# AddManualSprite

### Introduction

If you have never used the AddManualSprite method, then you have most likely worked with "automatically updated" [Sprites](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php). In fact, most objects which are added to managers are automatically updated, so the concept of whether something is updated or not may not have even been a consideration. While automatic updating or "management" is very convenient, it can also be inefficient - especially if situations with a large number of objects which do not need every-frame updates. One common example of unnecessary updating is when Sprites are used as "environment" such as tiles in a tile map. In these situations the Sprites are initially set, but after the initial positioning the Sprites will never move. Therefore, every-frame updates are unnecessary. In these situations manual [Sprites](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) can be used to reduce the overhead of each instance. The AddManualSprite method creates a Sprite which will not have its update called automatically. While this improves performance, **any update(s) must be followed by a call to SpriteManager.ManualUpdate(spriteToUpdate). Without this call the changes will not be visible.**

### Code Example

The following code example shows a performance difference between manually and automatically updated [Sprites](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php). The performance numbers are recorded on a laptop which does not have a powerful graphics card. Therefore, computers with more powerful graphics cards may see more drastic changes in numbers between the two types of [Sprites](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php)

Add the following using statement:

```
using FlatRedBall.Graphics;
```

Add the following at class scope:

```
Text text;
```

Do one of the following two:

Add the following to Initialize after initializing FlatRedBall to create a group of automatically updated Sprites:

```
 IsFixedTimeStep = false;
 graphics.SynchronizeWithVerticalRetrace = false;

 int numberOfSprites = 4000;
 for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSprites; i++)
 {
     // This will add automatically updated Sprites
     Sprite sprite = SpriteManager.AddSprite("redball.bmp");
     SpriteManager.Camera.PositionRandomlyInView(sprite, 45, 80);
 }

 text = TextManager.AddText("");
```

OR...

Add the following to Initialize after initializing FlatRedBall to create a group of manually updated Sprites:

```
 IsFixedTimeStep = false;
 graphics.SynchronizeWithVerticalRetrace = false;

 int numberOfSprites = 4000;
 for (int i = 0; i < numberOfSprites; i++)
 {
     Sprite sprite = SpriteManager.AddManualSprite("redball.bmp");
     SpriteManager.Camera.PositionRandomlyInView(sprite, 45, 80);
     // Since the Sprite has been "changed" by the 
     // PositionRandomlyInView, it must be updated
     SpriteManager.ManualUpdate(sprite);
 }

 text = TextManager.AddText("");
```

Add the following to Update to display frame time:

```
text.DisplayText = TimeManager.SecondDifference.ToString();
```

Automatically Updated: ![AutomaticallyUpdatedSprites.png](https://951240982-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M_fye9Ufg3vzJxwX5Hk%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5998333180f6c81e52832dc3b1f411edcda57c30%2Fmigrated_media-AutomaticallyUpdatedSprites.png?alt=media) Manually Updated: ![ManuallyUpdatedSprites.png](https://951240982-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M_fye9Ufg3vzJxwX5Hk%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6be53e9fc908ce70e7f2072ced2f408ffef21f9b%2Fmigrated_media-ManuallyUpdatedSprites.png?alt=media)

### Related Articles

* [FlatRedBall.SpriteManager.ConvertToManuallyUpdated](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) - Can be used to convert an already-created object to be manually updated.
* [Manually updated objects tutorial](https://github.com/flatredball/FlatRedBallDocs/blob/main/frb/docs/index.php) - Discusses details of manually updated objects.