OpenEXR
Python bindings for the OpenEXR image file format
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, with a license caveat. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and is the standard Python interface for EXR files in professional visual effects and rendering. However, verify the actual license terms before use—the metadata does not declare an SPDX identifier or include raw license text, so you must confirm compatibility with your project's licensing requirements.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires numpy as a runtime dependency; compiled extension requires a compatible C++ build environment at install time.
- Medium install friction due to compiled bindings; wheels are available for Python 3.10–3.12 across macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms.
- Package is actively maintained with a recent release and no known vulnerabilities.
License · maintenance · safety
(unclear) — License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the metadata. Verify the actual license terms before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
last release 2026-08-07 (7 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-12 · 1,832 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 695,981 downloads/mo, #5,307 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import numpy as np
import OpenEXR
height, width = (20, 10)
RGB = np.random.rand(height, width, 3).astype('f')
channels = {"RGB": RGB}
header = {"compression": OpenEXR.ZIP_COMPRESSION, "type": OpenEXR.scanlineimage}
with OpenEXR.File(header, channels) as outfile:
outfile.write("output.exr")- Exact license terms and conditions (SPDX identifier not declared in metadata)
- Whether the package is suitable for volumetric or 3D scene data despite the stated design scope
What it is and what it does
OpenEXR is the Python binding for the professional-grade EXR image format used throughout the motion picture and visual effects industry. It reads and writes all major EXR variants—scanline, tiled, deep, multi-part, and multi-view images—with support for 16- and 32-bit float and unsigned 32-bit integer pixel types. Pixel data is exposed directly through numpy arrays, either as a single interleaved RGBA array or as separate per-channel arrays, making it straightforward to integrate with image processing pipelines.
The package is designed for high-dynamic-range scene-linear image data with strong metadata support. It's commonly used in photorealistic rendering, texture access, image compositing, deep compositing, and digital intermediate workflows where accuracy and data longevity are critical. The underlying library prioritizes robustness, backwards compatibility, and performance.
Use it for
- Read and write high-dynamic-range images in professional rendering and compositing pipelines.
- Store multi-channel image data with per-channel or interleaved access patterns for visual effects workflows.
- Handle deep compositing data where multiple samples per pixel represent layered depth information.
- Manage multi-part EXR files containing separate image layers or passes in a single file.
- Access and modify EXR metadata (compression, display window, screen window, custom attributes) programmatically.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, with a license caveat.
The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, and is the standard Python interface for EXR files in professional visual effects and rendering. However, verify the actual license terms before use—the metadata does not declare an SPDX identifier or include raw license text, so you must confirm compatibility with your project's licensing requirements.
Install
openexr on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled bindings; wheels are available for Python 3.10–3.12 across macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms. Package is actively maintained with a recent release and no known vulnerabilities.
Requires numpy as a runtime dependency; compiled extension requires a compatible C++ build environment at install time.
License in practice
License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the metadata. Verify the actual license terms before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
Quickstart
import numpy as np
import OpenEXR
height, width = (20, 10)
RGB = np.random.rand(height, width, 3).astype('f')
channels = {"RGB": RGB}
header = {"compression": OpenEXR.ZIP_COMPRESSION, "type": OpenEXR.scanlineimage}
with OpenEXR.File(header, channels) as outfile:
outfile.write("output.exr")Verify before relying
- Exact license terms and conditions (SPDX identifier not declared in metadata)
- Whether the package is suitable for volumetric or 3D scene data despite the stated design scope
Package facts
| License | Not declared unclear |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagenumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 7 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 695,981 / month, #5,307 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
Evidence: openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_15_universal2.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_15_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_15_universal2.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_15_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_15_universal2.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_15_x86_64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; openexr-3.4.14-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl
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