The ImageChops Module

The ImageChops module contains a number of arithmetical image operations, called channel operations (“chops”). These can be used for various purposes, including special effects, image compositions, algorithmic painting, and more.

For more pre-made operations, see ImageOps.

At this time, most channel operations are only implemented for 8-bit images (e.g. “L” and “RGB”).

Functions

Most channel operations take one or two image arguments and returns a new image. Unless otherwise noted, the result of a channel operation is always clipped to the range 0 to MAX (which is 255 for all modes supported by the operations in this module).

ImageChops.constant(image, value)

Return a layer with the same size as the given image, but filled with the given pixel value.

ImageChops.duplicate(image)

Return a copy of the given image.

ImageChops.invert(image)

Inverts an image.

out = MAX - image

ImageChops.lighter(image1, image2)

Compares the two images, pixel by pixel, and returns a new image containing the lighter values.

out = max(image1, image2)

ImageChops.darker(image1, image2)

Compares the two images, pixel by pixel, and returns a new image containing the darker values.

out = min(image1, image2)

ImageChops.difference(image1, image2)

Returns the absolute value of the difference between the two images.

out = abs(image1 - image2)

ImageChops.multiply(image1, image2)

Superimposes two images on top of each other. If you multiply an image with a solid black image, the result is black. If you multiply with a solid white image, the image is unaffected.

out = image1 * image2 / MAX

ImageChops.screen(image1, image2)

Superimposes two inverted images on top of each other.

out = MAX - ((MAX - image1) * (MAX - image2) / MAX)

ImageChops.add(image1, image2, scale, offset)

Adds two images, dividing the result by scale and adding the offset. If omitted, scale defaults to 1.0, and offset to 0.0.

out = (image1 + image2) / scale + offset

ImageChops.subtract(image1, image2, scale, offset)

Subtracts two images, dividing the result by scale and adding the offset. If omitted, scale defaults to 1.0, and offset to 0.0.

out = (image1 - image2) / scale + offset

ImageChops.blend(image1, image2, alpha)

Same as the Image.blend() function in the Image module.

ImageChops.composite(image1, image2, mask)

Same as the Image.composite() function in the Image module.

ImageChops.offset(image, xoffset, yoffset)

ImageChops.offset(image, offset)

Returns a copy of the image where data has been offset by the given distances. Data wraps around the edges. If yoffset is omitted, it is assumed to be equal to xoffset.