how_to_compile_opencv2_for_Python27-x64.md

How to compile OpenCV 2 for Python 2.7 64-bit on Windows

Step 1 - Install Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler for Python 2.7

First of all, download and install Microsoft Visual C++ Compiler for Python 2.7 from the Microsoft download page

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Step 2 - Install CMake

Install CMake with the binary installer for Windows x64 on the CMake download page..

During installation, select Add CMake to system PATH for all users.

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Step 3 - Compile OpenCV

• Download the last OpenCV 2.4 release for Windows on the OpenCV download page and extract it somewhere

• Open the file /sources/modules/core/src/drawing.cpp

• In this file, replace the 3 occurences of:

_pts.data()

by :

&_pts[0]

• In this file also, replace :

axes.width = std::abs(axes.width), axes.height = std::abs(axes.height);

by:

axes.width = std::abs((int)axes.width), axes.height = std::abs((int)axes.height);

• Open the "Visual C++ 2008 64-bit Command Prompt" application

• Go inside the opencv/sources directoryand create a "build_vc9" folder

• Go inside the build_vc9 folder and run:

cmake -G "NMake Makefiles" ..

• Then just run:

nmake

There you go, you know have compiled OpenCV with VC9.

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Step 5 - Add the right env variables

You know have to add the two following environment variables :

• BOOST_ROOT
• BOOST_LIBRARYDIR

Set them to whatever the compilation output on Step 4. For instance during my compilation, here is the final output :

The Boost C++ Libraries were successfully built!

The following directory should be added to compiler include paths:

C:\Users\Angus\Downloads\boost_1_64_0

The following directory should be added to linker library paths:

C:\Users\Angus\Downloads\boost_1_64_0\stage\lib"

So you will set the 2 vars :

set BOOST_ROOT=C:\Users\Angus\Downloads\boost_1_64_0
set BOOST_LIBRARYDIR=C:\Users\Angus\Downloads\boost_1_64_0\stage\lib

Note : these variables are set only for this prompt. If you want to set them permanently, go to the Advanced System Settings and set the two new vars.

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Step 6 - Install virtualenv (Optional but recommanded)

• Install virtualenv by running :

pip install virtualenv

• Create a virtualenv by running :

virtualenv dlib-venv

• Then activate it with :

dlib-venv\Scripts\activate

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Step 6 (bis) - Install the wheel package (it you are not in a virtualenv)

• Install the wheel package by running :

pip install wheel

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Step 7 - Create the dlib wheel

• If it's not already done, download the last Dlib archive on the Dlib home page and extract it somewhere
• Go inside the dlib directory you just extracted and run :

python setup.py bdist_wheel

After it's finished, that's it, your wheel should have been created ! Go to the newly created dist directory and you should find the file dlib-X.Y.Z-cp27-cp27m-win_amd64.whl file which you can install where you want.