# NSSymbolPulseEffect A type that fades the opacity of some or all layers in a symbol-based image. ``` @interface NSSymbolPulseEffect : NSSymbolEffect ``` ## Overview A pulse animation applies an opacity ramp to the layers in a symbol. You can choose to animate only layers marked as “always-pulses” or all layers simultaneously. Participating layers reduce their opacity to a minimum value before returning to fully opaque. ```objc // Add an effect in AppKit and UIKit. // Pulse only layers marked as "always-pulse." NSSymbolEffectOptions *options = [NSSymbolEffectOptions optionsWithNonRepeating]; [self.imageView1 addSymbolEffect:NSSymbolPulseEffect.effect options: options]; // Pulse all layers three times simultaneously. NSSymbolEffectOptions *options = [NSSymbolEffectOptions optionsWithRepeatCount:3]; [self.imageView2 addSymbolEffect:[NSSymbolPulseEffect.effect effectWithWholeSymbol] options:options]; ``` ## Topics ### Accessing symbol effects [`effect`](/documentation/Symbols/NSSymbolPulseEffect/effect) The default pulse effect, determined by the system. ### Determining effect scope [`effectWithByLayer`](/documentation/Symbols/NSSymbolPulseEffect/effectWithByLayer) A copy of the effect requesting an animation that pulses only the layers marked to always pulse. [`effectWithWholeSymbol`](/documentation/Symbols/NSSymbolPulseEffect/effectWithWholeSymbol) A copy of the effect requesting an animation that pulses all layers simultaneously. --- 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)