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Data Merge for Nuxt.js

Generate a batch of images from a set of data, for instance team cards.

Design Editor starter kit showing a professional design editing interface

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Prerequisites#

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

  • Node.js v20+ and npm installed locally – Download Node.js
  • A supported browser – Chrome 114+, Edge 114+, Firefox 115+, Safari 15.6+
    See Browser Support for the full list.
New Project
Existing Project

Get Started#

Start fresh with a standalone Data Merge project. This creates a complete, ready-to-run React application.

Step 1: Clone the Repository#

Terminal
git clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-batch-image-generation-react-web.git
git clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-batch-image-generation-react-web.git

The src/ folder contains the batch image generation code:

src/
├── app/                          # Demo application
├── imgly/
│   ├── batch-renderer.ts         # Headless batch rendering
│   ├── config/
│   │   ├── advanced-editor/
│   │   │   ├── actions.ts                # Export/import actions
│   │   │   ├── features.ts               # Feature toggles
│   │   │   ├── i18n.ts                   # Translations
│   │   │   ├── plugin.ts                 # Main configuration plugin
│   │   │   ├── settings.ts               # Engine settings
│   │   │   └── ui/
│   │   │       ├── canvas.ts                 # Canvas configuration
│   │   │       ├── components.ts             # Custom component registration
│   │   │       ├── dock.ts                   # Dock layout configuration
│   │   │       ├── index.ts                  # Combines UI customization exports
│   │   │       ├── inspectorBar.ts           # Inspector bar layout
│   │   │       ├── navigationBar.ts          # Navigation bar layout
│   │   │       └── panel.ts                  # Panel configuration
│   │   └── design-editor/         # Same structure as advanced-editor/
│   └── index.ts                  # Editor initialization function
└── index.tsx                 # Application entry point

Step 2: Install Dependencies#

Install the required packages:

Terminal
cd starterkit-batch-image-generation-react-web
npm install
cd starterkit-batch-image-generation-react-web
npm install

Step 3: Download Assets#

CE.SDK requires engine assets (fonts, icons, UI elements) to function. These must be served as static files from your project’s public/ directory.

Terminal
curl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.73.1/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zip
curl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.73.1/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zip
src/index.tsx
const config = {
  // ...
  baseURL: '/assets'
  // ...
};

Step 4: Run the Development Server#

Terminal
npm run dev
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:5173 in your browser.

Batch Image Generation#

The Data Merge starterkit uses headless batch rendering to generate personalized images at scale without displaying a UI. This is powered by the @cesdk/engine package, which provides a lightweight rendering engine optimized for automated workflows.

How Batch Rendering Works#

The batchRender function is a self-contained utility that handles the complete rendering lifecycle:

  1. Call batchRender with a scene string, array of items, and options
  2. Engine lifecycle is automatic — the function creates an engine, renders all items, and disposes it
  3. Receive results with blobs and scene strings for each item
app/imgly/batch-renderer.ts
import { batchRender } from './imgly';


// Render a single item - engine is created and disposed automatically
const [result] = await batchRender(
  templateSceneString,
  [
    {
      images: { Photo: 'https://example.com/john-doe.jpg' },
      variables: {
        FirstName: 'John',
        LastName: 'Doe',
        Department: 'Engineering'
      }
    }
  ],
  {
    baseURL: '/assets',
    mimeType: 'image/jpeg'
    // license: 'YOUR_LICENSE_KEY',
  }
);


// Use the result
const imageUrl = URL.createObjectURL(result.blob);
const modifiedScene = result.sceneString;

Processing Multiple Records#

Generate images for multiple data records in a single batch call:

src/app/App.tsx
import { batchRender } from './imgly';


const employees = [
  { firstName: 'John', lastName: 'Doe', department: 'Engineering', photo: 'john.jpg' },
  { firstName: 'Jane', lastName: 'Smith', department: 'Marketing', photo: 'jane.jpg' }
];


