---

name: gpt-multimodal description: Analyze images and multi-frame sequences using OpenAI GPT series

OpenAI Vision Analysis Skill

Purpose

This skill enables image analysis, scene understanding, text extraction, and multi-frame comparison using OpenAI's vision-capable GPT models (e.g., gpt-4o, gpt-5). It supports single and multiple images analysis and sequential frames for temporal analysis.

When to Use

• Analyzing image content (objects, scenes, colors, spatial relationships)
• Extracting and reading text from images (OCR via vision models)
• Comparing multiple images to detect differences or changes
• Processing video frames to understand temporal progression
• Generating detailed image descriptions or captions
• Answering questions about visual content

Required Libraries

The following Python libraries are required:

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
import json
import os
from pathlib import Path

Input Requirements

• File formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP, non-animated GIF
• Image quality: Clear and legible; minimum 512×512px recommended
• File size: Under 20MB per image recommended
• Maximum per request: Up to 500 images, 50MB total payload
• URL or Base64: Images can be provided as URLs or base64-encoded data

Output Schema

All analysis results should be returned as valid JSON conforming to this schema:

{
  "success": true,
  "model": "gpt-5",
  "analysis": "Detailed description or analysis of the image content...",
  "metadata": {
    "image_count": 1,
    "detail_level": "high",
    "tokens_used": 850,
    "processing_time_ms": 1234
  },
  "extracted_data": {
    "objects": ["car", "person", "building"],
    "text_found": "Sample text from image",
    "colors": ["blue", "white", "gray"],
    "scene_type": "urban street"
  },
  "warnings": []
}

Field Descriptions

• success: Boolean indicating whether the API call succeeded
• model: The GPT model used for analysis (e.g., "gpt-4o", "gpt-5")
• analysis: Complete textual analysis or description from the model
• metadata.image_count: Number of images analyzed in this request
• metadata.detail_level: Detail parameter used ("low", "high", or "auto")
• metadata.tokens_used: Approximate token count for the request
• metadata.processing_time_ms: Time taken to process the request
• extracted_data: Structured information extracted from the image(s)
• warnings: Array of issues or limitations encountered

Code Examples

Basic Image Analysis

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

def analyze_image(image_path, prompt="What's in this image?"):
    """Analyze a single image using GPT-5 Vision."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    # Read and encode image
    with open(image_path, "rb") as image_file:
        base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-5",
        messages=[
            {
                "role": "user",
                "content": [
                    {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                    {
                        "type": "image_url",
                        "image_url": {
                            "url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}"
                        }
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        max_tokens=300
    )
    
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Using Image URLs

from openai import OpenAI

def analyze_image_url(image_url, prompt="Describe this image"):
    """Analyze an image from a URL."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-5",
        messages=[
            {
                "role": "user",
                "content": [
                    {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                    {
                        "type": "image_url",
                        "image_url": {"url": image_url}
                    }
                ]
            }
        ]
    )
    
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Multiple Images Analysis

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

def analyze_multiple_images(image_paths, prompt="Compare these images"):
    """Analyze multiple images in a single request."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    # Build content array with text and all images
    content = [{"type": "text", "text": prompt}]
    
    for image_path in image_paths:
        with open(image_path, "rb") as image_file:
            base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')
        
        content.append({
            "type": "image_url",
            "image_url": {
                "url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}"
            }
        })
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-5",
        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": content}],
        max_tokens=500
    )
    
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Full Analysis with JSON Output

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
import json
import time

def analyze_image_to_json(image_path, prompt="Analyze this image"):
    """Analyze image and return structured JSON output."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    start_time = time.time()
    warnings = []
    
    try:
        # Read and encode image
        with open(image_path, "rb") as image_file:
            base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')
        
