1# Introduction to Image Kit 2 3Image development is the process of parsing, processing, and constructing image pixel data to achieve the required image effect. Image development mainly involves image decoding, processing, and encoding. 4 5Before image development, be familiar with the following basic concepts: 6 7- Image decoding 8 9 The operation of decoding an archived image in a supported format into a PixelMap for image display or processing. 10 11- PixelMap 12 13 A bitmap that is not compressed after being decoded. It is used for image display or processing. 14 15- Picture 16 17 An object that includes a main picture and auxiliary picture. It is used for picture display or processing. 18 19- Image processing 20 21 A series of operations on the PixelMap, such as rotation, scaling, opacity setting, image information obtaining, and pixel data reading and writing. 22 23- Image encoding 24 25 The operation of encoding a PixelMap into an archived image in different formats for subsequent processing, such as storage and transmission. 26 27The figure below illustrates the image development process. 28 29**Figure 1** Image development process 30 31 32 331. Image retrieval: Obtain a raw image through the application sandbox. 34 352. Instance creation: Create an **ImageSource** instance, which is the source class of decoded images and is used to obtain or modify image information. 36 373. [Image decoding](image-decoding.md): Decode the image source to generate a PixelMap. 38 394. [Image processing](image-transformation.md): Process the PixelMap by modifying the image attributes to implement image rotation, scaling, and cropping, and then use the [Image component](../../ui/arkts-graphics-display.md) to display the image. 40 415. [Image encoding](image-encoding.md): Use the **ImagePacker** class to compress and encode the PixelMap or image source to generate a new image. 42 43In addition to the preceding basic image development capabilities, OpenHarmony provides the [image tool](image-tool.md) to ease your development. 44 45## Highlights 46 47Image Kit supports multiple image formats and uses efficient algorithms and optimization policies to speed up image processing. 48 49## Constraints 50 51During image processing, applications may need to request the read and write permissions from users on images. 52 53## Related Kits 54 55The image framework provides the image encoding and decoding capabilities for the **Image** component and the Gallery application. The decoding result can be sent to the [**Image** component](../../ui/arkts-graphics-display.md) for display. 56 57
