This is a lightweight and fast library for reading and writing any PNM file - PBM, PGM and PPM, up to 16 bits per sample, in ascii/binary format. Library contains also a Python bindings - module pixfiles with PixFile class.
The Scientific Visualization Artist Tools (SVAT) include converters from the Visualization Toolkit (VTK) to RenderMan Interface Bytestream (RIB) (ASCII and binary files supported), Blender to RenderMan, compilable RenderMan shaders and other utilities.
Read single-band NASA PDS (Planetary Data System) Image files in Python. Query header information and extract binary image data in a format suitable for PIL (Python Imaging Library). Works for Pathfinder and Mars Exploration Rover images, maybe others.