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Leopard Reference Library: User Experience
User experience encompasses the visual appearance, interactive behavior, and assistive capabilities of software. Carbon provides a number of APIs to implement user interface elements, such as windows, controls, and menus.

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Search Kit Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for supporting user searches of textual content.
Reference 2009-05-06
Speech Synthesis Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for converting text into synthesized speech.
Reference 2009-04-08
Dock Tile Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide an icon and contextual menu in Carbon applications.
Guides 2009-03-04
WebKit C Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for displaying web content in windows.
Reference 2008-10-15
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Technical Q&As 2008-08-08
Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the Mac OS X user experience and explains how to design an application for Aqua.
Guides 2008-06-09
Data Browser Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used to display data in list or column views similar to the Finder.
Reference 2008-04-08
Disc Recording UI Framework Reference (HTML)
Describes the Objective-C and C API for presenting a user interface when burning audio and data CDs and DVDs.
Reference 2008-04-08
Quick Look Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the purporse and architecture of Quick Look generators and explains how to create them.
Guides 2008-02-08
List Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for managing and displaying elements in a scrollable list. Replaced by the Data Browser.
Reference 2007-12-11
Display Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the C API for dynamically changing the arrangement and display modes of attached monitors. Replaced by Quartz Display Services.
Reference 2007-12-04
Apple Help Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to author, package, and display user help content in Mac OS X.
Guides 2007-10-31
Application Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for performing various application-level tasks in a Carbon application. Formerly titled Dock Manager Reference.
Reference 2007-10-31
Carbon Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes many fundamental user experience APIs used in Carbon applications.
Reference 2007-10-31
Dialog Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for implementing alerts and dialog boxes.
Reference 2007-10-31
DiscRecording Release Notes (HTML)
Updated for Mac OS X v10.5
Release Notes 2007-10-31
HIView Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes view-based controls and how to implement them in Carbon applications.
Guides 2007-10-31
Preferences Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Core Foundation preferences functions.
Reference 2007-10-31
QLThumbnailRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look thumbnail images.
Reference 2007-10-31
Speech Release Notes (HTML)
New document that describes new features, notes, and known issues for speech synthesis on Mac OS X v10.5.
Release Notes 2007-10-31
Window Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon windows.
Reference 2007-10-31
Data Browser Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to present data in lists similar to the list and column views in the Finder.
Guides 2007-08-07
Cocoa PDE with Carbon Printing (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Application that uses a Cocoa PDE along with the Carbon Printing APIs.
Sample Code 2007-07-27
Navigation Services Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to provide a user interface for navigating to, opening, and saving files.
Guides 2007-07-10
HIView-NSView (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to embed an NSView within an HIView in a Carbon window.
Sample Code 2007-05-29
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Guides 2007-05-04
QLPreviewRequest Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes an opaque type for handling requests for Quick Look document previews.
Reference 2007-04-20
HIView Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating view-based controls and menus in Carbon applications.
Reference 2007-04-13
Quick Look Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for creating plug-ins that generate Quick Look previews and thumbnails.
Reference 2007-04-13
Icon Services and Utilities Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for manipulating and drawing icons in Carbon applications.
Reference 2007-04-06
Control Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating Carbon controls.
Reference 2007-03-26
Fonts Panel Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for providing a Fonts window in a Carbon application.
Reference 2007-02-26
Accessibility Programming Guidelines for Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to access-enable Carbon applications.
Guides 2007-02-08
Appearance Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for coordinating the look of the standard Mac OS human interface.
Reference 2007-01-23
CarbonCocoa_PictureCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to use NSCursor from a Carbon based application.
Sample Code 2007-01-12
Finder Interface Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes several C data types used by the Finder to contain information about file system objects.
Reference 2006-10-31
Menu Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and managing an application's menus.
Reference 2006-09-15
Navigation Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for presenting a user interface for opening, saving, and navigating files.
Reference 2006-08-16
StickiesExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Contains sample code and tools used by Sync Services Tutorial to demonstrate debugging syncing applications.
Sample Code 2006-08-08
SetCustomIcon (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to programmatically set a custom icon for a file, folder, or disk.
Sample Code 2006-08-01
AppleScriptRunner (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
How to send mail and execute other AppleScripts from a Carbon application.
Sample Code 2006-07-31
Find By Content Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Deprecated - Describes the legacy C API for performing relevance-ranked searches. Replaced by Search Kit.
Reference 2006-07-13
Apple Help Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for finding and displaying help content using Apple's HTML-based help system.
Reference 2006-07-12
Drag Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for dragging objects within the user interface.
Reference 2006-07-12
iTunesController (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
iTunesController allows you to control iTunes without having to bring it to the foreground.
Sample Code 2006-02-23
Search Kit Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes Search Kit architecture and workflow, and how to add search capabilities to Carbon and Cocoa applications.
Guides 2005-12-06
StopAlert and NoteAlert now use the Application icon (HTML)
QA1378: System Alerts now use the Application icon to let the User easily identify the source of the alert.
Technical Q&As 2005-10-04
HIToolbar Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating toolbars in Carbon applications.
Reference 2005-09-08
HIArchive Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to store data objects using HIArchive. Also includes information to make custom HIObjects archivable.
Guides 2005-08-11
HIArchive Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for storing and retrieving data in HIArchives.
Reference 2005-08-11
HIObject Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for creating and manipulating human interface objects in Carbon applications.
Reference 2005-08-11
Handling Carbon Windows and Controls (HTML) (PDF)
A guidebook for implementing windows and controls in Carbon applications.
