Optimal settings for exporting SVGs for the web from Illustrator?
For a quick and effective SVG export from Illustrator for web use, select Export As > SVG. Opt for SVG 1.1 specification and utilize Profile: Tiny to eliminate unnecessary metadata. Engage the Responsive option to make graphics scalable. Ensure simpler designs by reducing layers and flattening artwork. Use Convert to outline for fonts and enable Minify option to compress the SVG file size. Preview your SVG in the browser to validate its appearance.
Example settings are:
Format: SVG (svg)
Font: Outline
Object IDs: Minimal
Decimal: 1-2
Minify: Yes
Responsive: Yes (if scalable)
Finally, scrutinize the code of the exported SVG to manually remove unnecessary elements, thus ensuring a lean SVG file.
Intricacies of SVG optimization
The quick answer provides the gist, but let's delve into more nuanced strategies:
Font Handling
The integrity of fonts can be preserved by converting them to outlines. This is especially crucial when your artwork contains minimal text. Choosing an optimal decimal value helps maintain a balance between visual quality and file size.
Dealing with Raster Images
Embedded raster images should be converted into their Base64 Data URIs to ensure portability and to reduce HTTP requests. Balancing this process is key, as it could inadvertently increase the file size of the SVG.
Responsiveness and Compatibility
Select UTF-8 for encoding to display your text correctly. The responsive option allows your SVG to be scaled via CSS. However, ensure it is deselected if inflexibility of SVG size is necessary.
Further Optimization Techniques
Use the <textpath> sparingly due to a compromise in text appearance. It is crucial to have an alpha-PNGfallback for backwards compatibility with older Internet Explorer browsers.
Detailed optimization strategies
Understanding SVG optimization like a pro involves looking at various components – from managing text to embedding images:
Text Rendering in SVG
For a lean code, use as little <tspan> elements as possible, especially if text layout can withstand minor changes.
Balancing File Size and Visual Clarity
When exporting high-detail logos, precision rules. But for large abstract designs, a significant reduction in decimal places could be advantageous.
SVGs that Scale and Perform
Your SVGs should adapt to any device and always look their absolute best. Check support across browsers, know how rendering happens now that Adobe SVG Viewer is no longer available.
Managing Load Times
File size should be kept within limits for speedy load times and improved user experience. This involves understanding the right optimization methods, from font subsetting to code compression.
Was this article helpful?