# Working with underlying data Access a pixel buffer’s underlying pixel data. ## Topics ### Converting to an array [`func makeArray(of: U.Type, channelCount: Int) -> [U]`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/makeArray(of:channelCount:)) Returns an array of `width * height * channelCount` values that’s a copy of the buffer’s visible contents. ### Accessing underlying pixel values [`func withUnsafeBufferPointer((UnsafeBufferPointer) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafeBufferPointer(_:)) Calls the given closure with a pointer to the buffer’s contiguous storage. [`func withUnsafeMutableBufferPointer((inout UnsafeMutableBufferPointer) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafeMutableBufferPointer(_:)) Calls the given closure with a pointer to the buffer’s mutable contiguous storage. ### Accessing underlying vImage buffers [`func withUnsafePointerToVImageBuffer((UnsafePointer) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafePointerToVImageBuffer(_:)) Calls the given closure with an unsafe pointer to the underlying vImage buffer. [`func withUnsafeVImageBuffer((vImage_Buffer) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafeVImageBuffer(_:)) Calls the given closure with the underlying vImage buffer. [`func withUnsafeVImageBuffers(([vImage_Buffer]) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafeVImageBuffers(_:)) Calls the given closure with the underlying vImage buffers. ### Accessing component pixel buffers [`func withUnsafePixelBuffer(at: Int, (vImage.PixelBuffer) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafePixelBuffer(at:_:)) Calls the given closure with the pixel buffer that references the individual plane at the given index. [`func withUnsafePixelBuffers(([vImage.PixelBuffer]) throws -> R) rethrows -> R`](/documentation/Accelerate/vImage/PixelBuffer/withUnsafePixelBuffers(_:)) Calls the given closure with the array of pixel buffers that reference the individual planes. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)