> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL. > For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/llms.txt. > For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.stereolabs.com/_mcp/server. # Getting Started with ZED SDK The **ZED SDK** is the core software for developing applications with the ZED stereo camera. It provides the tools, libraries, and APIs needed to access the camera's features. ## Key Features * [**High Resolution Image Capture**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/): Capture high-res, high frame rate images with ISP for clear, detailed results. * [**Inertial Data Integration**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/): Integrate IMUs for improved motion tracking and stability. * [**Real-Time 3D Perception**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/depth-sensing/): Enable real-time depth perception for 3D-aware applications. * [**Localization**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/): Tools to localize the camera within its environment. * [**Global Positioning**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/): GPS integration for location-aware applications. * [**Spatial Mapping**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/spatial-mapping/): Create detailed 3D maps for robotics, navigation, and AR. * [**Robust Object Detection**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/object-detection/): Built-in AI for real-time object detection and tracking. * [**Body Tracking**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/body-tracking/): Track human bodies for gesture recognition and interactive experiences. * [**Multi-Camera Fusion**](/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/fusion/): Use multiple ZED cameras for enhanced spatial understanding. * **Multi-Language Support**: [C++](/docs/development/api-languages/cpp/), [Python](/docs/development/api-languages/python), [C#](/docs/development/api-languages/csharp), and [C](/docs/development/api-languages/c). * [**Seamless Integration**](/docs/integrations): Works with popular development environments and frameworks. * **Extensive Documentation**: Comprehensive docs and tutorials. ## Getting Started 1. **Install the SDK**: [Download](https://www.stereolabs.com/developers/release) and install from the [official website](https://www.stereolabs.com/developers/release). * **Windows**: [Installation guide](/docs/development/zed-sdk/windows/) * **Linux**: [Installation guide](/docs/development/zed-sdk/linux/) * **NVIDIA® Jetson™**: [Installation guide](/docs/development/zed-sdk/linux/work-with-nvidia-jetson/) 2. **Check Your Camera**: Run [ZED Explorer](/docs/development/zed-tools/zed-explorer/) to check that your camera is detected and streams video. On Linux it is located in `/usr/local/zed/tools/`, on Windows in `C:\Program Files (x86)\ZED SDK\tools\`. 3. **Set Up Your Development Environment**: Pick the language you want to work with and set up its tooling. * **Python**: Install the [Python API](/docs/development/api-languages/python) (`pyzed`) with the `get_python_api.py` script shipped with the SDK. * **C++**: Configure your IDE and CMake project as described in the [C++ setup guide](/docs/development/api-languages/cpp/). * **C# / C**: See the [C#](/docs/development/api-languages/csharp) and [C](/docs/development/api-languages/c) API pages. 4. **Explore Examples and Tutorials**: Follow the [tutorials](/docs/tutorials/) to open the camera, retrieve images and depth, and use the SDK modules from your own code, then check the [examples](/docs/development/api-languages/samples). 5. **Refer to Documentation**: Use the docs to learn features and APIs, and the [Release Notes](/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes) to see what changed in each version. 6. **Start Building**: Develop your application using the ZED SDK. ## API Languages The ZED SDK provides APIs in the following languages: | C++ | Python | C# | C | | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | | [![C++](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32394882/229499695-c71857a2-eded-4171-8185-4e522d5b6c71.png)](https://www.stereolabs.com/docs/api/) | [![Python](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32394882/229499718-c66c3649-d139-48e5-8523-65b23a120440.png)](https://www.stereolabs.com/docs/api/python/) | [![C#](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32394882/229499667-5e4c4d72-1140-4eda-b206-d9f95c93c15c.png)](https://www.stereolabs.com/docs/api/csharp) | [![C](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/32394882/229499672-9b5308a2-3294-4818-84c5-07f84834a6d9.png)](https://www.stereolabs.com/docs/api/c/) | ## Integrations ZED cameras interface with third-party libraries and environments: | | Integration | Description | Links | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ![](/_fern-img/dde125a0708e7135b4b62633f834e04dcd01415badb478a9370df27bd1807c0f.webp) | [ZED Docker](/docs/integrations/docker/) | Shows how to run the ZED SDK in a Docker container. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-docker), [DockerHub](https://hub.docker.com/r/stereolabs/zed/) | | ![](/_fern-img/069dcc27174f10f24f50f848559dc723ef915b7c498ee2dee25cd61b714b57f3.webp) | [ZED ROS 2](/docs/integrations/ros-2/) | Provides access to ZED data through ROS 2 topics and services. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-ros2-wrapper) | | ![](/_fern-img/df5b6cad9d367657c4db580fe4b9be05f5f3cd8508ec09459d3ed3558983ea18.webp) | [ZED Isaac™ ROS](/docs/integrations/isaac-ros/) | Use a ZED Camera with Isaac™ ROS and leverage NITROS communication. | [Doc](/docs/integrations/isaac-ros) | | ![](/_fern-img/1f540e85ce6df90725484db257b6b4b223334517c28c4cc08cfa0db4e6273e5c.webp) | [ZED Isaac™ Sim](/docs/integrations/isaac-sim/) | Simulate ZED cameras with NVIDIA Omniverse™ Isaac™ Sim. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-isaac-sim) | | ![](/_fern-img/e4f4758cfd70c5de38c13204df9a129907b1c07c4957d8d2c75f07815404902b.webp) | [ZED Foxglove](/docs/integrations/foxglove/) | Shows how to use Foxglove with ZED cameras. | [Doc](/docs/integrations/foxglove/) | | ![](/_fern-img/24575affd576e644067be61de227cbbf6bf053581454dcdab1313bf565e03eeb.webp) | [ZED YOLO](/docs/integrations/yolo) | Uses ZED SDK and YOLO object detection for 3D location of objects. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-yolo) | | ![](/_fern-img/702326b7137a57b77be5e906e1a71dfccbc023bf507f8ece5f12ba0438adbcd3.webp) | [ZED Unity Plugin](/docs/integrations/unity/) | Access ZED SDK features in Unity. