---
name: "im_init"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libvips-dev"
version: "7.20.7-1+b3"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/im_init"
---

# im\_init(3)

make an IMAGE descriptor

## NAME

im\_init - make an IMAGE descriptor

## SYNOPSIS

\#include \<vips/vips.h\>

IMAGE \*im\_init( char \*filename )

## DESCRIPTION

[im\_init(3)](/im_init/3.md) allocates space for an IMAGE descriptor, sets all fields to initial values, and returns the descriptor. A copy is made of the filename argument. The IMAGE returned by [im\_init(3)](/im_init/3.md) should be passed to [im\_close(3)](/im_close/3.md) to free it.

This function is used internally by VIPS and should not be called by users.

## SEE ALSO

[im\_mmapin(3)](/im_mmapin/3.md), im\_openin(3), [im\_setbuf(3)](/im_setbuf/3.md), [im\_close(3)](/im_close/3.md).

## COPYRIGHT

Birkbeck College and the National Gallery (c) 1994

## AUTHOR

N. Dessipris - 11/04/1990\
 J.Cupitt - 23/2/94