// Build batch items from employee data
const items = employees.map((emp) => ({
  images: { Photo: `/images/${emp.photo}` },
  variables: {
    FirstName: emp.firstName,
    LastName: emp.lastName,
    Department: emp.department
  }
}));


// Render all employees - engine lifecycle is handled internally
const results = await batchRender(templateSceneString, items, {
  baseURL: '/assets',
  mimeType: 'image/png'
  // license: 'YOUR_LICENSE_KEY',
});


// Process results
results.forEach((result, index) => {
  const imageUrl = URL.createObjectURL(result.blob);
  // Use the generated image (display, download, upload to server, etc.)
});

Result Format#

Each item in the results array contains:

interface BatchResult {
  blob: Blob;        // The rendered image as a Blob
  sceneString: string; // The scene with applied variables (for re-editing)
}

The sceneString preserves all applied variables and images, allowing users to re-open and edit individual results in the UI editor.

Set Up a Scene#

CE.SDK offers multiple ways to load content into the editor. Choose the method that matches your use case:

src/index.ts
// Create a blank design canvas - starts with an empty design scene
await cesdk.actions.run('scene.create');


// Load from a template archive - restores a previously saved project
await cesdk.loadFromArchiveURL('https://example.com/template.zip');


// Load from an image URL - creates a new scene with the image
await cesdk.createFromImage('https://example.com/image.jpg');


// Load from a scene file - restores a scene from JSON
await cesdk.loadFromURL('https://example.com/scene.json');

The createDesignScene() method is ideal for design workflows, as it creates a blank canvas ready for content.

Customize Assets#

The Data Merge starterkit uses asset source plugins to provide built-in libraries for templates, stickers, shapes, and fonts. The starter kit includes a curated selection—customize what’s included based on your needs.

Asset sources are added via plugins in src/index.ts. Enable or disable individual sources:

src/index.ts
import {
  FiltersAssetSource,
  StickerAssetSource,
  TextAssetSource,
  VectorShapeAssetSource,
  EffectsAssetSource,
  // ...
} from '@cesdk/cesdk-js/plugins';


// Add only the sources you need
await cesdk.addPlugin(new FiltersAssetSource());
await cesdk.addPlugin(new StickerAssetSource());
await cesdk.addPlugin(new TextAssetSource());
await cesdk.addPlugin(new VectorShapeAssetSource());
await cesdk.addPlugin(new EffectsAssetSource());
// ...

For production deployments, self-hosting assets is required—the IMG.LY CDN is intended for development only. See Serve Assets for downloading assets, configuring baseURL, and excluding unused sources to optimize load times.

Configure Actions#

Actions are functions that handle user interactions like exporting designs, saving scenes, and importing files. CE.SDK provides built-in actions that you can run directly or override with custom implementations.

Key built-in actions:

  • exportDesign – Export the current design to PNG, JPEG, PDF, or other formats
  • saveScene – Save the scene as a JSON string for later editing
  • importScene – Import a previously saved scene (supports .scene and .cesdk formats)
  • exportScene – Export the scene as a JSON file or .cesdk archive with all assets
  • uploadFile – Handle file uploads with progress tracking

Use cesdk.actions.run() to execute any action:

// Run a built-in action
await cesdk.actions.run('exportDesign', { mimeType: 'image/png' });

Import from File Picker#

app/imgly/config/actions.ts
// Let users open images from their device
cesdk.actions.register('importImage', async () => {
  const blobURL = await cesdk.utils.loadFile({
    accept: 'image/*',
    returnType: 'objectURL'
  });
  await cesdk.createFromImage(blobURL);
});

Export and Save#

app/imgly/config/actions.ts
// Register export action that downloads the edited design
cesdk.actions.register('exportDesign', async (exportOptions) => {
  const { blobs, options } = await cesdk.utils.export(exportOptions);
  await cesdk.utils.downloadFile(blobs[0], options.mimeType);
});

