Image Processing with QccPack and Python

Python, xv and the PIL package are essential for Python image processing programming. Run these commands to build PIL in Linux:

python setup.py build_ext -i
python selftest.py

The most important class in the Python Imaging Library is the Image class, defined in the module with the same name. We create instances of this class in several ways: by loading images from files, processing other images or creating images from scratch.

To load an image from a file, use the open function in the Image module:

>>> import Image
>>> im = Image. open ("lenna.ppm")

The Python Imaging Library supports a wide variety of image file formats. The library automatically determines the format based on the contents of the file or the extension.

import os, sys
import Image
for infile in sys.argv[1:]:
outfile = os.path.splitext(infile)[0] + ".jpg"
if infile != outfile:
try:
Image.open(infile).save(outfile)
except IOError:
print "cannot convert", infile

The next example (Listing 2) shows how the Image class contains methods to resize and rotate an image.

The Python Imaging Library allows you to convert images between different pixel representations using the convert function—for example, converting between modes:

im = Image.open("lenna.ppm").convert ("L")

The library supports transformations between each supported mode and the L and RGB modes. To convert between other modes, you may have to use an intermediate image.

The ImageFilter module contains a number of predefined enhancement filters that can be used with the filter method. For example, from the Python prompt, do the following:

>>> import ImageFilter
>>> out = im.filter(ImageFilter.DETAIL)

Once you have imported the module, you can use any of these filters:

Some decoders allow you to manipulate an image while reading it from a file. This often can be used to speed up decoding when creating thumbnails and printing to a monochrome laser printer. The draft method manipulates an opened but not yet loaded image so it matches the given mode and size as closely as possible. Reconfiguring the image decoder does this. See Listing 3 for an example of how to read an image in draft mode.

im = Image.open (file)
print "original =", im.mode, im.size
im.draft("L", (100, 100))
print "draft =", im.mode, im.size
This prints something like:
original = RGB (512, 512)
draft = L (128, 128)

Listing 4 shows how the ImageDraw module provides basic graphics support for Image objects.