Vector-Based Graphics with SVG
The purpose of this assignment was to:
- Learn about vector-based graphics.
- Learn how to use SVG.
The description and my solution of the Vector-Based Graphics -assignment can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
What is Vector-Based Graphics?
Vector-based graphics refers to a technique that use geometrical formulas to represent images.
Since vector-based graphic files store instructions for drawing an image, not data for each image pixel, a vector-based graphic file is considerably smaller than that of a corresponding bitmap file.
Vector-based graphics are also refered to as object-oriented graphics.
What is SVG?
SVG is a language for describing two-dimensional graphics and graphical applications in XML.
SVG allows for three types of graphic objects:
- vector-based graphic shapes(paths consisting of curves and straight lines)
- images
- text
SVG:
- is short for Scalable Vector Graphics
- is used for defining vector-based graphics for the Web
- defines graphics in XML format
- graphics has no quality loss if they are zoomed or resized
- has elements and attributes that all can be animated
- is recommended by the W3C
- integrates well with other W3C standards such as the XSL and DOM
Adobe, Sun Microsystems, Apple, IBM and Kodak are some of the organizations that have been involved in the development of SVG.
SVG Advantages
Below is a list of advantages of using SVG over common bitmapped graphics formats such as JPEG and GIF.
SVG:
- file sizes are smaller and allow for a harder compression than JPEG or GIF images
- images are scalable
- images can be printed with high quality at any resolution
- images are zoomable. Any part of the image can be zoomed without degradation
- features selectable and searchable text
- works with Java
- is an open standard
- files are XML
Flash is the major competitor to SVG . The two techniques have a lot of similar features. One big advantage SVG has over Flash is the compliance with other standards such as the DOM and XSL. Unlike SVG, Flash relies on technology that is not open source.
The major drawback of SVG at the moment is that not all browsers fully supports SVG.
However, Microsoft plan to fully support SVG in future releases of Internet Explorer, and Firefox 1.5 and Adobe GoLive 5 already does.
And the number of SVG editors are growing.
Assignment Description
Create a document to experiment with SVG graphics.
My solution, Assignment Files
To view SVG files today you will have to have Firefox 1.5 or install a plug-in such as the Adobe SVG Viewer.