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OpenCV stands for Open Computer Vision Library.

OpenCV is an open source library for computer vision development.  There are some very interesting sample applications included with this library.

This sounds like the perfect start for Sir Bones.

Before we can start we need to be able to build the library.

Requirements

• OpenCV Library
• Visual Studio 2005 Express C++
• Windows Platform SDK

Optional

• Visual Studio 2005 Express C++ SP1

We are going to be using Microsoft Visual Studio for this install.
The reasons for this include Support from OpenCV, Lots of Internet Articles for creating software, MSDN, Offical Software and its FREE.

Step 1 - Installing Visual C++ and Platform SDK

Visit http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/visualc/usingpsdk/ and follow Microsofts Guide to setup Visual C++ and the Platform SDK.

When you get to Step 3, add this line to "Include Files" (assume default install location)
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Platform SDK for Windows Server 2003 R2\Include\mfc

This is because OpenCV requires some files that are inside that folder.

Step 2 - Update Visual C++ with Service Pack 1 (Optional)

Service Packs for the each of the Visual Studio products are available on one page from Microsoft.

Visual Studio 2005 Express SP1

The specific update that you will require is called "C++ 2005 Express Edition SP1 - VS80sp1-KB926748-X86-INTL.exe"

Step 3 - Install OpenCV

Go get OpenCV Library and download OpenCV 1.0 for Windows

Installation is straight forward.

Step 4 - Customising Visual C++ for use with OpenCV

We need to setup the directories for Open Visual C++

• Open Visual C++
• Choose menu "Tools" and select "Options"
• In "Projects and Solutions"  and go to "VC++ Directories"
• Show directories for "Library Files"
• Add "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\lib" to the list of directories

Step 5 - Open "OpenCV Workspace .NET 2005"

In the start menu a folder called "Open CV" was created when you installed OpenCV.

Inside the folder "OpenCV" there is a shortcut called "OpenCV Workspace .NET 2005"

Open "OpenCV Workspace .NET 2005"

This will load OpenCV solution within Visual C++

There is one last thing you need to do, to be able to compile OpenCV.

• Choose menu "Build" and Select "Configuration Manager"
• Change "Active solution configuration" to either "Debug" or "Release"

Step 6 - Build

Now that everything is installed and setup; building OpenCV should be a breeze.

• Choose menu "Build" and Select "Build Solution"

Building OpenCV can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.
When I built OpenCV it took about 10 minutes.< /p>

Congratulations OpenCV is now installed and built.

Update: Problem compiling OpenCV with Visual C++