Install OpenCV-Python in Windows

Note: Please prefer binaries distributed with PyPI, if possible. See Install OpenCV with pip for details.

Goals

We will learn to setup OpenCV-Python in your Windows system.

Method 1: Installing from Prebuilt Binaries

1. Download and install to default locations:

   • Python 3.x (3.4+) from python.org
   • Numpy: pip install numpy
   • Matplotlib (optional, recommended): pip install matplotlib

2. Download latest OpenCV release from GitHub and double-click to extract it.

3. Go to opencv/build/python/3.x folder.

4. Copy cv2.pyd to C:/Python3x/lib/site-packages.

5. Copy the opencv_world.dll file to C:/Python3x/lib/site-packages.

6. Open Python IDLE and type:

import cv2 as cv
print(cv.__version__)

Method 2: Building OpenCV from Source

1. Download and install Visual Studio and CMake.

2. Download and install necessary Python packages to their default locations:

   • Python
   • Numpy

3. Download OpenCV source from GitHub or SourceForge.

4. Extract it to a folder and create a new build folder in it.

5. Open CMake-gui (Start > All Programs > CMake-gui):

   • Click Browse Source… and locate the opencv folder
   • Click Browse Build… and locate the build folder
   • Click Configure and choose your compiler
   • Configure the WITH, BUILD, and ENABLE fields
   • Click Generate

6. Open OpenCV.sln from opencv/build folder with Visual Studio.

7. Set build mode to Release.

8. Right-click on Solution (or ALL_BUILD) and build it.

9. Right-click on INSTALL and build it. OpenCV-Python will be installed.

10. Open Python IDLE and enter import cv2 as cv to verify the installation.

Source: OpenCV Python Tutorials — Original Documentation