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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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QuartzShapes (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Example Quartz functions that implement equivalents to the QuickDraw PaintArc, FrameArc, PaintOval, FrameOval, PaintRect, and FrameRect
Carbon Sample Code 2005-03-08
QuickDraw Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API for the legacy two-dimensional drawing engine in Mac OS. Replaced by Quartz 2D.
Carbon Reference 2007-06-29
QuickDraw Text Anti-Aliasing using Quartz 2D (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1193: Describes APIs added to Mac OS X to allow applications to draw QD text using CG anti-aliasing.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2002-10-29
Requirements for Quartz GL (HTML)
QA1536: Describes the requirements for enabling Quartz GL.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2007-12-12
Resolution Independence Guidelines (HTML) (PDF)
Describes resolution independence and how to start updating applications to support high-resolution monitors.
Carbon Guides 2007-05-04
SampleScannerApp (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
This project implements a simple client accessing an ICA scanning device.
Carbon Sample Code 2008-05-07
Saving the current Core Graphics Path (HTML)
QA1056: Explains that the Core Graphics save and restore GState APIs do not affect the path.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2001-10-02
SetCustomIcon (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to programmatically set a custom icon for a file, folder, or disk.
Carbon Sample Code 2006-08-01
Son of Grab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to use the new CGWindow to get window images from the Window Server.
Carbon Sample Code 2007-11-01
Spooling in or out of CompressPicture or CompressImage (HTML)
Deprecated - QD17: Recommends alternatives to spooling the results of CompressPicture or CompressImage to or from disk.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Supporting Printing in Your Carbon Application (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to support printing in Carbon applications. Includes creating PDFs and porting from Mac OS 9.
Carbon Guides 2004-08-31
TE Over Background (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - A textEdit that shows old text editing over a colored background
Carbon Sample Code 2003-07-22
Ticket Services Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C API used by printer modules and PDEs to communicate printing information to the system.
Carbon Reference 2002-10-23
Tiger Developer Overview Series: Developing with Core Image (HTML)
Learn how Core Image can help you take your graphics development to the next level.
Carbon Articles 2005-03-09
TubeTest (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - The program is a simple demonstration of how to use the Palette Manager in a color program.
Carbon Sample Code 2003-03-12
Turning Off Core Graphics Clipping (HTML)
QA1050: Explains how to clear the clipping path for a CGContext.
Carbon 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.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
Updating OpenGL Contexts (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1209: When and why to update an OpenGL context in response to system and user actions.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2003-06-19
Using Clip Region and Buffer Rectangles with OpenGL Carbon (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1222: Shows the basics of using buffer rectangles and clip regions with AGL.
Carbon Technical Q&As 2002-12-19
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.
Carbon 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.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1996-02-01
vImage Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the C programming interface for high-performance image processing.
Carbon Reference 2007-07-12
Window Manager and EraseRect (HTML)
Deprecated - QD26: Why WindowManager causes a flicker using EraseRect and provides a solution for this problem.
Carbon Technical Q&As 1995-09-15
Working with Quartz Composer (HTML)
Learn to build a sample composition without having to write code.
Carbon Articles 2006-02-13
Animation Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the animation facilities provided by Mac OS X.
Cocoa Guides 2008-04-08
Animation Programming Guide for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Describes how to use Cocoa animation objects to enhance user interface transitions.
Cocoa Guides 2006-05-23
Application Kit Framework Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Cocoa Objective-C API for the Application Kit framework.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
Availability of Quartz Composer Patches in Web Kit (HTML)
QA1505: Details which Quartz Composer patches are available in Web Kit
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-03-05
BasicCocoaAnimations (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
"BasicCocoaAnimations" demonstrates the use of the animator proxy to easily animate Cocoa views and windows.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-06-11
BoingX (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows off using Quartz Extreme to provide borderless OpenGL content on the desktop.
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-11-06
CAAction Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used by objects to respond to actions initiated by a layer.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class that manages the timing and pacing of an animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CAAnimationGroup Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that groups multiple animations into a single animation.
Cocoa Reference 2008-03-11
CABasicAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides basic interpolation of a layer property.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAConstraint Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines a single geometric constraint between two layers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAConstraintLayoutManager Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides constraint-based relative layout to a layer's sublayers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
CAKeyframeAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides keyframe interpolation of a layer property.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CALayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that defines the basic drawing, timespace, and animation management for Core Animation.
Cocoa Reference 2008-03-10
CALayoutManager Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used by Core Animation to visually layout sublayers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAMediaTiming Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol that defines the timespace of an object.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CAMediaTimingFunction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that encapsulates the pacing of an animation as a timing curve.
Cocoa Reference 2008-07-11
CAOpenGLLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides a context for rendering OpenGL in a layer.
Cocoa Reference 2008-03-11
CAPropertyAnimation Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the abstract class for interpolating the value of a layer property during animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CarbonCocoaCoreImageTab (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Carbon-based application creates a Cocoa-based web window which used CoreImage filters to transition between tabbed WebViews
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-07-25
CarbonQuartzComposer_TV (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Demonstrates how to integrate Cocoa based QuartzComposer window into a Carbon based application
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-10-02
CARenderer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that allows Core Animation rendering to a CGContext.
