Module java.desktop
Package javax.imageio

# Class ImageIO

java.lang.Object
javax.imageio.ImageIO

public final class ImageIO extends Object
A class containing static convenience methods for locating `ImageReader`s and `ImageWriter`s, and performing simple encoding and decoding.

## Method Summary

Modifier and Type
Method
Description
`static ImageInputStream`
`createImageInputStream(Object input)`
Returns an `ImageInputStream` that will take its input from the given `Object`.
`static ImageOutputStream`
`createImageOutputStream(Object output)`
Returns an `ImageOutputStream` that will send its output to the given `Object`.
`static File`
`getCacheDirectory()`
Returns the current value set by `setCacheDirectory`, or `null` if no explicit setting has been made.
`static ImageReader`
`getImageReader(ImageWriter writer)`
Returns an `ImageReader` corresponding to the given `ImageWriter`, if there is one, or `null` if the plug-in for this `ImageWriter` does not specify a corresponding `ImageReader`, or if the given `ImageWriter` is not registered.
`static Iterator<ImageReader>`
`getImageReaders(Object input)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode the supplied `Object`, typically an `ImageInputStream`.
`static Iterator<ImageReader>`
`getImageReadersByFormatName(String formatName)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode the named format.
`static Iterator<ImageReader>`
`getImageReadersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode files with the given MIME type.
`static Iterator<ImageReader>`
`getImageReadersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode files with the given suffix.
`static Iterator<ImageTranscoder>`
`getImageTranscoders(ImageReader reader, ImageWriter writer)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageTranscoder`s that claim to be able to transcode between the metadata of the given `ImageReader` and `ImageWriter`.
`static ImageWriter`
`getImageWriter(ImageReader reader)`
Returns an `ImageWriter` corresponding to the given `ImageReader`, if there is one, or `null` if the plug-in for this `ImageReader` does not specify a corresponding `ImageWriter`, or if the given `ImageReader` is not registered.
`static Iterator<ImageWriter>`
`getImageWriters(ImageTypeSpecifier type, String formatName)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode images of the given layout (specified using an `ImageTypeSpecifier`) in the given format.
`static Iterator<ImageWriter>`
`getImageWritersByFormatName(String formatName)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode the named format.
`static Iterator<ImageWriter>`
`getImageWritersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode files with the given MIME type.
`static Iterator<ImageWriter>`
`getImageWritersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)`
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode files with the given suffix.
`static String[]`
`getReaderFileSuffixes()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the file suffixes associated with the formats understood by the current set of registered readers.
`static String[]`
`getReaderFormatNames()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the informal format names understood by the current set of registered readers.
`static String[]`
`getReaderMIMETypes()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the MIME types understood by the current set of registered readers.
`static boolean`
`getUseCache()`
Returns the current value set by `setUseCache`, or `true` if no explicit setting has been made.
`static String[]`
`getWriterFileSuffixes()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the file suffixes associated with the formats understood by the current set of registered writers.
`static String[]`
`getWriterFormatNames()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the informal format names understood by the current set of registered writers.
`static String[]`
`getWriterMIMETypes()`
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the MIME types understood by the current set of registered writers.
`static BufferedImage`
`read(File input)`
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `File` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
`static BufferedImage`
`read(InputStream input)`
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `InputStream` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
`static BufferedImage`
`read(URL input)`
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `URL` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
`static BufferedImage`
`read(ImageInputStream stream)`
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `ImageInputStream` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered.
`static void`
`scanForPlugins()`
Scans for plug-ins on the application class path, loads their service provider classes, and registers a service provider instance for each one found with the `IIORegistry`.
`static void`
`setCacheDirectory(File cacheDirectory)`
Sets the directory where cache files are to be created.
`static void`
`setUseCache(boolean useCache)`
Sets a flag indicating whether a disk-based cache file should be used when creating `ImageInputStream`s and `ImageOutputStream`s.
`static boolean`
`write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, File output)`
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to a `File`.
`static boolean`
`write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, OutputStream output)`
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to an `OutputStream`.
`static boolean`
`write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, ImageOutputStream output)`
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to an `ImageOutputStream`.

### Methods declared in class java.lang.Object

`clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

## Method Details

### scanForPlugins

public static void scanForPlugins()
Scans for plug-ins on the application class path, loads their service provider classes, and registers a service provider instance for each one found with the `IIORegistry`.

This method is needed because the application class path can theoretically change, or additional plug-ins may become available. Rather than re-scanning the classpath on every invocation of the API, the class path is scanned automatically only on the first invocation. Clients can call this method to prompt a re-scan. Thus this method need only be invoked by sophisticated applications which dynamically make new plug-ins available at runtime.

