Rockncoder/opencv

build an opencv app on m1 mac using c++, cmake, and brew

OpenCV C++ Development on Apple Silicon Macs using VS Code

19 November 2023

This is based on project is based on Elliotcodes YouTube video How to Setup OpenCV for C++ on Visual Studio Code (MacOS) https://youtu.be/Ozc3zWJ_NhQ?si=kJsDgmfhg79IAQvg. This project adds a few bits which make using OpenCV or any other modern C++ project easier on the Mac.

• It uses the still experimental but nonetheless excellent CMake extension for VS Code. (Version is 0.0.17 at time of writing)
  • CMake does all of the grunt work of finding libraries that you have installed. You don't have to create and configure tasks.json or c_cpp_properties.json.
• It includes a video and it is of me of course, talking about Android development in 2012.

Install Software

1. You should have the following already installed on your Mac:
   1. Xcode, from Mac App Store,  -> App Store
   2. Be sure to install Xcode command line extensions.
      1. Open the Terminal app and enter:
      2. xcode-select --install
   3. Homebrew: go to https://brew.sh/
   4. Use brew to install:
      1. cmake, brew install cmake
      2. pkg-config, brew install pkg-config
      3. opencv, brew install opencv
   5. Visual Studio Code: go to https://code.visualstudio.com/download

Install Essential Extensions:

• Main Tools
  • C/C++
  • C/C++ Extension Pack
  • C/C++ Themes
  • CMake Tools
  • CMake
• Check each extension to be sure it is Enabled.

Install Optional Extensions:

• Docker and Remote Tools (Not needed for this app but useful to have)
  • Dev Containers
  • Docker
  • Remote - SSH
  • Remote - SSH: Editing Configuration Files
  • Remote Explore

Building, Debugging, and Running

1. CMake: Select a Kit,
   1. Select: Clang 13.0.0
   2. This will create a build folder
2. CMake: Select a Variant
   1. Select Debug (typical while developing)
3. CMake: Configure
4. Build