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Image recognition and classification with Cloud Vision

Science & Technology

Introduction

In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up your project and utilizing Google Cloud Vision API for image recognition and classification. Follow the steps below to get started.

Setting Up Your Google Cloud Project

  1. Create a Google Cloud Project:

    • Navigate to the Google Cloud Console.
    • Select an existing project or create a new cloud project.
    • Ensure that billing is enabled for your project. You can learn how to confirm this through the links provided in the Google Cloud documentation.

  2. Enable the Cloud Vision API:

    • Go to the APIs & Services dashboard in your Google Cloud Console.
    • Search for and enable the Cloud Vision API.

Creating a Cloud Storage Bucket

  1. Access Cloud Storage:

    • In the cloud console, go to the Cloud Storage browser page.
    • Click on the “Create Bucket” button.

  2. Configure the Bucket:

    • Assign a unique name to your bucket. Note that bucket names are globally unique and publicly visible; avoid including any sensitive information.
    • Select the location where the bucket data will be stored.
    • For the default storage class, select “Standard”.
    • Click on “Create” to finalize your bucket.

Uploading an Image to Your Bucket

  1. Download the Demo Image:

    • Get the demo image linked below.

  2. Upload the Image:

    • In the Cloud Storage browser, select the bucket you just created.
    • Click on the “Upload Files” option and select the demo image JPEG file from your local machine.

  3. Share the Uploaded Image Publicly:

    • After the file is uploaded, it will appear in the Cloud Storage browser. Make sure to share the image publicly for it to be accessible.

Making Requests to the Cloud Vision API

  1. Open the API Explorer:

    • Utilize the interactive API Explorer template found in the guide linked below.

  2. Adjust the Template:

    • Replace cloud-samples-data/vision in the image source image URI field with your bucket name and the name of the demo image JPEG file uploaded.

  3. Execute the Request:

    • Click on “Execute” to send your request to the service.

  4. View Response:

    • The JSON response will appear, confirming that you've successfully made your first image annotation request to the Cloud Vision API.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You now have the foundational knowledge to leverage Google Cloud Vision API for image recognition and classification tasks. For further learning, refer to the cloud documentation for specific features, example annotations, and get additional annotations for any specific file or image.

Keywords

  • Google Cloud Project
  • Cloud Vision API
  • Cloud Storage Bucket
  • Image Upload
  • JSON Response
  • Image Annotation

FAQ

1. What is Google Cloud Vision API?
Google Cloud Vision API is a service that allows developers to integrate image recognition capabilities into their applications, including image labeling, explicit content detection, and more.

2. How do I create a Cloud Storage bucket?
You can create a Cloud Storage bucket by accessing the Cloud Console, selecting the Cloud Storage browser, clicking on "Create Bucket", and then configuring the bucket settings as needed.

3. Can I share my bucket publicly?
Yes, you can share your cloud storage bucket publicly; however, make sure to manage permissions properly to ensure your sensitive data remains secure.

4. What should I do if my billing is not enabled?
If billing is not enabled, you can visit the billing section of the Google Cloud Console to set up a billing account.

5. How do I make an image annotation request?
To make an image annotation request, use the interactive API Explorer, update the image source URI with your bucket name and image file, and then execute the request to get the response.