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Python Project

pillow, tesseract, and opencv

4.2 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 1,474 ratings
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Christopher Brooks

This course will walk you through a hands-on project suitable for a portfolio. You will be introduced to third-party APIs and will be shown how to manipulate images using the Python imaging library (pillow), how to apply optical character recognition to images to recognize text (tesseract and py-tesseract), and how to identify faces in images using the popular opencv library. By the end of the course you will have worked with three different libraries available for Python 3 to create a real-world data-analysis project.

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This course will walk you through a hands-on project suitable for a portfolio. You will be introduced to third-party APIs and will be shown how to manipulate images using the Python imaging library (pillow), how to apply optical character recognition to images to recognize text (tesseract and py-tesseract), and how to identify faces in images using the popular opencv library. By the end of the course you will have worked with three different libraries available for Python 3 to create a real-world data-analysis project.

The course is best-suited for learners who have taken the first four courses of the Python 3 Programming Specialization. Learners who already have Python programming skills but want to practice with a hands-on, real-world data-analysis project can also benefit from this course.

This is the fifth and final course in the Python 3 Programming Specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Python Imaging Library
Tesseract and Optical Character Recognition
Computer Vision with OpenCV
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Fortifies knowledge in Python programming
Suitable for those who want to apply Python to image manipulation, optical character recognition, and computer vision
Requires some prior knowledge in Python programming, but also accommodates learners lacking real-world data-analysis experience
Emphasizes hands-on experience and practical application

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Reviews summary

Python project: image, ocr, and vision

According to learners, this course offers a practical project that serves as an excellent capstone to the specialization and is a great way to build a portfolio-ready application. Many found applying Pillow, Tesseract, and OpenCV together to be a challenging but rewarding experience with clear explanations from the instructor. However, some students reported that dependency setup can be tricky and library versions may cause issues, sometimes requiring external troubleshooting or relying on forums. While the course provides a solid introduction to the libraries, some felt certain sections lacked depth, particularly the OpenCV module, suggesting further research may be needed.
Provides a solid intro to key libraries.
"It provides a solid introduction to the libraries."
"Covers the basics of the three libraries effectively for the project's scope."
"The introduction to Tesseract was particularly useful for me."
Builds a portfolio-ready application.
"This course was an excellent capstone... The project felt very real-world and allowed me to apply everything I learned."
"This project is a great addition to my portfolio. Very satisfied."
"Loved the project! It's a perfect way to end the specialization. Applying Pillow, Tesseract, and OpenCV together was challenging but rewarding."
Some topics/libraries lack detail.
"Some parts felt a little rushed, particularly the OpenCV section."
"I expected more depth in OpenCV... You'll need to do extra research."
"When I finally got the code running, the explanations felt thin in places."
Installation and library versions problematic.
"I struggled significantly with the environment setup and dependencies."
"Some library versions caused issues, and finding workarounds in the forums was necessary."
"Dealing with library versions and dependencies was a major headache. Troubleshooting took up too much time."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Python Project: pillow, tesseract, and opencv with these activities:
Organize and Summarize Course Content
Reinforce understanding by organizing and summarizing course materials.
Browse courses on Note-Taking
Show steps
  • Review notes, assignments, and other course materials
  • Extract key concepts and summarize them in a structured format
  • Create flashcards or use other study techniques to aid memorization
Participate in Study Group Discussions
Engage in peer discussions to clarify concepts and receive support.
Show steps
  • Join or form a study group with fellow learners
  • Discuss course materials, share notes, and resolve queries together
Engage in Group Discussions on Python Libraries
Joining a peer group focused on Python libraries will provide you with opportunities to discuss concepts, ask questions, and gain from the experiences of others.
Browse courses on Python
Show steps
  • Join a study group
  • Participate in discussions
  • Share your knowledge
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Review Computer Vision
Review essential concepts and algorithms in the field of Computer Vision.
View Computer Vision on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read chapters 1-3 and 10
  • Solve exercises and examples provided in the book
Solving Optical Character Recognition Problems with Tesseract
Using Tesseract to perform optical character recognition will provide you with hands-on experience in applying this technique.
Browse courses on Tesseract
Show steps
  • Install Tesseract
  • Load an image into Tesseract
  • Perform OCR on the image
  • Extract the recognized text
  • Save the recognized text
Attend an Image Processing Workshop
Enhance skills and gain hands-on experience in image processing.
Show steps
  • Search and register for an image processing workshop
  • Follow along with demonstrations and practice exercises
  • Network with experts and fellow participants
Practice Python Imaging Library Image Manipulation
Writing Python code to manipulate images will solidify your understanding of the library.
Show steps
  • Install the Python Imaging Library
  • Load an image into Python
  • Crop the image
  • Resize the image
  • Save the modified image
Practice Image Processing with Python
Gain practical experience in image processing using the Python Imaging Library.
Show steps
  • Follow tutorials on image manipulation using PIL
  • Complete exercises and projects to apply image processing techniques
Learn OpenCV for Computer Vision
Following tutorials on OpenCV will provide you with additional guidance and insights into computer vision techniques.
Browse courses on OpenCV
Show steps
  • Install OpenCV
  • Load an image into OpenCV
  • Detect faces in the image
  • Draw bounding boxes around the faces
  • Display the image
Solve OCR Challenges
Develop proficiency in using Tesseract and PyTesseract for OCR tasks.
Browse courses on Tesseract
Show steps
  • Install and set up Tesseract and PyTesseract on a computer
  • Practice OCR on various images with different text fonts and sizes
  • Fine-tune OCR accuracy by experimenting with Tesseract parameters
Build a Python Project Using the Python Imaging Library, Tesseract, and OpenCV
By constructing a data analysis project, you can showcase your proficiency in these technologies and deepen your understanding of the real-world applications of these libraries.
Browse courses on Python
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a project idea
  • Gather the necessary data
  • Write the Python code
  • Test and debug the code
  • Present your project findings
Contribute to an Open Source Computer Vision Project
Contribute to the open source community and gain hands-on experience.
Show steps
  • Identify a suitable open source project related to Computer Vision
  • Read the project documentation and familiarize with its codebase
  • Suggest improvements, report bugs, or work on new features

