Unveiling OpenCV Installation on CentOS 7
Welcome to the expansive realm of computer vision! The landscape where pixels whisper the language of analysis and interpretation, unraveling the mysteries of visual data. To embark on this journey, one needs a trusty companion, OpenCV, a robust library revered for its prowess in image and video analysis. However, navigating the labyrinth of installation, particularly on CentOS 7, demands meticulous guidance. Fear not, for this blog post shall serve as your guiding light, illuminating the path to seamlessly installing OpenCV on this stalwart Linux distribution.
Unveiling the Prerequisites
Before diving into the realm of OpenCV, the journey begins with preparatory steps. The initial ritual involves updating and upgrading the system packages. Launch the terminal, summon the command deities – ‘sudo yum update’ and ‘sudo yum upgrade’. Let the digital realm synchronize its essence, ensuring your CentOS 7 is ready for the OpenCV pilgrimage.
Once the system nods in compliance, it craves the elixir of development tools and libraries. Traverse into the terminal again, intone ‘sudo yum groupinstall “Development Tools”‘ to summon the arsenal required for compiling and building OpenCV. The incantation continues with ‘sudo yum install epel-release’ to beckon the EPEL repository, a treasure trove for supplementary packages. Gaze upon this preparatory stage as the foundation upon which the cathedral of OpenCV shall rise.
The Pythonic Conjuring:
Installing Python and its Virtual Environment
Ah, Python, the serpentine language, slithering through the realm of programming with elegance and precision. To beckon OpenCV into this domain, the Pythonic essence must intertwine with CentOS 7. Begin by summoning Python and its vassal, pip, using ‘sudo yum install python3 python3-pip’. Witness the installation dance in the terminal’s abyss, ensuring Python 3’s arrival into your realm.
Yet, the sanctum of OpenCV craves an isolated space, a haven untainted by external influences. Thus, the creation of a Python virtual environment becomes imperative. Invoke its creation through ‘python3 -m venv cv_env’, establishing a sheltered sanctuary where OpenCV shall thrive without interference. Activate this sanctified space using ‘source cv_env/bin/activate’, entwining your essence with the virtual realm, a prelude to the grand OpenCV invocation.
Commencing the Ritual:
Obtaining OpenCV
The moment of revelation beckons as the time has come to fetch the sacred artifact – OpenCV. Traverse the realms of the internet, seek the source of OpenCV’s power, and embark on a journey through the digital wilderness to acquire the coveted archive. With the terminal as your compass, navigate to the OpenCV repository, unleashing the command ‘wget -O opencv.zip https://github.com/opencv/opencv/archive/master.zip’. Feel the anticipation as the repository archive materializes within your realm.
Ah, but the quest remains incomplete without its twin, the OpenCV extra modules. Engage in a symphony of commands, summoning the additional arsenal with ‘wget -O opencv_contrib.zip https://github.com/opencv/opencv_contrib/archive/master.zip’. Witness the convergence of these forces, the repository and its supplementary modules, as they await your beckoning to unleash their potential within your CentOS 7 kingdom.
The Grand Unveiling:
Compiling and Installing OpenCV
The convergence of preparation, Pythonic synergy, and the repository’s essence culminates in the final incantation – the compilation and installation of OpenCV. Traverse into the depths of the terminal, invoking ‘unzip opencv.zip’ and ‘unzip opencv_contrib.zip’ to unfurl the repository’s fabric. As the threads of code unveil themselves, traverse into the opencv directory, invoking the command ‘mkdir build && cd build’ to craft the chamber where OpenCV shall manifest its power.
With the stage set, the ritual progresses with the invocation of the CMake tool, an arcane instrument that orchestrates the compilation symphony. Emit the command ‘cmake -D CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=RELEASE -D CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/usr/local -D OPENCV_EXTRA_MODULES_PATH=../../opencv_contrib-master/modules -D PYTHON_EXECUTABLE=cv_env/bin/python -D BUILD_EXAMPLES=ON ..’ and witness the compilation spellbindingly take form.
The crescendo approaches as the compilation culminates, invoking the ‘make’ command to breathe life into the code. Behold as the lines of code meld into a tangible entity, invoking ‘make -j4’ to expedite this transformation. And finally, with bated breath, channel the command ‘sudo make install’ to anoint your CentOS 7 kingdom with the essence of OpenCV.
This is merely a glimpse into the intricate dance of OpenCV installation on CentOS 7. The journey is adorned with challenges and revelations, but fear not, for this guide shall serve as your trusted compendium, unveiling the arcane rites of installation within the captivating world of computer vision.