        # Make API call
        response = client.chat.completions.create(
            model="gpt-5",
            messages=[
                {
                    "role": "user",
                    "content": [
                        {"type": "text", "text": prompt},
                        {
                            "type": "image_url",
                            "image_url": {
                                "url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}",
                                "detail": "high"
                            }
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ],
            max_tokens=500
        )
        
        analysis = response.choices[0].message.content
        tokens_used = resp…[redacted]
        processing_time = int((time.time() - start_time) * 1000)
        
        result = {
            "success": True,
            "model": "gpt-5",
            "analysis": analysis,
            "metadata": {
                "image_count": 1,
                "detail_level": "high",
                "tokens_used": tokens_used,
                "processing_time_ms": processing_time
            },
            "extracted_data": {},
            "warnings": warnings
        }
        
    except Exception as e:
        result = {
            "success": False,
            "model": "gpt-5",
            "analysis": "",
            "metadata": {
                "image_count": 0,
                "detail_level": "high",
                "tokens_used": 0,
                "processing_time_ms": 0
            },
            "extracted_data": {},
            "warnings": [f"API call failed: {str(e)}"]
        }
    
    return result

# Usage
result = analyze_image_to_json("photo.jpg", "Describe what you see in detail")
print(json.dumps(result, indent=2))

Batch Processing with Sequential Frames

from openai import OpenAI
import base64
from pathlib import Path

def process_video_frames(frames_directory, analysis_prompt):
    """Process sequential video frames for temporal analysis."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    image_extensions = {'.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png', '.webp'}
    frame_paths = sorted([
        f for f in Path(frames_directory).iterdir() 
        if f.suffix.lower() in image_extensions
    ])
    
    # Analyze frames in groups (e.g., 5 frames at a time)
    batch_size = 5
    results = []
    
    for i in range(0, len(frame_paths), batch_size):
        batch = frame_paths[i:i+batch_size]
        
        # Build content with all frames in batch
        content = [{"type": "text", "text": analysis_prompt}]
        
        for frame_path in batch:
            with open(frame_path, "rb") as f:
                base64_image = base64.b64encode(f.read()).decode('utf-8')
            
            content.append({
                "type": "image_url",
                "image_url": {
                    "url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}",
                    "detail": "low"  # Use low detail for video frames to save tokens
                }
            })
        
        response = client.chat.completions.create(
            model="gpt-5",
            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": content}],
            max_tokens=800
        )
        
        results.append({
            "batch_index": i // batch_size,
            "frame_range": f"{batch[0].name} to {batch[-1].name}",
            "analysis": response.choices[0].message.content
        })
    
    return results

Text Extraction from Images (OCR Alternative)

from openai import OpenAI
import base64

def extract_text_with_gpt(image_path):
    """Extract text from image using GPT Vision as OCR alternative."""
    client = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY"))
    
    with open(image_path, "rb") as image_file:
        base64_image = base64.b64encode(image_file.read()).decode('utf-8')
    
    response = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="gpt-5",
        messages=[
            {
                "role": "user",
                "content": [
                    {
                        "type": "text", 
                        "text": "Extract all text from this image. Return only the text content, preserving the layout and structure."
                    },
                    {
                        "type": "image_url",
                        "image_url": {
                            "url": f"data:image/jpeg;base64,{base64_image}",
                            "detail": "high"
                        }
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        max_tokens=1000
    )
    
    return response.choices[0].message.content

Model Selection and Configuration

Available Models

# GPT-4o - Best for general vision tasks, fast and cost-effective
model = "gpt-4o"

# GPT-5-nano - Faster and cheaper for simple vision tasks
model = "gpt-5-nano"

# GPT-5 - More capable for complex reasoning
model = "gpt-5"

Detail Level Configuration

Control how much visual detail the model processes:

# Low detail - 512×512px resolution, fewer tokens, faster
"image_url": {
    "url": image_url,
    "detail": "low"
}

# High detail - Full resolution with tiling, more tokens, better accuracy
"image_url": {
    "url": image_url,
    "detail": "high"
}

# Auto - Model chooses appropriate detail level
"image_url": {
    "url": image_url,
    "detail": "auto"
}

When to use each detail level:

• Low: Video frames, simple scene classification, color/shape detection
• High: Text extraction, detailed object detection, fine-grained analysis
• Auto: General purpose when unsure; model optimizes cost vs. quality

Token Cost Management

Understanding Image Tokens

Image tokens count toward your request limits and costs:

• Low detail: Fixed ~85 tokens per image (gpt-5)
• High detail: Base tokens + tile tokens based on image dimensions
  • Images are scaled to fit within 2048×2048px
  • Divided into 512×512px tiles
  • Each tile costs additional tokens

Cost Calculation Examples

# For gpt-5 with high detail:
# - Base: 85 tokens
# - Per tile: 170 tokens
# - Example: 1024×1024 image = 85 + (2×2 tiles × 170) =