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-unity/releases/) | | ![](/_fern-img/343514f15548cc6e8d5432b654946c1188cdbe6d4c339c2061e921049646b969.webp) | [ZED UE5 Plugin](/docs/integrations/unreal-engine-5/) | Access ZED SDK features in Unreal Engine 5. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-UE5) | | ![](/_fern-img/d88bf2370016d1fa9a8a8a36a11a3860346a24499819a9517b152dde4dc3feb7.webp) | [ZED GStreamer](/docs/integrations/gstreamer/) | Plugins to use ZED and SDK in a GStreamer pipeline. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-gstreamer) | | ![](/_fern-img/b9b2e3befacc496c71c595782082d2f66baa5cd527309b7d4d65717f36f36e32.webp) | [TouchDesigner](https://docs.derivative.ca/ZED) | Plugins to use ZED and SDK with TouchDesigner by Derivative. | [ZED TOP](https://docs.derivative.ca/ZED_TOP) - [ZED CHOP](https://docs.derivative.ca/ZED_CHOP) - [ZED POP](https://docs.derivative.ca/ZED_POP) | | ![](/_fern-img/9990995b1feed1a87845644c475aad7641c89ab26130674c542c127982358ce7.webp) | [ZED OpenCV](/docs/integrations/opencv/) | Capture image, depth, and point cloud and convert to OpenCV format. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-opencv) | | ![](/_fern-img/0207b1f196773e02b8456ad5efb2c74e8debf3840ea411ec8183aca9bb4802d9.webp) | [ZED PyTorch](/docs/integrations/pytorch/) | Uses ZED SDK and PyTorch for 3D object detection and segmentation. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-pytorch) | | ![](/_fern-img/46af2da9bef2f181731f548dc09f348b023c5952006fe56b7641c77ff001a3c8.webp) | [ZED MATLAB](/docs/integrations/matlab/) | Enables utilization of ZED SDK within MATLAB. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-matlab) | | ![](/_fern-img/2f6276d7c9eaa3042da5fbb331c71f9e02d95502ecc100c3d5a482c944e9f7a2.webp) | [ZED OpenPose](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-openpose) | Real-time multi-person 3D pose detection with OpenPose. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-openpose) | | ![](/_fern-img/a48a072a236ec295712ff42e3d9fdd39f41062b310a3934fff94e2da493ec108.webp) | [ZED OpenGL](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-opengl) | Use GPU memory to display camera images and depth with OpenGL. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-opengl) | | ![](/_fern-img/e99d4a2f497a48e289a7678bb70158397d09a2f42332b31632f9b030ff77d9de.webp) | [ZED Aruco](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-aruco) | Track or relocalize camera position using Aruco marker. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-aruco) | | ![](/_fern-img/d66642ff3e705ec2cd0d166e630181dcd931424550fe577de8c0c56aedbdfc7d.webp) | [ZED PCL](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-pcl) | Acquire and display 3D point cloud with PCL. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-pcl) | | ![](/_fern-img/ed38a6401c5a60a45eda140fba4daeb56067b22510dcb7f9d0b872aadb7e2690.webp) | [ZED ROS](/docs/integrations/ros/) | Provides access to ZED data through ROS topics and services. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-ros-wrapper) | | ![](/_fern-img/9814b18b933bca2e41bf65838ba0004788414cd28cbb48d6481fa7db436aadf8.webp) | [ZED OpenNI2](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-openni) | OpenNI2 driver for ZED stereo camera family. | [GitHub](https://github.com/stereolabs/zed-openni) | ## Docs - [Recommended Specifications for ZED SDK](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/specifications.md) - [How to Install ZED SDK on Windows](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/windows.md) - [How to Install ZED SDK on Linux](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/linux.md) - [How to Install ZED SDK on NVIDIA® Jetson™](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/linux/work-with-nvidia-jetson.md) - [Using the ZED SDK with a Virtual Display on NVIDIA® Jetson™](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/linux/work-with-nvidia-jetson/virtual-display-headless-mode.md) - [Running ZED SDK in a Docker Container](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/use-with-docker.md) - [ZED SDK Modules](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules.md) - [Camera Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera.md) - [Camera Controls](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/camera-controls.md) - [Frame Rate and Latency](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/frame-rate-and-latency.md): Set the camera grab rate and minimize the glass-to-glass latency - [Camera Calibration](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/camera-calibration.md) - [Video Recording](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/recording.md) - [Local Video Streaming](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/local-network-streaming.md) - [Setting Up Multiple 3D Cameras](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/multi-camera.md) - [Using the Video API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/camera/using-the-api.md) - [Sensors Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors.md) - [IMU Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/imu.md) - [Magnetometer Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/magnetometer.md) - [Barometer Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/barometer.md) - [Temperature Sensors Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/temperature-sensors.md) - [Sensors Time Synchronization](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/time-synchronization.md) - [Using the Sensors API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/sensors/using-the-api.md) - [Depth Sensing Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/depth-sensing.md) - [Depth Modes](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/depth-sensing/depth-modes.md) - [Depth Settings](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/depth-sensing/depth-settings.md) - [Using the Depth Sensing API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/depth-sensing/using-the-api.md) - [Positional Tracking Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking.md) - [Positional Tracking Modes](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/modes.md) - [Positional Tracking Settings](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/settings.md) - [Positional Tracking Status](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/status-monitoring.md) - [Area Memory & VSLAM Mapping](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/vslam-mapping-tutorial.md) - [Coordinate Frames](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/coordinate-frames.md) - [Using