Plugin

A modular extension registered at editor initialization that adds custom functionality to CE.SDK (new processing capabilities, UI panels, toolbar entries, or asset sources) by hooking into editor lifecycle events without modifying the SDK itself. Plugins are the mechanism for any capability that isn’t part of the engine core, and most asset sources are themselves delivered as plugins.

The plugin architecture exists specifically so teams are not blocked by IMG.LY’s release schedule: any feature a product needs can be built, registered, and maintained independently.

Plugins maintained and distributed by IMG.LY, ready to register in any CE.SDK integration.

Background Removal (Core Tools, Client-side ML)

Removes the background from any image entirely in the browser using a client-side machine learning model: no server upload, no additional cost, no privacy exposure. Produces a transparent PNG cutout that replaces the original image fill. Included by default in the Photo Editor Starter Kit. Enables product photo cleanup, sticker creation, and subject isolation without external tools or round-trips.

Vectorizer (Core Tools, Client-side)

Converts raster images to scalable SVG directly in the browser by tracing contours and color regions. The resulting vector file scales to any size without quality loss and is inserted back into the scene as a vector fill. Enables logos, icons, and line art to be reproduced at any dimensions from a pixel source, useful in web-to-print and large-format workflows.

QR Code (Core Tools, Print & Digital)

Generates fully customizable QR codes as design blocks within the editor. Enables embedded links, tracking codes, and product identifiers to be placed directly into print or digital designs without leaving the editor.

Cutout (Core Tools, Web-to-Print)

Enables creation and customization of non-rectangular die-cut shapes for stickers, shaped labels, and apparel print areas. Exports cut-line paths alongside the design, producing print-ready files suitable for sticker printers and die-cut production. Essential for web-to-print workflows involving shaped output.

AI Image Generation (AI, Model-agnostic)

Adds an AI image generation panel to the editor, allowing users to create visuals from text prompts or transform existing images. Model-agnostic: connects to providers including fal.ai (RecraftV3, Recraft20b, IdeogramV3, GeminiFlash) and OpenAI (GPT Image), with support for both raster and vector outputs. AI-generated content is inserted as a standard CE.SDK block and is immediately editable. Enables text-to-image creation, style transfer, background replacement, and object removal inside the editor without tool-switching.

AI Video Generation (AI, Model-agnostic)

Adds AI-powered video generation capabilities to the editor, turning prompts or existing assets into video clips that are inserted directly into the CE.SDK timeline as editable blocks. Model-agnostic. Enables AI-native video workflows where generated footage and human editing happen in the same surface.

AI Text Generation (AI, Claude / GPT)

Adds AI-powered text generation and transformation to the editor, surfacing tools for generating headlines, descriptions, captions, and marketing copy, as well as rewriting and enhancing existing text. Supports Anthropic Claude and OpenAI GPT out of the box. Enables copywriting within the design tool itself, removing the need to draft text in a separate application.

AI Audio / Voice Generation (AI, ElevenLabs)

Adds text-to-speech and sound effect generation to the editor, with output inserted as audio blocks on the timeline. Built-in implementations for ElevenLabs. Enables voiceover production and audio asset creation without leaving the video editing workflow.

InDesign Importer (Importers, IDML)

Converts existing Adobe InDesign templates (IDML format) into editable CE.SDK scenes, preserving design elements and layout structure. Enables teams with existing InDesign asset libraries to migrate into CE.SDK workflows without manually recreating designs.

Photoshop Importer (Importers, PSD)

Converts Adobe Photoshop files (PSD) into editable CE.SDK scenes, preserving layers and design elements. Enables teams working in Photoshop to bring existing assets into CE.SDK for template-based or web workflows.

PowerPoint Importer (Importers, PPTX)

Converts PowerPoint slides into editable CE.SDK designs with formatting preserved. Enables presentation assets, sales decks, and branded slide content to be repurposed in CE.SDK’s design and automation workflows.

Design Validation (Production, Web-to-Print)

Checks designs against print-readiness rules and surfaces automatic error notifications when the design is not ready for production, catching issues like cut-off text or images, insufficient bleed, or missing required elements. Reduces the risk of misprints and speeds up pre-press validation without requiring a separate preflight tool.

Content Moderation (Production, Inline enforcement)

Analyzes design content against configurable rules for restricted or flagged imagery and surfaces automatic notifications when content violates guidelines. Enables platforms to enforce content policies inline at the point of creation rather than in a post-submission review step.

The plugin architecture exists specifically so that customers are not blocked by IMG.LY’s release schedule. Any capability a team needs that isn’t yet in the SDK can be built and shipped as a plugin, integrated into the editor UI, and maintained independently.

This is the design principle behind the system: the SDK provides the engine and the surface, and plugins provide the differentiation. Official IMG.LY plugins follow the same architecture as custom third-party plugins: there is no private API.

A team building a specialized processing step (a brand-specific color correction, a proprietary font handler, or a custom export target) packages it as a plugin, registers it at initialization, and it behaves identically to any IMG.LY-shipped plugin in the editor.