Natron As a Python Module (enhancement)

[devernay]

From @nicholascarroll on August 29, 2015 5:45

Natron would be more generally useful if it could be run as a python module:

1. Create and modify Natron project files.
2. Use it as the main Python library for compositing operations
3. Integration of Natron and Blender

Similar to what Blender offers. Or Nuke since v 8.0

I read the Natron Python doc and it does not seem to have that option.

Copied from original issue: MrKepzie/Natron#872

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[devernay]

From @MrKepzie on August 29, 2015 8:6

NatronEngine and NatronGui cannot be imported externally, they are built statically into Natron binary.

If we were to make them modules (.so), then importing it would also require the end-user to have all the libraries that we ship in the bin/ folder on Windows when they do so.
Needless to say, some libraries we use for Natron are also used, for example by Blender, without saying Blender is using Python 3, whereas we use Python 2.

In the end this is a matter of testing, but I'm not sure of the feasibility of this and if this is really used in production anyway.

[devernay]

From @nicholascarroll on August 30, 2015 2:1

mainly for editing natron project files

[devernay]

From @MrKepzie on August 30, 2015 19:38

If we implement that, Natron's python module(s) will only be usable from the Python executable shipped with Natron.

[devernay]

IMHO it would be better to separate the graph+parameter API from the rest of Natron before that. It should probably not depend on Qt.

[devernay]

From @MrKepzie on August 31, 2015 14:53

What you can do (which is pretty much the same) is use NatronRenderer to execute your python script:

This will attempt to render

NatronRenderer script.py -w MyWriter

If you just need a python interpreter with access to Natron, use Natron like this:

NatronRenderer -t <script.py>

[devernay]

I think this issue is about handling Natron project files from another application, such as Nuke or Blender, or any python interpreter.

[devernay]

From @nicholascarroll on September 23, 2015 22:55

Yes, mainly for performing an edit on a Natron file from within another application.

Here is a use case:
We are in the NLE and have a shot we want to do roto on. We have a python function in the NLE that will create a Natron project file with our clip as read node and just a write node. Then, when we come to compositing we have a Natron project file ready for each compositing job. This means we don't have to build any kind of workflow external to the applications.

Natron is modular which is ideal but we need plenty of options for tight integration to other modular applications.