1. A method for automatically adapting illumination light in a vision system to a color of a part feature against a part feature background of a part being viewed by said vision system, comprising: selecting an untested available illumination color; setting said illumination light in said vision system to said selected illumination color; measuring a contrast level between said part feature and said part feature background; recording said measured contrast level; determining whether any untested available illumination colors remain; repeating said selecting step through said determining step if any untested available illumination colors remain; selecting from said recorded measured contrast levels at least one illumination color that meets acceptable contrast criteria; and setting said illumination light in said vision system to said selected illumination color that meets acceptable contrast criteria.