Jump To:
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.
Document Descriptions
On Off
Display

Sorted by
Title
Sort by
Topic
Sort by
Date
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
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
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
IKImageView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display images efficiently at the same time it supports image editing.
Cocoa, Quartz 2008-04-08
IKPictureTaker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the class that provides a panel for choosing images.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-10-31
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
IKSlideshow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a data source and options for a slideshow.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-10-31
IKSlideshowDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods that a slideshow object uses to access the contents of its data source object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2009-03-04
Image Capture Applications Reference (HTML)
Describes the API that applications use to communicate with image capture devices such as cameras and scanners.
General, Hardware 2008-04-08
Image Capture Device Modules Reference (HTML)
Describes the API to add support for image capture devices, such as cameras, phones, and scanners, to Mac OS X.
Hardware & Drivers 2008-04-08
Image I/O Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for reading and writing image data.
Carbon, Quartz 2007-04-09
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
Multilingual Text Engine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for supporting Unicode text editing.
Typography 2007-02-19
NSAffineTransform Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support affine transformations.
Cocoa 2007-02-28
NSAffineTransform Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an affine transformation from one coordinate space to another.
Cocoa 2007-01-15
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Cocoa 2007-10-31
NSBezierPath Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Cocoa 2007-03-02
NSBitmapImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from bitmap data.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Cocoa 2008-10-15
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
NSClipView Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that contains and scrolls the document view of a scroll view.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of color and opacity.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
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
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa 2007-04-27
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
NSCustomImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that supports drawing an image using a custom data format.
Cocoa 2007-01-19
NSEPSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from encapsulated PostScript data.
Cocoa 2007-01-22
NSGraphicsContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a destination for drawing operations.
Cocoa 2007-03-01
NSImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical image that includes facilities for drawing and compositing.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing and drawing image data.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSOpenGLContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a target for OpenGL commands.
Cocoa, OpenGL 2008-06-09
NSOpenGLPixelBuffer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an OpenGL pixel buffer.
Cocoa, OpenGL 2007-01-31
NSOpenGLPixelFormat Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a pixel format for OpenGL rendering.
Cocoa, OpenGL 2008-10-15
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for OpenGL drawing.
OpenGL 2007-01-26
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Cocoa 2009-01-06
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
NSQuickDrawView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Quartz.
Cocoa 2007-01-30
NSScreen Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a screen (computer monitor).
Cocoa 2009-01-06
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSShadow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a drop shadow for a drawing operation.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
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
NSView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for drawing, event handling, and printing in views.
Cocoa 2009-02-04
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Cocoa 2006-05-23
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Cocoa 2009-03-04
OpenGL Capabilities Matrix (HTML)
Lists supported OpenGL extensions and parameter values by various combinations of Mac OS X versions, graphics adapters, and CPU types.
OpenGL 2007-11-30
Palette Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API used to select colors for display devices limited to an 8-bit pixel depth.
Carbon 2006-07-13
PDF Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for viewing, navigating, and editing PDF content.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for representing an action in a PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFActionGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action in a PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFActionNamed Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for working with actions that have defined names, such as "Go back."
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFActionRemoteGoTo Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating the destination of a go-to action that targets another PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFActionResetForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for getting and clearing fields in a PDF form.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFActionURL Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the URL associated with a URL action.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describe the class for creating and managing annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationButtonWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating button annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationChoiceWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu and list annotations in a PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationCircle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating circle annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationFreeText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating free text annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationInk Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating ink annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationLine Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating line annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationLink Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating link annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationMarkup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating markup annotations (highlighting, underlining, and so on) in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationPopup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu annotations in a PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationSquare Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating square annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationStamp Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for displaying content to look as if it is "stamped" onto a PDF page.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating text annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationTextWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating editable text fields in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFBorder Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating borders around annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2006-05-23
PDFDestination Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for describing specific destinations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating PDF files.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFOutline Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating structure outlines in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFPage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling specific pages in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFSelection Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling user selections in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFThumbnailView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the thumbnail view in a PDF document.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
PDFView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates all the capabilities of PDF Kit in a standard Cocoa view.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-12-11
Picture Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for reading and modifying image data stored in PICT-formatted files. Replaced by Quartz2D.
Carbon 2006-07-13
Printing Plug-in Interfaces Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the various callback interfaces that Mac OS X printing plug-ins implement in Carbon.
Printing 2003-07-31
QCComposition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a Quartz Composer composition.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-06-26
QCCompositionLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a Quartz Composer composition in a Layer Kit layer.
Quartz 2007-12-11
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
QCCompositionRenderer Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for passing and retrieving data from the ports of a composition.
Cocoa, Quartz 2008-04-08
QCCompositionRepository Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a system-wide, central repository of Quartz Composer compositions.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to write custom patches for Quartz Composer.
Cocoa, Quartz 2008-04-08
QCPlugInContext Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by execution contexts.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-05-09
QCPlugInInputImageSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's input to a QCPlugIn object.
Cocoa, Quartz 2007-07-12
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