Cocoa Reference 2008-04-30
CAScrollLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that displays a portion of a layer that's too large to be displayed in its entirety.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATextLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that simplifies rendering text in a layer.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
CATiledLayer Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that simplifies rendering large image layers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATransaction Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides nested transaction support for Core Animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CATransition Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that provides transition animations to layers.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CGBitmapContextCreate Supported Color Spaces (HTML)
QA1037: Lists the color space and alpha info combinations currently supported by CGBitmapContextCreate.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2007-07-18
CGContextAddLineToPoint, CGContextAddCurveToPoint, et. al. (HTML)
QA1049: Explains why the CGContextAddXYZ APIs don't draw anything immediately.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
CGContextClosePath (HTML)
QA1046: Explains when you should call CGContextClosePath.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-10-02
CGDrawPicture (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to use the QDPictDrawToCGContext API.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
CGImageRef contents are immutable (HTML) (日本語 HTML)
QA1276: Explains that CGImageRef contents are considered immutable once created.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2003-07-17
CIAnnotation (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Image annotation application using Core Image Filters. Demonstrates creation and usage of Image Units.
Cocoa Sample Code 2005-08-01
CIColor Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for supporting Cocoa colors in Core Image.
Cocoa Reference 2006-05-23
CIColor Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to manage color values and color spaces for Core Image filters.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
CIColorTracking (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An Objective-C applicaton that implements a GPU-based technique to find the location of a uniquely colored object in a scene
Cocoa Sample Code 2008-04-24
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 Reference 2007-03-16
CIFilter Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that processes image data and produces a Core Image image as output.
Cocoa Reference 2007-12-11
CIFilter Core Animation Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Layer Kit.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
CIFilter Image Kit Additions (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the category that extends Core Image filters for use with Image Kit.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-06
CIFilterGenerator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that supports chaining together image processing filters.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
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 Reference 2006-12-07
CIImage Additions Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the API for supporting Cocoa images in Core Image.
Cocoa Reference 2007-06-08
CIImage Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that represents an immutable Core Image image.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
CIImageAccumulator Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that enables feedback-based image processing.
Cocoa Reference 2007-01-05
CIImageProvider Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the informal protocol used to supply bitmap data for creating or initializing a Core Image image.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
CIKernel Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that operates on individual pixels using a kernel routine.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
CIPlugIn Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class that is responsible for loading image units.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
CIPlugInRegistration Protocol Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the protocol used to load Core Image image units.
Cocoa 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 Reference 2006-12-07
CITransitionSelectorSample2 (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Showing all available Core Image transitions in a scrollable NSOpenGLView
Cocoa Sample Code 2006-09-18
CIVector Class Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the class used to pass parameter values to Core Image filters.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-07
Cocoa CG aliasing demo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw both aliased and anti-aliased text and graphics using Quartz and Cocoa.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-07-17
Cocoa CG arc demo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to draw both aliased and anti-aliased arcs using Quartz and Cocoa.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-07-17
Cocoa Drawing Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how to use Cocoa to draw your application's user interface.
Cocoa Guides 2007-10-31
CocoaSlides (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
An image browser written using AppKit's Core Animation-based compositing and animation functionality
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-11-02
Color Management Overview (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces basic concepts and defines color spaces.
Cocoa Guides 2005-07-07
Color Programming Topics for Cocoa (HTML) (PDF)
Explains how applications specify colors and how users choose colors in Cocoa.
Cocoa Guides 2006-10-03
ColorBars (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows how to enumerate, select, capture, manipulate, draw to, and release displays using the CGDirectDisplay API.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
ColorMatching (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Performs simple color matching of images using ColorSync or the QuickTime 6.4 Graphics Importers.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-12-18
Core Animation Cookbook (HTML) (PDF)
Demonstrates common Core Animation tasks.
Cocoa Guides 2008-03-11
Core Animation Function Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes C functions that provide supporting functionality for the classes and protocols in Core Animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-07-24
Core Animation Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Introduces the main components and services of Core Animation.
Cocoa Guides 2008-05-06
Core Animation QuickTime Layer (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Shows the use of controls in a Layer over a Core Animation QTMovieLayer
Cocoa Sample Code 2007-09-26
Core Animation Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for Core Animation.
Cocoa Reference 2007-10-31
Core Animation Release Notes (HTML)
Describes features, issues, and workarounds related to Mac OS X v10.5 and its support of Core Animation.
Cocoa Release Notes 2007-05-31
Core Image Kernel Language Reference (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the symbols for writing image-processing kernels.
Cocoa Reference 2008-06-09
Core Image Programming Guide (HTML) (PDF)
Provides an overview and explains how to use and create image filters and image units.
Cocoa Guides 2008-06-09
Core Image Reference Collection (HTML) (PDF)
Describes the Objective-C API for using and creating filters for image processing.
Cocoa Reference 2006-12-05
CTMClip (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to manipulate the Quartz 2D Current Transform Matrix (CTM) for image drawing with clipping.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
CTMDemo (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Deprecated - Shows how to manipulate the Quartz 2D Current Transform Matrix (CTM) for image drawing without clipping.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-01-14
Custom Cocoa OpenGL (HTML) (DMG) (ZIP)
Usable as a starting point for Cocoa OpenGL applications needing a custom version of NSOpenGLView.
Cocoa Sample Code 2003-10-27
Drawing a Path Multiple Times (HTML)
QA1047: Explains that path drawing operations consume the path.
Cocoa Technical Q&As 2001-07-02
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