Install dlib Python Package on Raspberry Pi Using piWheels

To install the dlib Python package on a Raspberry Pi, you can follow these steps. If you encounter issues with compiling dlib yourself, using piWheels can be a more straightforward and efficient method. This guide will walk you through both approaches, but we highly recommend using piWheels as it simplifies the process.

Using piWheels for dlib Installation

Thanks to the piWheels repository, you can install dlib without needing to compile it yourself. This is particularly useful if you are working on a Raspberry Pi model with limited resources, as compiling can be time-consuming.

Step 1: Ensure pip is Up-to-date

Before installing dlib, make sure that pip is up-to-date. Run the following command:

pip3 install --upgrade pip

Step 2: Install dlib via piWheels

Using piWheels, you can install dlib with a single command. Navigate to your terminal and run:

pip3 install dlib

This command works seamlessly on Raspbian Stretch (and newer versions) as piWheels is configured to be searched by default. If you are using an older version of Raspbian, you will need to download the appropriate wheel file and install it manually.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

To verify that dlib has been installed correctly, open a Python shell and import it:

python3 import dlib print(dlib.__version__)

If no errors occur and the version number is displayed, the installation was successful.

Compiling dlib from Source for Raspberry Pi

If you prefer to compile dlib from source, here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Update Your System

Start by updating your system to ensure all packages are up-to-date:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

You need to install several dependencies required for building dlib. Use the following command:

sudo apt install build-essential cmake gfortran python3-dev python3-pip libatlas-base-dev

Step 3: Install CMake

If you do not have CMake installed, you can install it using:

sudo apt install cmake

Step 4: Install dlib

Now, install dlib using pip. You can do this directly from the terminal:

pip3 install dlib

Step 5: Verify the Installation

To check if dlib is installed correctly, open a Python shell and try importing it:

python3 import dlib print(dlib.__version__)

If no errors occur and the version number is displayed, the installation was successful.

Additional Notes

If you encounter any issues during installation, ensure you have the latest version of pip by running pip3 install --upgrade pip.

Compiling dlib on a Raspberry Pi can be time-consuming, especially for models with limited resources. Consider optimizing your code and using lower resolution images to manage performance if you plan to use dlib for machine learning tasks.

If you need further assistance, feel free to ask!