sailpy - Python bindings for SAIL

The missing small and fast image decoding library for humans (not for machines).

Features

• Fast - Written in C/C++ for maximum performance
• 20+ image formats - JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, TIFF, GIF, BMP, and more
• Format conversion - Easy pixel format conversion
• Metadata support - Access EXIF, ICC profiles, and more
• NumPy integration - Zero-copy access to pixel data
• Clean API - Simple and intuitive interface

Installation

Pre-built wheels with all dependencies included:

pip install sailpy

Quick Start

import sailpy
import numpy as np

# Load an image
image = sailpy.Image.from_file("photo.jpg")
print(f"Size: {image.width}x{image.height}")

# Convert to NumPy array (zero-copy!)
pixels = image.to_numpy()

# Process with NumPy
inverted = 255 - pixels

# Save result
new_image = sailpy.Image.from_numpy(inverted, image.pixel_format)
new_image.save("output.png")

Supported Formats

Format	Load	Save	Features
AVIF	✅	✅	Modern efficient format
BMP	✅	✅	Windows Bitmap
GIF	✅	✅	Animations
JPEG	✅	✅	Lossy compression
JPEG 2000	✅	✅	Advanced JPEG
JPEG XL	✅	✅	Next-gen format
PNG	✅	✅	Lossless with alpha
PSD	✅	❌	Photoshop files
QOI	✅	✅	Quite OK Image
SVG	✅	❌	Vector graphics
TGA	✅	✅	Targa
TIFF	✅	✅	Multi-page support
WebP	✅	✅	Google's format

...and more! See full list.

Examples

The package includes comprehensive examples demonstrating various features:

# View all available examples
import sailpy.examples
print(sailpy.examples.__doc__)

Run examples from command line:

python -m sailpy.examples.01_quickstart
python -m sailpy.examples.12_image_viewer  # Qt-based image viewer

Available examples:

• 01_quickstart.py - Basic image loading and saving
• 02_memory_io.py - Working with memory buffers
• 03_features_and_options.py - Codec features and save options
• 04_numpy_integration.py - NumPy array integration
• 05_multiframe.py - Multi-frame image handling
• 06_probe.py - Image probing without full loading
• 07_codec_info.py - Querying codec information
• 08_logging.py - Logging configuration
• 09_image_transformations.py - Image transformations
• 10_enum_usage.py - Working with enums
• 11_advanced_saving.py - Advanced saving options
• 12_image_viewer.py - Simple Qt-based image viewer

Basic Loading and Saving

import sailpy

# Load
image = sailpy.Image.from_file("input.jpg")
print(f"Format: {image.pixel_format}")
print(f"Size: {image.width}x{image.height}")

# Save in different format
image.save("output.png")

Format Conversion

import sailpy

image = sailpy.Image.from_file("input.jpg")

# Convert to RGBA
image.convert(sailpy.PixelFormat.BPP32_RGBA)

image.save("output.png")

NumPy Integration

import sailpy
import numpy as np

# Load image
image = sailpy.Image.from_file("photo.jpg")

# Get NumPy array (zero-copy when possible!)
pixels = image.to_numpy()
print(f"Array shape: {pixels.shape}")

# Apply filters
brightened = np.clip(pixels * 1.2, 0, 255).astype(np.uint8)

# Create new image from array
result = sailpy.Image.from_numpy(brightened, image.pixel_format)
result.save("brightened.png")

Batch Conversion

import sailpy
from pathlib import Path

input_dir = Path("images")
output_dir = Path("converted")
output_dir.mkdir(exist_ok=True)

for img_path in input_dir.glob("*.jpg"):
    image = sailpy.Image.from_file(str(img_path))
    image.convert(sailpy.PixelFormat.BPP24_RGB)
    image.save(str(output_dir / f"{img_path.stem}.png"))

Image Information

import sailpy

image = sailpy.Image.from_file("photo.jpg")

print(f"Dimensions: {image.width}x{image.height}")
print(f"Pixel format: {image.pixel_format}")
print(f"Bits per pixel: {image.bits_per_pixel}")
print(f"Is RGB: {image.is_rgb_family}")
print(f"Is grayscale: {image.is_grayscale}")

Creating Images from Scratch

import sailpy
import numpy as np

# Create a new image
image = sailpy.Image(sailpy.PixelFormat.BPP24_RGB, 640, 480)

# Fill with color using NumPy
pixels = image.to_numpy()
pixels[:] = [0, 128, 255]  # Blue color

# Or create gradient
pixels[:, :, 0] = np.linspace(0, 255, 640)  # Red gradient

image.save("created.png")

Error Handling

import sailpy

# Error handling with specific exceptions
try:
    image = sailpy.Image.from_file("image.xyz")
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File not found")
except ValueError as e:
    print(f"Unsupported format or invalid parameters: {e}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"Error loading image: {e}")

# Check if format is supported before loading
try:
    codec = sailpy.CodecInfo.from_path("image.xyz")
    if not codec.can_load:
        print(f"Format {codec.name} cannot load images")
    else:
        image = sailpy.Image.from_file("image.xyz")
except ValueError:
    print("Format not supported")
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File not found")

