matlab-import-external-ai-model

name	matlab-import-external-ai-model
description	Import PyTorch, ONNX, or Keras 3 / TensorFlow 2.16+ deep learning models into MATLAB as dlnetwork objects. Use when importing .pt2 exported programs, traced .pt files, .onnx models, or Keras 3 models via matlabsaver. Covers importNetworkFromPyTorch, importNetworkFromONNX, importNetworkFromKeras, importNetworkFromTensorFlow, torch.export.export, PyTorchInputSizes, InputDataFormats, matlabsaver, tf_keras downgrade, numeric validation against PyTorch or ONNX Runtime, and placeholder/custom layer implementation. Applies when user mentions any of these functions, file formats, or encounters import errors, unsupported operator warnings, 0 learnables, or uninitialized networks.
license	https://www.mathworks.com/content/dam/mathworks/license/pmrl/license.md
metadata	{"author":"MathWorks","version":"1.0"}

Import Deep Learning Models into MATLAB

Import trained PyTorch, ONNX, or Keras 3 models into MATLAB as dlnetwork objects and verify numerical correctness.

When to Use

• User wants to import a deep learning model from PyTorch, ONNX, or Keras/TensorFlow
• User has .pt2, .pt, .onnx, or .keras files to bring into MATLAB
• User mentions importNetworkFromPyTorch, importNetworkFromONNX, importNetworkFromKeras, or importNetworkFromTensorFlow
• User mentions torch.export.export, torch.jit.trace, PyTorchInputSizes, InputDataFormats, or matlabsaver
• User encounters import errors, unsupported operator warnings, uninitialized networks, or 0 learnables after import
• User wants to validate that an imported model matches the source framework's outputs

When NOT to Use

• Exporting MATLAB networks to ONNX/PyTorch (use exportONNXNetwork / exportNetworkToPyTorch)
• Training or fine-tuning after import — use /matlab-train-network
• Deploying to embedded hardware — use /matlab-deploy-embedded-ai
• Simulink integration after import (agent handles this well without guidance)

Router: Which Framework?

Q: What format is the source model?
 |
 +-- .pt2 (PyTorch exported program) ──────────> PYTORCH IMPORT below
 +-- .pt (PyTorch traced model) ───────────────> PYTORCH IMPORT below
 +-- .onnx ────────────────────────────────────> ONNX IMPORT below
 +-- .keras / TensorFlow 2.16+ / matlabsaver ──> KERAS IMPORT below
 +-- Unknown ("import my model") ──────────────> Ask: framework? file extension?

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PyTorch Import

Full pipeline: export from PyTorch → import into MATLAB → validate numerics.

Determine Starting Point

User has	Action
PyTorch model (code or saved)	Export as .pt2 first → see references/pytorch-export-guidance.md
.pt2 file (exported program)	Import directly (below)
.pt file (traced model)	Import with input sizes (below)

Always prefer .pt2 over .pt. If user has a traced model, recommend re-exporting with torch.export.export first. Only use traced path if re-export is not feasible.

Import .pt2 (Exported Program)

net = importNetworkFromPyTorch("model.pt2");

No input size argument needed — shape info is embedded in the .pt2 file.

Import .pt (Traced Model)

net = importNetworkFromPyTorch("model.pt", ...
    PyTorchInputSizes=[1 3 224 224]);

PyTorchInputSizes is mandatory for traced models. Specify sizes in PyTorch dimension ordering. For multiple inputs use a cell array: {[1 3 256 256], [1 10]}.

Name-Value Arguments

Argument	When to use
PyTorchInputSizes	Required for traced models (.pt). Not needed for .pt2
Namespace	Control where auto-generated custom layer files are stored
PreferredNestingType	Choose "networklayer" (default) or "customlayer"

PyTorch Critical Mistakes

Mistake	Correct Approach
Using InputShape NV argument	Does not exist — use PyTorchInputSizes for .pt, nothing for .pt2
Using PackageName NV argument	Deprecated — use Namespace
Not calling model.to("cpu") before export	Always model.to("cpu") before export
Not checking PyTorch version before export	Assert torch.__version__ starts with "2.8"
Passing PyTorchInputSizes for .pt2	Unnecessary — .pt2 embeds shape info, omit it
Guessing input size for unknown models	Always ask the user for exact input dimensions
Assuming net.InputNames matches forward() order	Importer may reorder — always check net.InputNames

PyTorch Conventions

• Always model.to("cpu") and model.eval() before export
• Always verify PyTorch version is 2.8 before exporting as .pt2
• Never guess input sizes — ask the user or inspect the model
• Use Namespace not PackageName for custom layer storage
• Prefer .pt2 over .pt — recommend torch.export.export over torch.jit.trace

PyTorch References

• references/pytorch-export-guidance.md — Full Python-side export procedure
• references/pytorch-import-guidance.md — Detailed MATLAB import for both formats
• references/pytorch-numeric-validation.md — Dimension conversion and tolerance comparison
• references/pytorch-placeholder-guidance.md — Implementing unsupported ops in custom layers
• scripts/validateImportedNetwork.m — Helper function for numeric validation against .npy reference data

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ONNX Import

Import ONNX models using importNetworkFromONNX, diagnose issues, verify numerics.

