---
title: Introduction to Quartz Composer User Guide
framework: graphicsimaging
role: article
path: apple-archive/documentation/GraphicsImaging/Conceptual/QuartzComposerUserGuide/qc_intro
---

# Introduction to Quartz Composer User Guide

Explains how to use the Quartz Composer development tool to create motion graphics compositions.

## Organization of This Document

This document is organized as follows:

- [Quartz Composer Basic Concepts](../qc_concepts/qc_concepts.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005381-CH212-SW9) defines the terms used in Quartz Composer and describes the evaluation model and the coordinate system. - [The Quartz Composer User Interface](../qc_editor/qc_editor.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005381-CH202-TPXREF101) gives an overview of the editor, the viewer, the patch creator, and the other user interface elements in the tool supplied in OS X v10.5. - [Basic and Advanced Tasks, Tips, and Tricks](../qc_tips_moves/qc_tips_moves.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005381-CH203-TPXREF101) describes the fundamental operations needed to create a composition, gives timesaving tips, and shows how to use some of the more advanced features. - [Tutorial: Creating a Composition](../qc_tutorial/qc_tutorial.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005381-CH213-SW3) provides step-by-step instructions for creating a composition and using it as a screen saver and a QuickTime movie. - [Glossary](../qc_glossary/qc_glossary.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005381-CH211-TPXREF101) defines the new terms used in the document.

## See Also

- Sample Quartz compositions are available in `/Developer/Examples/Quartz Composer`. - The Quartz Composer developer mailing list ([quartzcomposer-dev](http://lists.apple.com/mailman/listinfo/quartzcomposer-dev)) is an excellent place to discuss issues or topics with other Quartz Composer developers. - *[Quartz Composer Programming Guide](../../QuartzComposer/qc_intro/qc_intro.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40001357)* describes how to use the Quartz Composer framework to integrate compositions into an application. - *[Quartz Composer Custom Patch Programming Guide](../../QuartzComposer_Patch_PlugIn_ProgGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40004787)* provides instructions on creating your own patches that you can then use in the Quartz Composer development tool.

[Next](../qc_concepts/qc_concepts.html)

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