the Positional Tracking API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/positional-tracking/using-the-api.md) - [Global Localization Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization.md) - [Setting up GNSS / RTK on Linux](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/setting-up-gnss-rtk.md) - [Data Synchronization](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/data-synchronization.md) - [VIO GNSS calibration](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/vio-gnss-calibration.md) - [Coordinate Systems](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/coordinate-systems.md) - [Troubleshooting](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/global-localization/troubleshooting.md) - [Spatial Mapping Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/spatial-mapping.md) - [Using the Spatial Mapping API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/spatial-mapping/using-the-api.md) - [Plane Detection Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/spatial-mapping/plane-detection.md) - [3D Object Detection Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/object-detection.md) - [Using the Object Detection API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/object-detection/using-the-api.md) - [Using the Object Detection API with a Custom Detector](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/object-detection/custom-object-detection.md) - [Body Tracking Overview](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/body-tracking.md) - [Using the Body Tracking API](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/body-tracking/using-the-api.md) - [Fusion](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/modules/fusion.md) - [ZED SDK Release Notes](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes.md): New features, improvements and bug fixes of every ZED SDK release - [ZED SDK 5.x](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.x releases - [ZED SDK 5.5](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-5.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.5.x series - [ZED SDK 5.4](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-4.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.4.x series - [ZED SDK 5.3](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-3.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.3.x series - [ZED SDK 5.2](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-2.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.2.x series - [ZED SDK 5.1](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-1.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.1.x series - [ZED SDK 5.0](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/5-x/5-0.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 5.0.x series - [ZED SDK 4.x](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/4-x.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 4.x releases - [ZED SDK 4.2](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/4-x/4-2.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 4.2.x series - [ZED SDK 4.1](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/4-x/4-1.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 4.1.x series - [ZED SDK 4.0](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/4-x/4-0.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 4.0.x series - [ZED SDK 3.x](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.x releases - [ZED SDK 3.8](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-8.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.8.x series - [ZED SDK 3.7](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-7.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.7.x series - [ZED SDK 3.6](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-6.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.6.x series - [ZED SDK 3.5](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-5.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.5.x series - [ZED SDK 3.4](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-4.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.4.x series - [ZED SDK 3.3](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-3.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.3.x series - [ZED SDK 3.2](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-2.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.2.x series - [ZED SDK 3.1](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-1.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.1.x series - [ZED SDK 3.0](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/3-x/3-0.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 3.0.x series - [ZED SDK 2.x](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.x releases - [ZED SDK 2.8](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-8.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.8.x series - [ZED SDK 2.7](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-7.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.7.x series - [ZED SDK 2.6](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-6.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.6.x series - [ZED SDK 2.5](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-5.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.5.x series - [ZED SDK 2.4](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-4.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.4.x series - [ZED SDK 2.3](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-3.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.3.x series - [ZED SDK 2.2](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-2.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.2.x series - [ZED SDK 2.1](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-1.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.1.x series - [ZED SDK 2.0](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/2-x/2-0.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 2.0.x series - [ZED SDK 1.x](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/1-x.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 1.x releases - [ZED SDK 1.2](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/1-x/1-2.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 1.2.x series - [ZED SDK 1.1](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/1-x/1-1.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 1.1.x series - [ZED SDK 1.0](https://docs.stereolabs.com/docs/development/zed-sdk/release-notes/1-x/1-0.md): Release notes of the ZED SDK 1.0.x series