Guides 2005-07-07
HIToolbar Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to create toolbars in Carbon applications.
Guides 2005-07-07
Unified window title and toolbar appearance in Carbon (HTML)
QA1423: How to use the unified window title and toolbar appearance for a Carbon window.
Technical Q&As 2005-06-17
SDKExample (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to weak-link against the Carbon framework in various SDKs to adopt new OS features in a single executable.
Sample Code 2005-06-06
SearchKit Release Notes (HTML)
Release Notes 2005-04-29
My custom item dismisses my Navigation Services dialog (HTML)
QA1381: Gives a workaround for dismissive clicks on items in the custom area of Navigation Services dialogs.
Technical Q&As 2004-11-22
Clickable Static Text Item (HTML)
QA1380: Explains how to make a static text item respond to clicks
Technical Q&As 2004-10-05
SetFontInfoForSelection incorrect prototype (HTML)
QA1375: Describes the incorrect prototyping of the SetFontInfoForSelection API and gives a workaround.
Technical Q&As 2004-10-04
Universal Access: Computers That Everyone Can Use (HTML)
Learn how to make your applications usable by everyone, including those with disabilities.
Articles 2004-08-02
HIShape Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Carbon API for manipulating HIShape objects.
Reference 2004-06-28
Upgrading to the Mac OS X HIToolbox (HTML) (PDF)
A porting guide for Carbon developers seeking to adopt Mac OS X HIToolbox features such as nib-based windows and HIViews.
Guides 2004-06-28
Using the Web Kit for Application Registration (HTML)
Learn how to use the Web Kit to handle your application's online registration.
Articles 2004-03-09
Carbon Help Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the interface for displaying short onscreen hints in help tags.
Reference 2004-03-01
Creating Carbon Menus (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to create menus in Carbon applications.
Guides 2004-02-23
Interface Builder Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for unarchiving interface objects.
Reference 2004-02-17
Unarchiving Interface Objects With Interface Builder Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to reconstitute user interface elements in Carbon applications.
Guides 2004-02-17
Navigation Services for Carbon: An Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces changes to the Navigation Services API for CarbonLib and Carbon in Mac OS X.
Guides 2003-12-10
Setting Up Your Carbon Application to Use the Services Menu (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to make a Carbon application share functionality with other applications.
Guides 2003-12-10
MungSaver (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates a simple Screen Saver module for Panther, using the Sequence Grabber DataProc mung technique.
Sample Code 2003-11-18
Why isn't my edit text box in my Navigation dialog's custom area working on 10.3? (HTML)
QA1315: Explains a bug in the Mac OS X 10.3 Navigation Services Custom Area involving the EditText and its work around.
Technical Q&As 2003-10-28
MoreIsBetter (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Library providing indispensable wrapers and workarounds for many areas of Mac OS programming.
Sample Code 2003-10-27
CollectPictColors (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Uses Picture Utilities package and KnowsPict application to demonstrate collecting colors used by Pict resources.
Sample Code 2003-10-10
TE Over Background (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - A textEdit that shows old text editing over a colored background
Sample Code 2003-07-22
Out of This GWorld (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Demonstrates the use of offscreen GWorlds and palette animation to simulate animation.
Sample Code 2003-03-12
Guide to Creating Kiosks on Mac OS X (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
TN2062: Discusses techniques used in creating applications which require kiosk-like functionality on Mac OS X.
Technical Notes 2003-02-24
Obtaining and Using Icons With Icon Services (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to obtain and display icons for a Carbon application or extension.
Guides 2003-02-01
Speech Recognition Manager Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C interface for recognizing and accepting spoken input.
Reference 2003-02-01
NewCCursor (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to create a black and white 'CURS' and a color 'crsr' cursor resource by hand.
Sample Code 2003-01-14
Desktop Icons (HTML)
Explains how to provide custom icons for a Carbon application and its documents.
Guides 2002-08-19
Providing Help Tags in Carbon (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to add contextually sensitive help content to an application's user interface.
Guides 2002-07-01
Programming with the Appearance Manager (HTML)
Explains how to make an application's user interface look like the Mac OS user interface.
Guides 2001-11-20
QDFlushPortBuffer (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QD65: Describes a possible solution for window update problems under Carbon.
Technical Q&As 2000-11-08
grayishTextOr and Mac OS 8.5 (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QD59: Explains why text drawn using TextMode(grayishTextOr) is never drawn; provides a workaround.
Technical Q&As 1998-12-07
Creating Gray Scaled Images > 8 bits (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QD51: Shows how to create gray-scaled images at resolutions greater than 8 bits for display.
Technical Q&As 1997-11-17
Using qd and QDGlobals (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
Deprecated - QD40: Why a sample program compiled with SC may give the link error: undefined entry qd. Provides a solution.
Technical Q&As 1996-02-09
Using Temporary Memory with OpenPicture (HTML)
Deprecated - QD20: Provides several techniques of causing OpenPicture to allocate temporary memory for a picture handle.
Technical Q&As 1996-02-01
Error -151 and NewGWorld (HTML)
Deprecated - QD18: Explains what the error code -151 means when in NewGWorld.
Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Problem with PaintRgn on 256-color Screens (HTML)
Deprecated - QD23: PaintRgn with RGBForeColor and transfer mode addOver doesn't return color to original on 256-color-screens.
Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Window Manager and EraseRect (HTML)
Deprecated - QD26: Why WindowManager causes a flicker using EraseRect and provides a solution for this problem.
Technical Q&As 1995-09-15