What is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) ?
SVG is a vector graphics file format that enables two-dimensional images to be displayed in XML pages on the Web. Vector images are created through text-based commands formatted to comply with XML specifications. In contrast to JPEG and GIF images on the Web, which are bitmapped and always remain a specified size, SVG images are scalable to the size of the viewing window and will adjust in size and resolution according to the window in which it is displayed.
Benefits of SVG include:
- smaller files size than regular bitmapped graphics such as GIF and JPEG files
- resolution independence, so that the image can scale down or up to fit proportionally into any size display on any type of Web device
- text labels and descriptions that can be searched by search engines
- ability to link to parts of an image
- complex animation
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SVG.html
Example of using SVG
This page has a very fun and interesting example of SVG in action. Firefox 1.5 (or another browser that supports SVG) is required. “View Source” to see how it’s done.
http://isthis4real.com/orbit.xml