Glossary A–ZLetter V
Vector graphic (SVG)
A vector graphic describes an image not as individual pixels but as geometric shapes such as lines, curves and areas, so that it can be enlarged to any size without loss of quality.
SVG, “Scalable Vector Graphics”, is the web's open vector format and is maintained by the W3C.
For screens, vector graphics are well suited to logos, pictograms, charts and decorative elements. The same file stays sharp on a small door sign and on a large LED wall, and the file is usually very small. SVG can also contain text and can be changed or animated by code in HTML5 content. Photos, by contrast, cannot sensibly be represented as vector graphics.
Operators should check beforehand whether the players in use display SVG; not every player supports it as a stand-alone medium, and some render parts of the format differently. If an SVG file contains text, the player needs the font used, otherwise a substitute font appears; converting text to outlines is safer. SVG files can contain scripts and should therefore only be taken from trustworthy sources.