Hi Reader’s,

This blog includes the concept of how to create custom library with the help of AssestsLibrary framework. Custom library is useful for multiple images selection at one time so given below is the screenshot of storyboard followed by code to create custom library :-

As for custom library creation AssestsLibrary framework is used so you have to include this framework as given in screenshot :-

Now given below is the code to create custom library in iOS:-

CustomCollectionViewCell.h

#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>
#import <AssetsLibrary/AssetsLibrary.h>

@interface CustomCollectionViewCell : UICollectionViewCell

@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIImageView *imgView;
@property(nonatomic, strong) ALAsset *asset;

@end


CustomCollectionViewCell.m

#import "CustomCollectionViewCell.h"

@implementation CustomCollectionViewCell

@end



ViewController.h


#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>
#import <AssetsLibrary/AssetsLibrary.h>
#import "CustomCollectionViewCell.h"

@interface ViewController : UIViewController<UICollectionViewDataSource, UICollectionViewDelegate, UICollectionViewDelegateFlowLayout>

@property(nonatomic,assign)id delegate;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UICollectionView *collectionView;

@end


ViewController.m

#import "ViewController.h"

@interface ViewController ()

@property(nonatomic, strong) NSArray *assets;

@end

@implementation ViewController

@synthesize delegate;

- (NSManagedObjectContext *)managedObjectContext {
    NSManagedObjectContext *context = nil;
    id delegate = [[UIApplication sharedApplication] delegate];
    if ([delegate performSelector:@selector(managedObjectContext)]) {
        context = [delegate managedObjectContext];
    }
    return context;
}

+ (ALAssetsLibrary *)defaultAssetsLibrary
{
    static dispatch_once_t pred = nil;
    static ALAssetsLibrary *library = nil;
    dispatch_once(&pred, ^{
        library = [[ALAssetsLibrary alloc] init];
    });
    return library;
}

- (void)viewDidLoad {
    [super viewDidLoad];
    _assets = [@[] mutableCopy];
    __block NSMutableArray *tmpAssets = [@[] mutableCopy];
    
    ALAssetsLibrary *assetsLibrary = [ViewController defaultAssetsLibrary];
    [assetsLibrary enumerateGroupsWithTypes:ALAssetsGroupAll usingBlock:^(ALAssetsGroup *group, BOOL *stop) {
        [group enumerateAssetsUsingBlock:^(ALAsset *result, NSUInteger index, BOOL *stop) {
            if(result)
            {
                [tmpAssets addObject:result];
            }
        }];
        
        self.assets = tmpAssets;
        [self.collectionView reloadData];
    } failureBlock:^(NSError *error) {
        NSLog(@"Error loading images %@", error);
    }];
    // Do any additional setup after loading the view, typically from a nib.
}

- (void)didReceiveMemoryWarning {
    [super didReceiveMemoryWarning];
    // Dispose of any resources that can be recreated.
}


- (NSInteger) collectionView:(UICollectionView *)collectionView numberOfItemsInSection:(NSInteger)section
{
    
    return self.assets.count;
    
}

- (UICollectionViewCell *) collectionView:(UICollectionView *)collectionView cellForItemAtIndexPath:(NSIndexPath *)indexPath
{
    
    CustomCollectionViewCell *cell = (CustomCollectionViewCell *)[collectionView dequeueReusableCellWithReuseIdentifier:@"cell" forIndexPath:indexPath];
    
    ALAsset *asset = self.assets[indexPath.row];
    UIImage *image1=[UIImage imageWithCGImage:[asset thumbnail]];
    cell.imgView.image =image1;
    return cell;
    
}

- (CGFloat) collectionView:(UICollectionView *)collectionView layout:(UICollectionViewLayout *)collectionViewLayout minimumLineSpacingForSectionAtIndex:(NSInteger)section
{
    return 4;
}

- (CGFloat) collectionView:(UICollectionView *)collectionView layout:(UICollectionViewLayout *)collectionViewLayout minimumInteritemSpacingForSectionAtIndex:(NSInteger)section
{
    return 1;
}

@end

Output:-

I hope this blog will help you to understand the concept of how to create custom library in iOS. You can also download the sample project from the link given below:-