Setting Up OpenCV

Mastering OpenCV 4 with Python will give you the knowledge to build projects involving Open Source Computer Vision Library (OpenCV) and Python. These two technologies (the first one is a programming language, while the second one is a computer vision and machine learning library) will be introduced. Also, you will learn why the combination of OpenCV and Python has the potential to build every kind of computer application. Finally, an introduction about the main concepts related to the content of this book will be provided. 

In this chapter, you will be given step-by-step instructions to install everything you need to start programming with Python and OpenCV. This first chapter is quite long, but do not worry, because it is divided into easily assimilated sections, starting with general terminology and concepts, which assumes that the reader is new to this information. At the end of this chapter, you will be able to build your first project involving Python and OpenCV. 

The following topics will be covered in this chapter:

• A theoretical introduction to the OpenCV library
• Installing Python OpenCV and other packages
• Running samples, documentation, help, and updates
• Python and OpenCV project structure
• First Python and OpenCV project