SVG files....why?

[gabagoo]

Lately I have been getting more and more SVG files and Signlab and Flexi do not open them, so I have to use an online convertor, which is free, and converts them to eps files. I just can't figure out what software is making an SVG file and why is this file becoming a standard, yet the software I use does not recognize them.

 

[Solventinkjet]

My best guess is SVG is what a lot of AI bots give when asked for a vector image. SVG is commonly used on websites for vector graphics so I think AI thinks that's the way to go. I just asked chatGPT if it can make a vector image and it said yes, I can make and SVG but if you want an EPS or PDF let me know. So it does seem to default to SVG for some reason.

 

[Zoogee World]

If you have Adobe Illustrator, you can open SVG files. Typically without any issues.

 

[JBurton]

If you have chrome, you can open the svg, then print a pdf that will import.

 

[Attila Nagy]

InkScape saves SVG as default format. It is free.
Double check the size when using SVG format

 

[Boudica]

Canva - that is where 95% of SVG files are coming from. Inkscapes also defaults to SVG for vectors.

 

[gabagoo]

Thanks Guys......

 

[WildWestDesigns]

One thing to keep in mind, Ai and Corel Draw actually will remove data from SVG files on import. If there is something else that isn't properly formatted XML markup, it will remove that from the file. Certain plugins will store design data there, so be careful. My suggestion would be to use Inkscape to open it as it just ignores that extra markup.

Browsers will support SVGs as that is the native vector format for browsers (SVGs are just text files, can open it up in a plain text editor as well).

Blender can export SVGs as well using the Grease Pencil toolkit (Blenders 2D toolkit, I mainly use this compared to traditional vector software for a variety of reasons, a lot of non destructive editing can be done this way as well). As such, it can also read SVG files as well.

 

[IsItFasst]

Newer versions of Flexi will open SVGs but it's always a crap-shoot if it will open properly or at all. Even if Flexi does open the file and it looks "right", I always open in Inkscape or Illustrator, plus send the customer a proof to verify it is correct.

 

[NeilNMD]

People who are new to graphics also seem to discover SVG files prior to any other print related format as they’re more readily available on the internet.

 

[visual800]

damn canva! thats where they come from!

 

[DChorbowski]

As far as why its becoming a standard, the SVG format is viewable by web browsers. Alot of times its used for logos on corporate webpages so it can be scaled cleanly to fit the view of any size screen. It has some other beneficial options for a vector format that other vector formats do not such as being able to be animated. I think of it almost like a generic type of file like a PDF which many different kinds of software can create, and how it opens in various editors can and will vary, sometimes with very unexpected results. It seems to be mostly used on websites so as long as it looks good in a web browser, it generally serves its intended purpose.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

As far as why its becoming a standard, the SVG format is viewable by web browsers.

That's because it's spec was to be used on the browsers first and foremost. Hence why it can also be viewed in plain text editors (although just in markup unless it has some extension to view otherwise).

It has some other beneficial options for a vector format that other vector formats do not such as being able to be animated.

You can animate other vector formats as well. At least Ai formats, just not by using the original program of creation (at least not as easily/robustly). The biggest difference is because it was created for web first, JS can also be used to make elements clickable or program other aspects into it as well. That's not something that I'm aware able to do with your proprietary formats.

And depending on which vector program using, it can be used to to handle/store plugin data that doesn't really do anything to the original SVG data, but can be used for exporting unrelated data files. But some programs (like Ai/Draw) delete that data when saving in those respective programs, while something like Inkscape will ignore it and it will be retained.

I think of it almost like a generic type of file like a PDF which many different kinds of software can create..

Not really. SVGs are actually a very specific file spec, a vector file, just happens to use XML markup. More like Ai/Draw files. PDFs are more container files that can house any number of data types in it. Now, it's an open spec, much like PDFs, in that sense they are the same, but it is not a generic container type of file like PDFs are.

 

[Superior_Adam]

its because everyone is using Canva.

 

[Fechin]

SVG are used more in website development now instead of GIFs for things like icons and logos cause of their small size and scalability.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

SVG are used more in website development now instead of GIFs for things like icons and logos cause of their small size and scalability.

And performance, but I thought PNGs have supplanted gifs for that type of work by the mid aughts?