OpenCV 2.1.0 with Visual Studio 2008

These instructions were tested with Visual C++ 9.0 (as part of Visual Studio 2008 Professional). These instructions should work without modification with Visual Studio 2005 and 2003. Modifications may be necessary for Visual Studio Express editions. These instructions do not apply to Visual Studio 2010 which uses a different system for setting VC configuration.
There exists a short walkthrough video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nPpa_WiArI

Install OpenCV

Download the OpenCV 2.1.0 Windows installer from SourceForge - "OpenCV-2.1.0-win32-vs2008.exe".
Install it to a folder, say "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\OpenCV210\". This article will refer to this path as $openCVDir
During installation check the option to add it to your Current User PATH

Configure Visual Studio

Open VC++ Directories configuration: Tools > Options > Projects and Solutions > VC++ Directories
Choose "Show directories for: Include files"
1. Add "$openCVDir\include\opencv"
Choose "Show directories for: Library files"
1. Add "$openCVDir\lib"
Choose "Show directories for: Source files"
1. Add "$openCVDir\src\cv"
2. Add "$openCVDir\src\cvaux"
3. Add "$openCVDir\src\cxcore"
4. Add "$openCVDir\src\highgui"

Configure your Project

After you've created a project you'll need to add the OpenCV dependencies.

Open Project Properties: Project > %projectName% Properties...
Open Linker Input properties: Configuration Properties > Linker > Input
Open the "..." window to edit "Additional Dependencies" and on each line put:
1. "cv210.lib"
2. "cxcore210.lib"
3. "highgui210.lib"
4. And any other lib file necessary for your project
Your project should now build. If you get any errors try restarting Visual Studio and then doing a clean Rebuild.

OpenCV 1.x with Visual Studio 2003

The set of instructions below is tested with Visual C++ 2003. It will also work with some modification under Visual C++ 6.0 and Visual C++ 2005, 2008 Express Edition.

To create your own OpenCV-based project in Visual Studio do the following:

Linking DLLs:

To permanantly include necessary dll files, add "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\bin" to PATH by visiting Advanced tab in System of Windows (the locate of directory might be different).
One can just copy necessary dll files into project directory with source files.
It might be required to restart Visual C++ when execution of instance failes after successful build.

Customize Global Options:

Open the Visual C++ .Net Application. In the menu bar, select Tools->Options
In the listing, choose Projects->VC++ Directories.
First, select Library files from the "Show Directories for" List Box.
Click the Insert New icon, and locate the folder where you have installed opencv.
Consider that it is installed in "C:/Program Files/OpenCV".
In the Library files list, locate and add:

"C:\Program Files\OpenCV\lib"

Now choose Include files in the list box, and locate and add the following directories:

        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cv\include"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cxcore\include"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\otherlibs\highgui"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cvaux\include"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\otherlibs\_graphics\include"

Next, choose source files in the list box, and locate and add the following directories:

        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cv\src"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cxcore\src"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cvaux\src"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\otherlibs\highgui"
        "C:\Program Files\OpenCV\otherlibs\_graphics\src"

Now click OK in the Options dialog.
You have successfully configured the global settings.

Create New Project:

Within Developer Studio create new application:
Select from menu "File"->"New..."->"Projects" tab.
Choose "Win32 Application" or "Win32 console application" - the latter is the easier variant and both the sample projects have this type.

Type the project name and choose location
Click Ok.. In the Application Wizard, Just click Finish.

After the above steps done Developer Studio will create the project folder (by default it has the same name as the project), <project name>.vcproj file, Solution <project name>.sln and, Three Source files: <project name>.cpp, stdafx.cpp and stdafx.h. StdAfx files are precompiled header files, which can be very useful if you want to reduce the compilation time.
For example, consider that we have created a new "Hello" Project. Open the Hello.cpp file, and include the OpenCV-related #include directives:

                    #include <cv.h>
                    #include <cxcore.h>
                    #include <highgui.h>

Note that these should be included after stdafx.h or you may get build errors.
Now Type some OpenCV code, and Build the Solution by pressing the F7 Key. There should be linker errors.
Add dependency projects into workspace
Choose from menu: "Project" -> "Properties".
Choose "Linker" tab -> "Input" category -> "Additional Dependencies:". Add the paths to all necessary import libraries (cxcore[d].lib cv[d].lib highgui[d].lib cvaux[d].lib cvcam[d].lib)
- Note: The debug versions are available only when you Build the Visual C++ .NET solution provided with the OpenCV installation.

If the build process complains about a missing 'windows.h' header file, then you'll need to install the latest version of the Microsoft Windows SDK.
. That's it!.. Now Build and Run the application using F5 key and enjoy OpenCV!

If you have any queries regarding this, try posting at OpenCV Yahoo! Groups.