SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a W3C recommendation (ie. "web standard") for presenting vector graphics in web pages. Although it is sometimes dismissed as a "Flash killer", SVG is an open XML-based text format that has the potential for much more. Being XML-based, can be created or transformed with XSLT (eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformations). Being a vector format, SVG can be used to produce static images which are scalable (unlike bitmaps), or it can be combined with ECMAScript (standardised Javascript/JScript) to add interactivity and intelligence to an image.
SVG is ideally suited to naturally vector applications such as graph presentation, mapping, and CAD systems. Contact us and Winwaed Software Technologies can develop SVG applications for your specific needs.
^ topDemo SVG Applications
These SVG demonstrations illustrate the versatility and high level of potential interactivity possible with SVG.
A number of SVG viewer plugins exist, and all are being actively developed. We recommend the use of Adobe SVG Viewer v3 with Internet Explorer. Any browser which supports ECMAScript, CSS, Transitional XHTML, and the EMBED tag should work. The Adobe SVG Viewer is reported to work with Mozilla Firebird, but it has to be installed manually. Mozilla are currently working on native SVG extensions for their browsers.
^ topDallas Wetland Maps
These maps demonstrate the use of SVG to deploy an interactive map on the web, by allowing you to view environmental field data acquired by University of Dallas undergraduate students. The data is from Phase 1 of the Dallas Wetlands Project. Two versions exist:
- Dallas Wetland SVG Demo: with overhead photograph. This displays the data, vector overlay map, and an aerial photograph. The photograph is a bitmap >2MB in size.
- Dallas Wetland SVG Demo: vectors only. This version displays the data and vector overlay map, only. This is recommended for low bandwidth connections.
This demo allows you to move around a map of the west side of the University of Dallas campus, viewing and selecting data sample points according to the students' findings.