Generate image from DOM elements

Question

Is it possible to generate an image from dom elements (span, div, image, etc.)? I can't use canvas in this case, and it doesn't have to be cross-browser compatible, as long as it works in some browser. :-)

Thanks!

community edit: "So I take it that the client can already display these elements just fine, but you want the server to be able to, for example display a preview image around the site?" "Yup, exactly. Just a little preview so they can see what diagram they're opening, and the preview will also be used in other little places, too."

Answer 1

If you want to duplicate it to some other location, you can use -moz-element, an experimental non-standard feature in Firefox which will let you take any piece of the DOM, and use it as for example a background image. https://developer.mozilla.org/en/CSS/-moz-element

Similar hacks can be done in webkit by abusing -webkit-box-reflect.