In the course of working with images using Python there are many instances where you’ll need to transform the PIL (Python Imaging Library) image into a series of bytes. It’s a standard necessity in many apps, such as the saving of images using a particular format, sending them to networks, or using these as byte stream in machine learning applications. The good news is that this library Python Imaging Library (or its counterpart, Pillow) makes it possible to do this with just a few lines code.
This article will take you through the simple method of converting the PIL image to bytes so you’re able to complete this process efficiently every time.
Why Convert an Image to Bytes?
Before moving on to the procedure, we need to know why changing images into bytes is beneficial. Bytes contain binary data in raw form. Once an image has been converted to bytes, it could:
- Serialize the data to be stored in databases.
- You can be sent to the network to allow applications which includes APIs, web services and other Web Services
- Integrate easily with many frameworks and libraries that need Binary file formats.
In this way now, let’s get on with how to proceed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Converting a PIL Image to Bytes
Below are the easy methods to convert an PIL image into bits.
Step 1. Install and Import Dependencies
Make sure you’ve got first, make sure you have the Pillow library in place. Pillow is an expanded and continuously maintained copy of the original PIL. To install it, execute the following command on your terminal, or at a command prompt:
“`
Pillow pip installed
“`
Then, you’ll need to import this library before beginning of the script. It is also necessary to install the ioprogram to manage the conversion of images to bytes
“`
PIL import Image from PIL import image
Io import
“`
Step 2. Load or Create an Image
You are able to manipulate any image or even create an entirely new image using programmed. To load, for example, images from local storage
“`
image = Image.open(‘example.jpg’) # Replace ‘example.jpg’ with your file path
“`
Or, make an image that is blank for testing for purposes:
“`
Image is Image.new(‘RGB image’, (100 100, 100) (color=’red’) # Creates a red, 100×100-pixel image
“`
Step 3. Convert the Image to Bytes
That’s where the magic happens during conversion. You must use Python’s `io.BytesIOclass. This is an in-memory binaries stream. This is how you can transform your image into bytes:
- Make a BytesIO object.
- Save your image to the object by using the Pillow’s `.save()Method.
- Get the data in byte format with methods such as `BytesIO.getvalue()Method.
Here’s an example of:
“`
byte_stream = io.BytesIO()
image.save(byte_stream, format=’JPEG’) # You can change ‘JPEG’ to any format you need
image_bytes = byte_stream.getvalue()
“`
In the meantime, the image_bytes variableis the representation in binary of your photo.
Step 4. Confirm the Conversion
To confirm, take a printout of the byte size of the image and confirm the conversion was successful:
“`
print(f”Image changed into bytes”)
“`
This will allow you to verify that the data byte has been successfully created.
Bonus Tips and Use Cases
- Saving Bytes to a File:
When you convert an image into bytes, it’s possible to save it in an image file in binary format. Here’s how:
“`
with open(‘output_image.bin’, ‘wb’) as file:
file.write(image_bytes)
“`
This can be useful when you’re looking to archive your byte information for later usage.
- Sending Bytes Over a Network:
The byte data using web requests, or via sockets
“`
Import requests
response = requests.post(‘http://example.com/upload’, data=image_bytes)
“`
- Restoring an image from bytes:
If you’re later required to transform bytes to a PIL picture, you may convert them with:
“`
restored_image = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_bytes))
restored_image.show() # Display the image
“`
Benefits of Using Pillow for This Task
- User-friendly Pillow eliminates much of the complex, providing a simple API.
- built-in format support It can support various image formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP and many more.
- Flexible: Bytes information can be modified for various applications with little effort.
Wrapping Up
Converting the PIL image into bytes is an easy and efficient way to modify, store or move image information within Python. Utilizing the Pillow library, and Python’s built-in io module it is possible to handle the process with ease.
Explore various formats of images and incorporate the method into your project. By having this information within your toolbox, you’re equipped to tackle a broad array of tasks that involve editing and processing images.
