# Getting Started

Cognex Designer is an integrated development environment for developing 2D and 3D machine vision applications. The software allows machine vision developers to create flexible solutions to complex machine vision challenges.

Leveraging over thirty years of vision engineering, Cognex Designer provides multi-camera support, drag-and-drop application and HMI development environments, high-speed discrete Input/Output and factory floor networking protocol support, and advanced scripting and user management features.

Watch the Crash Course video, step through the Getting Started Tutorial while viewing the accompanying Getting Started video.

Once you're familiar with the product, explore the Help file for more detail about the product's capabilities. The Help file:

- Walks you through the entire process of Developing a Cognex Designer Project
- Shows how to interact with other devices through Industrial Communications and Precision I/O
- Outlines how to perform specific tasks in the How To...section
- Assists you in deploying your project for use in other applications.