# SKMutableTexture A texture whose contents can be dynamically updated. ``` class SKMutableTexture ``` ## Overview Normally, SpriteKit textures ([`SKTexture`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKTexture) objects) are static, meaning that once created, their contents cannot be changed. This is important because a static image can be more efficiently managed inside the graphics hardware. However, sometimes you need to be able to update the contents of a texture dynamically. In this case, you should use a mutable texture. Because there is a performance penalty for updating the texture’s contents, consider other options first. For example, you can render a texture in hardware using the [`texture(from:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKView/texture(from:)) method and a node tree. To use this class, create a mutable texture using either one of its creation methods or those of its superclass. Then, when you need to update the mutable texture object’s contents, call the [`modifyPixelData(_:)`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKMutableTexture/modifyPixelData(_:)) method. Your block is called with the location of the texture in memory. Your block should update this texture and then return. ## Topics ### Creating an Empty Mutable Texture [`+ mutableTextureWithSize:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKMutableTexture/mutableTextureWithSize:) Creates an empty texture with a specific size. [`- initWithSize:pixelFormat:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKMutableTexture/init(size:pixelFormat:)) Initializes an empty texture with a specific size and format. [`- initWithSize:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKMutableTexture/init(size:)) Initializes an empty texture with a specific size. ### Modifying a Mutable Texture’s Contents [`- modifyPixelDataWithBlock:`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKMutableTexture/modifyPixelData(_:)) Modifies the contents of a mutable texture. ## Relationships ### Conforms To [`CVarArg`](/documentation/Swift/CVarArg) [`NSCopying`](/documentation/Foundation/NSCopying) [`CustomDebugStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomDebugStringConvertible) [`NSObjectProtocol`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol) [`CustomStringConvertible`](/documentation/Swift/CustomStringConvertible) [`NSSecureCoding`](/documentation/Foundation/NSSecureCoding) [`NSCoding`](/documentation/Foundation/NSCoding) [`Hashable`](/documentation/Swift/Hashable) [`Equatable`](/documentation/Swift/Equatable) ### Inherits From [`SKTexture`](/documentation/SpriteKit/SKTexture) --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)