The book covers the fundamentals of both 2D and 3D Computer Vision and theirmost widespread industrial applications, such as automated inspection, robotguidance and workpiece acquistion. The level of explanation is that of an unusual introductory text, in the sense that, besides the basic material, some punctuate advanced topics are included in each chapter, together with an extensive bibliography for experts to follow up. The book was carefully planned so as to cover the different aspects of Computer Vision evenly and following a unified line of exposition. The result has been that the book is not biased towards any particular topic or approach. Well-known experts on each of the topics were appointed to write a chapter under the guidelines provided by the editor. The chapters were revised by the editor to ensure homogeneity and coherence. In short, the book has the rigour and balance of a single-author textbook, but without losing the benefits derived from the variety of outlooks characteristic of multi-author volumes. Readers will acquire a solid background on the techniques used at the successive stages of the vision process, as well as a broad view of the possibilities of applying this new technology in industry.