Open SVG files
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Full nameXML Based Vector Graphics Format
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DeveloperAdobe Systems
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Popularity
What is SVG file?
The file extension is the standard 2D vector graphics format developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for displaying vector graphics on the Internet. The so-called Scalabe Vector Graphics Format (scalable vector graphics) describes images in a text format based on XML. Even normal pictures can be embedded.
More info
SVG files can be used directly as graphic format (eg for data exchange) or embedded in a web page. Most new browsers can display SVG graphics like this, but Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 requires a plug-in for this.
In addition to images SVG also supports animations. On the one hand, animation is possible through Javascript, but the XML multimedia standard Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) can also be used to animate states such as color, position and size.
Since SVG is an XML-based text format, SVG files can be opened with any text editor, however, an XML editor is recommended for changes to the text code (eg attributes). To render SVG, you can either use a browser or a vector graphics program (eg Inkscape), which also allows you to create and edit SVG graphics.
SVG files can also be compressed using the gzip method and then have the suffix svgz. Many graphics programs can handle these compressed files as well. In addition to the currently current format version SVG 1.1, there is also an SVG tiny 1.2, which is geared to the application in mobile devices.
Programs which can open a SVG file
SVG files can be used directly as graphic format (eg for data exchange) or embedded in a web page. Most new browsers can display SVG graphics like this, but Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 requires a plug-in for this.
In addition to images SVG also supports animations. On the one hand, animation is possible through Javascript, but the XML multimedia standard Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL) can also be used to animate states such as color, position and size.
Since SVG is an XML-based text format, SVG files can be opened with any text editor, however, an XML editor is recommended for changes to the text code (eg attributes). To render SVG, you can either use a browser or a vector graphics program (eg Inkscape), which also allows you to create and edit SVG graphics.
SVG files can also be compressed using the gzip method and then have the suffix svgz. Many graphics programs can handle these compressed files as well. In addition to the currently current format version SVG 1.1, there is also an SVG tiny 1.2, which is geared to the application in mobile devices.
Programs which can open a SVG file
How to open file with SVG extension?
Install Adobe Illustrator or other program from the list
Most often resolving problems with opening SVG files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support SVG files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of SVG files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.
Set Adobe Illustrator as the default program for opening SVG files
It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate SVG files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Illustrator applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Illustrator has been installed.
Check the section that lists most common problems with SVG files
Sometimes problems with opening SVG files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:
- File data is corrupted
- SVG files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
- Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open SVG files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
- SVG file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)