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Leopard Reference
Graphics and imaging on Mac OS X consists of three main developer technologies: Quartz, an advanced drawing engine and windowing environment; OpenGL, an Apple implementation of this 3D graphics industry-standard API; and QuickTime, the cross-platform multimedia technology for handling video, sound, and text.

A guided introduction for developers new to Mac OS X graphics and imaging.   Essential information for developers working with graphics and imaging.   C and Objective-C API references organized by framework.
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CATransaction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a batch of Core Animation updates that are applied to a render tree atomically.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-24
CIFilter Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Layer Kit.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-24
Core Animation Function Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C functions that support Core Animation.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-24
Core Printing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that provides an abstraction layer for application printing.
Printing 2007-07-24
NSValue Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes extensions to Foundation's NSValue class that support the Core Animation LKTransform structure.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-24
CGFont Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a font.
Quartz 2007-07-17
IKImageBrowserDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access the data source associated with an image browser view.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-17
QCPlugInInputImageSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's input to a QCPlugIn object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-12
vImage Alpha Compositing Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high-performance alpha compositing operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Conversion Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image conversion operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Convolution Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image convolution operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Data Types and Constants Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the data types and constants used by the vImage framework.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Decompression Filtering Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for decompression filtering operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Geometry Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance geometric operations on images.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Histogram Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image histogram operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Morphology Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance morphological operations on images.
Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Carbon, Cocoa, Performance 2007-07-12
vImage Transform Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the programming interface for high performance image transform operations.
Performance 2007-07-12
Color Picker Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used in Classic Mac OS to solicit color choices from users.
Carbon 2007-07-02
QuickDraw Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for the legacy two-dimensional drawing engine in Mac OS. Replaced by Quartz 2D.
Carbon 2007-06-29
ATSUI Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for rendering Unicode-encoded text with advanced typographic features.
Carbon, Typography 2007-06-28
CGBitmapContext Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for managing drawing operations in a bitmap.
Quartz 2007-06-28
CGL Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Apple's low level interface for OpenGL contexts.
Carbon, OpenGL 2007-06-28
DVD Playback Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the DVD Playback framework, which supports adding DVD playback features to applications.
Video 2007-06-28
QCComposition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a Quartz Composer composition.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-06-26
HIGeometry Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API that defines basic geometric objects for HIToolbox.
Carbon 2007-06-11
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions for manipulating Cocoa images.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-06-08
QCCompositionParameterView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to edit the input parameters of a composition in a view.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionParameterView object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a utility window for browsing and selecting a composition.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a view for browsing and selecting a composition.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionPickerView object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCCompositionRepository Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a system-wide, central repository of Quartz Composer compositions.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCPlugInContext Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by execution contexts.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCPlugInOutputImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's produced as output from a QCPlugIn object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCPlugInViewController Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a controller object for a user interface to edit the settings for a QCPlugIn object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCRenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to an arbitrary OpenGL context.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to load, play, and control a Quartz Composer composition to a custom NSView object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
CGImageDestination Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for writing image data.
Quartz 2007-05-04
CGGradient Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions that create and operate on Quartz gradient objects.
Quartz 2007-05-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-27
Image I/O Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for reading and writing image data.
Carbon, Quartz 2007-04-09
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
Core Video Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for obtaining and manipulating individual video frames.
Quartz, Video 2007-03-22
CIContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides an evaluation context for rendering a Core Image image through Quartz 2D or OpenGL.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2007-03-16
NSBezierPath Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSGraphicsContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a destination for drawing operations.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSAffineTransform Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support affine transformations.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorList Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an ordered list of colors identified by keys.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the standard panel used for color selection.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for custom views in a color panel used for color selection.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorSpace Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a system or custom color space.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and selecting colors.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Carbon, Typography 2007-02-26
Multilingual Text Engine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for supporting Unicode text editing.
Typography 2007-02-19
NSOpenGLPixelBuffer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an OpenGL pixel buffer.
Cocoa, OpenGL 2007-01-31
NSQuickDrawView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Quartz.
Cocoa 2007-01-30
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for OpenGL drawing.
OpenGL 2007-01-26
NSPDFImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from PDF data.
Cocoa 2007-01-26
NSPICTImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from PICT data.
Cocoa 2007-01-26
Quartz Composer Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API that supports loading, playing, and controlling compositions.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-01-25
NSEPSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from encapsulated PostScript data.
Cocoa 2007-01-22
NSCustomImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that supports drawing an image using a custom data format.
Cocoa 2007-01-19
NSAffineTransform Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an affine transformation from one coordinate space to another.
Cocoa 2007-01-15
NSCachedImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes cached image data that is ready to be rendered.
Cocoa 2007-01-15
NSCIImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from a Core Image CIImage instance.
Cocoa 2007-01-15
IKImageBrowserItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by an image browser view to access the data source for an item.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-01-12
CIImageAccumulator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that enables feedback-based image processing.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2007-01-05
CGColor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of color and opacity (alpha value).
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGDataConsumer Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque data type for writing image or PDF data.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGFunction Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a facility for defining and using callback functions.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGGLContext Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphics context for OpenGL commands. Not recommended
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGLayer Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for creating and drawing to a Quartz layer.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGPath Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGPattern Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a fill pattern.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGPDFDocument Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a document containing PDF data.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGPSConverter Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for converting PostScript data to PDF data.
Quartz 2006-12-22
CGShading Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a gradient fill pattern.
Quartz 2006-12-22
Quartz 2D Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for the native two-dimensional drawing engine in Mac OS X.
Carbon, Games, Quartz 2006-12-18
IKImageBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that can display and browse a large amount of images and movies in an efficient manner.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-13
Core Graphics Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for Quartz 2D drawing, Quartz Display Services, and Quartz Events Services.
Quartz 2006-12-11
CIFilterShape Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines the bounding shape of a filter and the domain of definition of a filter operation.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-07
CIPlugInRegistration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to load Core Image image units.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-07
CISampler Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that retrieves samples of images that are then processed by a Core Image kernel.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-07
CIVector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to pass parameter values to Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-07
IKFilterCustomUIProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the protocol that defines a method for providing a view for a filter.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-07
IKImageBrowserDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol for the delegate of an image browser view.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-07
CIFilter Image Kit Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Image Kit.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
IKFilterBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports browsing Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
IKFilterUIView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a user interface for Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
IKImageEditPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a panel optimized for image editing.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
IKImageEditPanelDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the mthods than an image edit panel object uses to access the contents of its data source object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
IKSaveOptions Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that initializes, adds, and manages user interface options for saving image data.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
Image Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for providing a user interface for images, image editing, and image processing.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-06
CIColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage color values and color spaces for Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-05
CIFilterGenerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports chaining together image processing filters.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-12-05
CIImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to supply bitmap data for creating or initializing a Core Image image.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-05
CIKernel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that operates on individual pixels using a kernel routine.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-05
CIPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is responsible for loading image units.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-05
Core Image Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for using and creating filters for image processing.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz 2006-12-05