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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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PDFActionResetForm Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for getting and clearing fields in a PDF form.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFActionURL Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the URL associated with a URL action.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describe the class for creating and managing annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationButtonWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating button annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationChoiceWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu and list annotations in a PDF document.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationCircle Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating circle annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationFreeText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating free text annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationInk Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating ink annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationLine Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating line annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationLink Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating link annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa 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 Reference 2006-05-23
PDFAnnotationPopup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating pop-up menu annotations in a PDF document.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationSquare Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating square annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationText Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating text annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFAnnotationTextWidget Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for manipulating editable text fields in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFBorder Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating borders around annotations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
PDFDestination Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for describing specific destinations in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFDocument Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating PDF files.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFKitLinker2 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates many aspects of PDFKit including navigation, display modes, searching, and PDFView subclassing.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-08-10
PDFOutline Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for creating and manipulating structure outlines in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFPage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling specific pages in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFSelection Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for handling user selections in PDF documents.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
PDFThumbnailView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class for managing the thumbnail view in a PDF document.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 2007-12-11
PictureTaker (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates the PictureTaker in a basic Cocoa application
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-04-02
Printing Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support printing in Cocoa applications.
Cocoa Guides 2006-06-28
QCComposition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a Quartz Composer composition.
Cocoa Reference 2007-06-26
QCCompositionParameterView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to edit the input parameters of a composition in a view.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionParameterViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionParameterView object.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerPanel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a utility window for browsing and selecting a composition.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerView Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to display a view for browsing and selecting a composition.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionPickerViewDelegate Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol for responding to changes in a QCCompositionPickerView object.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCCompositionRenderer Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for passing and retrieving data from the ports of a composition.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-08
QCCompositionRepository Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents a system-wide, central repository of Quartz Composer compositions.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCFundamentals (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates Coordinate, Interpolation, and Iterative systems in Quartz Composer with an amusing animation
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-08-07
QCGalaxy (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates use of Particle Systems and Core Image Filters in Quartz Composer
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-08-07
QCPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to write custom patches for Quartz Composer.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-08
QCPlugInContext Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by execution contexts.
Cocoa Reference 2007-05-09
QCPlugInInputImageSource Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the methods for managing image data that's input to a QCPlugIn object.
Cocoa Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 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 Reference 2007-05-09
QTCoreImage101 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to render a QuickTime Movie using Core Image filters and the new video pipeline.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-07-19
QTKit Capture - Specifying Media Compression Settings (HTML)
QA1586: Describes how to configure a file output object to save compressed captured media.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2008-03-11
QTtoCG (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to create a CGImageRef with the proper ColorSync profile from a QuickTime image on disk.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
Quartz 2D Interpolation (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1186: Explains how to control Quartz 2D's image interpolation.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2002-10-29
Quartz 2D Shadings (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use CGShading and CGGradient objects to draw simple gradients.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-08-31
Quartz 2D Thread Safety (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1238: Explains the thread-safety issues for the Quartz 2D API.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-02-25
Quartz 2D Transformer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Quartz 2D to manipulate an image
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-21
Quartz Composer Custom Patch Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create custom patches for distribution.
Cocoa Guides 2007-12-11
Quartz Composer Live DV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to export a Quartz Composer composition as a real-time DV stream on the FireWire port.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz Composer Matrix (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use Quartz Composer to display a QuickTime movie as a series of frames in a 3D world.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz Composer Offline Rendering (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to render a Quartz Composer composition as a series of images using an OpenGL pBuffer.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz Composer Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to used the framework to load, play, and control compositions.
Cocoa Guides 2008-10-15
Quartz Composer QCTV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a fake TV system using Quartz Composer as the foundation motion graphics.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-07-06
Quartz Composer Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API that supports loading, playing, and controlling compositions.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-25
Quartz Composer Texture (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use a Quartz Composer composition as an OpenGL texture.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz Composer User Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.