Career center

Learners who complete Python Project: pillow, tesseract, and opencv will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Vision Engineer
Computer Vision Engineers work on developing and implementing computer vision systems, which allow computers to see, interpret, and understand images and videos. This course can help aspiring Computer Vision Engineers build a strong foundation in image processing and analysis techniques, which are essential for success in this field. The course covers topics such as image manipulation, optical character recognition, and face detection using OpenCV, all of which are widely used in computer vision applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Vision Engineer
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, programming, and machine learning to extract insights from data. This course can help aspiring Data Scientists develop the skills they need to work with image data, which is becoming increasingly common in many industries. The course covers topics such as image manipulation, optical character recognition, and computer vision, which are all essential for working with image data.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers work on developing and implementing machine learning models, which can be used for a variety of tasks, such as image classification, object detection, and natural language processing. This course can help aspiring Machine Learning Engineers build a strong foundation in image processing and analysis techniques, which are essential for working with image data. The course covers topics such as image manipulation, optical character recognition, and computer vision, all of which are widely used in machine learning applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer
Image Processing Engineer
Image Processing Engineers work on developing and implementing image processing systems, which are used in a variety of applications, such as medical imaging, security, and manufacturing. This course can help aspiring Image Processing Engineers build a strong foundation in image processing techniques, including image manipulation, optical character recognition, and computer vision. These skills are essential for success in this field.
See salaries and explore the career path for Image Processing Engineer
Software Engineer
With the rapid growth of digital technologies, Software Engineers are in high demand. This course may be useful for aspiring Software Engineers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills are becoming increasingly important in many industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and retail.
See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer
User Experience (UX) Designer
UX Designers work on creating user interfaces that are both effective and enjoyable to use. This course may be useful for aspiring UX Designers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to create more visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Designer
Web Developer
Web Developers work on designing and developing websites and web applications. This course may be useful for aspiring Web Developers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to create more visually appealing and interactive websites and web applications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts work on protecting computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may be useful for aspiring Information Security Analysts who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to detect and prevent security breaches.
See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts work on collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to help businesses make better decisions. This course may be useful for aspiring Data Analysts who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to analyze image data, which is becoming increasingly common in many industries.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work on defining, documenting, and analyzing business requirements. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Project Manager
Project Managers work on planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may be useful for aspiring Project Managers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to manage projects that involve image data or computer vision technologies.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Technical Writer
Technical Writers work on creating documentation for technical products and services. This course may be useful for aspiring Technical Writers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to create more visually appealing and informative documentation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer
Photographer
Photographers work on taking pictures of people, places, and things. This course may be useful for aspiring Photographers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to enhance and edit photos, as well as create new and innovative images.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer
Graphic Designer
Graphic Designers work on creating visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course may be useful for aspiring Graphic Designers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to create more visually appealing and engaging designs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers work on developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may be useful for aspiring Marketing Managers who want to develop their skills in image processing and computer vision. These skills can be used to create more visually appealing and effective marketing campaigns.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Python Project: pillow, tesseract, and opencv.
