Chapter 2. From QuickDraw to Quartz 2D

Before launching into an in-depth discussion of the features of Quartz 2D or a set of drawing techniques, this chapter begins by placing the library in context. The Quartz 2D library has a long legacy behind it and understanding that legacy may help you to recognize some of the idiosyncrasies of the library's imaging model. Moreover, Quartz 2D is a single part in a larger graphics architecture on Mac OS X. This architecture was designed from its inception to take advantage of advances in the graphics hardware of modern personal computers. This chapter begins with a historical perspective of the Mac OS X graphics system and the evolution of technology behind Quartz 2D. We then explore crucial aspects of the graphics technology that is shaping the graphics architecture of the Macintosh.