The vImage framework is a high-performance image processing framework. It includes high-level functions for image manipulation—convolutions, geometric transformations, histogram operations, morphological transformations, and alpha compositing—as well as utility functions for format conversions and other operations.

The framework uses vectorized code that makes use of Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) vector units, when available. It uses the best code for the hardware it is running on, in a manner completely transparent to the calling application.