Placed SVG files do not fill frame

[markeeeee]

When placing an EPS file in InDesign it automatically fills the frame. The mint coloured object touches the frame:

But in Illustrator, if I save the very same object as an SVG file, and then place it into InDesign there is a margin or space between the object and the frame:

This appears to be true for all SVG files. Even though I've used the Artwork tool to Fit To Artwork Bounds.

In InDesign if I do Fit Frame To Content this doesn't help. It's as if SVG files have an invisible border around them.

How can I get SVG files to behaviour as EPS files and they simply fill the frame?

[BobLevine]

Quite frankly, if you're saving from Illustrator anyway, just save as AI and be done with it.

And you should note the reason the EPS files are filling the frame is because at some point you selected the crop to art option when placing one. This option is sticky.

[markeeeee]

It's artwork for a client who doesn't have Adobe software, so I'm having to save as SVG.

As mentioned when placing EPS it fills the frame. But when placing exactly the same files resaved as SVG it doesn't fill the frame. And Fit Frame To Content doesn't help. It's as if InDesign thinks the SVG content is bigger than it is.

[Willi Adelberger]

If your client does not have this software, save as PDF, not as SVG. Avoid EPS in modern times.

[markeeeee]

Hey, thanks, I'll look into this. The artwork is various different logos. Would you suggest saving logos as PDF, to be used in InDesign, Canva, Word, PowerPoint etc?

[Willi Adelberger]

Of course, use PDF/X-4 to place in InDesign, no EPS, no SVG.

[BobLevine]

Again, the reason for the EPS fitting is because it's a sticky setting and you chose to crop to artwork. I would never even consider an SVG file in InDesign.

And what does what the client has as far as applications have to do with this? If it's placed in InDesign it doesn't matter if they have the software or not.

[markeeeee]

Its logos and icons for use in InDesign, Canva, Word, PowerPoint etc.

Any ideas why the SVG are being placed into InDesign with a "margin" around them?

[markeeeee]

This screen shot shows it well. Top link is EPS and fills frame. Bottom link, same file, saved as SVG and it doesn't fill frame.

[BobLevine]

So, this is about a few pixels?

[markeeeee]

Yes.

[markeeeee]

Yes any ideas why InDesign is adding a few pixels to SVG files?

[leo.r]

Yes any ideas why InDesign is adding a few pixels to SVG files?

By @markeeeee

I'm not sure but maybe this recent discussion has something to do with your question:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/placed-illustrator-files-not-to-original-scale/m...

[BobLevine]

I only use SVG for the web and I've seen instances where actual dimensions had to be added to the code itself. 

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Hi @markeeeee , If I open an Illustrator SVG in a text editor I get this, which seems to indicate a required 1 pixel padding:

And if I check the padding in InDesign it is indeed 1px:

SVG is a web format, and while they can be printed there are other reasons not to use the format for print. They can not be saved as CMYK— RGB will cause a 4-color conversion, and a registration problem if there is any small black only text. And they can not have an embedded color profile, which could be a problem for general color management.

[markeeeee]

In Illustrstor I have created a 10px square. And made the artboard 10px square. As an SVG placed in InDesign the file is 11px sqaure! But as an EPS it is the correct 10px square.

SVG files are adding 1/2 pixel padding. But when I open the SVG file in a text editor the code looks fine.

Very odd behaviour!

[BobLevine]

There's nothing odd about it. Stop using SVG. It's a web format.

[markeeeee]

Urm, it is odd that a 10px square in Illustrator becomes an 11px square in InDesign.

[BobLevine]

No, it's not! If you don't want to listen to what we have to say, I don't understand why you even asked the question. Good luck with this project, I'm going to move on now.