I have a folder full of files on my iPhone app which I want to use, but Xcode will not let me add folders to the bundle, only its files. I can't do this because I want it to be a bit more convenient, so I can reference the folder in my code. So, how do I do this? The compile settings in the build targets won't let me add the folder, only its files.
Drag the source folder to the project "Groups & Files" area, say under the Resources group. In the dialog select "Create Folder References for any added folders". This will create a blue folder and the folder will and it's inter hierarchy will appear in the apps resources. This will automatically create an entry in "Copy Bundle Resources" build phase This is commonly done for image & help files. Any changes made to the folder will also change the files included by Xcode.
Note the important thing here: the folder must be a Folder Reference (blue folder). If it's a group (yellow folder), delete it and all its contents from your project tree, then re-add as a Folder Reference. Then make sure that's in the Copy Bundle Resources build phase. – cdespinosa
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I'm curious when using Xcode.
I always need to choose an option when copying the open source class files I need for my project.
The options are "Create groups" and "Create folder references".
I've read the difference between the two already.
But it is not understood at all.
When I chose one of the two options, I deleted the file from my project and the open source class file was deleted at the same time.
I do not want it.
I want to always exist as an independent file. What should I choose?
It took me a while to understand the difference between those two options so I thought I'd share:
I'm writing this when Xcode 12 is the current version
The biggest difference is how the imported folder / file will be accessible from the finder. Let's say you want to import a new folder to your Xcode project. When you choose Create groups Xcode will import your new folder and create a group (the yellow icon). When you go to your project's directory (using Finder) you should see a folder named like the one you've just imported, but any additional files you put to this folder trough Finder won't be visible in your Xcode project.
When you choose Create folder references the imported folder will have a classic blue folder icon in Xcode. This new folder will also be visible when you go to your projects directory, but now every new file you put there will also appear in your Xcode project.
If you want to know more just read this explanation http://www.thomashanning.com/xcode-groups-folder-references/
It's pretty straightforward and easy to understand.
There are two types of any Xcode project structure organization:
filesystem project structure (inspectable with Finder.app)
IDE project structure (inspectable with Project Navigator in Xcode's navigator area.)
Xcode relies on filesystem organization by keeping a reference to a "physical" file or folder. That is why you may have all the classes, images, plists, and other parts of your projects stored in the same folder, while the references to these parts are being kept organized into respective groups within Xcode project.
When you create a group, it affects the organization of your project in Xcode. When you create a group with a reference folder, it creates both, a group in Xcode project and a folder in your filesystem.
However, since Xcode 9 it seems like, Apple enforces filesystem project structure to correspond to Xcode project structure. It means, that you explicitly has to choose "New Group without Folder"
Added files and folders from Finder into the Xcode group. Xcode 10.2.1. Just take a look at the examples without Copy items if needed
Files
Common behaviour for create groups and create folder references
Rename a file from Finder does not rename the file in Xcode, as a result Xcode doesn't handle it and it will mark them by red color.
Rename a file from Xcode rename the file in Finder
Change a file from Finder change the file in Xcode and vice versa
Remove to trash a file from Xcode change the file in Finder and vice versa
Add a file from folder in Finder does not add the file to group in Xcode
Folders
Common behaviour for create groups and create folder references:
Rename a folder/group from Xcode rename the folder in Finder
create groups
If you choose create groups, then the corresponding folder appears with a yellow icon in the project navigator.
It is just a virtual folder. It useful during development when you copy a file and it is not compiled and you do not have a time to make changes in it and want only to check if a project works. So you can just remove a reference from a file. It will not be removed from a folder as a result you will be able to add this file again.
Rename a folder in Finder does not rename a name of group in Xcode. You steal can work with group but previous content inside although visible but unavailable
Add a file to a folder in Finder does not add the file to group in Xcode
Add a file to a group in Xcode does not add the file to folder in Finder
Remove a folder in Finder does not remove the group in Xcode. You steal can work with group but previous content inside although visible but unavailable
create folder references
If you are choosing create folder references, then the folder appears with a blue icon in the project navigator.
It is a real folder and any changes will be reflected
Rename a folder in Finder does not rename a name of folder in Xcode. The previous content is gone and you can not work with this folder
Add a file to a folder in Finder adds the file to folder in Xcode
Add a file to a folder in Xcode adds the file to folder in Finder
Remove a folder in Finder removes the folder in Xcode.
[Copy items if needed]
Create folder references:
Useless because even if you list this folder to be included with a target, Xcode won't include any of its contents in that target and there's no way to click on something in the folder and see which targets it's included in.
Create groups:
This is the only way to go, if you want to include any of the folders' contents in a build target.
I want to have all my image files in a folder so that I can obtain all of them at the same time. I think the path should like this ...MyApp.app/image folder/1.png.
But when I drag them into xcode with folder references created, there is no folder. The path is always MyApp.app/1.png.
