Overview
SVG 2 is the W3C specification that defines Scalable Vector Graphics, a language for describing two-dimensional graphics using XML. It supports vector shapes, images, text, transformations, clipping, masking, and filter effects, making it suitable for both static and interactive graphical content.
SVG content can be styled with CSS, animated declaratively or via scripting, and integrated with HTML or other XML documents. The specification defines multiple processing modes—from fully interactive to secure static—to accommodate different use cases, from web applications to embedded images and print documents.
The language provides a rich DOM interface for programmatic access and supports accessibility features, internationalization, and Web platform integration, enabling sophisticated interactive and dynamic graphics applications.
Key features
- Vector shapes and paths
- CSS styling support
- Declarative and script-based animation
- DOM and JavaScript integration
- Clipping and masking
- Filter effects and transformations
- Text rendering
- Raster image embedding
- Multiple processing modes
- Accessibility features
- Scalable to any resolution without quality loss
- Native web standard with broad browser support
- Integrates seamlessly with HTML and CSS
- Full programmatic control via DOM and JavaScript
- Supports both static and interactive content
- Excellent accessibility support with ARIA
- Steeper learning curve than simple image formats
- Can be verbose for complex graphics
- Performance may degrade with very large or complex documents
- Not ideal for photorealistic imagery
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