What is OpenCV

OpenCV means Intel® Open Source Computer Vision Library. It is a collection of C functions and few C++ classes that implement some popular algorithms of Image Processing and Computer Vision.

The key features

OpenCV is cross-platform middle-to-high level API that consists of a few hundreds (>300) C functions. It does not rely on external libraries, though it can use some when it is possible.

OpenCV is free for both non-commercial and commercial use (see the license for details).

OpenCV provides transparent for user interface to Intel® Integrated Performance Primitives (IPP). That is, it loads automatically IPP libraries optimized for specific processor at runtime, if they are available. More information about IPP can be retrieved at http://www.intel.com/software/products/ipp/index.htm

Who created it

The complete list of authors can be found in the file AUTHORS.

Besides, a lot of people helped with suggestions, patches, bug reports etc. The incomplete list is in THANKS file.

What's New

See the ChangeLog.

Where to get OpenCV

Go http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/opencvlibrary. If it does not work, type "OpenCV" in Google (http://www.google.com).

If you have a problem with installing/running/using OpenCV

1. Read FAQs
2. Search through OpenCV archives at www.yahoogroups.com (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OpenCV/)
3. Join OpenCV mailing list at yahoo groups (see FAQs on how to do it) and mail your questions (the mailing list will probably migrate to OpenCV's SourceForge site)
4. Look at the OpenCV sample code, read the reference manual :)

OpenCV Reference Manuals

• CXCORE Reference Manual
• CV Reference Manual
• HighGUI Reference Manual
• CVCAM Reference Manual (RTF)

You may also look at the PDF manual, but do not trust it much - it is pretty out of date, especially, the reference part.