What is CE.SDK?#
CreativeEditor SDK (CE.SDK) with native Node.js bindings is a high-performance design engine that brings fully automated image, design, and video editing directly into your Node app. Built with native C++ bindings instead of WebAssembly, it delivers native performance and GPU-accelerated video export — all with the same API you know from @cesdk/node.
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Trusted by leading organizations worldwide, CE.SDK powers the creative editors used in best-in-class applications, including those from Shopify, Semrush, HP, Shutterfly, Ticketmaster, and Swiss Post.
Key Capabilities of the Native Node.js Creative Editor SDK#
Transform
Perform operations like cropping, rotating, and resizing design elements.
Templating
Create and apply design templates with placeholders and text variables for dynamic content.
Video Export
GPU-accelerated video rendering and export to MP4 — not available with the WASM-based package.
Asset Management
Import and manage images, shapes, and other assets to build your designs.
Design Collage
Arrange multiple elements on a single canvas to create complex layouts.
Text Editing
Add and style text blocks with various fonts, colors, and effects.
Background Removal
This plugin makes it easy to remove the background from images programmatically on the server.
Extendible
Hook into the engine API and editor events to implement custom features.
Headless & Automation
Programmatically edit designs with native C++ performance using the engine API.
Native vs WASM#
The native Node.js bindings (@cesdk/node-native) provide the same API as the WASM-based package (@cesdk/node) with these advantages:
| Feature | @cesdk/node (WASM) |
@cesdk/node-native (Native) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | WASM runtime overhead, memory ceiling | Native C++ performance, full process memory |
| Video export | Not supported | Supported — GPU-accelerated (Metal/EGL), MP4 H.264 + AAC |
| Platform support | Any OS with Node.js 22+ | macOS ARM/x64, Linux x64 (glibc 2.39+), Windows x64 |
| Runtimes | Node.js 22+ | Node.js 22+, Bun, Deno |
File Format Support#
CE.SDK supports a wide range of file types to ensure maximum flexibility for developers:
Importing Media#
| Category | Supported Formats |
|---|---|
| Images | .png, .apng, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .webp, .svg, .bmp |
| Video | .mp4 (H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC), .mov (H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC) |
| Audio | .wav, .mp3, .m4a, .mp4 (AAC or MP3), .mov (AAC or MP3) |
| Animation | .json (Lottie) |
Animated images (.gif and .apng) import as a static first frame in design
scenes and as a looping video fill in video scenes.
Exporting Media#
| Category | Supported Formats |
|---|---|
| Images | .png (with transparency), .jpeg, .webp, .tga |
| Vector | .svg (scalable vector graphics with text as paths) |
.pdf (supports underlayer printing and spot colors) |
|
| Video | .mp4 (H.264 video with AAC audio) |
| Scene | .imgly or .scene (description of the scene without any assets) |
| Archive | .imgly or .zip (fully self-contained archive that bundles the scene file with all assets) |
Importing Templates#
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
.idml |
InDesign (via @imgly/idml-importer) |
.psd |
Photoshop (via @imgly/psd-importer) |
.pdf |
PDF (via @imgly/pdf-importer) |
.pptx |
PowerPoint (via @imgly/pptx-importer) |
.imgly |
CE.SDK Native (scene or archive, detected automatically) |
.scene |
CE.SDK Native (scene extension) |
.zip |
CE.SDK Native (archive extension) |
Non-native design files are converted into editable CE.SDK scenes by dedicated importer packages rather than uploaded as media assets.
For detailed information, see the full file format support list.
Integrations#
CE.SDK supports out-of-the-box integrations with:
- Getty Images
- Unsplash
- Pexels
- Airtable
- Soundstripe
Want to connect your own asset sources? Register a custom provider using our API.