What is SVG?

An SVG file, short for Scalable Vector Graphics File, is a standard type of vector graphics file used for rendering two-dimensional images on the internet.

SVG is written in XML (Extensible Markup Language) code. The XML code found in the SVG is a text file that defines all the shapes, colors, and texts that create the image. Since XML itself is designed to store and transport data, but not display it, SVG makes this possible. This type of file allows two-dimensional (2D) images to be displayed, by making them visible to the user, and possible to be stored as vectors. At the same time, SVG files generate crisp graphics at any resolution. Since SVGs are written in XML code, this means that they store textual information. This allows search engines like Google to read SVG graphics for their keywords, which can potentially help a website rise in search rankings.

There are some basic ways that scalable vector graphic files can be seen on websites.

What are SVG files used for?

There are some common uses of SVG files in the online environment such as icons, logos, illustrations, animations, and interface elements.

As mentioned earlier, SVG files produce crisp graphics at any resolution. For this reason, using SVG files for icons, logos, and illustrations is important. Because their resolution must be ideal when scaled. For example, some page element icons, such as buttons, must fit different screen sizes, so they need to have clearly defined borders.

By using the capabilities of JavaScript and CSS you can create animated SVG’s. This way you can create better visual flair to your pages.

In order to create SVG images from scratch you can use a vector graphics editor, such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Converting existing images to SVG format is possible by using a converter such as SVG-edit.

Despite SVG’s variety of implements, using this type of image file format has its advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages of SVG files?

• Infinity scalability – SVG files are vector-based images that are created from mathematical equations such as lines and curves, using points fixed on a grid rather than a grid of pixels. This makes SVG files resolution-independent and possible to scale them to any size without losing quality. This benefit provides SVG files a great choice for the creation of web graphics. Unlike raster files (or bitmap) such as JPEG and PNG which are pixel-based image formats and appear pixelated when scaled up.

• Compatibility – SVGs are designed in a way that allows them to use the capabilities of front-end development technologies like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. This provides various dynamic display possibilities. For example, creating animations or dynamic charts. This is also one of the qualities that differentiate SVGs from file formats like JPEG and PNG.

• Small size – Generally, vector graphics such as SVG have smaller sizes than raster graphics such as JPEG, PNG, or GIF. Raster files along with vectors are the main two file types used for digital images. But unlike SVG graphics, when creating highly detailed images in raster files their size might also increase.

• SEO friendly – Since SVGs are written in XML code, this means that they store textual information. This allows search engines like Google to read, crawl, and index your images. Which can potentially help the website rise in search rankings.

Despite its great uses, SVG files have some drawbacks.

What are the disadvantages of SVG files?

• Unsuitable for high-quality images – When it comes to displaying high-quality digital photos, they need pixels. As it was mentioned earlier vector-based files like SVG don’t use pixels and when it comes to displaying photography, they struggle. Unlike raster files, which are based on pixels that determine the quality of the image.
• Code knowledge – Since SVG is written in XML code, it can be difficult to understand if you are new to it.

Conclusion

Whether used for creating icons, illustrations, animations, or interface elements SVG can achieve crisp borders and solid colors without losing the quality. Witch makes it a great choice for many web designers, developers, or quality enthusiasts.

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What is a PDF?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. A PDF is a “read-only” document that retains its original layout. This file format can be easily shared and printed while preserving the original graphical appearance of any document or article. The document can include text, hyperlinks, buttons, video, images, and audio.

Viewing and creating a PDF document is possible by using any program that can save this type of file format. Also, another way to view a PDF is through most web browsers.

However, editing a PDF can be a little more difficult. Since it is created by Adobe, editing a PDF file is only possible from a platform called Adobe Acrobat or other editing software that allows this function to be performed.

But in some situations, the use of pdf format is preferred by users.

What are the advantages of PDFs?

One of the advantages of the PDF file format is security. What makes PDF files one of the most trusted document formats is the ability to restrict viewing by setting a username and password. This way, only users who have this information can view the PDF file. Also, if the user is allowed to make changes to the document, they can be easily tracked via an electronic fingerprint on the file.

Another advantage of PDFs is that they are user-friendly. PDFs allow for the same layout and content to be displayed across all devices. This makes this type of file easily accessed from any user and anywhere.

Furthermore, the little space that PDFs take on the hard drive makes them easier to store, transfer, and download.

Although there are some great benefits of using PDFs, there are also some disadvantages.

