Krita Python Library Documentation

Overview

The Krita Python Library provides a simple and intuitive way to programmatically create and manipulate Krita (.kra) files. It supports creating documents with multiple layers, including text, shapes, and images.

Installation

pip install kritapy

Basic Usage

from kritapy import KritaDocument, TextStyle, ShapeStyle, ShapeLayer

# Create a new document
doc = KritaDocument(width=1280, height=1024)

# Add some content
doc.add_text_layer("Hello Krita!")
doc.add_image_layer("background.jpg")

# Save the document
doc.save("output.kra")

Core Components

KritaDocument

The main class for creating and managing Krita documents.

doc = KritaDocument(width=1280, height=1024)

Parameters:

• width (int): Document width in pixels (default: 1024)
• height (int): Document height in pixels (default: 1024)

Layer Types

Text Layers

Text layers can be created in two ways:

1. Simple method:

doc.add_text_layer(
    text="Hello Krita!",
    name="My Text",
    x=100,
    y=100
)

2. Advanced method with styling:

text_style = TextStyle(
    font_family="Arial",
    font_size=24,
    fill_color="#000000",
    stroke_color="#FFFFFF",
    stroke_width=1,
    stroke_opacity=1.0,
    letter_spacing=0,
    text_align="start"
)

text_layer = ShapeLayer.from_text(
    text="Hello\nMultiline Text",
    name="Styled Text",
    x=100,
    y=100,
    style=text_style
)

doc.add_text_layer(text_layer)

Image Layers

Add raster images to your document:

doc.add_image_layer(
    image="path/to/image.jpg",  # Can be path or PIL Image
    name="Background",
    opacity=255,
    x=0,
    y=0
)

Shape Layers

Create vector shapes using various primitives:

from krita_lib import Rectangle, Circle, Ellipse, Line, Path, ShapeGroup

# Create shape style
shape_style = ShapeStyle(
    fill="#FF0000",
    stroke="#000000",
    stroke_width=2.0,
    stroke_opacity=1.0,
    fill_opacity=0.5
)

# Create shapes
rect = Rectangle(
    x=100,
    y=100,
    width=200,
    height=150,
    rx=10,  # rounded corners
    style=shape_style
)

circle = Circle(
    cx=300,
    cy=300,
    r=50,
    style=shape_style
)

# Add shapes to document
doc.add_shape_layer(
    ShapeGroup([rect, circle]),
    name="My Shapes"
)

Working with Paths

Create complex vector paths using SVG path commands:

path = Path(
    d="M 100 100 L 200 100 L 150 50 Z",  # Triangle
    style=ShapeStyle(
        fill="#00FF00",
        stroke="#000000",
        stroke_width=2
    )
)

doc.add_shape_layer(path, name="Path Layer")

Common SVG Path Commands:

• M x y - Move to
• L x y - Line to
• H x - Horizontal line
• V y - Vertical line
• Q x1 y1 x y - Quadratic curve
• C x1 y1 x2 y2 x y - Cubic curve
• Z - Close path

Styling Options

TextStyle Properties

• font_family: Font name (e.g., "Arial")
• font_size: Font size in points
• fill_color: Text color in hex format
• stroke_color: Outline color
• stroke_width: Outline width
• stroke_opacity: Outline opacity (0-1)
• letter_spacing: Space between letters
• word_spacing: Space between words
• text_align: Text alignment ("start", "end", "center", "justify")
• line_height: Line spacing multiplier
• use_rich_text: Enable rich text formatting
• text_rendering: Text rendering mode

ShapeStyle Properties

• fill: Fill color or "none"
• stroke: Stroke color
• stroke_width: Stroke width
• stroke_opacity: Stroke opacity (0-1)
• fill_opacity: Fill opacity (0-1)
• stroke_linecap: Line endings ("butt", "round", "square")
• stroke_linejoin: Line joins ("miter", "round", "bevel")
• stroke_dasharray: Dash pattern (e.g., "5,5")

Complete Example

from krita_lib import (
    KritaDocument, TextStyle, ShapeStyle,
    ShapeLayer, Rectangle, Circle, Path, ShapeGroup
)

# Create document
doc = KritaDocument(width=1280, height=1024)

# Add styled text
text_style = TextStyle(
    font_family="Arial",
    font_size=24,
    fill_color="#000000",
    stroke_color="#FFFFFF",
    stroke_width=1
)

text_layer = ShapeLayer.from_text(
    text="Hello Krita!\nMultiline Text",
    name="Title",
    x=100,
    y=100,
    style=text_style
)

doc.add_text_layer(text_layer)

# Add shapes
shape_style = ShapeStyle(
    fill="#FF0000",
    stroke="#000000",
    stroke_width=2
)

shapes = [
    Rectangle(x=80, y=80, width=300, height=150, rx=10, style=shape_style),
    Circle(cx=230, cy=155, r=100, style=shape_style),
    Path(
        d="M 100 150 Q 130 140, 160 150 Q 190 160, 220 150",
        style=ShapeStyle(fill="none", stroke="#0000FF", stroke_width=2)
    )
]

doc.add_shape_layer(ShapeGroup(shapes), name="Decorative Shapes")

# Add background image
doc.add_image_layer("background.jpg", name="Background")

# Save the document
doc.save("output.kra")

Best Practices

1. Create styles separately from layers for better code organization
2. Group related shapes using ShapeGroup
3. Consider layer order - earlier layers appear behind later ones
4. Use meaningful layer names
5. Clean up resources by closing the document after saving

Error Handling

The library throws standard Python exceptions:

• TypeError: Invalid parameter types
• ValueError: Invalid parameter values
• FileNotFoundError: Missing image files
• OSError: File system related errors

Limitations

• Text formatting is limited to single style per layer
• Some advanced Krita features not supported (filters, masks, etc.)
• Limited animation support

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please check our GitHub repository for guidelines.