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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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Drawing a Path Multiple Times (HTML)
QA1047: Explains that path drawing operations consume the path.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
Driving OpenGL Rendering Loops (HTML)
QA1385: Using Core Video display links (CVDisplayLink) or Cocoa timers (NSTimer) to drive an OpenGL rendering loop
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2009-05-01
Finding an NSView's current magnification. (HTML)
QA1346: How to discover the current magnification (zoom level) of any NSView.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2005-03-08
GeekGameBoard (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Core Animation for the user interface of a board or card game.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-12-19
Getting images in and out from Quartz Composer compositions (HTML)
TN2143: Describes how to efficiently pass images into and out of Quartz Composer
Cocoa Technical Notes 2005-10-04
Getting the pixel data from a CGImage object (HTML)
QA1509: Describes how to access the pixel data of a CGImage object
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2008-08-27
GLChildWindowDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows using Cocoa's child windows and Quartz Extreme to provide 2D/3D overlays above 3D content.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-04-21
GLSLShowpiece (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
GLSLShowpiece demonstrates several Vertex and Fragment shaders
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-17
Grady (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the NSGradient class.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-02-28
How can I optimize a Quartz Composer composition depending on the hardware it runs on? (HTML)
QA1433: Explains how to design compositions that adapt to the hardware limitations.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2005-06-01
How can I programmatically determine the DPI of the current video mode? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1217: Describes how to compute the DPI for a given display in a given mode using Core Graphics.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2002-12-02
How do I determine how much VRAM is available on my video card? (HTML)
QA1168: Using Core Graphics and IOKit to find the physical size of VRAM on installed hardware.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-10-11
How do I get the hexadecimal value of an NSColor object? (HTML)
QA1576: Describes how to convert an NSColor object to its Hexadecimal value.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-12-19
How do I tell if a particular display is being hardware accelerated by Quartz Extreme? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1218: Describes how to use CGDisplayUsesOpenGLAcceleration to see if a display is accelerated or not.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2002-12-04
How to measure CG text (HTML)
QA1051: Explains how to measure Core Graphics text.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-08-02
IKFilterBrowserPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides the panel contained in a filter browser.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
IKFilterBrowserView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports browsing Core Image filters.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-06
IKFilterCustomUIProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the protocol that defines a method for providing a view for a filter.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-07
IKFilterUIView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a user interface for Core Image filters.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-06
IKImageBrowserDataSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to access the data source associated with an image browser view.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-17
IKImageBrowserDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol for the delegate of an image browser view.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-07
IKImageBrowserItem Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by an image browser view to access the data source for an item.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2006-12-13
IKImageEditPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a panel optimized for image editing.
Cocoa 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 Reference 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 Reference 2008-04-08
IKPictureTaker Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Descibes the class that provides a panel for choosing images.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
IKSaveOptions Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that initializes, adds, and manages user interface options for saving image data.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-06
IKSlideshow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates a data source and options for a slideshow.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2009-03-04
IKSlideshowDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This small sample project shows how to use the ImageKit Slideshow to display images or PDFs.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-08-01
Image Difference (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates a way to use Quartz's compositing capability to find the difference between two images.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-30
Image I/O Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to read and write image data using the Image I/O framework.
Cocoa Guides 2007-07-02
Image Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support browsing, viewing, editing, and processing images.
Cocoa Guides 2008-06-09
Image Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for providing a user interface for images, image editing, and image processing.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-06
Image Kit with Core Data (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Using Image Kit's browser view with Core Data content.
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-07-25
Image Unit Tutorial (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to write image processing kernels and package them for distribution.
Cocoa Guides 2009-05-06
Image Views (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa image views.
Cocoa Guides 2002-11-12
ImageApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates basic image handling using the ImageIO APIs in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-01-24
ImageBackground (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw an image in the background of an NSOutlineView and NSTableView.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-02
ImageBrowser (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the ImageKit's IKImageBrowserView to browse images in a basic Cocoa application.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-03-13
Is ColorSync thread safe? (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1261: Discusses ColorSync thread-safety issues.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-04-17
LayerBackedOpenGLView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"LayerBackedOpenGLView" provides a simple example of hosting Cocoa controls as subviews of an NSOpenGLView.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-12
Link Snoop (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use PDFKit to scan for and highlight link annotations in PDFs.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
LiveVideoMixer3 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
LiveVideoMixer3 is extended to support Video In via QTKit
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-08-01
Making the most of Cocoa bindings in Quartz Composer (HTML)
TN2146: Describes how to best use Cocoa bindings with Quartz Composer.