What are the disadvantages of PDFs?

As we mentioned earlier editing a PDF file is possible by a platform called Adobe Acrobat which requires payment. Or from another expensive PDF editing software that allows a feature to edit such a document. This is a great disadvantage of the PDF as it doesn’t allow for corrections to be made easily.

Another disadvantage that makes PDF files difficult for the user is viewing each entire page at once. Because this leads to a lot of scrolling and zooming on the page.

Conclusion

The benefits of PDFs make this type of file a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes. From retaining their original layout to increasing security, PDFs empower organizations to improve productivity and maintain a professional image.

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What is PNG?

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a type of raster image file format used to save images, illustrations, icons, and photographs. Raster image file format refers to all pixel-based image files(JPEG and GIF). PNG represents the standard format for web graphics because it supports 24-bit true color, lossless compression, and transparency.

Typically the size of PNG files is larger which makes their processing, sharing, saving, and opening longer as well as slowing the loading time of the webpage. Vector files on the other hand such as SVG have smaller sizes which is less likely to slow down the page on your website. As we mentioned PNG supports transparency which means that there is no distracting white box around the image. This characteristic is one of the distinguishing qualities between JPEG and PNG.

What are the differences between PNG and JPEG?

PNG and JPEG represent the most used image file formats on the web as each one has its qualities.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a file format that takes up little storage space and offers a quick way to upload or download images. This makes it the perfect format for taking real-life images, such as photographs, and posting them on social media.

Unlike PNG, after converting a JPEG file, unnecessary or redundant information is lost from the file, which reduces the quality of the image.

PNG files are generally larger than JPEG and take bigger storage space but maintain a higher image quality of the images. This makes it a suitable option for detailed, high-contrast images. As it offers a nearly perfect pixel-for-pixel representation of the screen making it a great choice for screenshots.

When choosing to work with PNG, it is important to know its advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages of PNG?

There are some great characteristics of PNG files such as high image quality and maintaining transparency. But what are the advantages of using this file format?

• Lossless compression – This benefit makes PNG files great for editing images.
• Large number of colors – By supporting a large number of colors, a limited range of 256 colors makes this type of file a perfect option for graphics and images containing text.
• No patent – Since PNG files are patent-free they can be viewed and edited by a huge range of programs without a license.

What are the disadvantages of PNG?

• Larger file size – The size of compressing a single PNG file is much larger compared to JPEG. Which makes the page of the website load slower.
• NO CMYK color modes – The missing support for CMYK color modes can make transferring them to print more difficult.
• Lack of animation support – Another disadvantage is that PNG doesn’t support animation, unlike GIF files. However, there are some unofficial extensions available: MNG and APNG.

Conclusion

Most browsers and image editing programs accept PNG files. This advantage, as well as the ability of transparency, high quality, the number of colors, and lossless compression, makes PNG files preferred by graphic artists and web developers.

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What is JPEG?

JPEG image format is named after the Joint Photographic Experts Group, which published the first JPEG specification in 1992.

As it was mentioned earlier, JPEG is a file format that is included in text-based computer interfaces and allows visualizing digital images.

To get a better idea of ​​what Jpeg is, it is important to know its advantages and disadvantages.

What are the advantages of JPEG?

Digital cameras commonly use jpeg to store photos since they support approximately 224 or 16,777,216 colors. This makes it a standard file format for photographs and other still images. Jpeg also supports different compression levels, making it ideal for web graphics. Compression is the process of removing some of the data from the original image. In this way, it reduces the file size, while striving to maintain maximum quality.

However, some of the image quality might be lost during the compression process. For this reason, professional digital photographers often capture images in raw format. Then they edit their photos to the highest possible quality, export them as JPEG (.JPG) images, and publish them on the web.

What are the disadvantages of JPEG?

Now that we have analyzed JPEG’s advantages, it is time to take a look at its disadvantages and why on some occasions JPEG might not be the right choice.

Although JPEG reduces file size, in most cases this comes with a compromise in the quality and some color data might be removed.  As this color data cannot be changed with editing software, this leaves JPEG photos with limited depth.

Another disadvantage of JPEG files is that they don’t support transparency.

Most images, such as JPEG files, are covered by a certain number of pixels. All of these pixels have a color, even if that color is white. A transparent background has nothing in the background pixels, allowing what’s behind it to show through. Image file formats such as PNG support transparency which allows you to have no background color.

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