OpenCV-2.1.0 Visual C++ 2010 on Windows 7

(Verified on Windows 7 x86_64; Should also be compatible with Windows XP SP3 and newer)

This tutorial will walk the user through setup of an OpenCV project in Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 (VS 2010 Professional and Visual C++ 2010 Express ). There is a small 'Hello World' example at the end.

This guide is adapted from the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express, part of MSVS 2010 Express guide.

Installation Pre-Requisites

1. Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional (paid) or Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express Edition (free).
   1. Note: This guide applies to both the Studio and Express Editions.
2. OpenCV 2.1.0 Windows Executable Install
   1. Note: File listed as for VS2008, but works for 2010 as well.

OpenCV 2.1.0 HelloWorld

• (Installation Edition Dependent) Start -> All Programs -> Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (Express) -> Microsoft Visual (Studio / C++ 2010 Express)
  • File -> New -> Project
  • Name: 'OpenCV_Helloworld'...'OK'...'Finish'

• Configure Project Directories
  • In 2008
    • Tools -> Options -> Projects and Solutions -> VC++ Directories
  • In 2010
    • Project -> OpenCV_Helloworld Properties...Configuration Properties -> VC++ Directories
  • Include Directories... add: 'C:\OpenCV2.1\include\opencv;'
  • Library Directories... add: 'C:\OpenCV2.1\lib;'
  • Source Directories... add: 'C:\OpenCV2.1\src\cv; C:\OpenCV2.1\src\cvaux; C:\OpenCV2.1\src\cxcore; C:\OpenCV2.1\src\highgui; C:\OpenCV2.1\src\ml;'
  • Linker -> Input -> Additional Dependencies...
    • For Debug Builds.. add: 'cv210d.lib; cxcore210d.lib; highgui210d.lib;'
    • For Release Builds.. add: 'cv210.lib; cxcore210.lib; highgui210.lib;'

• Make the content of 'OpenCV_Helloworld.cpp' as such:

// OpenCV_Helloworld.cpp : Defines the entry point for the console application.
// Created for build/install tutorial, Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express and OpenCV 2.1.0

#include "stdafx.h"

#include <cv.h>
#include <cxcore.h>
#include <highgui.h>

int _tmain(int argc, _TCHAR* argv[])
{
        IplImage *img = cvLoadImage("funny-pictures-cat-goes-pew.jpg");
        cvNamedWindow("Image:",1);
        cvShowImage("Image:",img);

        cvWaitKey();
        cvDestroyWindow("Image:");
        cvReleaseImage(&img);

        return 0;
}

• Debug -> Build Solution
• Copy image to 'C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\OpenCV_Helloworld\OpenCV_Helloworld'. Or to wherever you saved the project to...
• Debug -> Start Debugging
• Done.