python-pillow / python-pillow/Pillow
Drawing methods edges aren't smooth
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Description
Originally posted by @radarhere in https://github.com/python-pillow/Pillow/issues/4895#issuecomment-1013763728
@DeusAres could you create a new issue with more detail?
In general the drawing methods don't have an antialiasing method, meaning that curves and lines that aren't straight are affected by pixelation:
I'm asking if there will be an implemention, like kerneling the drawn figures with methods such gaussian blur and to apply antialiasing so super-sampling can be avoided
The way that I use to superSample is to resize N times (2<=N<=8) the width and height and resize it back with Image.ANTIALIAS resampling
Taking this image in account:

It's a simple circle using .ellipse() method on a 1000x1000 canvas but the edges aren't smooth because of the pixelation. The bigger the figure the less it's noticeable of course but that isn't the way to solve the issue
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with Pillow's drawing methods, especially the .ellipse() entry point described in the issue, and compare its edges with the existing Image.ANTIALIAS resize approach. Determine the intended antialiasing behavior for curves and lines, then validate the result against the reported pixelation example and define coverage for other drawing methods.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- python
- Domain
- computer-graphics
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100