CE.SDK can include assets from third-party libraries accessible via API. Search and browse images from Getty Images in the editor.

Prerequisites#
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- Getty Images API Access – Access to Getty Images API requires a Getty Images account and credentials
- Proxy Server – A server endpoint to handle Getty Images API authentication (see Server-Side Auth)
- Node.js v22+ 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.
Get Started#
Create a new Nuxt.js application with Getty Images Editor integration.
Step 1: Create a New Project#
npx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-namenpx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-namepnpm dlx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-namepnpm dlx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-nameyarn dlx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-nameyarn dlx nuxi@latest init your-project-name
cd your-project-nameStep 2: Clone the Starter Kit#
Clone the starter kit and copy the editor configuration to your project:
git clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web.git
cp -r starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
rm -rf starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-webgit clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web.git
cp -r starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
rm -rf starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-webnpx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
npx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/public/assets ./public/assetsnpx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
npx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/public/assets ./public/assetsStep 3: Install Dependencies#
Core Editor#
npm install @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0npm install @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0pnpm add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0pnpm add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0yarn add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0yarn add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0Step 4: Download Assets#
curl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.80.0/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zipcurl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.80.0/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zipStep 5: Create the Editor Component#
Create a client-only Vue component using the .client.vue suffix (e.g., GettyImagesEditor.client.vue):
<script setup lang="ts">import { initGettyImagesEditor } from '~/imgly';import CreativeEditor from '@cesdk/cesdk-js/vue';
// Set your Getty Images proxy server URLconst GETTY_PROXY_URL = 'YOUR_GETTY_IMAGES_PROXY_URL';
// Wrapper to pass proxy URL to initializationconst initWithProxyUrl = (cesdk: any) => initGettyImagesEditor(cesdk, { gettyProxyUrl: GETTY_PROXY_URL });</script>
<template> <CreativeEditor :config="{ baseURL: '/assets' }" :init="initWithProxyUrl" width="100vw" height="100vh" /></template>Save this file as components/GettyImagesEditor.client.vue to ensure it only renders on the client.
Step 6: Use the Component#
Import and use the component in your page:
<template> <GettyImagesEditor /></template>
<script setup lang="ts">import GettyImagesEditor from '~/components/GettyImagesEditor.client.vue';</script>SSR Error#
If you encounter the error window is not defined, it means the component is being rendered on the server. CE.SDK requires browser APIs and must run client-side only.
Use either the .client.vue suffix (shown above) or wrap the component with <ClientOnly>:
<template> <ClientOnly> <GettyImagesEditor /> </ClientOnly></template>Get Started#
Integrate the Getty Images Editor into an existing Nuxt.js application.
Step 1: Clone#
cd your-projectcd your-projectClone the starter kit and copy the editor configuration:
git clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web.git
cp -r starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
rm -rf starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-webgit clone https://github.com/imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web.git
cp -r starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imgly
rm -rf starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-webnpx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imglynpx degit imgly/starterkit-getty-asset-source-ts-web/app/imgly ./app/imglyThe imgly/ folder contains the editor configuration:
imgly/├── config/│ ├── 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├── index.ts # Editor initialization function└── plugins/ └── getty-images.tsStep 2: Install Dependencies#
Core Editor#
npm install @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0npm install @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0pnpm add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0pnpm add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0yarn add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0yarn add @cesdk/cesdk-js@1.80.0Step 3: Download Assets#
curl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.80.0/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zipcurl -O https://cdn.img.ly/packages/imgly/cesdk-js/1.80.0/imgly-assets.zip
unzip imgly-assets.zip -d public/
rm imgly-assets.zipStep 4: Create the Editor Component#
<script setup lang="ts">import { initGettyImagesEditor } from '~/imgly';import CreativeEditor from '@cesdk/cesdk-js/vue';
// Set your Getty Images proxy server URLconst GETTY_PROXY_URL = 'YOUR_GETTY_IMAGES_PROXY_URL';
// Wrapper to pass proxy URL to initializationconst initWithProxyUrl = (cesdk: any) => initGettyImagesEditor(cesdk, { gettyProxyUrl: GETTY_PROXY_URL });</script>
<template> <CreativeEditor :config="{ baseURL: '/assets' }" :init="initWithProxyUrl" width="100vw" height="100vh" /></template>Save as components/GettyImagesEditor.client.vue.
