This guide walks you through integrating the CreativeEditor SDK (CE.SDK) into a Vanilla JS project using a manual download via CDN and an ES module import. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a functional CE.SDK instance running locally, imported as a JavaScript module.
Who is This Guide For?#
This guide is for developers who:
- Are using Vanilla JavaScript (without frameworks like React, Vue, or Angular).
- Prefer a manual download via IMG.LY’s CDN instead of using a package manager (npm).
- Want to integrate CE.SDK using an ES module import rather than a global variable.
What You’ll Achieve#
- Load CE.SDK via IMG.LY’s CDN.
- Import CE.SDK as a JavaScript module.
- Create a basic editor using default configurations.
Prerequisites#
Before getting started, ensure you have the following:
- A modern web browser that supports ES modules (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari).
- A valid CE.SDK license key (Get a free trial).
Step 1: Set Up Your Project Structure#
Create the following files:
/my-cesdk-project ├── index.html └── index.js
index.html#
Modify your index.html
file to load CE.SDK as an ES module:
<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <title>CE.SDK Integration</title> <style> body { margin: 0; overflow: hidden; } </style> </head> <body> <div id="cesdk_container" style="width: 100%; height: 100vh;"></div>
<!-- Load CE.SDK as an ES module --> <script type="module" src="./index.js"></script> </body></html>
index.js#
Since CE.SDK is loaded via the CDN, you must import it explicitly as a module:
import CreativeEditorSDK from 'https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.60.0/index.js';
const config = { license: 'YOUR_LICENSE_KEY', // Replace with a valid license key baseURL: 'https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.60.0/assets',};
// Initialize CE.SDKCreativeEditorSDK.create('#cesdk_container', config).then(async editor => { await editor.addDefaultAssetSources(); await editor.addDemoAssetSources({ sceneMode: 'Design', withUploadAssetSources: true }); await editor.createDesignScene();
// Access the engine if needed const engine = editor.engine;
// Dispose of the editor when done // editor.dispose();});
Step 2: Serve the Project Locally#
To serve the project, you will need an HTTP server that supports ES modules. Run the following command:
npx serve
This will start a local development server available on localhost.
Step 3: Test the Integration#
- Open
http://localhost:3000/
in your browser. - A fully functional CE.SDK editor should load.
- Open the browser console and verify that the editor is initialized without errors.
Troubleshooting & Common Errors#
❌ Error: Cannot use import statement outside a module
- Ensure that your index.js file is being loaded with
type="module"
in index.html. - Use a local server (
npx serve
) instead of opening the file directly.
❌ Error: Invalid license key
- Verify that your license key is correct and not expired.
❌ Editor does not load
- Check your browser console for JavaScript errors.
- Ensure that your internet connection allows access to
cdn.img.ly
.
Next Steps#
Congratulations! You’ve got CE.SDK up and running. Get to know the SDK and dive into the next steps when you’re ready: