How do I convert any image to a 4-color paletted image using the Python Imaging Library?

Question

I have a device that supports 4-color graphics (much like CGA in the old days).

I wanted to use PIL to read the image and convert it using my 4-color palette (of red, green, yellow, black), but I can't figure out if it's even possible at all. I found some mailing list archive posts that seem to suggest other people have tried to do so and failed.

A simple python example would be much appreciated!

Bonus points if you add something that then converts the image to a byte string where each byte represents 4 pixels of data (with each two bits representing a color from 0 to 3)

Answer 1

import sys
import PIL
from PIL import Image

def quantizetopalette(silf, palette, dither=False):
    """Convert an RGB or L mode image to use a given P image's palette."""

    silf.load()

    # use palette from reference image
    palette.load()
    if palette.mode != "P":
        raise ValueError("bad mode for palette image")
    if silf.mode != "RGB" and silf.mode != "L":
        raise ValueError(
            "only RGB or L mode images can be quantized to a palette"
            )
    im = silf.im.convert("P", 1 if dither else 0, palette.im)
    # the 0 above means turn OFF dithering
    return silf._makeself(im)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    import sys, os

for imgfn in sys.argv[1:]:
    palettedata = [ 0, 0, 0, 0, 255, 0, 255, 0, 0, 255, 255, 0,] 
    palimage = Image.new('P', (16, 16))
    palimage.putpalette(palettedata + [0, ] * 252 * 3)
    oldimage = Image.open(sys.argv[1])
    newimage = quantizetopalette(oldimage, palimage, dither=False)
    dirname, filename= os.path.split(imgfn)
    name, ext= os.path.splitext(filename)
    newpathname= os.path.join(dirname, "cga-%s.png" % name)
    newimage.save(newpathname)

For those that wanted NO dithering to get solid colors. i modded: Convert image to specific palette using PIL without dithering with the two solutions in this thread. Even though this thread is old, some of us want that information. Kudios