Upload to Your Backend#

app/imgly/config/actions.ts
// Override the built-in exportDesign action to send to your server
cesdk.actions.register('exportDesign', async (exportOptions) => {
  const { blobs } = await cesdk.utils.export(exportOptions);


  const formData = new FormData();
  formData.append('design', blobs[0], 'design.png');


  const response = await fetch('/api/upload', {
    method: 'POST',
    body: formData
  });


  const { url } = await response.json();
  console.log('Uploaded to:', url);
});

Customize (Optional)#

Theming#

CE.SDK supports light and dark themes out of the box, plus automatic system preference detection. Switch between themes programmatically:

app/imgly/config/settings.ts
// 'light' | 'dark' | 'system' | (() => 'light' | 'dark')
cesdk.ui.setTheme('dark');

See Theming for custom color schemes, CSS variables, and advanced styling options.

Localization#

Customize UI labels and add support for multiple languages. The i18n system supports translation keys for all UI elements:

app/imgly/config/i18n.ts
// Override specific labels
cesdk.i18n.setTranslations({
  en: {
    'actions.export.image': 'Download Design',
    'common.cancel': 'Cancel',
    'common.apply': 'Apply'
  }
});


// Add a new language
cesdk.i18n.setTranslations({
  de: {
    'actions.export.image': 'Design herunterladen'
  }
});


// Set the active locale
cesdk.i18n.setLocale('de');

See Localization for supported languages, translation key reference, and right-to-left language support.

UI Layout#

CE.SDK Editor UI Areas

Customize the editor interface by modifying the dock, inspector bar, navigation bar, and canvas menu. CE.SDK provides Order APIs to control which components appear and in what sequence.

app/imgly/config/ui/navigationBar.ts
// Get current navigation bar components
const navOrder = cesdk.ui.getNavigationBarOrder();


// Add a custom button to the navigation bar
cesdk.ui.insertNavigationBarOrderComponent(
  'ly.img.spacer',
  { id: 'my-custom-action' },
  'after'
);


// Rearrange dock items
cesdk.ui.setDockOrder([
  'ly.img.assetLibrary.dock',
  'ly.img.separator',
  'my-custom-dock-item'
]);


// Customize the inspector bar
cesdk.ui.setInspectorBarOrder([
  'ly.img.fill.inspectorBar',
  'ly.img.separator',
  'ly.img.filter.inspectorBar'
]);

The Order API methods follow a consistent pattern across all UI areas:

  • get*Order() – Retrieve the current component order
  • set*Order() – Replace the entire order
  • insert*OrderComponent() – Add components relative to existing ones

See Dock, Inspector Bar, Navigation Bar, Canvas Menu, and Canvas for detailed layout customization options.

Custom Components#

Build custom UI components using the builder system and integrate them in the editor. Custom components receive reactive state updates and can interact with the engine API.

app/imgly/config/ui/components.ts
// Register a custom component
cesdk.ui.registerComponent('my-custom-button', ({ builder, engine }) => {
  const selectedBlocks = engine.block.findAllSelected();


  builder.Button('apply-effect', {
    label: 'Apply Effect',
    isDisabled: selectedBlocks.length === 0,
    onClick: () => {
      // Apply custom logic to selected blocks
    }
  });
});


// Add the component to the navigation bar
cesdk.ui.insertNavigationBarOrderComponent(
  'ly.img.spacer',
  'my-custom-button',
  'after'
);

Custom components automatically re-render when the engine state they depend on changes—no manual subscription management required.

See Register New Component for the complete builder API and component patterns.

Settings & Features#

Fine-tune editor behavior through settings and features.

Settings configure core engine behavior—rendering, input handling, and history management:

app/imgly/config/settings.ts
cesdk.engine.editor.setSettingBool('page/dimOutOfPageAreas', true);
cesdk.engine.editor.setSettingBool('mouse/enableZoomControl', true);
cesdk.engine.editor.setSettingBool('features/undoHistory', true);

Features toggle which editing tools and panels appear in the UI:

app/imgly/config/features.ts
// Toggle editor features
cesdk.feature.enable('ly.img.crop', true);
cesdk.feature.enable('ly.img.filter', true);
cesdk.feature.enable('ly.img.adjustment', true);

See Settings and Features for the complete reference.

