SVG files are important for graphic designers and digital artists alike. While there are many files and formats that serve different purposes or provide certain benefits, an SVG file format is a great choice for many.
This vector format is great for digital creation and can be used across multiple platforms, and it can even be embedded into code for web design. If you want to know more about this versatile image format, you’re in the right place.
What Is an SVG File?
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SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphic. An SVG file is a digital file format that allows for infinitely scalable vector use. While all vectors are scalable in their purposes, there aren’t many purposeful vector file formats. SVG is the best option for the most versatility.
You’ll find many uses for SVGs, and they’re commonly accepted and used in a large variety of applications.
What Is the SVG Format Used For?
SVG files are used for web and digital design. While there are formats like PNG—which allows for transparency—or JPEG/JPG—which is a small digital file—an SVG file is the perfect format for digital or web-based image uses.
Its best use is for digital logos. Since SVGs are infinitely scalable, it means you’re able to save a logo as an SVG, and it can be used for multiple purposes—such as on a website, profile picture, or online poster, because there is no degradation when scaling up or down.
If you create graphics to use forCricut cutting machines like the Maker 3or theCricut Venture cutting machine, then SVG is also the go-to format with Cricut’s Design Space software. While you can upload a PNG to Cricut Design Space, an SVG is usually preferable and results in fewer mistakes.
The Pros of Using SVG Files
SVGs are infinitely scalable. This is great if you’re creating art or a design that may vary in size based on use. Using SVGs is helpful in designing for web since responsive design enlarges or shrinks elements of a webpage to fit its intended use.
The quality of an SVG will always be the same, no matter its usage. It won’t become pixelated or distorted after creation, and it can be used in a myriad of places and software.
SVG files are written using XML coding, which embeds any text in your graphic as searchable text and not only as an image. This means your SVG files—if they have text in the images—can be searched with search engines.
You can easily add animation to SVG files within web design; though this is more of a web development skill than a graphic designer skill. You can learn more about this with ourbeginner’s guide to animating SVGs using CSS.
The Cons of Using SVG Files
Since SVGs are vector graphics, it means you cannot add textures to your graphics. Although there is a workaround toturn real textures into vectors using Adobe Illustrator, vectors need to use flat colors to stay infinitely scalable.
If you wish to use a photo or photo-realistic image in your graphic, it cannot be saved as an SVG. It’s good to learnthe differences between vector and raster imagesbefore you start working on your imagery to save yourself from disappointment.
Which Design Software Supports SVGs?
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While you can open SVGs in most software, it is best to use vector-based software to get the full benefit of this format.
Adobe Illustrator is one of the best places for both opening and creating SVG images. You cancreate SVGs in Illustrator and edit the colors in Canva; but to create and save an SVG in Canva, you’ll need a Canva Pro account.
you may also create and save SVG files in Figma, Sketch, Inkscape, Vecteezy Editor, and Vectornator. There are a handful ofbrowser-based alternatives to Adobe Illustratorthat you can also create SVGs with.
While you can edit SVGs in many non-vector programs, it isn’t recommended if you want the full benefits of SVG scalability and structure.
Use SVGs for Full Scalability
Learning about the different formats and their individual uses is helpful when making graphic designs, web designs, or digital art. The SVG format is popular for most web and digital uses, but shouldn’t be a catch-all format for every image.
Use SVGs for infinite scalability of your vector graphics, but don’t use this format for photos or raster-based imagery as the quality will be off.