The `getResources` method of the context `ClassLoader` is used locate JAR files containing files named `META-INF/services/javax.imageio.spi.`classname, where classname is one of `ImageReaderSpi`, `ImageWriterSpi`, `ImageTranscoderSpi`, `ImageInputStreamSpi`, or `ImageOutputStreamSpi`, along the application class path.

The contents of the located files indicate the names of actual implementation classes which implement the aforementioned service provider interfaces; the default class loader is then used to load each of these classes and to instantiate an instance of each class, which is then placed into the registry for later retrieval.

The exact set of locations searched depends on the implementation of the Java runtime environment.

See Also:
  - `ClassLoader.getResources(java.lang.String)`

### setUseCache

public static void setUseCache(boolean useCache)
Sets a flag indicating whether a disk-based cache file should be used when creating `ImageInputStream`s and `ImageOutputStream`s.

When reading from a standard `InputStream`, it may be necessary to save previously read information in a cache since the underlying stream does not allow data to be re-read. Similarly, when writing to a standard `OutputStream`, a cache may be used to allow a previously written value to be changed before flushing it to the final destination.

The cache may reside in main memory or on disk. Setting this flag to `false` disallows the use of disk for future streams, which may be advantageous when working with small images, as the overhead of creating and destroying files is removed.

On startup, the value is set to `true`.

Parameters:
  `useCache` - a `boolean` indicating whether a cache file should be used, in cases where it is optional.
See Also:
  - `getUseCache()`

### getUseCache

public static boolean getUseCache()
Returns the current value set by `setUseCache`, or `true` if no explicit setting has been made.

Returns:
  true if a disk-based cache may be used for `ImageInputStream`s and `ImageOutputStream`s.
See Also:
  - `setUseCache(boolean)`

### setCacheDirectory

public static void setCacheDirectory(File cacheDirectory)
Sets the directory where cache files are to be created. A value of `null` indicates that the system-dependent default temporary-file directory is to be used. If `getUseCache` returns false, this value is ignored.

Parameters:
  `cacheDirectory` - a `File` specifying a directory.
Throws:
  `SecurityException` - if the security manager denies access to the directory.
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `cacheDir` is non-`null` but is not a directory.
See Also:
  - `File.createTempFile(String, String, File)`
  - `getCacheDirectory()`

### getCacheDirectory

public static File getCacheDirectory()
Returns the current value set by `setCacheDirectory`, or `null` if no explicit setting has been made.

Returns:
  a `File` indicating the directory where cache files will be created, or `null` to indicate the system-dependent default temporary-file directory.
See Also:
  - `setCacheDirectory(java.io.File)`

### createImageInputStream

public static ImageInputStream createImageInputStream(Object input) throws IOException
Returns an `ImageInputStream` that will take its input from the given `Object`. The set of `ImageInputStreamSpi`s registered with the `IIORegistry` class is queried and the first one that is able to take input from the supplied object is used to create the returned `ImageInputStream`. If no suitable `ImageInputStreamSpi` exists, `null` is returned.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching.

Parameters:
  `input` - an `Object` to be used as an input source, such as a `File`, readable `RandomAccessFile`, or `InputStream`.
Returns:
  an `ImageInputStream`, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `input` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if a cache file is needed but cannot be created.
See Also:
  - `ImageInputStreamSpi`

### createImageOutputStream

public static ImageOutputStream createImageOutputStream(Object output) throws IOException
Returns an `ImageOutputStream` that will send its output to the given `Object`. The set of `ImageOutputStreamSpi`s registered with the `IIORegistry` class is queried and the first one that is able to send output from the supplied object is used to create the returned `ImageOutputStream`. If no suitable `ImageOutputStreamSpi` exists, `null` is returned.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching.

Parameters:
  `output` - an `Object` to be used as an output destination, such as a `File`, writable `RandomAccessFile`, or `OutputStream`.
Returns:
  an `ImageOutputStream`, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `output` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if a cache file is needed but cannot be created.
See Also:
  - `ImageOutputStreamSpi`

### getReaderFormatNames

public static String[] getReaderFormatNames()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the informal format names understood by the current set of registered readers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.

### getReaderMIMETypes

public static String[] getReaderMIMETypes()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the MIME types understood by the current set of registered readers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.

### getReaderFileSuffixes

public static String[] getReaderFileSuffixes()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the file suffixes associated with the formats understood by the current set of registered readers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.
Since:
  1.6

### getImageReaders

public static Iterator<ImageReader> getImageReaders(Object input)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode the supplied `Object`, typically an `ImageInputStream`.

The stream position is left at its prior position upon exit from this method.

Parameters:
  `input` - an `ImageInputStream` or other `Object` containing encoded image data.
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageReader`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `input` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderSpi.canDecodeInput(java.lang.Object)`

### getImageReadersByFormatName

public static Iterator<ImageReader> getImageReadersByFormatName(String formatName)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode the named format.

