# Core Image

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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_Image
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Image processing technology introduced in Mac OS X 10.4

macOS graphics model Rendering QuickDraw Core OpenGL Quartz 2D Core Image Core Animation Core Video ColorSync QuickTime Metal (API) Compositing Quartz Compositor v t e

**Core Image** is a pixel-accurate, near-realtime, non-destructive image processing technology in Mac OS X. Implemented as part of the QuartzCore framework of [Mac OS X 10.4](/source/Mac_OS_X_10.4) and later, Core Image provides a plugin-based architecture for applying filters and effects within the [Quartz](/source/Quartz_(graphics_layer)) graphics rendering layer.[1] The framework was later added to iOS in [iOS 5](/source/IOS_5).[2]

## Overview

Core Image abstracts the pixel-level manipulation process required when applying a filter to an image, making it simple for applications to implement image transformation capabilities without extensive coding. In a simple implementation, Core Image applies a single *Image Filter* to the pixel data of a given source to produce the transformed image. Each Image Filter specifies a single transform or effect, either built into Core Image or loaded from a plugin called an *Image Unit*. Combined with preset or user-defined input parameters, the filter can be applied to the original pixel data without modifying it, thereby providing non-destructive image editing.[3][4]

Like [Photoshop](/source/Photoshop), Core Image can apply multiple filters to the same image source. Instead of applying a series of filters individually, Core Image assembles a dynamic *instruction pipeline* so that only one calculation needs to be applied to the pixel data to achieve a cumulative effect. Applying the pixel operations associated with multiple filters can be achieved simultaneously and without a significant increase in processing time. Regardless of the number of filters, Core Image assembles the code for this instruction pipeline with a [just-in-time compiler](/source/Just-in-time_compilation), which is executed by either the CPU or graphics card's GPU, whichever can perform the calculation faster.[5]

Filters are written in the *Core Image Kernel Language*, which shares a subset of commands with [OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL)](/source/OpenGL_Shading_Language).[6] When a compatible GPU is available, the Core Image compiler writes the instruction pipeline using GLSL, handling buffers and states transparently. Although GPU rendering is preferred[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*], the compiler can operate in a *CPU fallback* mode, generating commands suitable for the current CPU architecture instead.[7] CPU fallback uses the [vector processing](/source/Vector_processing) capabilities of the current CPU or CPUs, and it is multi-processor aware. Thus, Core Image performance depends on the GLSL capabilities of the GPU or the processing power of the CPU. With a supported GPU, most effects can be rendered in realtime or near-realtime.[8]

## History and implementation

Core Image was introduced with [Mac OS X 10.4](/source/Mac_OS_X_v10.4).[9] Early examples of its use can be found in the *ripple effect* in [Dashboard](/source/Dashboard_(Mac_OS)), and Apple's professional digital photography application, [Aperture](/source/Aperture_(photography_software)).[10] Starting with [Mac OS X 10.5](/source/Mac_OS_X_v10.5), any application that implements Image Kit can utilize Core Image.[11] [Preview](/source/Preview_(software)) and [iPhoto](/source/IPhoto) are common examples.

In 2011, Apple added Core Image to iOS in iOS 5.0.[2]

The [Xcode](/source/Xcode) Tools include [Core Image Fun House](/source/Apple_Developer_Tools#Core_Image_Fun_House) and [Quartz Composer](/source/Quartz_Composer); both utilize Core Image.

The Core Image plugin architecture was inspired by that of Core Audio.[12]

## Pixel accuracy

All pixel processing provided by an Image Unit is performed in a pre-multiplied alpha ([RGBA](/source/RGBA_color_space)) color space, storing four color channels: red, green, blue, and transparency ([alpha](/source/Alpha_channel)). Each color channel is represented by a 32-bit, [floating point](/source/Floating_point) number. This provides exceptional color depth, far greater than can be perceived by the [human eye](/source/Human_eye), as each pixel is represented by a 128-bit vector (four 32-bit color channels). For color spaces of lower bit-depth, the floating-point calculation model employed by Core Image provides exceptional performance, which is useful when processing multiple images or video frames.[3][13]

## Supported graphics processors

Any programmable GPU that supports the required OpenGL Shader ([GLSL](/source/GLSL)) commands is Core Image capable. Apple has used the following graphics cards to support Core Image GPU processing in Mac OS X 10.4 and Aperture, so the following list could be considered an example of minimum requirements:[10][14]

- ATI Mobility Radeon 9700 (Mobility Radeon 9600 is also capable)

- ATI Radeon 9550, 9600, 9650, 9600 XT, 9600 Pro, 9700 Pro, 9800 XT, and 9800 Pro

- ATI Radeon X600 XT, X600 Pro, X800 XT, X850 XT, X1600, X1900 XT

- ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT, HD 2600 Pro, and HD 2600 XT

- NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 Ultra, FX Go 5200

- NVIDIA GeForce 6600, 6600 LE, 6800 Ultra DDL, and 6800 GT DDL

- NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT, 7600 GT, and 7800 GT

- NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT & 8800 GT

- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M & 9600M GT

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 & GT 130

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285

- NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500 & FX 5600

- NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800

- NVIDIA Quadro 4000

- NVIDIA GeForce 320M

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 675M

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M

- NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M

- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M

- Intel [GMA 900](/source/GMA_900), [GMA 950](/source/GMA_950), or [GMA X3100](/source/GMA_X3100)

