CI instance object and use of an external library (generation of a pdf)

[eluser]Aken[/eluser]
I'd suggest fetching the actual image file in the same way you do the image in your controller. Why go through all the extra steps in your controller when you can fetch the actual image on your server with less effort? That way there's no need to avoid any session checks in the image controller.

Create a model or library or something to help you, so you don't repeat the same code in your image and PDF controllers.