SpriteKit API Reference

Complete API reference for SpriteKit organized by category.

When to Use This Reference

Use this reference when:

• Looking up specific SpriteKit API signatures or properties
• Checking which node types are available and their performance characteristics
• Finding the right physics body creation method
• Browsing the complete action catalog
• Configuring SKView, scale modes, or transitions
• Setting up particle emitter properties
• Working with SKRenderer or SKShader

Part 1: Node Hierarchy

All Node Types

SKSpriteNode Properties

// Creation
SKSpriteNode(imageNamed: "player")           // From asset catalog
SKSpriteNode(texture: texture)                // From SKTexture
SKSpriteNode(texture: texture, size: size)    // Custom size
SKSpriteNode(color: .red, size: CGSize(width: 50, height: 50))  // Solid color

// Key properties
sprite.anchorPoint = CGPoint(x: 0.5, y: 0)   // Bottom-center
sprite.colorBlendFactor = 0.5                  // Tint strength (0-1)
sprite.color = .red                            // Tint color
sprite.normalTexture = normalMap               // For lighting
sprite.lightingBitMask = 0x1                   // Which lights affect this
sprite.shadowCastBitMask = 0x1                 // Which lights cast shadows
sprite.shader = customShader                   // Per-pixel effects

SKLabelNode Properties

let label = SKLabelNode(text: "Score: 0")
label.fontName = "AvenirNext-Bold"
label.fontSize = 24
label.fontColor = .white
label.horizontalAlignmentMode = .left
label.verticalAlignmentMode = .top
label.numberOfLines = 0          // Multi-line (iOS 11+)
label.preferredMaxLayoutWidth = 200
label.lineBreakMode = .byWordWrapping

Part 2: Physics API

SKPhysicsBody Creation

// Volume bodies (have mass, respond to forces)
SKPhysicsBody(circleOfRadius: 20)                    // Cheapest
SKPhysicsBody(rectangleOf: CGSize(width: 40, height: 60))
SKPhysicsBody(polygonFrom: path)                     // Convex only
SKPhysicsBody(texture: texture, size: size)          // Pixel-perfect (expensive)
SKPhysicsBody(texture: texture, alphaThreshold: 0.5, size: size)
SKPhysicsBody(bodies: [body1, body2])                // Compound

// Edge bodies (massless boundaries)
SKPhysicsBody(edgeLoopFrom: rect)                    // Rectangle boundary
SKPhysicsBody(edgeLoopFrom: path)                    // Path boundary
SKPhysicsBody(edgeFrom: pointA, to: pointB)          // Single edge
SKPhysicsBody(edgeChainFrom: path)                   // Open path

Physics Body Properties

// Identity
body.categoryBitMask = 0x1          // What this body IS
body.collisionBitMask = 0x2         // What it bounces off
body.contactTestBitMask = 0x4       // What triggers didBegin/didEnd

// Physical characteristics
body.mass = 1.0                     // kg
body.density = 1.0                  // kg/m^2 (auto-calculates mass)
body.friction = 0.2                 // 0.0 (ice) to 1.0 (rubber)
body.restitution = 0.3              // 0.0 (no bounce) to 1.0 (perfect bounce)
body.linearDamping = 0.1            // Air resistance (0 = none)
body.angularDamping = 0.1           // Rotational damping

// Behavior
body.isDynamic = true               // Responds to forces
body.affectedByGravity = true       // Subject to world gravity
body.allowsRotation = true          // Can rotate from physics
body.pinned = false                 // Pinned to parent position
body.usesPreciseCollisionDetection = false  // For fast objects

// Motion (read/write)
body.velocity = CGVector(dx: 100, dy: 0)
body.angularVelocity = 0.0

// Force application
body.applyForce(CGVector(dx: 0, dy: 100))           // Continuous
body.applyImpulse(CGVector(dx: 0, dy: 50))          // Instant
body.applyTorque(0.5)                                 // Continuous rotation
body.applyAngularImpulse(1.0)                         // Instant rotation
body.applyForce(CGVector(dx: 10, dy: 0), at: point)  // Force at point

SKPhysicsWorld

scene.physicsWorld.gravity = CGVector(dx: 0, dy: -9.8)
scene.physicsWorld.speed = 1.0        // 0 = paused, 2 = double speed
scene.physicsWorld.contactDelegate = self

// Ray casting
let body = scene.physicsWorld.body(at: point)
let bodyInRect = scene.physicsWorld.body(in: rect)
scene.physicsWorld.enumerateBodies(alongRayStart: start, end: end) { body, point, normal, stop in
    // Process each body the ray intersects
}

Physics Joints

// Pin joint (pivot)
let pin = SKPhysicsJointPin.joint(
    withBodyA: bodyA, bodyB: bodyB,
    anchor: anchorPoint
)

// Fixed joint (rigid connection)
let fixed = SKPhysicsJointFixed.joint(