Step 5: Use the Component#
<template> <GettyImagesEditor /></template>
<script setup lang="ts">import GettyImagesEditor from '~/components/GettyImagesEditor.client.vue';</script>Using Getty Images Stock Photos#
The editor provides access to millions of premium stock photos from Getty Images:
Via Dock Panel#
- Click the “Getty Images” button in the dock (left sidebar)
- Browse curated photos or use the search bar to find specific images
- Click any photo to add it to your design
Via Replace#
- Select an image block in the editor
- Click “Replace” in the context menu
- Choose a photo from Getty Images to replace the current image
Set Up a Scene#
CE.SDK offers multiple ways to load content into the editor. Choose the method that matches your use case:
// Create a blank design canvas - starts with an empty design sceneawait cesdk.actions.run('scene.create');
// Load from a template archive - restores a previously saved projectawait cesdk.load('https://example.com/template.zip');
// Load from an image URL - creates a new scene with the imageawait cesdk.createFromImage('https://example.com/image.jpg');
// Load from a scene file - restores a scene from JSONawait cesdk.load('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 Getty Images Editor 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/imgly/index.ts. Enable or disable individual sources:
import { FiltersAssetSource, StickerAssetSource, TextAssetSource, VectorShapeAssetSource, EffectsAssetSource, // ...} from '@cesdk/cesdk-js/plugins';
// Add only the sources you needawait 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 formatssaveScene– Save the scene as a JSON string for later editingimportScene– Import a previously saved scene (.imglyor.scene)exportScene– Export the scene as an.imglyfile, either the scene alone or an archive with all assetsuploadFile– Handle file uploads with progress tracking
Use cesdk.actions.run() to execute any action:
// Run a built-in actionawait cesdk.actions.run('exportDesign', { mimeType: 'image/png' });Customize (Optional)#
Theming#
CE.SDK supports light and dark themes out of the box, plus automatic system preference detection. Switch between themes programmatically:
// '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:
// Override specific labelscesdk.i18n.setTranslations({ en: { 'libraries.gettyImages.label': 'Stock Photos', 'actions.export.image': 'Download Design', 'common.cancel': 'Cancel', 'common.apply': 'Apply' }});
// Add a new languagecesdk.i18n.setTranslations({ de: { 'libraries.gettyImages.label': 'Stockfotos', 'actions.export.image': 'Design herunterladen' }});
// Set the active localecesdk.i18n.setLocale('de');See Localization for supported languages, translation key reference, and right-to-left language support.
UI Layout#

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.
// Get current navigation bar componentsconst navOrder = cesdk.ui.getNavigationBarOrder();
// Add a custom button to the navigation barcesdk.ui.insertNavigationBarOrderComponent( 'ly.img.spacer', { id: 'my-custom-action' }, 'after');
// Rearrange dock itemscesdk.ui.setDockOrder([ 'ly.img.assetLibrary.dock', 'ly.img.separator', 'my-custom-dock-item']);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.
// Register a custom componentcesdk.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 barcesdk.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:
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:
// Toggle editor featurescesdk.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.
import BackgroundRemovalPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-background-removal';
// Add background removal capabilityawait cesdk.addPlugin(BackgroundRemovalPlugin());See Background Removal for setup instructions and configuration options.
Print Ready PDF#
Export print-ready PDF/X-4 and PDF/X-3 files with CMYK color profiles for professional printing workflows.
import PrintReadyPDFPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-print-ready-pdf';
// Add print-ready PDF export capabilityawait 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.
import AIPlugin from '@imgly/plugin-ai-generation';
// Configure AI generationawait cesdk.addPlugin(AIPlugin({ provider: 'your-ai-provider', apiKey: 'your-api-key'}));See AI Integration for provider setup and supported AI features.
Key Capabilities#
Getty Images Stock Photos
Access millions of premium, high-quality stock photos from Getty Images. Search and browse directly within the editor.
Professional Filters
Apply color grading with LUT filters, duotone effects, and customizable image adjustments.
Text & Typography
Add styled text with comprehensive typography controls, fonts, and visual effects.
Asset Libraries
Access built-in collections of templates, stickers, shapes, and graphics, plus import custom assets.
Server-Side Auth
Getty Images authentication is handled securely through a proxy server, keeping credentials safe.
Export Options
Export to multiple formats including PNG, JPEG, and PDF with quality and size controls.
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
SSR Error: “window is not defined”#
CE.SDK requires browser APIs and cannot run during server-side rendering. Use the .client.vue suffix or wrap your component with <ClientOnly>.
Getty Images photos don’t load#
- Check your proxy server: Ensure you have set a valid Getty Images proxy server URL via
VITE_GETTY_IMAGES_PROXY_URLor passed it toinitGettyImagesEditor() - Check network requests: Open DevTools Network tab and look for requests to your proxy server endpoint
- Verify proxy credentials: Ensure your proxy server is properly configured with Getty Images API credentials
Watermark appears in production#
- Add your license key: Set the
licenseproperty 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