PHAsset to UIImage

Question

I\'m attempting to create a UIImage (like a thumbnail or something) from a PHAsset so that I can pass it into something that takes a UIImage. I\'ve tried adapting solutions

Answer 1

I'd suggest using Apple's PHCachingImageManager (that inherits from PHImageManager):

A PHCachingImageManager object fetches or generates image data for photo or video assets

Also, PHCachingImageManager support a better caching mechanism.

Example of fetching a thumbnail synchronous:

let options = PHImageRequestOptions()
options.deliveryMode = .HighQualityFormat
options.synchronous = true // Set it to false for async callback

let imageManager = PHCachingImageManager()
imageManager.requestImageForAsset(YourPHAssetVar,
                                  targetSize: CGSizeMake(CGFloat(160), CGFloat(160)),
                                  contentMode: .AspectFill,
                                  options: options,
                                  resultHandler: { (resultThumbnail : UIImage?, info : [NSObject : AnyObject]?) in

                                                   // Assign your thumbnail which is the *resultThumbnail*
                                                  }

In addition, you can use PHCachingImageManager to cache your images for faster UI response:

To use a caching image manager:

1. Create a PHCachingImageManager instance. (This step replaces using the shared PHImageManager instance.)

2. Use PHAsset class methods to fetch the assets you’re interested in.

3. To prepare images for those assets, call the startCachingImagesForAssets:targetSize:contentMode:options: method with the target size, content mode, and options you plan to use when later requesting images for each individual asset.

4. When you need an image for an individual asset, call the requestImageForAsset:targetSize:contentMode:options:resultHandler: method, and pass the same parameters you used when preparing that asset.

If the image you request is among those already prepared, the PHCachingImageManager object immediately returns that image. Otherwise, Photos prepares the image on demand and caches it for later use.

In our example:

var phAssetArray : [PHAsset] = []

for i in 0..