What is an SVG file? How to Open, Edit, Convert SVG file?

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When you create a logo, you want the logo to look good in any shape without losing its quality. There comes the SVG file format, which is used widely to embed images on a web page.

If you are into the web design profession, then you would have heard of responsive web design, which doesn’t break when it scales to a different shape.

Whether you prefer a desktop or mobile, the quality of the websites remain the same.

In responsive web design, the use of SVG files is one of the factors that gives responsive design to the websites. It is also widely used in large format printing like a T-shirt.

What is an SVG file?

SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics, is an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) based two-dimensional graphic file format.

As the name implies, it is a scalable vector graphics, which means it is easily scalable and doesn’t lose its property and quality.

That’s the reason why businesses use SVG format to print a logo, T-Shirt, or Signboard.

Where is the SVG file format used for?

SVG file formats are most used to display vector images on your websites. It is an excellent choice for responsive web design because it won’t lose its quality when it is scaled up and down.

Also, each SVG file is based on XML two-dimensional format, which means all information regarding the image color, lines, shapes, curves, and text are stored in readable text files.

The XML format makes SVG easily human-readable and customizable, and upon modification of the image, it maintains its quality.

It can easily be embedded in an HTML document as an inline SVG and also implemented via CSS or Javascript.

SVG flexibility and versatility are unmatched compared to traditional PNG, JPG, GIF graphic format.

The SVG file was first developed by World Wide Web Consortium, also known as W3C.

Moreover, W3C is maintaining global industry standards, in which SVG was included. It means that SVG can easily be interacted and operated with other open standard technologies and languages such as DOM, Javascript, HTML, and CSS.

What does vector graphics mean in SVG?

As we have stated, SVG is a vector graphics. But, what does vector graphics means?

In the graphic design field, there are two types of graphics: Raster and Vector graphics.

Raster graphics file contains data that refer to every pixel forming the image. In contrast, the Vector graphics file accumulates data as the geometric description such as lines, shapes, curves, etc.

That’s why the raster graphics file such as PNG, GIF, JPEG files are not scalable, but if you try to scale, it will lose its quality.

Whereas, vector graphics don’t have a resolution problem and are easily scalable. Hence, most business logos, favicons, social media avatars are based on SVG format.

How to open the SVG file?

The easiest way to open the SVG file is through a browser. But it can also be open using an image editor like CorelDraw.

However, if you would like to edit .svg files, then you need a vector-based editor like CorelDraw, Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or you can customize it using a text editor like Notepad++.

If you want to design an SVG file from scratch, then the most efficient tool is Adobe Illustrator.

The other programs used to create SVG files are Microsoft Visco, CorelDraw, CADSoftTools, Corel Paintshop Pro, etc.

But, if you are looking for a free solution to create and open SVG file, then Inkscape, GIMP, and Picozu program would help you to some extent.

What is the best free SVG converter?

If you are a Windows or Mac user, then you might be looking for a free tool that converts your SVG file into multiple file formats such as PNG, JPEG, PDF, etc.

There are plenty of options available, but we have listed some of the most important and freely available SVG conversion tools below.

Three best free SVG converters for Windows

RealWorld Paint ( http://www.rw-designer.com/image-editor)
Inkscape ( https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-0.92.4/)
Converseen ( http://converseen.fasterland.net/download/)

Three best free SVG converters for Mac

GIMP ( https://www.gimp.org/downloads/)
SVG Converter ( https://apps.apple.com/us/app/svg-converter-ohanaware-com/id1075707641?mt=12)
Gapplin ( https://apps.apple.com/app/coteditor/id768053424?ign-mpt=uo%3D8)

Two best online free SVG converter tool

Zamzar ( https://www.zamzar.com/)
Autotracer.org (https://www.autotracer.org/)

Benefits of using SVG files

Scalability and responsiveness

SVG uses shapes, numbers, and coordinates rather than using a pixel grid to render graphics in the browser, which makes SVG resolution-independent and infinitely scalable.