In the World Wide Web, files whose components make it possible to create logos, diagrams, and animations play an important part in the work of many web developers and designers. One of these files is a scalable vector graphic file (SVG).
What is SVG?
An SVG file, short for Scalable Vector Graphics File, is a standard type of vector graphics file used for rendering two-dimensional images on the internet.
SVG is written in XML (Extensible Markup Language) code. The XML code found in the SVG is a text file that defines all the shapes, colors, and texts that create the image. Since XML itself is designed to store and transport data, but not display it, SVG makes this possible. This type of file allows two-dimensional (2D) images to be displayed, by making them visible to the user, and possible to be stored as vectors. At the same time, SVG files generate crisp graphics at any resolution. Since SVGs are written in XML code, this means that they store textual information. This allows search engines like Google to read SVG graphics for their keywords, which can potentially help a website rise in search rankings.
There are some basic ways that scalable vector graphic files can be seen on websites.
What are SVG files used for?
There are some common uses of SVG files in the online environment such as icons, logos, illustrations, animations, and interface elements.
As mentioned earlier, SVG files produce crisp graphics at any resolution. For this reason, using SVG files for icons, logos, and illustrations is important. Because their resolution must be ideal when scaled. For example, some page element icons, such as buttons, must fit different screen sizes, so they need to have clearly defined borders.
By using the capabilities of JavaScript and CSS you can create animated SVG’s. This way you can create better visual flair to your pages.
In order to create SVG images from scratch you can use a vector graphics editor, such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Converting existing images to SVG format is possible by using a converter such as SVG-edit.
Despite SVG’s variety of implements, using this type of image file format has its advantages and disadvantages.
What are the advantages of SVG files?
- Infinity scalability – SVG files are vector-based images that are created from mathematical equations such as lines and curves, using points fixed on a grid rather than a grid of pixels. This makes SVG files resolution-independent and possible to scale them to any size without losing quality. This benefit provides SVG files a great choice for the creation of web graphics. Unlike raster files (or bitmap) such as JPEG and PNG which are pixel-based image formats and appear pixelated when scaled up.
- Compatibility – SVGs are designed in a way that allows them to use the capabilities of front-end development technologies like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. This provides various dynamic display possibilities. For example, creating animations or dynamic charts. This is also one of the qualities that differentiate SVGs from file formats like JPEG and PNG.
- Small size – Generally, vector graphics such as SVG have smaller sizes than raster graphics such as JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Raster files along with vectors are the main two file types used for digital images. But unlike SVG graphics, when creating highly detailed images in raster files their size might also increase.
- SEO friendly – Since SVGs are written in XML code, this means that they store textual information. This allows search engines like Google to read, crawl, and index your images. Which can potentially help the website rise in search rankings.
Despite its great uses, SVG files have some drawbacks.
What are the disadvantages of SVG files?
- Unsuitable for high-quality images – When it comes to displaying high-quality digital photos, they need pixels. As it was mentioned earlier vector-based files like SVG don’t use pixels and when it comes to displaying photography, they struggle. Unlike raster files, which are based on pixels that determine the quality of the image.
- Code knowledge – Since SVG is written in XML code, it can be difficult to understand if you are new to it.
Conclusion
Whether used for creating icons, illustrations, animations, or interface elements SVG can achieve crisp borders and solid colors without losing the quality. Witch makes it a great choice for many web designers, developers, or quality enthusiasts.
