mlnative 0.2.0a0

Simple Python wrapper for MapLibre GL Native using native Rust renderer

mlnative ⚠️ ALPHA RELEASE

⚠️ Warning: This is an alpha release (v0.2.0-alpha). The API may change significantly. Not recommended for production use.

Simple Python wrapper for MapLibre GL Native using a native Rust renderer.

A grug-brained library for rendering static map images with minimal complexity.

Features

• Simple API: One class, 4 methods, zero confusion
• Native Performance: Rust backend with MapLibre Native C++ core
• No Runtime Dependencies: Bundled native binaries, no system libraries needed
• Batch Rendering: Efficiently render hundreds of maps with one process
• Mapbox-compatible: Easy migration from Mapbox Static Images API
• Default OpenFreeMap: Uses Liberty style from OpenFreeMap by default

Installation

pip install mlnative

Platform-specific wheels include the native renderer binary:

• Linux x86_64, aarch64
• macOS x86_64, arm64 (Apple Silicon)
• Windows x64

Quick Start

from mlnative import Map

# Render a single map
with Map(512, 512) as m:
    m.load_style("https://tiles.openfreemap.org/styles/liberty")
    png_bytes = m.render(center=[-122.4, 37.8], zoom=12)
    
    with open("map.png", "wb") as f:
        f.write(png_bytes)

API

Map(width, height, request_handler=None, pixel_ratio=1.0)

Create a new map renderer.

Parameters:

• width: Image width in pixels (1-4096)
• height: Image height in pixels (1-4096)
• request_handler: Optional function for custom tile requests (not yet implemented)
• pixel_ratio: Pixel ratio for high-DPI rendering

load_style(style)

Load a map style. Accepts:

• URL string (http/https)
• File path to JSON file
• Style JSON dict

render(center, zoom, bearing=0, pitch=0)

Render the map to PNG bytes.

Parameters:

• center: [longitude, latitude] list
• zoom: Zoom level (0-24)
• bearing: Rotation in degrees (0-360)
• pitch: Tilt in degrees (0-85)

Returns: PNG image bytes

render_batch(views)

Render multiple map views efficiently.

Parameters:

• views: List of dicts with center, zoom, bearing, pitch keys

Returns: List of PNG image bytes

close()

Release resources. Called automatically with context manager.

Examples

Basic Usage

from mlnative import Map

# San Francisco
with Map(800, 600) as m:
    m.load_style("https://tiles.openfreemap.org/styles/liberty")
    png = m.render(
        center=[-122.4194, 37.7749],
        zoom=12,
        bearing=45,
        pitch=30
    )
    open("sf.png", "wb").write(png)

Batch Rendering

from mlnative import Map

views = [
    {"center": [0, 0], "zoom": 1},
    {"center": [10, 10], "zoom": 5},
    {"center": [-122.4, 37.8], "zoom": 12},
    # ... more views
]

with Map(512, 512) as m:
    m.load_style("https://tiles.openfreemap.org/styles/liberty")
    pngs = m.render_batch(views)
    
    for i, png in enumerate(pngs):
        with open(f"map_{i}.png", "wb") as f:
            f.write(png)

FastAPI Server

pip install mlnative[web]
python examples/fastapi_server.py

Then visit:

http://localhost:8000/static/-122.4194,37.7749,12/512x512.png

Supported Platforms

• Linux x86_64, aarch64
• macOS x86_64, arm64 (Apple Silicon)
• Windows x64

Architecture

Python (mlnative) 
    ↓ JSON
Rust (mlnative-render daemon)
    ↓ FFI
MapLibre Native (C++ core with statically linked dependencies)

The native renderer uses pre-built "amalgam" libraries from MapLibre Native which include all dependencies (ICU, libjpeg, etc.) statically linked. This eliminates system dependency issues.

Development

Prerequisites

• Python 3.12+
• Rust toolchain (1.70+)
• uv (Python package manager)

Setup

# Install Python dependencies
uv venv
uv pip install -e ".[dev,web]"

# Build Rust binary
cd rust && cargo build --release

Run Tests

just test

Build Wheels

# Local wheel (current platform only)
uv build

# All platforms (requires Docker)
just build-wheels

License

Apache-2.0