# Cognex ViDi Tools and Concepts

The Cognex ViDi deep learning software is used to train a vision-optimized deep neural network (VODNN), based on a labeled image set. The trained network can do the following:

- Locate and identify features in images.
- Locate and read characters and strings in images.
- Identify, locate and characterize defects in images.
- Classify images.

The operation of the ViDi tools is divided into two phases.

1. Training phase: This is where the tools analyze the labeled, training image set and the network is trained.
2. Runtime phase: This is where the tools operate on input images and produce markings based on their training data.

The topics in this section provide an overview of the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) you use to program the ViDi tools in Designer, and the concepts that underlie the ViDi tools and the ViDi Sub Task Block.