Multi-Frame Images (Animations)

import sailpy

# Load animated GIF or multi-page TIFF
input = sailpy.ImageInput("animation.gif")
frames = input.load_all()

print(f"Total frames: {len(frames)}")

# Process each frame
for i, frame in enumerate(frames):
    print(f"Frame {i}: {frame.width}x{frame.height}, delay={frame.delay}ms")
    # Extract individual frames
    frame.save(f"frame_{i:03d}.png")

# Or iterate frame by frame (memory efficient)
input = sailpy.ImageInput("animation.gif")
for i, frame in enumerate(input):
    print(f"Processing frame {i}")
    # Process frame...

# Load with custom options
options = sailpy.LoadOptions()
input = sailpy.ImageInput("image.tiff").with_options(options)
frames = input.load_all()

Working with Memory (Bytes)

import sailpy
import requests

# Load from HTTP
response = requests.get("https://example.com/image.jpg")
image = sailpy.Image.from_bytes(response.content)

# Save to memory
image_bytes = image.to_bytes("png")
print(f"PNG size in memory: {len(image_bytes)} bytes")

# Send over network, save to database, etc.

Image Transformations

import sailpy

image = sailpy.Image.from_file("photo.jpg")

# Rotate (creates new image)
rotated = image.rotate_to(sailpy.Orientation.ROTATED_90)
rotated.save("rotated_90.jpg")

# Mirror (in-place)
image.mirror(sailpy.Orientation.MIRRORED_HORIZONTALLY)
image.save("mirrored.jpg")

# Rotate in-place
image.rotate(sailpy.Orientation.ROTATED_180)
image.save("rotated_180.jpg")

# Apply EXIF orientation
if image.source_image and image.source_image.orientation:
    corrected = image.rotate_to(image.source_image.orientation)
    corrected.save("corrected.jpg")

Advanced: Frame-by-Frame Writing

import sailpy

# Save multi-page TIFF (memory efficient for large datasets)
output = sailpy.ImageOutput("document.tiff")

# Optional: Set save options
options = sailpy.SaveOptions()
options.compression = sailpy.Compression.DEFLATE
options.compression_level = 6
output = output.with_options(options)

# Save pages one by one
for page_num in range(10):
    # Create or load page
    page = sailpy.Image(sailpy.PixelFormat.BPP24_RGB, 1024, 768)
    # ... fill page data ...

    output.save(page)

output.finish()
print("Multi-page document created")

API Reference

Core Classes

Image

Main class representing an image with pixel data.

Constructors:

Image()  # Create invalid image
Image(path: str)  # Load from file
Image(pixel_format: PixelFormat, width: int, height: int)  # Create empty

Properties:

• width: int - Image width in pixels
• height: int - Image height in pixels
• pixel_format: PixelFormat - Pixel format
• bits_per_pixel: int - Bits per pixel
• bytes_per_line: int - Bytes per scan line
• pixels_size: int - Total pixel data size
• gamma: float - Gamma value
• delay: int - Animation frame delay (milliseconds)
• resolution: Resolution - Image resolution
• source_image: SourceImage - Source image information
• meta_data: MetaData - Image metadata (EXIF, etc.)
• iccp: Iccp - ICC profile
• palette: Palette - Color palette (for indexed images)

Properties:

• is_valid: bool - Check if image is valid
• is_rgb_family: bool - Check if RGB-like format
• is_grayscale: bool - Check if grayscale
• is_indexed: bool - Check if indexed (palette-based)

Methods:

• from_file(path: str) -> Image - Load from file (static)
• load(path: str) - Load from file (instance method)
• save(path: str, options: SaveOptions = None) - Save to file
• convert(pixel_format: PixelFormat) - Convert pixel format (in-place)
• convert_to(pixel_format: PixelFormat, options: ConversionOptions = None) -> Image - Convert to new image
• rotate(orientation: Orientation) - Rotate image (in-place)
• rotate_to(orientation: Orientation) -> Image - Rotate to new image
• mirror(orientation: Orientation) - Mirror image (in-place)
• to_numpy() -> np.ndarray - Get NumPy array view (zero-copy when possible)
• from_numpy(array: np.ndarray, pixel_format: PixelFormat) -> Image - Create from NumPy array (static)

ImageInput

Low-level interface for loading images with more control.

# Basic usage
input = ImageInput(path: str)
frames = input.load_all()  # Load all frames
frame = input.next_frame()  # Load next frame
input.stop()  # Stop loading

# With custom options (builder pattern)
options = LoadOptions()
input = ImageInput("image.tiff").with_options(options)
frames = input.load_all()

# Force specific codec (for files with wrong/missing extension)
codec = CodecInfo.from_name("png")
input = ImageInput("image.dat").with_codec(codec)

ImageOutput

Low-level interface for saving images with more control.

