To install SimpleCV for python you'll need to start by installing the other libraries it depends on. Use apt-get: ~ $ sudo apt-get install python-opencv python-scipy python-numpy python-pip Next, ~ $ sudo pip install https://github.com/ingenuitas/SimpleCV/zipball/master Next, ~ $ vim simplewebcam.py put the following code in it and save. from SimpleCV import Camera, Display from time import sleep myCamera = Camera(prop_set={'width':640,'height':480}) myDisplay = Display(resolution=(640,480)) while not myDisplay.isDone(): myCamera.getImage().save(myDisplay) sleep(.1) ~ $ python simplewebcam.py then you can see the screen pop-out