Today we will talk about what is an SVG file and what is it for, how it works and when it should be used, in addition to the advantages it brings.
What is SVG file?
The file, o SVG, gets its name from scalable vector graphics, which is translated as scalable vector graphics. It is a vector image format, which has become very famous for its use on the Internet.
The format was officially launched on 4 September 2001, but its relevance has grown in recent years, thanks to its incorporation on the web. In any case, since the middle of the decade 2000, the format has been standardized in the best browsers and also in other applications designed to display the visual content of an image.
SVG images have a particularity that differentiates them from other formats. In fact, SVG files are documents in XML format, so the image information can be edited absolutely.
What is a vector
If you are still not sure how they work images in SVG format, it is fair to state again that they are vectors. Namely, the differences between PNG, JPG, GIF and BMP and these are very large. In fact, SVG allows a somewhat deeper and very different interaction.
A vector is described as a mathematical entity, which enables the representation of different quantities, that in more complex terms are capable of creating figures and therefore images. This condition allows you to edit the image textually, unlike other formats that can only be edited with photo editing programs.
A very outstanding aspect of this format is that it is completely scalable. Although we will talk about this a little later.
What you should know about the file or SVG
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to use this format. Next we will comment on some veAdvantages and disadvantages of the SVG format.
Is scalable
As we pointed out earlier, what is possibly the most prominent advantage of this file type is that it is fully scalable. Namely, images in SVG format can be reduced to any size without limits, keeping the same quality at all times.
You have surely noticed that when increasing the size of an image in JPG, PNG, GIF, etc. loses quality and looks pixelated. This does not happen with files in SVG format, as, to be a vector object, all information is written in code.
In a simple way, you can increase the resolution of an image in SVG format and it will remain the same quality at all times. The change can be as drastic as scaling the image of 50 × 50 px to 3000 × 3000 px or even more and will always be optimally represented.
It's great for websites and logos.
Possibly the most common use of images in SVG format, appears on web platforms. This has several reasons, first, because the weight of the images in format SVG is very small.
In fact, PNG format, which goes great with logos and other clip art, has sizes much larger than SVG format, even after optimize the resolution of photos or images. Similarly, is a format designed almost exclusively for logos, being ideal for this purpose.
Cannot be used for photographs.
Going back to the fact that the format or SVG is a vector format, cannot be used for photographs, at least not efficiently. For this reason, this format is not really recommended for complex or colored images, but it is ideal for logos or other similar uses.
What is the SVG file format normally used for??
File format Scalable vector graphics (SVG) It is used so that the image does not lose quality or become pixelated.. This format is the best friend of visual communication professionals, whether they are graphic designers, illustrators or social communicators.
The images that are known usually have formats: .jpg, .png, .gif; Also called standard or bitmap images, as they tend to lose quality when redirected. This does not happen with the SVG format because vector images weigh less megabytes.
In what situation is it recommended to use this type of file?
Despite being an unrecognized format, it is a very useful resource, especially in web environments. Much of the communications and non-union population uses bitmap files like JPG. O PNG y GIF if you need a transparent background or animated image without knowing which SVG includes it all.
This vector format in addition to providing advantages in graphic design, offers many opportunities for any digital environment such as web applications. Because when planning a digital marketing campaign or designing the graphics that are included in a website, this is the optimal format, therefore the most recommended.
What mainly characterizes an SVG file?
It is characterized by being a vector format that allows greater accessibility to its reconstruction or dissemination on different digital platforms. It is a two-dimensional vector graphics format that can also be animated or in XML format. At the same time, it is a format compatible with any browser.
Advantages of using an SVG file
One of the most outstanding advantages is its definition as a vector image, since it means we can scale it, stretch it out and store it without losing its quality. It is also important to note that it weighs a few megabytes allowing a larger illustration in reduced sizes, unlike the standard formats already mentioned.
What's more, SVG is a format equivalent to that used in design programs such as Adobe Illustrator o Corel Draw. Which allows you to use the fonts with paths and include them within the file in TrueType and Type format 1. Which means it has a strong ability for search engines to index to improve SEO or search engine optimization.
Being an effective ally of designers, It should be noted that they facilitate the design of web applications, making them adapt to any screen (computer, tablet or smartphone). For example, icons are resized according to the size of each screen without losing quality or having to use different files.
Disadvantages of this file type
In the past it could not be used in all browsers, but nowadays all browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox o Safari they support it because they adapted to the format for its advantages.
SVG is an open format, standard and XML-based, which means you need to be rudimentary when writing code for it to work properly. This only applies to web pages that support that language.
What other similar options exist besides SVG?
There are two other alternatives: the Vector Markup Language format (VML), which was developed by Autodesk, Hewlett-Packard, Macromedia, Microsoft and Visio Corporation; and there is also the Precision Graphics Markup Language format (PGML), developed by Adobe Systems, IBM, Netscape y Sun Microsystems.
