1. A method for analyzing an image by a machine vision system that has a computer with one or more processors, said method comprising: providing software that includes a plurality of tool routines which are individually selectable by a user and which perform different image analysis functions, wherein at least one tool routine is capable of using more than one processor simultaneously to analyze an image; creating a machine vision application program by selecting certain ones of the plurality of tool routines, including the at least one tool routine; designating a maximum number of processors on the computer that are available for executing a machine vision application program thereby producing a maximum number designation, wherein the maximum number may be less than a total number of processors on the computer; and executing the machine vision application program wherein each tool routine is configured to use simultaneously as many processors as that respective tool routine requires, up to maximum number of processors.