# pluginState(_:at:quality:) Retrieves the plug-in’s parameter values, performs any calculations it needs to from those values, and packages up the result to be used later with rendering. ``` func pluginState(_ pluginState: AutoreleasingUnsafeMutablePointer?, at renderTime: CMTime, quality qualityLevel: FxQuality) throws ``` ## Parameters `pluginState` The state of the plug-in. Your plug-in should return an autoreleased that the host retains. Once created, your plug-in should not hold on to this pointer. The host returns this data (or a copy of it) to your plug-in during other methods, such as the [`renderDestinationImage(_:sourceImages:pluginState:at:)`](/documentation/professional_video_applications/FxTileableEffect/renderDestinationImage(_:sourceImages:pluginState:at:)) method and [`scheduleInputs(_:withPluginState:at:)`](/documentation/professional_video_applications/FxTileableEffect/scheduleInputs(_:withPluginState:at:)) methods. `renderTime` The rational time at which your plug-in is being asked to gather its rendering state. `qualityLevel` The requested render quality (`kFxQuality_LOW`, `kFxQuality_MEDIUM`, or `kFxQuality_HIGH`). ## Discussion The host application calls this method before rendering. The `FxParameterRetrievalAPI*` is valid during this call. Use it to get the values of your plug-in’s parameters, then put those values or the results of any calculations you need to do with those parameters to render into an `NSData` that you return to the host application. The host passes it back to you during subsequent calls. Do not re-use the `NSData`; always create a new one, as this method may be called on multiple threads at the same time. --- 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)