Workflow

1. IMPORT  → importNetworkFromONNX with appropriate NVPs
2. DIAGNOSE → Check initialization, custom layers, warnings
3. RESOLVE  → Fix issues (InputDataFormats, placeholder functions)
4. VERIFY   → Compare outputs against ONNX Runtime (if installed)

CRITICAL: Do NOT re-import after step 3. Re-importing regenerates +ops/ and overwrites all custom implementations.

Import

net = importNetworkFromONNX("model.onnx");

If you know the input format:

net = importNetworkFromONNX("model.onnx", InputDataFormats="BCSS");

Diagnose and Resolve

If net.Initialized is false, read the input shape and re-import with InputDataFormats:

net = importNetworkFromONNX("model.onnx");
if ~net.Initialized
    inputLayer = net.Layers(1);
    fprintf("NumDims: %d\n", inputLayer.NumDims);
end

InputDataFormats Reference

Characters: B (batch), C (channel), S (spatial), T (time), U (unspecified).

ONNX Input Shape	InputDataFormats
[N, C, H, W]	"BCSS"
[N, C]	"BC"
[N, T, C]	"BTC"
[N, C, T]	"BCT"

Verify Against ONNX Runtime

If onnxruntime is installed in the user's Python environment, compare outputs. If not installed, skip — do not ask the user to install it.

try
    ort = py.importlib.import_module("onnxruntime");
    ortAvailable = true;
catch
    ortAvailable = false;
end

See references/onnx-validation-workflow.md for the full comparison procedure.

ONNX Critical Mistakes

Mistake	Correct Approach
Use importONNXNetwork or importONNXLayers	Legacy — always use importNetworkFromONNX
Re-import after implementing placeholders	Import once, then modify. Never re-import.
Guess InputDataFormats randomly	Read input shape from uninitialized network first
Skip numeric verification when ORT is available	Compare against ONNX Runtime if installed

ONNX Conventions

• Always use importNetworkFromONNX — never legacy APIs
• Verify numerically against ONNX Runtime after import (if installed)
• Never re-import after modifying network or implementing placeholders
• Use dlarray with explicit format strings: dlarray(data, "SSCB")
• Report max absolute difference and assert tolerance < 1e-4 for float32

ONNX Reference

• references/onnx-validation-workflow.md — Full ORT comparison including multi-output models

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Keras Import

Import Keras 3 / TensorFlow 2.16+ models with full layer structure and learnables.

Decision Tree

Q1: What MATLAB release is available?
 +-- R2026a or newer ──> PATH 1 (matlabsaver + importNetworkFromKeras)
 +-- R2025b or older ──> Q2
      Q2: Does the model use Keras 3-specific features? (keras.ops, multi-backend)
       +-- No (standard layers) ──> PATH 2 (tf_keras downgrade)
       +-- Yes ────────────────────> PATH 3 (ONNX export fallback)

Path 1: matlabsaver + importNetworkFromKeras (R2026a+)

Python:

import matlabsaver
matlabsaver.save_for_matlab(model, "exportedModelFolder")

Apply the config.json patch for Keras 3.10+ compatibility (see references/keras-matlabsaver-workflow.md).

MATLAB:

net = importNetworkFromKeras("exportedModelFolder");
assert(numel(net.Learnables.Value) > 0, "Import failed: 0 learnables")

Path 2: tf_keras Downgrade (Pre-R2026a, Standard Layers Only)

Python:

import os
os.environ["TF_USE_LEGACY_KERAS"] = "1"  # MUST be before importing TensorFlow
import tf_keras as keras
model.save("savedModelFolder")

MATLAB:

net = importNetworkFromTensorFlow("savedModelFolder");

Path 3: ONNX Export (Fallback)

Requires tf2onnx in the Python environment: pip install tf2onnx

Python:

model.export("exportedModel.onnx", format="onnx")

MATLAB:

net = importNetworkFromONNX("exportedModel.onnx");

Keras Critical Mistakes

Mistake	Correct Approach
importNetworkFromKeras fails with "Brace indexing..."	Keras 3.10+ changed config.json — apply the patch (see reference)
model.export("folder") then importNetworkFromTensorFlow	No keras_metadata.pb → 0 learnables. Use matlabsaver instead
TF_USE_LEGACY_KERAS=1 set after import tensorflow	Must be set before any TF import
Using deprecated importKerasNetwork	Use importNetworkFromKeras (R2026a+) or Path 2/3

Keras Conventions

• Always verify imported network has non-zero learnables
• Always check MATLAB release before choosing import path
• Prefer Path 1 > Path 2 > Path 3 (ordered by fidelity)
• Report number of layers and learnables after import

Keras References

• references/keras-matlabsaver-workflow.md — Full matlabsaver procedure for R2026a+
• references/keras-tf-keras-downgrade.md — tf_keras setup for pre-R2026a

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Key Functions

Function	Framework	Purpose
importNetworkFromPyTorch	PyTorch	Import .pt2 or .pt as dlnetwork
importNetworkFromONNX	ONNX	Import .onnx as dlnetwork
importNetworkFromKeras	Keras	Import Keras 3 folder as dlnetwork (R2026a+)
importNetworkFromTensorFlow	TF/Keras	Import TF SavedModel as dlnetwork
torch.export.export	PyTorch	Export model as .pt2 (Python)
matlabsaver.save_for_matlab	Keras	Export Keras 3 for MATLAB (Python)
predict	All	Run inference on imported dlnetwork
dlarray	All	Labeled multi-dimensional array for deep learning

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Copyright 2026 The MathWorks, Inc.

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