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Leopard Reference Library
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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CGGradient Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the functions that create and operate on Quartz gradient objects.
Quartz Reference 2007-05-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa Reference 2007-04-27
Image I/O Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for reading and writing image data.
Carbon, Quartz Reference 2007-04-09
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa Reference 2007-04-01
Core Video Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for obtaining and manipulating individual video frames.
Quartz, Video Reference 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 Reference 2007-03-16
NSBezierPath Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Cocoa Reference 2007-03-02
NSGraphicsContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a destination for drawing operations.
Cocoa Reference 2007-03-01
NSAffineTransform Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support affine transformations.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorList Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an ordered list of colors identified by keys.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the standard panel used for color selection.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorPicker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for custom views in a color panel used for color selection.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorSpace Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a system or custom color space.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSColorWell Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a control for displaying and selecting colors.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Carbon, Typography Reference 2007-02-26
Multilingual Text Engine Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for supporting Unicode text editing.
Typography Reference 2007-02-19
NSOpenGLPixelBuffer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an OpenGL pixel buffer.
Cocoa, OpenGL Reference 2007-01-31
NSQuickDrawView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Quartz.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-30
NSOpenGLView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for OpenGL drawing.
OpenGL Reference 2007-01-26
NSPDFImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from PDF data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-26
NSPICTImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from PICT data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-26
Quartz Composer Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API that supports loading, playing, and controlling compositions.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2007-01-25
NSEPSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from encapsulated PostScript data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-22
NSCustomImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that supports drawing an image using a custom data format.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-19
NSAffineTransform Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an affine transformation from one coordinate space to another.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-15
NSCachedImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes cached image data that is ready to be rendered.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-15
NSCIImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from a Core Image CIImage instance.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2007-01-12
CIImageAccumulator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that enables feedback-based image processing.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz Reference 2007-01-05
CGColor Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of color and opacity (alpha value).
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGDataConsumer Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque data type for writing image or PDF data.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGFunction Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a facility for defining and using callback functions.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGGLContext Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphics context for OpenGL commands. Not recommended
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGLayer Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the opaque type for creating and drawing to a Quartz layer.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGPath Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGPattern Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a fill pattern.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGPDFDocument Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a document containing PDF data.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGPSConverter Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for converting PostScript data to PDF data.
Quartz Reference 2006-12-22
CGShading Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a gradient fill pattern.
Quartz Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-13
Core Graphics Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for Quartz 2D drawing, Quartz Display Services, and Quartz Events Services.
Quartz Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-07
CIPlugInRegistration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to load Core Image image units.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-07
CIVector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to pass parameter values to Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz Reference 2006-12-07
IKFilterCustomUIProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the protocol that defines a method for providing a view for a filter.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-12-07
IKImageBrowserDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol for the delegate of an image browser view.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-12-07
CIFilter Image Kit Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Image Kit.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-12-06
IKFilterBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports browsing Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-12-06
IKFilterUIView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a user interface for Core Image filters.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-12-06
IKImageEditPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a panel optimized for image editing.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-05
CIFilterGenerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports chaining together image processing filters.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-05
CIKernel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that operates on individual pixels using a kernel routine.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz Reference 2006-12-05
CIPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is responsible for loading image units.
Cocoa, Games, Quartz Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-05
Apple Game Sprockets Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the programming interface defined by Game Sprockets. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-13
HTML Rendering Library Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for drawing HTML text and images in a window. Replaced by the Web Kit.
Carbon Reference 2006-07-13
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 Reference 2006-07-13
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 Reference 2006-07-13
CIColor Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support Cocoa color information.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-05-23
NSClipView Class Objective-C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that contains and scrolls the document view of a scroll view.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationCircle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating circle annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationInk Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating ink annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationLink Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating link annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 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 Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationSquare Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating square annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-05-23
PDFBorder Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating borders around annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa, Quartz Reference 2006-05-23
ColorSync Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for ColorSync, the platform-independent color management system in Mac OS X.
Carbon, ColorSync Reference 2005-06-04
HIShape Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon API for manipulating HIShape objects.
Carbon Reference 2004-06-28
Printing Plug-in Interfaces Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the various callback interfaces that Mac OS X printing plug-ins implement in Carbon.
Printing Reference 2003-07-31
Ticket Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used by printer modules and PDEs to communicate printing information to the system.
Carbon, Printing Reference 2002-10-23
FontSync Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for content-based font identification and comparison.
Carbon, Typography Reference 2002-10-01
2D Graphics Release Notes for Mac OS X v10.5 (HTML)
Describes the changes and issues related to Core Image and Quartz 2D in Mac OS X v10.5.
Carbon, Games, Quartz Release Notes 2008-04-08
Quartz Composer Release Note for Mac OS X v10.5 (HTML)
Summarizes the features and changes in Quartz Composer for Mac OS X v10.5.
Quartz Release Notes 2007-10-31
AGL Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the AGL framework.
OpenGL Release Notes 2007-07-18
Application Services Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Application Services framework.
Carbon Release Notes 2007-07-18
OpenGL Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the OpenGL framework.
OpenGL Release Notes 2007-07-18
Quartz Core Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Quartz Core framework.
Quartz Release Notes 2007-07-18
Quartz Reference Update (HTML) (PDF)
Summarizes the symbols added to the Quartz framework.
Quartz Release Notes 2007-07-18
Core Animation Release Notes (HTML)
Describes features, issues, and workarounds related to Mac OS X v10.5 and its support of Core Animation.
Cocoa, Quartz Release Notes 2007-05-31
Carbon Resolution Independence Release Notes (HTML)
Carbon Release Notes 2005-04-29
Resolution Independent UI Release Notes (HTML)
Quartz Release Notes 2005-04-29
Java Advanced Imaging and Java 3D for Java 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 Release Notes (HTML)
Describes notes and known issues about Java Advanced Imaging and Java 3D for Java 1.4.1 and 1.4.2 on Mac OS X.
Java Release Notes 2004-10-05
QTCoreVideo202 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to render a QuickTime Movie using OpenGL PBO and the Core Video pixel buffer pipeline.
OpenGL, QuickTime, Video Sample Code 2009-04-07
QTCoreVideo301 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates adding of effects & filters to QuickTime Movies in realtime using GLSL shaders and the Core Video texture pipeline.
OpenGL, QuickTime, Video Sample Code 2009-04-07
CALayerEssentials (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the basics of setting up various Core Animation layers
Cocoa, Games, OpenGL, Quartz Sample Code 2008-09-30
Squiggles (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates many Cocoa fundamentals in a Document-based Application featuring custom drawing and event-handling.
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-08-29
OpenGLScreenSnapshot (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to get the screen pixels using OpenGL and save them to an image file.
OpenGL Sample Code 2008-08-14
CoreImageGLTextureFBO (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Making OpenGL textures with Core Image
Games, OpenGL, Quartz Sample Code 2008-07-30
GLSL Basics Cocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
GLSL fundamentals using NSOpenGLView
OpenGL Sample Code 2008-07-30
Image Kit with Core Data (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using Image Kit's browser view with Core Data content.
Cocoa, Quartz Sample Code 2008-07-25
QTCoreVideo102 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An application demonstrating the use of QTKit, CoreVdeo, and OpenGL.
OpenGL, QuickTime, Video Sample Code 2008-06-06