In this guide, we will discuss how to resolve the ImportError: Cannot import name 'pillow_version' from 'PIL' issue. This error typically occurs when you are trying to import the pillow_version attribute from the Python Imaging Library (PIL) module.
PIL is a popular Python library that allows you to handle images in various formats, such as JPEG, PNG, and BMP. However, PIL is no longer maintained and has been replaced by the Pillow library, which is a fork of the original PIL. This error may arise due to conflicts between the two libraries or having an outdated version of Pillow installed.
To resolve this issue, follow the step-by-step guide below.
Step 1: Upgrade or Install Pillow
First, ensure that you have the latest version of the Pillow library installed. You can do this by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
pip install --upgrade pillow
This command will either upgrade your existing Pillow installation or install it if it is not already present.
Step 2: Replace PIL Imports with Pillow
Next, replace any occurrences of from PIL import ... in your code with from PIL import Image, ImageOps, .... The pillow_version attribute is no longer used in Pillow, so there is no need to import it.
For example, replace:
from PIL import Image, pillow_version
with:
from PIL import Image
Step 3: Verify the Installation
After upgrading or installing Pillow and updating your code, verify that the issue is resolved by running your script or application. If the error persists, consider completely uninstalling PIL and reinstalling Pillow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PIL and Pillow?
Pillow is a fork of the original Python Imaging Library (PIL) that adds some user-friendly features and fixes various issues present in PIL. PIL is no longer maintained, so it is recommended to use Pillow for any new projects or update existing projects to use Pillow.
How do I uninstall PIL?
To uninstall PIL, run the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
pip uninstall PIL
How do I check the version of Pillow installed on my system?
You can check the installed version of Pillow by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:
pip show pillow
Can I have both PIL and Pillow installed at the same time?
It is not recommended to have both PIL and Pillow installed simultaneously, as they may cause conflicts and lead to errors like the one discussed in this guide. It is better to uninstall PIL and use Pillow exclusively.
What are some common image operations I can perform with Pillow?
Pillow provides various image manipulation functions, such as resizing, cropping, rotating, filtering, and converting between different image formats. You can find more information and examples in the official Pillow documentation.