doughtmw / NuGet-Package-Creation

How to build OpenCV binaries and pack into a NuGet package for easy consumption in Visual Studio.

NuGet package creation

Building packages

Easiest method to create packages is using the Microsoft provided tool. To create a new NuGet package:

1. Download the NuGet Package Explorer
2. Open the NuGet Package Explorer, select the create a new package
3. Structure the project as below
4. Add .lib files under the native folder for both x64, x86, ARM, and ARM64 binaries
5. Add .dll files under the runtimes folder for x64, x86, ARM, and ARM64 binaries
6. Add .h include files under the include folder
7. Save package, import into Visual Studio project for testing

Sample layout for a project with Id: OpenCV.HoloLens (targets file must have same name as NuGet pack)

Build OpenCV from source for HoloLens 1 (x86) or HoloLens 2 (ARM) UWP

Use the provided OpenCV.HoloLens.targets file as a template, where you will need to update the .targets file for any additional .lib and .dll additions.

Build OpenCV from source using CMake. Configure project as below:

Specify the extra modules path if you'd like to install additional modules, Configure then Generate:

Specify the modules which you are likely to use. For my purposes, these included:

aruco
calib3d
core
features2d
flann
imgcodecs
imgproc

Disable all other modules in CMake and confirm the modules which are to be built.

Open Visual Studio solution after running Generate in CMake. Build the project (or whatever module you would like to use). Copy output .dll files, .lib files and include files to the NuGet package and update the .targets file.

Copy output files (.lib, .dll, includes) from OpenCV\Build\(bin\lib\include) to the relevant folders of the NuGet package tool.