Abstract: A software-based solution for managing and communicating with any number of optical imaging platforms regardless of the manufacturer or of any device specific protocols implemented by those platforms. A user interface allows selection of the function of an attached optical imaging platform that is desired by a user. The selected function is mapped to an abstracted functional layer that is then translated into the appropriate command string according to the protocol of the attached optical imaging platform. Depending on the platform that is installed, only available functions are presented in the graphical user interface. For example, a user may test the operation of the platform before installing the platform in a machine vision system, download new software to the platform to correct problems or enhance functionality after it has been installed, or obtain captured images from the platform to review the effectiveness of image processing techniques.