libgdx-asset-manager

libGDX AssetManager

Quick reference for com.badlogic.gdx.assets.AssetManager. Covers loading, retrieval, disposal, reference counting, loading screens, parameters, custom loaders, and error handling.

Core Concepts

load() queues an asset. Nothing is loaded until update() or finishLoading() is called.

load() → queues request
update() → processes one step per call, returns true when ALL done
finishLoading() → blocks until ALL queued assets are loaded
finishLoadingAsset(name) → blocks until ONE specific asset is loaded, returns it
get() → retrieves a loaded asset (throws if not loaded)
unload() → decrements ref count, disposes at zero
dispose() → disposes ALL assets and kills the executor

There is no loadSync() method. Do not invent one.

Constructors

AssetManager manager = new AssetManager();                              // InternalFileHandleResolver, all default loaders
AssetManager manager = new AssetManager(resolver);                      // custom resolver, all default loaders
AssetManager manager = new AssetManager(resolver, false);               // custom resolver, NO default loaders

Loading Assets

// Queue assets (nothing loaded yet)
manager.load("texture.png", Texture.class);
manager.load("atlas.atlas", TextureAtlas.class);
manager.load("click.wav", Sound.class);
manager.load("theme.mp3", Music.class);
manager.load("font.fnt", BitmapFont.class);
manager.load("ui.json", Skin.class);

// With parameters
TextureLoader.TextureParameter param = new TextureLoader.TextureParameter();
param.minFilter = TextureFilter.Linear;
param.magFilter = TextureFilter.Linear;
param.genMipMaps = true;
manager.load("texture.png", Texture.class, param);

Retrieving Assets

// After loading is complete:
Texture tex = manager.get("texture.png", Texture.class);

// Without type (unchecked cast — less safe):
Texture tex = manager.get("texture.png");

// Non-throwing variant (returns null if not loaded):
Texture tex = manager.get("texture.png", Texture.class, false);

// Check first:
if (manager.isLoaded("texture.png")) {
    Texture tex = manager.get("texture.png", Texture.class);
}

// Get all assets of a type:
Array<Texture> textures = new Array<>();
manager.getAll(Texture.class, textures);