In the course of working with images using Python there are many instances where you’ll need to transform the PIL (Python Imaging Library) image into a series of bytes. It’s a standard necessity in many apps, such as the saving of images using a particular format, sending them to networks, or using these as byte stream in machine learning applications. The good news is that this library Python Imaging Library (or its counterpart, Pillow) makes it possible to do this with just a few lines code.
This article will take you through the simple method of converting the PIL image to bytes so you’re able to complete this process efficiently every time.
Why Convert an Image to Bytes?
Before moving on to the procedure, we need to know why changing images into bytes is beneficial. Bytes contain binary data in raw form. Once an image has been converted to bytes, it could:
- Serialize the data to be stored in databases.
- You can be sent to the network to allow applications which includes APIs, web services and other Web Services
- Integrate easily with many frameworks and libraries that need Binary file formats.
In this way now, let’s get on with how to proceed.
Step-by-Step Guide to Converting a PIL Image to Bytes
Below are the easy methods to convert an PIL image into bits.
Step 1. Install and Import Dependencies
Make sure you’ve got first, make sure you have the Pillow library in place. Pillow is an expanded and continuously maintained copy of the original PIL. To install it, execute the following command on your terminal, or at a command prompt:
“`
Pillow pip installed
“`
Then, you’ll need to import this library before beginning of the script. It is also necessary to install the ioprogram to manage the conversion of images to bytes
“`
PIL import Image from PIL import image
Io import
“`
Step 2. Load or Create an Image
You are able to manipulate any image or even create an entirely new image using programmed. To load, for example, images from local storage
“`
image = Image.open(‘example.jpg’) # Replace ‘example.jpg’ with your file path
“`
Or, make an image that is blank for testing for purposes:
“`
Image is Image.new(‘RGB image’, (100 100, 100) (color=’red’) # Creates a red, 100×100-pixel image
“`
Step 3. Convert the Image to Bytes
That’s where the magic happens during conversion. You must use Python’s `io.BytesIOclass. This is an in-memory binaries stream. This is how you can transform your image into bytes:
- Make a BytesIO object.
- Save your image to the object by using the Pillow’s `.save()Method.
- Get the data in byte format with methods such as `BytesIO.getvalue()Method.
Here’s an example of:
“`
byte_stream = io.BytesIO()
image.save(byte_stream, format=’JPEG’) # You can change ‘JPEG’ to any format you need
image_bytes = byte_stream.getvalue()
“`
In the meantime, the image_bytes variableis the representation in binary of your photo.
Step 4. Confirm the Conversion
To confirm, take a printout of the byte size of the image and confirm the conversion was successful:
“`
print(f”Image changed into bytes”)
“`
This will allow you to verify that the data byte has been successfully created.
Bonus Tips and Use Cases
- Saving Bytes to a File:
When you convert an image into bytes, it’s possible to save it in an image file in binary format. Here’s how:
“`
with open(‘output_image.bin’, ‘wb’) as file:
file.write(image_bytes)
“`
This can be useful when you’re looking to archive your byte information for later usage.
- Sending Bytes Over a Network:
The byte data using web requests, or via sockets
“`
Import requests
response = requests.post(‘http://example.com/upload’, data=image_bytes)
“`
- Restoring an image from bytes:
If you’re later required to transform bytes to a PIL picture, you may convert them with:
“`
restored_image = Image.open(io.BytesIO(image_bytes))
restored_image.show() # Display the image
“`
Benefits of Using Pillow for This Task
- User-friendly Pillow eliminates much of the complex, providing a simple API.
- built-in format support It can support various image formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP and many more.
- Flexible: Bytes information can be modified for various applications with little effort.
Wrapping Up
Converting the PIL image into bytes is an easy and efficient way to modify, store or move image information within Python. Utilizing the Pillow library, and Python’s built-in io module it is possible to handle the process with ease.
Explore various formats of images and incorporate the method into your project. By having this information within your toolbox, you’re equipped to tackle a broad array of tasks that involve editing and processing images.
