Real-time detection and measurements of hot parts is desirable to permit real-time process control and automated part handling in harsh environments like forging and forming. The image processing platform described provides improved performance of Graphical User Interface (GUI), fast processing speed and integrity over industrial packages which are typically used in process control of forging processes or harsh manufacturing environments. A flexible, image processing software package for detecting objects in manufacturing environments has been developed at the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC). The software consists of a set of image processing tools, written in MFC/C++ and OpenCV for Windows platforms. The software provides a powerful flowchart-based GUI for designing image processing algorithms. AFRC's Image Processing Platform can be easily integrated with other industrial software packages like GE Proficy® using ActiveX technology. The package was successfully tested for real-time hot object detection inside a hot furnace in a forging environment.