# Basic usage
output = ImageOutput(path: str)
output.save(image: Image)
output.finish()

# With save options (builder pattern)
options = SaveOptions()
options.compression = Compression.JPEG
output = ImageOutput("output.tiff").with_options(options)
output.save(image)
output.finish()

# Force specific codec (for files with custom extension)
codec = CodecInfo.from_name("tiff")
output = ImageOutput("output.dat").with_codec(codec)

CodecInfo

Information about image format codecs.

Methods:

• from_extension(ext: str) -> CodecInfo - Get codec by extension
• from_path(path: str) -> CodecInfo - Get codec from file path
• from_mime_type(mime: str) -> CodecInfo - Get codec by MIME type
• list() -> List[CodecInfo] - Get all available codecs

Properties:

• name: str - Codec name
• description: str - Codec description
• version: str - Codec version
• extensions: List[str] - Supported file extensions
• mime_types: List[str] - Supported MIME types
• magic_numbers: List[bytes] - Magic number patterns
• can_load: bool - Can load images
• can_save: bool - Can save images
• is_valid: bool - Check if codec info is valid
• load_features: LoadFeatures - Supported load features
• save_features: SaveFeatures - Supported save features

Enums

PixelFormat

Pixel format enumeration.

RGB formats:

• BPP24_RGB, BPP24_BGR - 24-bit RGB/BGR
• BPP32_RGBA, BPP32_BGRA - 32-bit RGB/BGR with alpha
• BPP48_RGB, BPP48_BGR - 48-bit RGB/BGR
• BPP64_RGBA, BPP64_BGRA - 64-bit RGB/BGR with alpha

Grayscale:

• BPP8_GRAYSCALE, BPP16_GRAYSCALE - 8/16-bit grayscale
• BPP8_GRAYSCALE_ALPHA, BPP16_GRAYSCALE_ALPHA - With alpha

Indexed:

• BPP1_INDEXED, BPP2_INDEXED, BPP4_INDEXED, BPP8_INDEXED

Compression

Compression types for saving images.

Values: NONE, RLE, JPEG, DEFLATE, LZW, ZIP, ZSTD, etc.

LogLevel

Logging levels.

Values: SILENCE, ERROR, WARNING, INFO, DEBUG, TRACE

Support Classes

SaveOptions

Options for saving images.

options = SaveOptions()
options.compression = Compression.DEFLATE
options.compression_level = 6

# Codec-specific tuning (dict[str, Variant])
# IMPORTANT: Set the whole dict, not individual keys
options.tuning = {"png-filter": Variant("paeth")}  # PNG: none, sub, up, avg, paeth

# Use with ImageOutput
output = ImageOutput("output.png").with_options(options)
output.save(image)
output.finish()

LoadOptions

Options for loading images.

options = LoadOptions()
# Most codecs don't require load options
# LoadOptions.tuning is available for codec-specific settings if needed

# Use with ImageInput
input = ImageInput("image.tiff").with_options(options)
frames = input.load_all()

Resolution

Image resolution information.

# Create and set resolution for an image
resolution = Resolution()
resolution.x = 300
resolution.y = 300
resolution.unit = ResolutionUnit.INCH

# Assign via property
image.resolution = resolution

# Access existing resolution
print(f"DPI: {image.resolution.x}x{image.resolution.y} {image.resolution.unit}")

MetaData

Image metadata container.

# Load metadata from loaded image
image = Image.from_file("photo.jpg")
meta = image.meta_data
if meta:
    print(f"Key: {meta.key()}")
    value = meta.value  # Property, not method
    if value.has_string():
        print(f"Value: {value.to_string()}")

# Create and set metadata
new_meta = MetaData()
new_meta.set_key(MetaDataType.ARTIST)

variant = Variant()
variant.set_string("John Doe")
new_meta.set_value(variant)

# Add to image
image.set_meta_data([new_meta])

Functions

set_log_barrier(level: LogLevel)

Set minimum logging level.

sailpy.set_log_barrier(sailpy.LogLevel.DEBUG)

set_logger(callback: Callable)

Set custom logging callback.

def my_logger(level, message):
    print(f"[SAIL {level}] {message}")

sailpy.set_logger(my_logger)

Version Information

import sailpy

# Get version string
print(sailpy.__version__)  # e.g., "0.9.10"

Example Modules

The sailpy.examples package contains working examples:

# Find examples location
import sailpy.examples
print(sailpy.examples.__path__)

# Run programmatically
from sailpy.examples import example_01_quickstart
# example_01_quickstart.main()  # If example has main()

Performance

SAIL is designed for performance:

• Zero-copy NumPy integration when possible
• Efficient C/C++ implementation
• Optimized codecs
• Minimal memory allocations

See benchmarks comparing SAIL to other libraries.

Requirements

• Python 3.9+
• NumPy 1.20+

Building from Source

git clone https://github.com/HappySeaFox/sail.git
cd sail/src/bindings/python
pip install -e .

License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

Links

• Homepage: https://sail.software
• GitHub: https://github.com/HappySeaFox/sail
• PyPI: https://pypi.org/project/sailpy/

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.