GridDataFormats
Reading and writing of data on regular grids in Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. GridDataFormats is a mature, actively maintained library with low install friction and no known vulnerabilities. It fills a clear niche in scientific Python for unified grid data I/O. The LGPL-3.0-or-later license is permissive for most use cases but requires derivative works to remain open-source. Install it if you work with gridded scientific data.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.11 or later; numpy, scipy, and mrcfile must be installed.
- Low friction: pure Python wheel with three well-established scientific dependencies.
- Active maintenance with a release 83 days ago and ongoing repository activity.
License · maintenance · safety
LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft) — Licensed under LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft). You may use and modify the package freely, but any derivative work must also be distributed under LGPL or a compatible license.
last release 2026-05-23 (83 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-05 · 32 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 256,919 downloads/mo, #8,453 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install GridDataFormats
import gridDataFormats.core as gdf
grid = gdf.Grid(array=data, origin=origin, delta=delta)- Specific file formats supported beyond what the description excerpt mentions.
- Performance characteristics for large datasets or typical use case sizes.
- Whether the Grid object API is stable or subject to breaking changes.
- Actual monthly download volume and user base size.
What it is and what it does
GridDataFormats is a Python library for reading and writing n-dimensional datasets stored on regular grids. It abstracts away format-specific details by providing a unified Grid object that can load grid data from files, hold it in memory, and write it back out. The package is designed for scientific computing workflows where you need to work with gridded data—such as density maps, volumetric fields, or other regularly-sampled multidimensional arrays—without worrying about the underlying file format.
The package depends on numpy for array operations, scipy for numerical algorithms, and mrcfile for handling MRC-format files. It supports current Python versions and runs on macOS, Windows, and POSIX systems. With active maintenance since its first release in 2011 and a recent release on 2026-05-23, it is a mature, stable library used in scientific and research contexts.
Use it for
- Load volumetric density maps from molecular dynamics simulations and manipulate them as Grid objects.
- Convert between different grid data file formats while preserving the underlying n-dimensional array.
- Store computed scalar or vector fields on regular grids for later analysis or visualization.
- Integrate grid data I/O into scientific data pipelines that work with multidimensional arrays.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
GridDataFormats is a mature, actively maintained library with low install friction and no known vulnerabilities. It fills a clear niche in scientific Python for unified grid data I/O. The LGPL-3.0-or-later license is permissive for most use cases but requires derivative works to remain open-source. Install it if you work with gridded scientific data.
Install
griddataformats on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: pure Python wheel with three well-established scientific dependencies. Active maintenance with a release 83 days ago and ongoing repository activity.
Requires Python 3.11 or later; numpy, scipy, and mrcfile must be installed.
License in practice
Licensed under LGPL-3.0-or-later (copyleft). You may use and modify the package freely, but any derivative work must also be distributed under LGPL or a compatible license.
Quickstart
pip install GridDataFormats
import gridDataFormats.core as gdf
grid = gdf.Grid(array=data, origin=origin, delta=delta)Verify before relying
- Specific file formats supported beyond what the description excerpt mentions.
- Performance characteristics for large datasets or typical use case sizes.
- Whether the Grid object API is stable or subject to breaking changes.
- Actual monthly download volume and user base size.
Package facts
| License | LGPL-3.0-or-later copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.11 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 3 packagesnumpyscipymrcfile |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 83 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 256,919 / month, #8,453 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 6 - MatureEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: CProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: griddataformats-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl
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