Is SVG A Vector File? Things About Vector File

In the realm of online content and applications, there are generally two types of images: bitmaps and vectors. While the distinction between them might initially appear complex, it is actually quite straightforward. Raster graphics are composed of a grid of pixels, each precisely assigned a color. On the other hand, vectors are constructed from mathematically defined shapes such as lines and curves. This means that vector graphics can be resized infinitely without sacrificing sharpness or color quality, making them ideal for projects requiring high-quality images. But how can you quickly identify a vector file? Most vectors come in just a few different file types, making them easy to pick out.

Here’s some answer from artist in Internet when they are asked “is SVG a vector file?”

Difference Between AI, EPS, PDF And SVG Files?

In the same way that there are various raster file types (.JPG, .PNG, etc.), there are several vector file formats, each suited for different applications. Here are some of the most common vector files in use today:

 AI: This extension is proprietary to Adobe Illustrator – the most famous software for editing vector graphics. It is extremely widespread among designers, as it is the native file format for Illustrator. It has some limitations but it is very good with detailed graphics and heavy illustrations, it is also designed to support all Illustrator-only features, like for example Mesh gradients or 3D forms (with the new tools Extrude, Revolve, and Inflate). While you can use this file format in many programs today, it still doesn’t perform that well compared to its native environment – Illustrator

EPS: Encapsulated Postscript is a legacy format. It is far from perfect, as it doesn’t support transparency. However, this file format supports both vector and bitmap images which is a big advantage. While it isn’t a very convenient option for creating modern illustrations, it is arguably the best option for print design, as there is a much better sync between software and hardware. EPS files can quickly be converted to PDF, JPG, PNG, and TIFF. It was EPS that laid the foundation of Ai.

SVG: Scalable vector graphic (or SVG) is another vector format that is quite common these days. It’s great for creating logo designs and all sorts of charts, diagrams, etc. One area where it shines is in web design since it is XML-based. It means that it is a scalable format and files with an SVG extension could also be indexed by search engines. SVG is not your best option for print design, though. It doesn’t support both vectors and rasters (like EPS) and printer drivers might have issues with it.

PDF: Portable document format is one of the most used formats in history. The reason behind it is that PDF files support both vector and raster graphics. As the name says, PDFs are quite portable – they can be read on any device and are open-source. What makes them so used in modern days is their flexibility – they are used in print design, as PDF files support A3 and A4 printing formats. At the same time, PDFs are very often created for digital use – especially for legal documents, large manuals, e-books, etc. Any document that has to be readable on both digital and paper versions will most probably be created in PDF. But PDFs aren’t perfect – file size is quite huge compared to other vector formats. It is tough to read such files on wide screens, as you have to scroll a lot. One other major problem is related to security liabilities. It’s not impossible to catch a virus when opening such a file from an unfamiliar source.

Now we have answered the biggest question that SVG is a vector file, so how to create and edit this vector file? We have a detailed article on how to create and edit this vector file, learn more here.