Parameters:
  `formatName` - a `String` containing the informal name of a format (e.g., "jpeg" or "tiff".
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageReader`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `formatName` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getFormatNames()`

### getImageReadersBySuffix

public static Iterator<ImageReader> getImageReadersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode files with the given suffix.

Parameters:
  `fileSuffix` - a `String` containing a file suffix (e.g., "jpg" or "tiff").
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageReader`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `fileSuffix` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getFileSuffixes()`

### getImageReadersByMIMEType

public static Iterator<ImageReader> getImageReadersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageReader`s that claim to be able to decode files with the given MIME type.

Parameters:
  `MIMEType` - a `String` containing a file suffix (e.g., "image/jpeg" or "image/x-bmp").
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageReader`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `MIMEType` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getMIMETypes()`

### getWriterFormatNames

public static String[] getWriterFormatNames()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the informal format names understood by the current set of registered writers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.

### getWriterMIMETypes

public static String[] getWriterMIMETypes()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the MIME types understood by the current set of registered writers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.

### getWriterFileSuffixes

public static String[] getWriterFileSuffixes()
Returns an array of `String`s listing all of the file suffixes associated with the formats understood by the current set of registered writers.

Returns:
  an array of `String`s.
Since:
  1.6

### getImageWritersByFormatName

public static Iterator<ImageWriter> getImageWritersByFormatName(String formatName)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode the named format.

Parameters:
  `formatName` - a `String` containing the informal name of a format (e.g., "jpeg" or "tiff".
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageWriter`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `formatName` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getFormatNames()`

### getImageWritersBySuffix

public static Iterator<ImageWriter> getImageWritersBySuffix(String fileSuffix)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode files with the given suffix.

Parameters:
  `fileSuffix` - a `String` containing a file suffix (e.g., "jpg" or "tiff").
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageWriter`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `fileSuffix` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getFileSuffixes()`

### getImageWritersByMIMEType

public static Iterator<ImageWriter> getImageWritersByMIMEType(String MIMEType)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode files with the given MIME type.

Parameters:
  `MIMEType` - a `String` containing a file suffix (e.g., "image/jpeg" or "image/x-bmp").
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageWriter`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `MIMEType` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageReaderWriterSpi.getMIMETypes()`

### getImageWriter

public static ImageWriter getImageWriter(ImageReader reader)
Returns an `ImageWriter` corresponding to the given `ImageReader`, if there is one, or `null` if the plug-in for this `ImageReader` does not specify a corresponding `ImageWriter`, or if the given `ImageReader` is not registered. This mechanism may be used to obtain an `ImageWriter` that will understand the internal structure of non-pixel metadata (as encoded by `IIOMetadata` objects) generated by the `ImageReader`. By obtaining this data from the `ImageReader` and passing it on to the `ImageWriter` obtained with this method, a client program can read an image, modify it in some way, and write it back out preserving all metadata, without having to understand anything about the structure of the metadata, or even about the image format. Note that this method returns the "preferred" writer, which is the first in the list returned by `javax.imageio.spi.ImageReaderSpi.getImageWriterSpiNames()`.

Parameters:
  `reader` - an instance of a registered `ImageReader`.
Returns:
  an `ImageWriter`, or null.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `reader` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `getImageReader(ImageWriter)`
  - `ImageReaderSpi.getImageWriterSpiNames()`

### getImageReader

public static ImageReader getImageReader(ImageWriter writer)
Returns an `ImageReader` corresponding to the given `ImageWriter`, if there is one, or `null` if the plug-in for this `ImageWriter` does not specify a corresponding `ImageReader`, or if the given `ImageWriter` is not registered. This method is provided principally for symmetry with `getImageWriter(ImageReader)`. Note that this method returns the "preferred" reader, which is the first in the list returned by javax.imageio.spi.ImageWriterSpi.`getImageReaderSpiNames()`.

Parameters:
  `writer` - an instance of a registered `ImageWriter`.
Returns:
  an `ImageReader`, or null.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `writer` is `null`.
See Also:
  - `getImageWriter(ImageReader)`
  - `ImageWriterSpi.getImageReaderSpiNames()`

### getImageWriters

public static Iterator<ImageWriter> getImageWriters(ImageTypeSpecifier type, String formatName)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageWriter`s that claim to be able to encode images of the given layout (specified using an `ImageTypeSpecifier`) in the given format.

Parameters:
  `type` - an `ImageTypeSpecifier` indicating the layout of the image to be written.
  `formatName` - the informal name of the `format`.
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageWriter`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if any parameter is `null`.
See Also:
  - `ImageWriterSpi.canEncodeImage(ImageTypeSpecifier)`

### getImageTranscoders

public static Iterator<ImageTranscoder> getImageTranscoders(ImageReader reader, ImageWriter writer)
Returns an `Iterator` containing all currently registered `ImageTranscoder`s that claim to be able to transcode between the metadata of the given `ImageReader` and `ImageWriter`.

