Common Vision Blox - powerful, fast, modular
CVB combines cutting-edge acquisition capabilities, comprehensive image processing tools, and advanced machine learning to accelerate the development process of your machine vision solutions.
Download Common Vision Blox (CVB)
CVB supports both Windows and Linux for 32 and 64 bit. The fully implemented GenICam standard in conjunction with GigE Vision and USB3 Vision on all platforms provides complete hardware independence.
Key Advantages and Benefits
Seamless Integration
Interoperability to combine open-source libraries, multiple tools, custom code, and interfaces to build the best solution.
Future-proof Flexibility
True independence across platforms, hardware, programming languages and APIs enables maximum customisation and allows to cost efficiently evolve with technology.
Superior Acquisition Capabilities
Support for the latest acquisition technologies to maximize hardware capabilities, enabling state-of-the-art vision systems.
Cost-effective and Scalable
Accelerates your projects by eliminating repetitive coding tasks and utilizes a flexible licensing model customized for your specific requirements.
Advanced Machine Learning Capabilities
Fast AI-based OCR, search and classification tools requiring small training sets for fast and efficient development.
Extensive Development Resources
Comprehensive programming examples in multiple coding languages to help you develop your own application quickly and efficiently.
Get a 30 Day Software Trial License
Product Overview
Empowering Advanced Machine Vision Development
True Hardware and Platform Independence
Beyond a Typical SDK
Cutting-Edge Features and Capabilities
Flexible Architecture
High-Performance Processing
Go to our Product Finder and get your CVB Tools!
CVB Image Manager
CVB Image Manager is the basis for every Common Vision Blox application. With its open standard approach and unique functionality, it provides an excellent basis for custom algorithms and applications in industrial image processing.
CVB Foundation Package
CVB Foundation Package is a powerful entry package for developers that require general machine vision tools. The package includes the full functionality of CVB Image Manager together with a comprehensive set of general imaging algorithms.
CVB Polimago
CVB Polimago is an advanced ML tool for image-based search and classification, offering fast processing on Windows and Linux standard CPUs. It provides invariant pattern recognition, making it efficient for complex visual tasks.
CVB Match 3D
CVB Match 3D is a high-speed, high accuracy 3D inspection software for quality control in production environments that easily integrates with existing systems. It uses advanced algorithms to automatically align and compare 3D point clouds, eliminating the need for precise part positioning.
CVB Minos
CVB Minos is the ideal tool for complex recognition that excels in differentiating similar objects, OCR, and pattern detection in varying backgrounds with high speed, accuracy, and robustness across multiple platforms.
CVB Code Reader
Reliable decoding of 1D and 2D codes across all major symbologies, even under challenging conditions. Advanced algorithms handle damaged codes, poor contrast, and varying orientations with modern API design supporting C++, .NET, and Python for seamless integration into existing workflows.
CVB GEV Server
CVB GEV Server transforms any system into a standards-compliant GigE Vision camera, fusing data from multiple sources into unified streams. With full GEV 3.0 and GenDC support, it enables distributed vision networks and complex sensor integration whilst maintaining seamless compatibility with any GEV-compliant software platform.
How CVB's RDMA Integration Delivers 25Gbps+ Performance
CVB Integrations
Sherlock 8 GenICam Driver
- Support for all GenICam-compliant cameras without vendor lock-in
- Flexible configuration with automatic or manual camera setup
- Robust acquisition reliability with CVB's optimized performance
- Available with any valid CVB Image Manager or free CVB Camera Suite license
Third-Party SDK Compatibility
- OpenCV: Direct image exchange with OpenCV for advanced image processing algorithms
- TensorFlow/PyTorch: Seamless handoff between CVB acquisition and AI inference engines
- Halcon: Integration through GenICam standards for high-level machine vision processing
- Other GenTL Consumers: Compatibility with any GenICam-compliant software environment
Custom Application Integration
- C++/C#/.NET: Comprehensive libraries for Windows and Linux development
- Python: Full Python bindings with type hints for improved development experience
- Qt: Seamless integration with Qt for cross-platform GUI applications
Industry Solutions
- Manufacturing and Industrial Automation
- Logistics and Packaging
- Food and Beverage
- Healthcare and Medical Imaging
- Security and Surveillance
- Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring
- Robotics and Automation
- Machine vision specialists
- OEM customers for vertical applications
- Universities and research organisations
- End-users with a requirement for high performance vision tools
- Inexperienced end customers with the need for programming support from machine vision experts
Get started right away!
