How to save a layered image using a extension function - uiview

Question

I am using a extension function to save a uiview as a uiimage. The code works to save the uiimage. However what I am trying to do is save a transparent image over the image being saved to the photo gallery. So I am trying to save a layered image using a extension function. Right now only the uiivew is being save and the 2nd layer is not being saved.
class ViewController: UIViewController,UINavigationControllerDelegate {
#IBAction func press(_ sender: Any) {
let jake = drawingView.takeSnapshotOfView(view: drawingView)
guard let selectedImage = jake else {
print("Image not found!")
return
}
UIImageWriteToSavedPhotosAlbum(selectedImage, self, #selector(image(_:didFinishSavingWithError:contextInfo:)), nil)
}}
func takeSnapshotOfView(view:UIView) -> UIImage? {
UIGraphicsBeginImageContext(CGSize(width: view.frame.size.width, height: view.frame.size.height))
view.drawHierarchy(in: CGRect(x: 0.0, y: 0.0, width: view.frame.size.width, height: view.frame.size.height), afterScreenUpdates: true)
let image = UIGraphicsGetImageFromCurrentImageContext()
UIGraphicsEndImageContext()
let star:UIImage = UIImage(named: "e.png")!
let newSize = CGSize(width: star.size.width, height: star.size.height )
UIGraphicsBeginImageContextWithOptions(newSize, false, star.scale)
star.draw(in: CGRect(x: newSize.width/12,
y: newSize.height/8,
width: newSize.width/1.2,
height: newSize.height/1.2),
blendMode:CGBlendMode.normal, alpha:1)
UIGraphicsEndImageContext()
return image
}

Answer 1

Here is a UIView extension that takes in CGRect and UIImage, and alternitavely you can also supply it another CGRect or CGSize to make it more dynamic for the watermark placement/size
extension UIView {
/// Takes a screenshot of a UIView, with an option to clip to view bounds and place a waterwark image
/// - Parameter rect: offset and size of the screenshot to take
/// - Parameter clipToBounds: Bool to check where self.bounds and rect intersect and adjust size so there is no empty space
/// - Parameter watermark: UIImage of the watermark to place on top
func screenshot(for rect: CGRect, clipToBounds: Bool = true, with watermark: UIImage? = nil) -> UIImage {
var imageRect = rect
if clipToBounds {
imageRect = bounds.intersection(rect)
}
return UIGraphicsImageRenderer(bounds: imageRect).image { _ in
drawHierarchy(in: CGRect(origin: .zero, size: bounds.size), afterScreenUpdates: true)
watermark?.draw(in: CGRect(origin: imageRect.origin, size: CGSize(width: 32, height: 32))) // update origin to place watermark where you want, with this update it will place it in top left or screenshot.
}
}
}
You can call it like so:
let image = self.view.screenshot(for: CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 200, height: 200), with: UIImage(named: "star"))
This will work for all subviews of the view that calls screenshot(...)
For a anyone using the above extension, I added additional info in this answer