PHP, GD, and XML

Have a complex, dynamic image to produce? The best way to describe it's content is to use XML. XML inhibits expansion to the feature set of the image. One main issue with XML is that it is annoying to deal with. The solution is to define a class that describes the image and can produce XML. The class is also capable of taking XML (i.e. from a database) and populating the class with its data. Following everything mentioned above, you will be amazed at how much can be done and how easy it will be in the future.