# init(contentsOfFile:) Creates and returns an image representation object using the contents of the specified file. ``` init?(contentsOfFile filename: String) ``` ## Parameters `filename` A full or relative pathname specifying the file to open. This string should include the filename extension. ## Return Value An initialized instance of an `NSImageRep` subclass, or `nil` if the image data could not be read. ## Discussion If sent to the `NSImageRep` class object, this method returns a newly allocated instance of a subclass of `NSImageRep` (chosen through the use of [`class(forFileType:)`](/documentation/AppKit/NSImageRep/class(forFileType:))) initialized with the contents of the specified file. If sent to a subclass of `NSImageRep` that recognizes the type of data in the file, it returns an instance of that subclass initialized with the contents of the file. This method returns `nil` in any of the following cases: - The message is sent to the `NSImageRep` class object and there are no subclasses in the `NSImageRep` class registry that handle the type of data in the specified file. - The message is sent to a subclass of `NSImageRep` and that subclass cannot handle the type of data in the specified file. - The `NSImageRep` subclass is unable to initialize itself with the contents of the specified file. The `NSImageRep` subclass is initialized by creating an `NSData` object based on the contents of the file and passing it to the `imageRepWithData:` method. By default, the files handled include those with the extensions “`tiff`”, “`gif`”, “`jpg`”, “`pict`”, “`pdf`”, and “`eps`”. ## See Also [`+ imageFileTypes`](/documentation/AppKit/NSImageRep/imageFileTypes()) Returns the file types supported by the image representation class or one of its subclasses. --- 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)