(_ dataPoints: [CGPoint]) -> UIBezierPath? {
let path = UIBezierPath()
path.move(to: dataPoints[0])
var curveSegments: [CurvedSegment] = []
let useDataPoints = dataPoints.filter { ($0.y < 1000) }
curveSegments = controlPointsFrom(points: useDataPoints)
for i in 1..<useDataPoints.count {
path.addCurve(to: useDataPoints[i], controlPoint1: curveSegments[i - 1].controlPoint1, controlPoint2: curveSegments[i - 1].controlPoint2)
}
return path
}
For documentation, I would refer to the tutorial/blogpost I linked earlier. I figure the issue should be somewhere in the calculation of controlPoint1 and controlPoint2 in the controlPointsFrom function. When I remove the delta or make it 0, it just become straight lines but then the issue doesn't occur either. So the math should be different I think, to keep track of the previous value and perhaps don't create a control point with a higher or lower y-value when the next point is lower or higher, respectively. But I am unable to figure out how to make it work. Any smart mind who can make this happen?
Would be forever grateful!
try this:
Smooth UIBezierPath
https://medium.com/#ramshandilya/draw-smooth-curves-through-a-set-of-points-in-ios-34f6d73c8f9

Identify the top left, top right, bottom left and bottom right position of a rectangle in Swift (elegant solution)

I'd like to find an elegant solution to identify the corners of a rectangle given a list of points (that I'm sure will define a rectangle).
Let's say we have this array of CGPoint:
var points:[CGPoint] = []
points.append(CGPoint(x:1, y:0)) //TL
points.append(CGPoint(x:3, y:0)) //TR
points.append(CGPoint(x:1, y:2)) //BL
points.append(CGPoint(x:3, y:2)) //BR
Which would be an elegant solution to understand that TopLeft corner is at index 0, Top Right at index 1... and so on?
I could cycle through the array multiple times and find it using a comparison... can you think at a better solution maybe using sort or filter ?
EDIT: Please note that the points array is unordered. I don't have a precise sequence of points.
These are Core Graphics structs, so ask Core Graphics to help you. Construct a path from any point through each of the other points in any order and ask for its bounding box. Now you have a CGRect whose corner points are your points, but now you know which is which, and matching them up to yours is trivial.
Example:
var points:[CGPoint] = []
points.append(CGPoint(x:1, y:0)) //TL
points.append(CGPoint(x:3, y:0)) //TR
points.append(CGPoint(x:1, y:2)) //BL
points.append(CGPoint(x:3, y:2)) //BR
let path = CGMutablePath()
path.move(to: points[0])
for ix in 1...3 {path.addLine(to: points[ix])}
let rect = path.boundingBox
The answer is CGRect(x:1.0, y:0.0, width:2.0, height:2.0) and now you know its minX, minY, maxX, and maxY and can easily match those up to your original points.
And you get the same result regardless of the order in which the points were supplied.
You can use map / reduce to achieve relatively simple syntax. Assuming:
var points: [CGPoint] = []
points.append(CGPoint(x: 3, y: 6))
points.append(CGPoint(x: 4, y: 6))
points.append(CGPoint(x: 4, y: 2))
points.append(CGPoint(x: 3, y: 2))
You can then:
let minX = points.map { $0.x } .reduce(points[0].x) { min($0,$1) }
At which point minX = 3. You could also use a sorted(by:)
let minX = points.sorted { $0.x < $1.x }.first!.x
Both have the advantages of working on any shape built from points. Matt also suggested using min() on the array, which looks like this:
let minX = points.min { $0.x < $1.x }!.x
I guess that's as clean as can be.
Oh, one more for the books... if you are going to be converting points to CGRect in a lot of places.. you can create yourself a CGRect extension:
extension CGRect {
init(from points: [CGPoint]) {
let xAxis = points.sorted { $0.x < $1.x }
let yAxis = points.sorted { $0.y < $1.y }
self.init(x: xAxis.first!.x, y: yAxis.first!.y, width: xAxis.last!.x - xAxis.first!.x, height: yAxis.last!.y - yAxis.first!.y)
}
}
Which you can then use with:
let rect = CGRect(from: points)
// rect.minX
Cheers!