Introduction
I have added an HTTP interface to the report engine ACR (Across Report Renderer).
By making ACR available over HTTP, it can be used as a rendering service independent from the application.
Previously, report systems had to be implemented separately depending on the development environment (Desktop, Web), OS, and runtime environment.
With ACR, you can now generate PDF / PNG / HTML simply by sending a template and data.
What you can do
• Generate reports via HTTP
• Language-independent (HTTP-based)
• Can be called from Node.js / C# / Python / Java
• Output formats: PDF / PNG / HTML (PNG embedded in HTML)
• Test directly from a browser (Web UI included)
• Runs on Windows / Linux / macOS
• Can run as a service (daemon) on all supported OS
Start
./acr_http
You can also specify port and template directory:
./acr_http --port 9000 --templates /opt/acr/templates
Web UI
Open the following in your browser:
http://localhost:8765/
curl（PDF）
curl -X POST http://localhost:8765/render/pdf \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"template": "invoice",
"data": {
"items": [
{ "name": "Apple", "price": 100 },
{ "name": "Orange", "price": 200 }
]
}
}' \
--output out.pdf
curl（PNG）
curl -X POST http://localhost:8765/render/png \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{ "template": "invoice", "data": { "items": [] } }' \
--output out.png
curl (HTML)
curl -X POST http://localhost:8765/render/html \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{ "template": "invoice", "data": { "items": [] } }'
Running as a service
Windows
acr_http.exe --install
sc start AcrHttpServer
Linux (systemd)
systemctl enable acr_http
systemctl start acr_http
macOS
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.acrossreport.acr_http.plist
Architecture
• Rust-based engine
• Rendering with Skia
• Runs as an HTTP server
• Template and data are separated
Summary
The HTTP version is already released for evaluation.
• Command-line renderer: acr-cli
• Report designer: acr-designer
• RPX converter for ActiveReports: rpx2json
Roadmap
The following features are planned:
• WebAssembly (WASM) support for browser execution
• Receipt printer support (ESC/POS)
• Support for printer command languages (ZPL / SBPL / TPCL)
This will extend ACR beyond server-side usage to embedded devices, edge environments, and browsers.
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