If you are planning to create and deploy OS images for Windows Vista, I encourage you to take a look at the Windows Vista deployment step-by-step guide at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx for some helpful information.  The following sections are included in the deployment guide:

• Tools and technologies - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_TOOLS 
• Requirements and prerequisites - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_REQS_AND_PREREQS 
• Step 1: building a lab environment - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_BUILD_LAB 
• Step 2: building an answer file - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_BUILD_ANSWER 
• Step 3: building a master installation - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_BUILD_MASTER 
• Step 4: creating an image - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_CREATE_IMAGE 
• Step 5: deploying an image - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/library/88f80cb7-d44f-47f7-a10d-e23dd53bc3fa.mspx#BKMK_DEPLOY_IMAGE

In addition, it is worth reviewing the content of the Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), which is located at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=53552.