Explore Plugins#

CE.SDK has a rich plugin ecosystem that extends the editor with powerful capabilities. Plugins can add new features, integrate third-party services, or customize editor behavior.

Background Removal#

Add AI-powered background removal that runs entirely client-side. The background removal plugin processes images directly in the browser without sending data to external servers.

app/imgly/config/plugin.ts
import BackgroundRemovalPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-background-removal';


// Add background removal capability
await cesdk.addPlugin(BackgroundRemovalPlugin());

See Background Removal for setup instructions and configuration options.

Export print-ready PDF/X-3 files with CMYK color profiles for professional printing workflows.

app/imgly/config/plugin.ts
import PrintReadyPDFPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-print-ready-pdf';


// Add print-ready PDF export capability
await cesdk.addPlugin(PrintReadyPDFPlugin());

See Print Ready PDF for setup instructions and configuration options.

AI Integration#

Extend the editor with generative AI capabilities for text-to-image generation, image enhancement, and intelligent editing features. CE.SDK integrates with various AI providers.

app/imgly/config/plugin.ts
import AIPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-ai-generation';


// Configure AI generation
await cesdk.addPlugin(AIPlugin({
  provider: 'your-ai-provider',
  apiKey: 'your-api-key'
}));

See AI Integration for provider setup and supported AI features.

Custom Asset Sources#

Connect external asset libraries like Unsplash, Getty Images, or your own content management system. Asset sources let users browse and insert content from any source.

app/imgly/config/plugin.ts
import UnsplashAssetSource from '@imgly/plugin-unsplash';


// Add Unsplash integration
await cesdk.addPlugin(UnsplashAssetSource({
  accessKey: 'your-unsplash-access-key'
}));

See Custom Asset Sources for integration patterns.

Discover More Plugins#

Explore the full plugin ecosystem in the IMG.LY plugins repository. Available plugins include:

  • Vectorizer – Convert raster images to vectors
  • Design Presets – Pre-built design templates
  • Social Media Templates – Platform-specific sizing
  • And more – Check the repository for the latest additions

Key Capabilities#

The Data Merge starterkit includes everything needed for batch personalization and headless rendering.

Headless Batch Rendering

Headless Batch Rendering

Generate personalized designs at scale using the headless engine with variable replacement and image swapping.

Role-Based Editing

Role-Based Editing

Two distinct editing modes: Creator role for template design and Adopter role for limited instance editing.

Modal-Based Editor

Modal-Based Editor

Open CE.SDK editors in a full-screen modal overlay with automatic cleanup and resource management.

Variable System

Variable System

Use CE.SDK variables to personalize templates with dynamic content like names, departments, and data fields.

Dual SDK Integration

Dual SDK Integration

Combines @cesdk/engine for headless rendering and @cesdk/cesdk-js for full UI editing in a single application.

Batch Progress Tracking

Batch Progress Tracking

Monitor batch rendering progress with callbacks and handle errors gracefully during high-volume generation.


Troubleshooting#

Editor doesn’t load#

  • Check the container element exists: Ensure your container element is in the DOM before calling create()
  • Verify the baseURL: Assets must be accessible from the CDN or your self-hosted location
  • Check console errors: Look for CORS or network errors in browser developer tools

Assets don’t appear#

  • Check network requests: Open DevTools Network tab and look for failed requests to cdn.img.ly
  • Self-host assets for production: See Serve Assets to host assets on your infrastructure

Export fails or produces blank images#

  • Wait for content to load: Ensure images are fully loaded before exporting
  • Check CORS on images: Remote images must allow cross-origin access

Watermark appears in production#

  • Add your license key: Set the license property in your configuration
  • Sign up for a trial: Get a free trial license at img.ly/forms/free-trial

Next Steps#

  • Configuration – Complete list of initialization options
  • Serve Assets – Self-host engine assets for production
  • Actions – Build custom export and save workflows
  • Theming – Customize colors and appearance
  • Localization – Add translations and language support