The image doesn’t always evolve gradually based on the time of the day. The Dynamic Desktop feature may not always work as intended on macOS. So that we can set the image metadata on the first image: for ( index, image ) in dynamic Desktop. We also get the current index for each loop Next, enumerate over each image in the dynamic desktop object. import Foundation import Core Graphics // mac OS 10.14 Mojave Required let url = URL ( file URLWith Path : '/Library/Desktop Pictures/Mojave.heic' )Īnd enumerate over each of its tags: let source = CGImage Source Create With URL ( url as CFURL, nil ) ! let metadata = CGImage Source Copy Metadata At Index ( source, 0, nil ) ! let tags = CGImage Metadata Copy Tags ( metadata ) as! for tag in tags Let’s start our investigation by creating a new Xcode Playground.įor simplicity, we can hard-code a URL to the “Mojave.heic” file on our system. WWDC 2017 Session 503 “Introducing HEIF and HEVC”Īnd get our hands dirty with some low-level APIs. heic file extension corresponds to image containers We don’t learn a whole lot more about our subject: If we click on the next panel over, “More Info Inspector”, Unfortunately, that’s about all Preview gives us We get some general information about what we’re looking at: If we select “Tools > Show Inspector” ( ⌘ I), The sidebar shows a list of thumbnails numbered 1 through 16,Įach showing a different view of the desert scene. You should find a file named “Mojave.heic”. The first step to understanding how Dynamic Desktop works

The answer involves a deep dive into image formats,

That’s the question for this week’s NSHipster article. It makes for a lovely visual effect when switching dark mode on and off) Having a background that tracks the passage of time That changes throughout the day, based on your location. You have the option to select a “Dynamic” desktop picture Now when you go to “System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver”, You get Dynamic Desktops, also new in Mojave. If you triangulate from those two macOS features, Who tend towards light-on-dark color themes in text editorsĪnd appreciate this new visual consistency across the system.Ī couple of years back, there was similar fanfare for Night Shift,įrom hacking late into the night (or early in the morning, as it were). Dark Mode is one of the most popular additions to macOS.

Dynamic desktop