CVB Camera Suite is a powerful image acquisition software that covers the entire Image Manager feature-set. It supports multiple operating systems, programming languages and advanced features such as RoCEv2, multi-stream acquisition, and TurboDrive technology.
CVB empowers machine vision professionals to create high-performance, future-proof applications with unparalleled flexibility, reliability and efficiency.
Latest Release
Common Vision Blox 15.0, October 2025
Common Vision Blox 14.01, July 2024
EVIDENCE
Proven in production
80,000+
licences in practical use worldwide
COMMERICAL
Licensing
CVB is licensed modularly, so you pay for the components you use and add more as the application grows.
CVB Camera Suite
Free with every GigE Vision or USB3 Vision camera supplied by STEMMER IMAGING. Covers the complete Image Manager feature set.
Evaluation
CVB can be evaluated without a licence
Trial licence
30-day full trial
Licence types
Hardware-bound, floating development, or runtime
Terms
Permanent or subscription
Binding
Camera-bound for GigE Vision (MAC address) and USB3 Vision (serial number plus vendor ID). Not tied to the PC, and no dongle required.
NEXT STEPS
Get started with CVB
01
Download CVB
The full SDK, including sample programs in C++, .NET and Python.
02
Request your licence key
Free Camera Suite key for STEMMER IMAGING cameras, or a 30-day trial licence.
03
Run the Python samples
The fastest way to get images on screen and judge whether CVB fits your architecture.
04
Talk to an application engineer
The Technical Competence Centre supports feasibility questions, acquisition setup and architecture reviews.
RESOURCES
Documentation and support
Use-case driven structure with code examples for every supported language
Sample programs
Working examples in C++, .NET and Python, shipped with the SDK
Peer and STEMMER IMAGING support
First and second level support, with direct development team access for key accounts
Including RDMA in GigE Vision applications
Release notes
What changed in each version, including deprecated and removed features
Feature requests
Submitted through the regional wishlist process
Monthly newsletter covering CVB releases and machine vision technology
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Common Vision Blox used for?
CVB is used to build custom machine vision applications. Developers use it to acquire images from industrial cameras and to process them, either with CVB's own tools or with third-party libraries. Typical applications include inspection, measurement, code reading, robot guidance and 3D analysis.
Which cameras work with CVB?
Any camera compliant with GenICam, GigE Vision or USB3 Vision, regardless of manufacturer. CVB does not require a vendor-specific driver or SDK.
What is the difference between CVB and a camera manufacturer's SDK?
A manufacturer's SDK is optimised for that manufacturer's cameras. CVB is manufacturer-independent, so the same application code works across camera brands. This matters when hardware is discontinued, when a second source is required, or when a better-suited camera comes from a different vendor.
Does CVB support Linux and ARM?
Yes. CVB runs on Windows and Linux across x64 and ARM, including embedded targets, and supports Docker deployment on Linux guests.
Which programming languages does CVB support?
C, C++, .NET (C#, VB.NET, Visual C++) and Python.
Is CVB free with STEMMER IMAGING cameras?
Every GigE Vision and USB3 Vision camera supplied by STEMMER IMAGING includes a free CVB Camera Suite licence, which covers the complete Image Manager feature set.
Can I try CVB before buying?
Yes. CVB can be evaluated without a licence, and a 30-day full trial licence is available on request.
Does CVB include deep learning?
CVB includes CVB Polimago, a CPU-based machine learning module for search, classification and pose estimation that trains from small image sets and needs no GPU. For deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, CVB interfaces with them through the Python Scripting Engine rather than replacing them.
Does CVB provide an SBOM?
Yes. A CycloneDX-format software bill of materials is generated automatically during the CVB build process and delivered as a single machine-readable file per release, supporting compliance with the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
Do I need to change my application to use RDMA?
No. Existing CVB applications benefit from RDMA performance once the feature is enabled, with no code changes required.
Start building with CVB
Download the SDK, request a licence key, or bring an acquisition problem to the Technical Competence Centre.
Benefit from our expertise
Turn our industry expertise and comprehensive services into your competitive advantage. Our experts will be happy to show you the potential for your company and work with you to realise tailor-made solutions to suit your requirements. We look forward to hearing from you and will get back to you promptly.