SVG
What is SVG?
SVG stands for scalable vector graphics, which is a file type that permits resizing images without compromising on their quality. It’s an XML-based mark-up language that describes 2D vector graphics. SVG is a type of vector art.
SVGs can be searched, indexed, scripted and compressed. This is easy because these types of images are based on mathematical shapes and curves rather than on pixels. SVGs can be animated, they support transparency, and support all types of colors and gradients.
All major web browsers support SVG files.
SVG files are one file type to consider when learning how to make a website.
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Benefits of using SVG
If you're wondering whether to use SVG files or not in your web design, the following benefits may help with your decision making. Below are some of the pros of using SVG.
Scalable: SVG images are resolution independent, meaning they can be scaled to any size without losing their quality. This makes them a good choice for logos, icons and other images to display without losing quality.
Portable: SVG is an open format, which means it can be viewed on any device that supports SVG.
Interactive SVG supports interactive elements, such as animations and links. This makes SVG a good choice for those looking for more creativity with their brand images.
SEO (search engine optimization) friendly: In theory because they're created with XML, SVG files are easier to crawl by search engines. This doesn't directly affect ranking, but the easier content is for search engines to crawl and understand, the better the overall SEO health of your online assets.
Cons of using SVG
Despite there benefits, there are some potential drawbacks to using SVG. These include:
Browser incompatibility: Not all browsers support SVG, so it's important to test your SVG images in different browsers before you publish them. However most modern web browsers support SVG, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. So this isn't necessarily a huge problem when creating and using SVG.
Complex to create: SVG images can be more complex to create than other image formats, such as JPEG or PNG.
How to create SVG
There are a few different ways to create SVG images. You can use a vector graphics editor, such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape, to create them from scratch. You can also convert existing images to SVG format using a converter, such as SVG-edit.