SVG introduction
SVG is a language that uses XML to describe two-dimensional graphics and drawing programs.
Basic knowledge that you should have before learning:
Before you continue your study, you should have a basic understanding of thefollowing:
HTML
XML Foundation
If you want to learn these contents first, please select the appropriate tutorial on the home page of this site.
What is SVG?
SVG refers to scalable vector graphics
SVG is used to define vector-based graphics for the network
SVG uses XML format to define drawings
The graphic quality of SVG image will not be lost when it is enlarged or changed in size.
SVG is the standard of the World wide Web Consortium
SVG is integrated with W3C standards such as DOM and XSL
SVG is a W3C recommendation
SVG became a W3C recommendation on January 14, 2003.
To read more about W3C’s SVG activities, please visit our W3C tutorial.
History and advantages of SVG
In January 2003, SVG 1.1 was established as the W3C standard.
Organizations involved in defining SVG are: Sun (which has been acquired by Oracle), Adobe, Apple, IBM and Kodak.
Compared with other image formats, the advantages of using SVG are:
SVG can be read and modified by many tools (such as notepad)
SVG is smaller and more compressible than JPEG and GIF images.
SVG is scalable
SVG images can be printed with high quality at any resolution
SVG can be magnified without deterioration in image quality.
The text in the SVG image is optional and searchable (ideal for making maps)
SVG can be run with Java technology
SVG is an open standard
SVG files are pure XML
The main competitor of SVG is Flash.
The biggest advantage of SVG over Flash is its compatibility with other standards, such as XSL and DOM. Flash is a proprietary technology that is not open source.
View the SVG file
Internet Explorer9, Firefox, Google Chrome,Opera and Safari all support SVG.
Both IE8 and earlier versions require a plug-in, such as an Adobe SVG browser, which is available free of charge.
Create a SVG file
Because SVG is a XML file, SVG images can be created with any text editor, but it is often used with a drawing program, such as Inkscape to make it easier to create SVG images