Why in Python sometimes from PIL import Image fails and import Image works?

Question

The below piece of code seems to fails for some people while the second one seems to works.

I would like to know why and which would be the best option to choose in order to minimize potential import failures?

from PIL import Image # Fails for some ?!
import Image

Answer 1

"import Image" works because PIL makes use of the site-specific import hooks to add its install directory into the import path.

[me@oldserver]$ cat /usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/PIL.pth
PIL

The only situation I can think of where "import Image" works but "from PIL import Image" doesn't is if the install directory for PIL is outside of the import path but a .pth file exists which points to /some/install/path/PIL.

Answer 2

refering PIL Install

Step 1 : Install the build dependencies

sudo apt-get build-dep python-imaging

Step 2 : Symlink the libraries

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/`uname -i`-linux-gnu/libfreetype.so /usr/lib/
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/`uname -i`-linux-gnu/libjpeg.so /usr/lib/
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/`uname -i`-linux-gnu/libz.so /usr/lib/

Step 3 : Install

pip install PIL