Also, I think I've dragged the files into the app several times. How to delete the files? It's not enough to just delete the references.
If they are not visible in project navigator, that means that you have no references to them and you can delete them directly in finder.
You are likely to have moved every image to a group rather than a folder. A group is just a convenience in Xcode project navigator. It has nothing to do with file hierarchy.
To keep them in a folder, right-click project navigator. Select new folder, drag your files to that folder. When they are visible in your project navigator, make sure that they are all linked to your project. I.e they are all check market with your project in the right pane.
It important to drag them to the folder and not just outside of it.
Here's the easiest way to do this in Xcode:
1)
Put all your images into a folder and then drag that folder into the list of files in your Xcode project. That step looks like this:
2)
A sheet will drop down in Xcode and ask you how you want to add these files to your project. It looks like this:
There's a checkbox at the top there that says "Copy items into destination group's folder (if needed). You will check this if you want to copy your folder full of images into the same place where your source code is found in your Xcode project.
3)
When you're done adding, here is what your project should look like in Xcode. Notice that the folder color is blue. That means it's a folder reference. This folder will be copied into your built application.
I added a folder to my project in XCode and called it Themes, which will be used to store themes for my iPad app. Under that I have Red,Blue, and so forth.
They show up in XCode. But when I look at the physical folder, there is no Themes directory (and obviously anything under it).
Why not? Where did it go? How can I store images (which may have same names) under different paths (themes)?
Thanks in advance
XCode does not create "folder", it creates "groups". Groups are logical organization of your files, independent of the file system organization underneath it
If you want to actually have a folder, easiest way would be to create one on the file system first (through Finder), and then drag it to XCode's project navigator. When a confirmation window pops up, leave the default settings ("Copy items into destination" and "Create groups for any added folders")
This will import the folder and all the files in it, however it will not auto-import newly added files to the folder after this (you'd have to manually add them).
If you do want to auto-import newly added files from the file system's folder to this group in XCode, instead of using "Create groups for any added folders", change to "Create folder references to any added folders"
I have folder that I would like to include in my Xcode project, but I would like it to retain it's structure (subfolder, etc). When I drag it into the resources in Xcode it expands that folder into a group in the Xcode project.
I would also like it to retain it's structure so I can add and remove files without re-adding the modified folder to the project constantly.
When adding your package, select the option to "Create Folder References for any added folders". Xcode will create a reference to the directory, and notice changes every time you rebuild the package.
I'm kind of at a loss of words for how to properly ask this. Basically instead of Xcode "smart groups", I want the groups to physically translate into directories on the filesystem. How is this done in Xcode 3.1.2?
In Xcode the file structure is a bit of a misnomer, the structure that you are seeing in your Xcode project is a reference mapping of your project not a relational mapping of the structure where your project exists. For example, if you create a group in in the project at the root of the project named 'foo' this creates a reference to a container 'foo' that is managed by the project settings, it does not create a folder named 'foo' in the root directory where your applications exists in the file system. This is a point of contention for many developers using Xcode.
Instead, I would suggest (as #smorgan eluded to) that you create your folder structure in the project folder in the file system (Finder), example, navigate to your project and create folder 'bar'. Then in your project control-click on the project and select ADD > Existing Files... and select the folder. This will import the 'bar' folder into your project - and in fact just creates a reference pointer named 'bar' for said location in your project.
If you are they type of person who likes to have a standard or defined structure for your projects, create a project folder and all of the folders and subfolders that you'd normally have - the project skeleton/tree. This may have Source and Resources at the root and then inside Resources you might have additional folders like Images, Audio, Views, Cells, etc... Your Source folder may have UI, Model, Util, etc... and UI may have Start, Settings, App, etc... Once you have your default project folder defined ZIP the root folder up and name it something like "XCode Project Outline" or something that has meaning to you.
When you have a new project you're about to start, copy the ZIP file to where you want your project to live and simple unZip the file and name the folder the name of the project. Then create the new project file in the folder and then follow the ADD Existing File.../Folders... (recursive = checked) and it will add your entire project folder hiarchy to the project. For a more advance bit of magic; include your common bits of application framework that are not application specific and have those files in your ZIP'd file. Then when you unZip and add the folder hierarchy you'll also be adding your basic files (.h, .m, etc...) as well in one quick and easy fell swoop.
One thing I should mention is that if you start from a project you already have and that project is under version control, you'd be best to "Export" the project from your repository. This will build out all of the files based on the current version in (head) and remove all of the hidden .svn references. You can then prune and modify that folder as you see fit to create your project folder template ZIP file. Good luck and happy coding!
If I'm correctly understanding what you are looking for, the answer is to right-click on the project in the Groups & Files column, select Add > Existing Files..., and then pick the root folder that you want mapped in. In the options sheet that will pop down, change the default "Recursively create groups for any added folders" to "Create Folder References for any added folders".