title: How to create an Isometric tile-map with 3D objects
body: <p>So, I am building a basic tycoon game. In this game I want to have a simplex 3D generated tile-map that the player can build on. I need the tile-map to be 3D (or have a 3D appearance) because I want to be able to use some realistic shaders on the 3D models the player is going to be able to build. </p>
  
  <p>At first, I thought I could combine SpriteKit and SceneKit. I would generate the 2D SKTileMapNode and then allow the player to build the 3D buildings on top of that. But that wouldn't work as well because SKTileMapNodes aren't easily pannable or zoomable.</p>
  
  <p>My second idea was to build an SKTileMap randomly (which I know how to do easily) and then use that as a reference to build a 3D scene. That would allow me to have full control over what goes where, but there is a catch. Each 3D block (representing a tile in the tileMap) would be treated as a node and cause huge performance issues, Unlike SpriteKits SKTileMapNode that treats the tile-map as a single large node once it is filled with the tiles.</p>
  
  <p>I would prefer to not use an isometric SKTileMap because that wouldn't allow the player to be able to pan/zoom the map and thus, reduce the depth and feel that I would like to achieve with this game.</p>
  
  <p>For instance, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flZ6qZuTiSI" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a> is what I am going for (similar in build but completely different in style)  </p>