---
id: openexr
version: "3.4.14"
license: unclear
license_treatment: unclear
maintenance: active
---

# OpenEXR — Python bindings for the OpenEXR image file format

License: unclear · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 696.0K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

Read and write OpenEXR image files with support for scanline, tiled, deep, multi-part, and multi-view formats, exposing pixel data through numpy arrays.

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

pip install openexr
uv add openexr
poetry add openexr

## Installing OpenEXR

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.

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")

Requires numpy as a runtime dependency; compiled extension requires a compatible C++ build environment at install time.

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_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 696.0K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

exr image file reader writer, openexr python bindings, high dynamic range image format, professional image compositing, deep compositing support, multi-channel image data, motion picture image storage, image-format, visual-effects, high-dynamic-range

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