Overview
Apple requires 1x, 2x, and 3x versions of all icons and images bundled inside each iOS app. Unfortunately, Xcode lacks an automatic way to produce these images, which creates another annoying headache for mobile developers to grapple with. As if battling 1m+ other apps on the Apple App Store was not enough, Apple decided to add another gauntlet in the obstacle course for aspiring app entrepreneurs. Thanks, Apple!
Create 1x, 2x, and 3x Sizes For Free
Hotpot.ai created a free, easy icon resizer to convert an app image into the 1x, 2x, and 3x sizes expected by Xcode. This service works with both normal app images and app icons alike. The service can also generate image sizes needed for Android, Windows, Unity, and other platforms.
Try FreeWhat do 1x, 2x, and 3x Images Mean in Xcode?
Because Apple supports multiple devices with different resolutions and screen capabilities, they expect developers to create apps compatible with as many of these devices as possible and thus serve as many users as possible. 1x, 2x, and 3x images allow developers and Apple to optimize app presentation based on the user's device, whether an entry-level iPhone or the most expensive iPad.
Conceptually, 1x, 2x, and 3x images are the same image -- simply at different sizes. For instance, if your app contains an image for the login button, Xcode expects you to supply three different sizes of the same button image. If the base size of the image is 100x100 pixels, then it should be 200x200 pixels at 2x and 300x300 pixels at 3x.
This ultimately guarantees the greatest user experience as users with retina screens will see sharp, crisp versions of app images while users with less sophisticated displays will see the images appropriate for their devices.
Hotpot.ai makes creating @1x, @2x, and @3x images for Xcode fast and easy with our online icon resizer.
Xcode Petition
Please sign this petition to encourage Tim Cook to devote more resources to the Xcode team and improve Xcode.
