Introduction to SkeletonView
In the world of app development, users expect feedback when a task or process is running in the background. Whether it's loading a website, fetching data from a server, or simply processing information, visually indicating that something is happening improves user experience significantly. This is where SkeletonView shines—it offers an elegant solution to show users that the app is busy and prepares them for the content that is loading.
SkeletonView is designed to create skeleton screens that provide placeholders while the actual content is still being fetched or processed. This way, the app feels responsive and keeps the user engaged.
🌟 Features
SkeletonView offers a range of features aimed at simplifying the implementation of loading indicators:
- Easy to Use: It provides a straightforward interface, making it simple to integrate into any project.
- Skeletonable UIViews: All UIView components can be made skeletonable.
- Customizable: Developers have the flexibility to adjust its appearance and behavior.
- Universal Compatibility: It works well with both iPhone and iPad.
- Interface Builder Compatibility: Offers ease of use within Xcode’s Interface Builder.
- Simple Swift Syntax: Written in Swift, it’s designed to be developer-friendly.
- Lightweight: Keeps the project codebase clean and efficient.
🎬 Guides
For those new to SkeletonView, there are tutorials available. They cover topics such as getting started with the framework and how to apply it to show loading views in various scenarios. These guides are perfect for understanding the fundamentals and nuances of using SkeletonView effectively.
📲 Installation
SkeletonView can be integrated into a project through several package managers:
- CocoaPods: Add
pod 'SkeletonView'to your Podfile. - Carthage: Include
github "Juanpe/SkeletonView"in your Cartfile. - Swift Package Manager: Add the package with the URL
https://github.com/Juanpe/SkeletonView.gitin your Swift project.
For version 1.30.0 and newer, it supports XCFrameworks, which requires a specific repository if you choose this method.
🐒 Usage
Getting started with SkeletonView involves three simple steps:
- Import SkeletonView in your Swift file.
- Designate Views as Skeletonable: Either in code by setting
view.isSkeletonable = true, or using Interface Builder. - Display the Skeleton: Choose from solid, gradient, solid animated, or gradient animated skeletons through methods like
view.showSkeleton(),view.showGradientSkeleton(), etc.
🌿 Collections
SkeletonView works seamlessly with UITableView and UICollectionView. To enable skeleton loading for these views, a developer must conform to specific protocols like SkeletonTableViewDataSource and SkeletonCollectionViewDataSource. This allows for dynamic skeleton loading while data is being fetched behind the scenes.
🔠 Texts
For views displaying text, SkeletonView comes with multiline simulations to mock text layouts. Properties like lastLineFillPercent, linesCornerRadius, and skeletonLineSpacing can be adjusted to customize the text appearance while in skeleton mode.
🦋 Appearance
The default appearance of SkeletonView includes adaptive colors suitable for both light and dark modes. Developers can modify properties such as tint color, gradient parameters, and multiline configurations to tailor the look to their specific needs.
🎨 Custom Colors
SkeletonView allows for solid and gradient customizations by passing your desired colors, ensuring that the loading view matches the rest of the app’s design.
🏃♀️ Animations
With built-in animations like pulse and sliding, SkeletonView can animate skeletons to improve their visibility and engage the user while the real content is loading. Additionally, developers can craft their own animations for a custom touch.
🏄 Transitions
Transitions, such as cross dissolves, enable smoother showing or hiding of skeletons, enhancing the user experience during loading periods.
✨ Miscellaneous
Given its recursive nature, SkeletonView is efficient as it quickly stops processing views that are not skeletonable. By understanding the hierarchy, developers can predict which elements will be involved in the skeletonization process.
SkeletonView enhances user interactions with apps by providing an essential UX element seamlessly, making it an invaluable tool in modern app development.