Cocoa Technical Notes 2006-03-03
MassiveImage (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use a CGDataProvider to save a very large image with Image IO
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-09-27
MyCustomColorPicker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to write a custom color picker using Cocoa.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-09
MyPhoto (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates preferred techniques for working with the Image Capture APIs
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
NSAffineTransform Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes additions to support affine transformations.
Cocoa Reference 2007-02-28
NSAffineTransform Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an affine transformation from one coordinate space to another.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-15
NSAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the behavior of an animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
NSBezierPath Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a vector-based path consisting of line and curve segments.
Cocoa Reference 2007-03-02
NSBitmapImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from bitmap data.
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
NSBox Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view that can display its border and a title.
Cocoa Reference 2008-10-15
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
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
NSColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of color and opacity.
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
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
NSColorPickingCustom Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving custom color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa Reference 2007-04-01
NSColorPickingDefault Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for receiving basic color-picker user-interface requests.
Cocoa Reference 2007-04-27
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
NSCustomImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that supports drawing an image using a custom data format.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-19
NSEPSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an object that draws an image from encapsulated PostScript data.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-22
NSGLImage (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates how to texture in OpenGL with an NSImage and/or NSBitmapImageRep
Cocoa Sample Code 2004-12-01
NSGraphicsContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a destination for drawing operations.
Cocoa Reference 2007-03-01
NSImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a graphical image that includes facilities for drawing and compositing.
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
NSImageRep Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for managing and drawing image data.
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
NSOpenGL Fullscreen (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to create and switch between windowed and fullscreen OpenGL contexts using NSOpenGL.
Cocoa Sample Code 2004-02-11
NSOpenGLContext Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a target for OpenGL commands.
Cocoa Reference 2008-06-09
NSOpenGLPixelBuffer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an OpenGL pixel buffer.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-31
NSOpenGLPixelFormat Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a pixel format for OpenGL rendering.
Cocoa Reference 2008-10-15
NSOpenGLView redraw problems after a window is closed and re-opened. (HTML)
QA1353: Workaround for NSOpenGLView failure to draw after its window is closed and re-opened.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-12-03
NSPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window for performing auxiliary functions in an application.
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
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
NSQuickDrawView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a deprecated technology replaced by Quartz.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-30
NSScreen Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a representation of a screen (computer monitor).
Cocoa Reference 2009-01-06
NSScrollView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a view for displaying content larger than its bounds.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSShadow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a drop shadow for a drawing operation.
Cocoa Reference 2009-02-04
NSValue Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes extensions to Foundation's NSValue class that support the Core Animation LKTransform structure.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
NSView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for drawing, event handling, and printing in views.
Cocoa Reference 2009-02-04
NSViewAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an animation in a view or window.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
NSWindow Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes a window.
Cocoa Reference 2009-03-04
OpenGL Filter Basics Cocoa (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to use Objective-C and MVC design patterns in installing and utilizing filters in an OpenGL rendering pipeline
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-02-06
OpenGL Release Highlights - Mac OS X 10.3 Panther (HTML)
TN2131: Contains a list of bugs along with a short description on a release-by-release basis
Cocoa Technical Notes 2005-02-04
OpenGL Screensaver (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate OpenGL drawing into a standard Cocoa screen saver on Mac OS X.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-12-10
OpenGLCompositorLab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates using OpenGL to composite multiple sources in hardware. Requires NVIDIA GeForce 4 Ti hardware.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-04-21
PDF Annotation Editor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use PDF Kit to examine, edit, and create PDF annotations.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-31
PDF Calendar (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use PDF Kit to create PDF content.
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-31
PDF Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic PDF concepts and describes how to use PDF Kit to display PDF documents in your application.
Cocoa Guides 2007-12-11
PDF Kit Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for viewing, navigating, and editing PDF content.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for representing an action in a PDF document.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionNamed Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for working with actions that have defined names, such as "Go back."
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2007-12-11