---
title: ciContext
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: appkit/nsgraphicscontext/cicontext
---

# ciContext

A context for Core Image objects that you can use to render into the graphics context.

## Declaration

```swift
var ciContext: CIContext? { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion The CIContext object is created on demand and remains in existence for the lifetime of its owning NSGraphicsContext object. A CIContext object is an evaluation context for rendering a CIImage object through Quartz 2D or OpenGL. You use CIContext objects in conjunction with CIFilter, CIImage, CIVector, and CIColor objects to take advantage of the built-in Core Image filters when processing images. For more on CIContext objects and related Core Image objects, see Core Image Programming Guide.