Parameters:
  `reader` - an `ImageReader`.
  `writer` - an `ImageWriter`.
Returns:
  an `Iterator` containing `ImageTranscoder`s.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `reader` or `writer` is `null`.

### read

public static BufferedImage read(File input) throws IOException
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `File` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered. The `File` is wrapped in an `ImageInputStream`. If no registered `ImageReader` claims to be able to read the resulting stream, `null` is returned.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching in the `ImageInputStream` that is created.

Note that there is no `read` method that takes a filename as a `String`; use this method instead after creating a `File` from the filename.

This method does not attempt to locate `ImageReader`s that can read directly from a `File`; that may be accomplished using `IIORegistry` and `ImageReaderSpi`.

Parameters:
  `input` - a `File` to read from.
Returns:
  a `BufferedImage` containing the decoded contents of the input, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `input` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during reading or when not able to create required ImageInputStream.

### read

public static BufferedImage read(InputStream input) throws IOException
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `InputStream` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered. The `InputStream` is wrapped in an `ImageInputStream`. If no registered `ImageReader` claims to be able to read the resulting stream, `null` is returned.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching in the `ImageInputStream` that is created.

This method does not attempt to locate `ImageReader`s that can read directly from an `InputStream`; that may be accomplished using `IIORegistry` and `ImageReaderSpi`.

This method does not close the provided `InputStream` after the read operation has completed; it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.

Parameters:
  `input` - an `InputStream` to read from.
Returns:
  a `BufferedImage` containing the decoded contents of the input, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `input` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during reading or when not able to create required ImageInputStream.

### read

public static BufferedImage read(URL input) throws IOException
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `URL` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered. An `InputStream` is obtained from the `URL`, which is wrapped in an `ImageInputStream`. If no registered `ImageReader` claims to be able to read the resulting stream, `null` is returned.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching in the `ImageInputStream` that is created.

This method does not attempt to locate `ImageReader`s that can read directly from a `URL`; that may be accomplished using `IIORegistry` and `ImageReaderSpi`.

Parameters:
  `input` - a `URL` to read from.
Returns:
  a `BufferedImage` containing the decoded contents of the input, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `input` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during reading or when not able to create required ImageInputStream.

### read

public static BufferedImage read(ImageInputStream stream) throws IOException
Returns a `BufferedImage` as the result of decoding a supplied `ImageInputStream` with an `ImageReader` chosen automatically from among those currently registered. If no registered `ImageReader` claims to be able to read the stream, `null` is returned.

Unlike most other methods in this class, this method does close the provided `ImageInputStream` after the read operation has completed, unless `null` is returned, in which case this method does not close the stream.

Parameters:
  `stream` - an `ImageInputStream` to read from.
Returns:
  a `BufferedImage` containing the decoded contents of the input, or `null`.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if `stream` is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during reading.

### write

public static boolean write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, ImageOutputStream output) throws IOException
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to an `ImageOutputStream`. The image is written to the `ImageOutputStream` starting at the current stream pointer, overwriting existing stream data from that point forward, if present.

This method does not close the provided `ImageOutputStream` after the write operation has completed; it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.

Parameters:
  `im` - a `RenderedImage` to be written.
  `formatName` - a `String` containing the informal name of the format.
  `output` - an `ImageOutputStream` to be written to.
Returns:
  `false` if no appropriate writer is found.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if any parameter is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during writing.

### write

public static boolean write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, File output) throws IOException
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to a `File`. If there is already a `File` present, its contents are discarded.

Parameters:
  `im` - a `RenderedImage` to be written.
  `formatName` - a `String` containing the informal name of the format.
  `output` - a `File` to be written to.
Returns:
  `false` if no appropriate writer is found.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if any parameter is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during writing or when not able to create required ImageOutputStream.

### write

public static boolean write(RenderedImage im, String formatName, OutputStream output) throws IOException
Writes an image using an arbitrary `ImageWriter` that supports the given format to an `OutputStream`.

This method does not close the provided `OutputStream` after the write operation has completed; it is the responsibility of the caller to close the stream, if desired.

The current cache settings from `getUseCache` and `getCacheDirectory` will be used to control caching.

Parameters:
  `im` - a `RenderedImage` to be written.
  `formatName` - a `String` containing the informal name of the format.
  `output` - an `OutputStream` to be written to.
Returns:
  `false` if no appropriate writer is found.
Throws:
  `IllegalArgumentException` - if any parameter is `null`.
  `IOException` - if an error occurs during writing or when not able to create required ImageOutputStream.