Cover image
Learning OpenCV 3
Save
Covers the fundamentals of computer vision using OpenCV, a widely-used library for image processing and computer vision tasks. It provides both theoretical explanations and practical examples, making it a comprehensive resource for those interested in this field.
Learning OpenCV 3: Computer Vision in C++ with the...
Paperback
$$$
Learning OpenCV 3: Computer Vision in C++ with the...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Learn Computer Vision Using OpenCV
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of image processing and analysis techniques using OpenCV. It covers both fundamental concepts and advanced topics, making it a valuable resource for those who want to delve deeper into image processing.
Learn Computer Vision Using OpenCV: With Deep...
Kindle Edition
$$
Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB
Save
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to digital image processing, covering the fundamental concepts, algorithms, and applications. It serves as a valuable reference for those seeking a deeper understanding of the field.
Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB, 2nd ed. by...
Hardcover
$$$$
Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB -...
Paperback
$$$$
Cover image
Image Processing Recipes in MATLAB®
Save
Focuses on providing a solid foundation in image processing techniques for computer vision applications. It covers topics such as image enhancement, filtering, segmentation, and feature extraction, making it a valuable resource for those who want to build a strong foundation in image processing.
Image Processing Recipes in MATLAB® (Chapman &...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Python for Data Analysis
Save
While this book focuses primarily on data analysis, it also covers the use of NumPy for image processing tasks. It provides a solid understanding of data manipulation and analysis techniques that can be useful for those working with images.
Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with...
Paperback
$$
Python for Data Analysis
Kindle Edition
$$
Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Computer Vision: A Modern Approach
Save
This textbook provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of computer vision. While it may be a more advanced text, it offers a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations and state-of-the-art techniques used in the field.
Computer Vision: A Modern Approach
Kindle Edition
$$$
Computer Vision: A Modern Approach
Hardcover
$$$$
Cover image
Computer Vision
Save
Offers a comprehensive overview of computer vision algorithms and their applications. While it may be a more advanced text, it provides a deep understanding of the underlying principles and techniques used in the field.
Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications (Texts...
Hardcover
$$$
Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications (Texts...
Hardcover
$$$$
Bayesian Modeling of Uncertainty in Low-Level...
Hardcover
$$$
Image Alignment and Stitching: A Tutorial...
Paperback
$$$
Large-Scale Visual Geo-Localization (Advances in...
Hardcover
$$$
(中文) Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications
Paperback
$$$
Vision Algorithms: Theory and Practice:...
Paperback
$$$
Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications (Texts...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Computer Vision: Algorithms and Applications (Texts...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Large-Scale Visual Geo-Localization (Advances in...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Proceedings 2003 Symposium on Document Image...
Save
Offers a comprehensive overview of optical character recognition (OCR) systems. While it may be more advanced than the course's scope, it provides a deep understanding of the principles and techniques used in OCR.
Proceedings 2003 Symposium on Document Image...
Paperback
Check
Proceedings 2003 Symposium on Document Image...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Deep Learning
Save
Introduces machine learning techniques for computer vision applications. While it may be more advanced than the course's scope, it provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in machine learning for computer vision.
Deep Learning
Paperback
Check
Deep Learning
Kindle Edition
Check

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Rating
4.2 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
Approx. 8 hours
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructor
Christopher Brooks
Language
English
Transcripts
Español Français Português Deutsch Italiano 中文 العربية 한국어 日本語 हिंदी Nederlands Svenska Pусский Türkçe Polski Ελληνικά українська мова magyar nyelv Bahasa Indonesia ไทย қазақша اُردُو, فارسی বাংলা tiếng Việt پښتو آذربایجان دیلی
This course belongs to a collection called Python 3 Programming. It's comprised of five courses:
  1. Data Collection and Processing with Python
  2. Python Project: pillow, tesseract, and opencv (viewing)
  3. Python Classes and Inheritance
  4. Python Functions, Files, and Dictionaries
  5. Python Basics
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Fortifies knowledge in Python programming
Suitable for those who want to apply Python to image manipulation, optical character recognition, and computer vision
Requires some prior knowledge in Python programming, but also accommodates learners lacking real-world data-analysis experience
Emphasizes hands-on experience and practical application
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