How do I convert HTML to an Image using PHP?

Question

I'm working on a templating system and would like to generate an html document, and show a preview of the document as an image (so the customer cannot copy the HTML from a preview). How would I go about doing this in php?

This needs to be a dynamic preview: the user inputs data to be formed into the template, and then a preview of the template (with their data visible) is shown as a scaled jpg or png.

A screenshot from my computer would not work, as it would not contain their data.

Answer 1

I'm unsure how to do this in PHP, if you find an answer email me at [e-mail]

However, another solution would be have an Iframe, with a transparent image on top, making copying of text, etc, not possible. The easiest way to create previews of a page would be simply to use Print Screen, then upload

Hope I helped!

Danltn - Daniel Neville - Contact me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

I wouldn't use a jpg. This should be so much easier if done with a PDF. You can have the code generate a PDF and deliver it to the user without the HTML ever being sent to the browser. Additionally, you still have the HTML to save in a DB for purchase or whatever.

Check http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdf-php for PHP PDF creation, though there are other ways to do it as well.

Joe Tech
http://www.JoeTech.com

Answer 3

Why not just take a screen shot and use that? Then they would see an image and be able to see any html. Plus it would be a whole lot easier than using php for this.

Answer 4

You may want to try a gimp plugin to do that.

or look at the example here

http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.image.php

RJ

Answer 5

Use alot of code and some other ko0l programs and dlls and ocxs and it's done, hope this was helpful.