- Intel HD Graphics 3000(Sandy Bridge)

- Intel HD Graphics 4000(Ivy Bridge)

- Intel HD Graphics 5000(Haswell)

- Intel Iris 5100(Haswell)

- Intel Iris Pro 5200(Haswell)

- Intel HD Graphics 5300(Broadwell)

- Intel HD Graphics 6000(Broadwell)

- Intel Iris 6100(Broadwell)

Note that any GPU capable of handling Core Image instructions is also [Quartz Extreme](/source/Quartz_Compositor) capable. The requirements for Core Image are greater than those of Quartz Extreme.[14]

## Built-in filters

Wikipedia Logo with "Color Monochrome", "Parallelogram Tile", and "Pinch Distortion" Image Units applied

macOS includes many built-in filters, including the following ones. Mac OS X 10.4 introduced over 100 of them, and Mac OS X 10.5 added to the list.[3][15]

- Blurs, like Median, Gaussian, Motion, and Noise

- Color Adjustments & Effects, like Exposure, Gamma Adjust, and Sepia Tone

- Composition Operations, like Addition and [Multiply Blends](/source/Multiply_Blends), or Hard Light

- Distortions, like Pinch, Circle Splash, and Vortex

- Generators, like Star Shine and Lenticular Halo

- Geometry Adjustments, such as Crop, Scale, Rotate, and [Affine transformation](/source/Affine_transformation)

- Halftone, Tile, and Posterize filters

- Transitions, such as Dissolve and Ripple

## See also

- [Acorn (software)](/source/Acorn_(software))

- [Aperture](/source/Aperture_(photography_software))

- [Core Image Fun House](/source/Apple_Developer_Tools#Core_Image_Fun_House)

- [GEGL](/source/GEGL), a programming library used by [GIMP](/source/GIMP)

- [impromptu](/source/Impromptu_(programming_environment))

- [LiveQuartz](/source/LiveQuartz)

- [Pixelmator](/source/Pixelmator)

- [Quartz Composer](/source/Quartz_Composer)

- [Windows Imaging Component](/source/Windows_Imaging_Component), a Windows component with similar API design but with fewer supported image operations.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Mac Dev Center - Introduction to Core Image Programming Guide"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_intro/ci_intro.html). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-iOS_5.0_API_Diffs_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-iOS_5.0_API_Diffs_2-1) ["iOS 5.0 API Diffs"](https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#releasenotes/General/iOS50APIDiff/index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40011042). Retrieved September 14, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-developer.apple.com_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-developer.apple.com_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-developer.apple.com_3-2) ["Apple - Developer - Developing with Core Image"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091006120044/http://developer.apple.com/macosx/coreimage.html). Archived from [the original](https://developer.apple.com/macosx/coreimage.html) on October 6, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Mac Dev Center - Introduction to Core Image Programming Guide - Filter Clients and Filter Creators"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_concepts/ci_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001185-CH202-BCIHDIEG). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["ArsTechnica - Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger - Page 15"](https://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/macosx-10-4.ars/15). April 28, 2005. Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Mac Dev Center - Core Image Kernel Language Reference - Introduction"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/CIKernelLangRef/Introduction/Introduction.html). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Mac Dev Center - Core Image Programming Guide - Core Image Concepts - Core Image and the GPU"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_concepts/ci_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001185-CH202-SW2). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["ArsTechnica - Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger - Page 15"](https://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/macosx-10-4.ars/15). April 28, 2005. Retrieved April 17, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Mac Dev Center - Core Image Programming Guide - Core Image Concepts"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_concepts/ci_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001185-CH202-TPXREF101). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Apple_-_Aperture_-_Tech_Specs_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Apple_-_Aperture_-_Tech_Specs_10-1) ["Apple - Aperture - Tech Specs"](https://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Mac Dev Center - Image Kit Programming Guide - Introduction to Image Kit Programming Guide"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/ImageKitProgrammingGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTESingh200697_12-0)** [Singh 2006](#CITEREFSingh2006), p. 97.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Mac Dev Center - Core Image Programming Guide - Core Image Concepts - Color Components and Premultiplied Alpha"](https://developer.apple.com/mac/library/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_concepts/ci_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001185-CH202-BCIDAIEJ). Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-support.apple.com_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-support.apple.com_14-1) ["Mac OS X 10.4 - Requirements for Quartz Extreme and Core Image Graphics"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141109042836/http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1582). Archived from [the original](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1582) on November 9, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Core Image Filter Reference"](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/CoreImageFilterReference/index.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240519010525/https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Reference/CoreImageFilterReference/index.html) from the original on May 19, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.

### Bibliography

- Singh, Amit (June 19, 2006). [*Mac OS X Internals: A Systems Approach*](https://archive.org/details/macosxinternalss0000sing). Addison-Wesley Professional. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-13-270226-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-13-270226-3).

## External links

- [Core Image Programming Guide – Mac OS X Developer Library](https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/CoreImaging/ci_intro/ci_intro.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001185)

- [Apple Previews Mac OS X "Tiger"](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2004/06/28Apple-Previews-Mac-OS-X-Tiger/) - announcement of Mac OS X 10.4, including Core Image

- [Filterpedia](https://github.com/FlexMonkey/Filterpedia) - open source [Swift](/source/Swift_(programming_language)) app demonstrating almost every available built-in CoreImage filter along with custom GLSL and Metal based filters by Simon Gladman.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Core Image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_Image) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_Image?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.