Scaled Vector Graphics (SVG's)

SVG’s – What are they?

Understanding and where to locate your SVG Cutting Files

What is an SVG file, and what use is it?

Scaled Vector Graphics are the name given to image files, [graphics], that do not degrade, or pixelate, when you increase their size. It is built on vectors, basically straight or curved lines between two fixed points, as an alternative to ‘jpeg, or png’ files which are made up of tiny little pixels, or blocks of colour. When you increase the blocks in size they can only go to a certain size before the human eye physically sees the individual blocks, giving it that blocky or pixelated look. SVG files, being vectors, do not suffer the same fate, but the physical limitations of the format, although making it ideal for graphics, cannot be used successfully for photos. This makes this format absolutely ideal for cutting files, and because it can be built in layers, allows for some pretty spectacular creations.

What use are these files?

Commercially these files may be used in architectural software, and signwriting and printing applications as well as web design. They are smaller in size than conventional photo or image files, so when placed on a ‘hypertext’ platform, (ie a webpage), they load faster. For you and I they are generally accepted as the ‘universal’ format for electronic cutting files.

Cutting files in this format are ideal for using with home electronic crafting machines such as Brother’s Scan n Cut, Silhouette’s Cameo and Cricut’s Expression. See the specific documents in our library for more details on how to use and compatibility for these individual brands.

·        To reach this step you may have to click on another folder,

·        This may be presented in ‘list’ or ‘detailed’ format,

·        The blue circle ‘logo’ above is Microsoft Edge, that only means on the computer that the image was taken from, Edge is the default ‘svg’ reader, your machine(s) may be completely different,

·        If your setting are set up so, you might see the shape of the cutting file as a thumbnail here, that is only possible if your PC setting support this.

So what do I do now, how do I use them?

Here is where it will depend on what electronic cutting machine you have , and/or what software you use to utilise it.

Please move to the following guides in our library for more details

         SVG’s and you Brother Scan ‘n’ Cut

         SVG’s and your Silhouette Cameo

         SVG’s and the Cricut