AttributeError: module 'cv2.cv2' has no attribute 'freetype' in OpenCV

Question

I'm using a docker container with minimal packages installed. I installed opencv-contrib-python using pip3 install opencv-contrib-python and it installed the latest build 4.1.025 and have verified that it was running and my program was ok with it. However, now I need the freetype module but when I try:

import cv2 as cv
ft = cv.freetype.createFreeType2()

It throws the AttributeError as in the title. I tried reinstalling different versions namely: 4.0.0.21, 4.0.1.23, 4.0.1.24, 4.1.0.25 to no avail. I am using the headless version mainly(since I'm using docker and I don't need any gui functionality). Another thing I found out was not all the modules can be imported I have tried (ccalib, tracking, sfm, xobjdetect etc) and these modules throw the same error. Does this mean that some modules are not available through the pip3 installation? Thank you.

Answer 1

I'm pretty late to this issue, but I hope this helps someone.

I've added links to an easy to follow guide at the bottom.

Here are the essential steps, you'd need to follow:

• Install CMake & Git (if you haven't already)
• In a folder git vcpkg (git clone https://github.com/Microsoft/vcpkg.git)
• Install freetype and harfbuzz using vcpkg commandline
  • bootstrap-vcpkg.bat
  • vcpkg install freetype:x64-windows
  • vcpkg install harfbuzz:x64-windows
• Locate vcpkg.cmake file and note down its path
• Ensure C++ build tools are installed in Visual Studio 19
• Download and extract OpenCV & OpenCV contrib
• Create a empty dir called "build" inside the extracted OpenCV
• Modify CMakeLists.txt inside freetype module folder in opencv-contrib (Link)
• Modify and run the following command:
  • cmake -G "Visual Studio 16 2019" -B D:\code\downloads\opencv-4.3.0\build -D BUILD_NEW_PYTHON_SUPPORT=ON -D BUILD_PYTHON_SUPPORT=ON -D BUILD_opencv_python3=yes -D PYTHON_DEFAULT_EXECUTABLE=D:\anaconda3\python.exe -D OPENCV_SKIP_PYTHON_LOADER=ON -D PYTHON_LIBRARY=D:\anaconda3\libs\python36.lib -D OPENCV_EXTRA_MODULES_PATH=D:\code\downloads\opencv_contrib-4.3.0\modules -D OPEN_CV_FORCE_PYTHON_LIBS=yes -D CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=D:\code\downloads\vcpkg\scripts\buildsystems\vcpkg.cmake
• Use CMake GUI to make changes referenced at this link (LINK)
• Once necessary changes are made, click Configure and Generate.
• Building DEBUG & RELEASE versions using Visual Studio 19
• Test the installation by importing cv2.freetype from the environment you setup.

There's a comprehensive written guide over here:

• https://github.com/BabaGodPikin/Build-OpenCv-for-Python-with-Extra-Modules-Windows-10

Also, I've made a video inspired by the same tutorial, which can be found here:

• https://youtu.be/9YUDx3qzKwY

I would recommend watching the video and keeping this guide open on the side.

Cheers!