Mac OS X, version 10.6 and later, includes Objective-C classes that make it easy to find and control cameras and scanners, whether attached directly via USB or available over the network. You can browse for devices, list and download thumbnails and images, take scans, rotate or delete images and, if the device supports it, take pictures or control the scan parameters.
High-level image capture classes in the ImageKit framework allow you to construct applications that control cameras and scanners entirely by dragging and dropping elements in Interface Builder, literally without writing a line of code.
Similar classes in the ImageCaptureCore framework provide the equivalent capabilities to quickly find and control cameras and scanners, but without the built-in UI, allowing you to write headless applications or to provide your own custom UI.
ImageKit capture classes and the ImageCaptureCore framework replace the older Carbon-based Image Capture subframework. While existing applications written using the old Image Capture subframework are still supported, it is strongly recommended that new applications be written using ImageKit or ImageCaptureCore.If you want to find or control cameras or scanners from within your application, you should read this document.
This document is organized into the following sections:
"“Image Capture Overview””—an overview of the Image Capture API
"“Creating an Application Using ImageKit””— a sample camera browser application created using the ImageKit API.
“Creating an Application Using ImageCaptureCore””— a sample camera browser application created using the ImageCaptureCore API.
Last updated: 2009-08-29
Mac OS X Reference Library Graphics & Animation Image Capture Applications Programming Guide