The Image Kit is an Objective-C framework, introduced in Mac OS X v10.5, for browsing, viewing, editing, and processing images in an efficient manner. It also supports browsing Core Image filters, previewing the effects, and providing controls for individual filters. This document describes Image Kit user interface elements and shows, through code examples, how to use Image Kit classes.
Anyone developing a digital media application that supports images will want to read this document to find out how to use the Image Kit to provide the best user experience possible. You don’t need to be a seasoned Cocoa programmer to use the Image Kit or to read this guide, although prior experience with Objective-C is helpful and will make it easier to understand the code examples.
The examples in this document use Xcode version 3.0 and Interface Builder version 3.0. If you’ve used earlier versions of Interface Builder, you’ll be delighted by the high level of integration with Xcode that version 3.0 offers. Interface Builder version 3.0 is a major update that offers streamlined operations, a library instead of palettes, and many other features that you’ll want to familiarize yourself with. The instructions in this document for creating a user interface with Interface Builder version 3.0 should be sufficient for you to create applications using Image Kit. To get a deeper understanding, you’ll want to consult Interface Builder User Guide.
This document is organized into an overview chapter followed by chapters that provide instructions on how to support various image capabilities.
“Basics of Using the Image Kit” describes the tasks that each of the classes support and gives an overview of using the framework with Xcode and Interface Builder.
“Viewing, Editing, and Saving Images in an Image View” describes the user interface provided for single images and shows how to set up an image view, support editing, and provide an accessory view for saving images.
“Browsing Images” shows the user interface provided for viewing large sets of images and gives instructions for supporting an image browser in an application.
“Showing Slides” provides detailed information for supporting slideshows.
“Taking Snapshots and Setting Pictures” describes a lightweight panel that applications can use to support choosing pictures and taking snapshots that allow the user to provide a “buddy” picture or icon-sized image.
“Browsing Filters and Setting Input Parameters” shows the user interface for browsing Core Image filters, describes how to implement the filter browser in an application, and describes how to obtain a view for the input parameters of a filter.
The following documents are helpful guides and references for many of the tasks described in the book:
Image Kit Reference Collection contains the class and protocol reference documentation.
Core Image Programming Guide shows how to create Core Image filters (CIFilter objects) and apply them to images. (Although Image Kit Programming Guide shows how to provide a user interface for browsing and previewing filters, it doesn’t show how to apply a filter to an image.)
Quartz 2D Programming Guide, CGImageSource Reference, and CGImage Reference provide task and reference documentation for creating an image source and extracting an image from the source.
Cocoa Fundamentals Guide is the entry-point conceptual document for anyone wanting to become a Cocoa programmer.
Last updated: 2008-06-09