Cocoa Guides 2007-07-17
Quartz Composer WWDC 2005 Composition (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to build a parameterized motion graphics composition with Quartz Composer.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz Composer WWDC 2005 TextEdit (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrate how to modify TextEdit's about dialog to display a Quartz Composer composition.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Quartz EB (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
WWDC 2001 Early Bird Quartz 2D tutorial of vector drawing and PDF import/export.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
Quartz2DBasics (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Carbon and Cocoa sample code demonstrating some basic usage of the Quartz 2D API
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-09-11
QuartzComposerSamplePatches (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A short list of new patches in Quartz Composer Mac OS X 10.5
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-11
Reducer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Simple utility for rescaling bitmapped images. Demonstrates use of Core Image, NSAnimation, view drawing redirection.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-06
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Cocoa Guides 2007-05-04
RGB ValueTransformers (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Supersedes the "RGB Image sample". Sample now uses bindings. Color separation now done in an NSValueTransformer subclass.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-11-18
Saving the current Core Graphics Path (HTML)
QA1056: Explains that the Core Graphics save and restore GState APIs do not affect the path.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-10-02
Setting the ColorSync profile for a NSBitmapImageRep object (HTML)
QA1369: Setting the ColorSync profile for a NSBitmapImageRep object
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-09-08
Shearing a Coordinate Space with NSAffineTransform (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1332: Describes a simple way to shear coordinate spaces by adding a few methods to the NSAffineTransform class.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-01-29
Son of Grab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use the new CGWindow to get window images from the Window Server.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-11-01
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
Taking Advantage of PDF Kit in Your Cocoa Application (HTML)
Learn to handle PDF documents in your Cocoa application without writing a lot of custom code.
Cocoa Articles 2006-02-20
TexturePerformanceDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
OpenGL texture optimization demo for WWDC Session 214
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Developing with Core Image (HTML)
Learn how Core Image can help you take your graphics development to the next level.
Cocoa Articles 2005-03-09
Turning Off Core Graphics Clipping (HTML)
QA1050: Explains how to clear the clipping path for a CGContext.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
Unexpected CG state changes (HTML)
QA1045: Explains why the Core Graphics drawing state sometimes changes for no apparent reason.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
UnsharpMask (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to build Automator actions using Cocoa frameworks.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-06
Using Interface Builder's NSOpenGLView or Custom View objects for an OpenGL application (HTML)
QA1167: Describes usage cases for both NSOpenGLViews and Custom Views for Cocoa OpenGL applications
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2004-10-28
Using UTIs to Identify Image Files (HTML)
QA1518: Explains how to use Uniform Type Identifiers to identify what files can be opened at images.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-05-11
VBL (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
A simple example of how to create an OpenGLView in AppKit.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-07-07
VertexPerformanceDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Vertex optimization demo for WWDC Session 214
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
VideoHardwareInfo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Query VRAM, Quartz Extreme support, OpenGL extensions and renderer, GLSL version and support.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-05-14
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-12
Working with Quartz Composer (HTML)
Learn to build a sample composition without having to write code.
Cocoa Articles 2006-02-13
Worm (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
NSView performance demonstration. Uses a periodic timer to get best performance with Coalesced Update feature.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-06-01
Apple RGB and Generic RGB profiles explained (HTML)
QA1430: Discusses use of the Apple RGB and Generic RGB profiles for untagged data on Mac OS X
ColorSync Technical Q&As 2005-10-17
Color Management Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic concepts and defines color spaces.
ColorSync Guides 2005-07-07
ColorMatching (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Performs simple color matching of images using ColorSync or the QuickTime 6.4 Graphics Importers.
ColorSync Sample Code 2003-12-18
ColorSync Color Matching on Intel-based Macs (HTML)
QA1464: Describes special considerations for byte ordering when performing ColorSync color matching on Intel-based Macs
ColorSync Technical Q&As 2006-03-16
ColorSync Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for ColorSync, the platform-independent color management system in Mac OS X.
ColorSync Reference 2005-06-04
ColorSync on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2035: Describes ColorSync, which is fundamentally integrated into Mac OS X.
ColorSync Technical Notes 2005-08-10
ColorSyncDevices (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use the new ColorSync Device Support APIs introduced with Mac OS X.
ColorSync Sample Code 2003-01-14
Creating color spaces that ensure color matching. (HTML)
QA1396: How to create color spaces that ensure color matching.
ColorSync Technical Q&As 2005-10-04
Embedding ICC Profiles (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
CS06: Gives downloads for documents describing embedding ICC profiles in EPS, PICT, and TIFF files.
ColorSync Technical Q&As 1996-02-09
Getting the name of a profile (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1205: Shows how to programmatically get the name of a ColorSync profile.
ColorSync Technical Q&As 2002-10-25
ICC Profile copyright field (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1136: Discusses how applications should honor the copyright field in the header of an ICC profile.
ColorSync Technical Q&As 2002-04-08
Image Color Management (HTML)
TN2115: Learn how to properly support color management in your application.
ColorSync Technical Notes 2006-11-01