A method and system create a geometric object model for use in machine vision inspection. A pixel image representation of an object is acquired. Based on this pixel image representation, part models for the parts of the object are generated. Each part model corresponds to a different part of the object. From the part models of the object, a model for the entire object can be created. Using this created object model, a test inspection is performed on a set of test images, and each of the test images is associated with a set of known inspection measurements. The test inspection produces a set of testing inspection measurements. If the test inspection yields satisfactory performance, the object models created are stored.