A Complete Guide to Installing openCV on WSL + Ubuntu 20.04 with Python 3.8 Using Anaconda

Discover the step-by-step process to install `openCV` on WSL + Ubuntu 20.04 with Python 3.8 using Anaconda, ensuring seamless functionality for your projects.
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A Complete Guide to Installing openCV on WSL + Ubuntu 20.04 with Python 3.8 Using Anaconda

If you're working on computer vision projects, you might find yourself needing to install openCV, a powerful library that provides tools for image and video processing. Installing openCV on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) with Ubuntu 20.04 and Python 3.8 can be a little tricky, especially when using Anaconda or Miniconda. This guide aims to help you overcome these installation hurdles by providing a clear, step-by-step guide based on user experiences.

Understanding the Problem

Many users, including those running WSL with Ubuntu 20.04, have encountered issues trying to install openCV with Python 3.8. Given that there are multiple ways to install Python libraries, confusion often arises with dependencies and version compatibility. In particular, users might wonder about the support for Python 3.8 or struggle with the Conda environment management.

To illustrate this, here's a common scenario:

User tries to install openCV using Miniconda but runs into issues.

They research online and find conflicting information regarding openCV support for Python 3.8.

Users seek assistance from community forums to find solutions.

But fear not! There is a way to successfully install openCV using pip in a Conda virtual environment. Let's break down the solution step-by-step.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Follow these steps to get openCV installed on your WSL Ubuntu setup.

Step 1: Create a New Conda Environment

Open your terminal.

Run the following command to create a new environment, replacing env_name with your preferred name:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Activate your newly created environment:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Install Pip in Your Conda Environment

After creating the environment, you need to ensure you have pip installed within it:

Execute the following command to install pip:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Locate Your Environment Folder

You need to navigate to the folder where your virtual environment is located. By default, it can typically be found at:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Make sure to replace $USER with your actual username, and env_name with the name you chose in Step 1.

Step 4: Install openCV Using Pip

Finally, to install openCV, run the following command directly from the terminal while still within the activated environment:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

After this command is executed, openCV will be installed, and you should be ready to begin working on your computer vision projects!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully installed openCV on WSL using Ubuntu 20.04 with Python 3.8 and Anaconda. If you encounter any issues during installation, double-check each step and ensure that your environment is activated properly. Having access to openCV in your development environment opens up many possibilities in the realm of image processing and machine learning.

With this guide, you should now feel more confident navigating the installation process. Happy coding!