P: How to export to SVG from Photoshop?

[TomH07]

I have a PS file that has text that I converted to a shape, plus another shape. I want to convert that to an SVG file, but, when I use the Explort As dialog, the only export file options are GIF, PNG and JPG. If I do Save As, the only options are Photoshop, Large Document Format, Photoshop PDF, and TIFF. 

I searched the help system, there's nothing there that I can find. Did they remove SVG export from Photoshop?? I sure hope not. I have Photoshop 22.4.3. 

[GXC7243]

Removing SVG exporting is a big mistake and feels like a scam to make money off more Illustrator subs. There is no option for using legacy in Photoshop now either. This is a shady move on Adobe's part.

[D Fosse]

If anything, it's an attempt to make people use the appropriate tool for the job. As such, I fully support that.

SVG is a vector format that can also contain raster content. But the expectation is vector, that's how the format is used. If you're going to put raster content in an SVG, you can just as well use PNG to exactly the same effect.

You can, in some very limited circumstances, get Photoshop to output vector content. But you have to work at it, and do you expect the general public to understand the distinction? Not likely. The realistic result of SVG export in Photoshop is a flood of SVGs with raster content. And who do you think they'll blame when those files are rejected? That's right, they'll blame Photoshop and Adobe.

Just the appropriate tool for the job.

[GXC7243]

If you do your paths properly then that is moot. It's not Photoshop wasn't the right tool for the job. Taking away functionality because someone might being using it improperly or might blame someone for their failing is an awful mindset. That makes no sense.

[D Fosse]

Reopen your SVG in Illustrator and see how much vector is left in those paths. It's all pixels.

And no, it's not moot. The whole point of vector in an SVG is scalability. Pixels don't scale.

The only things that will survive are live text and shapes (but not paths).

[GXC7243]

I've never had an issue with paths turning to raster when transfering to Illustrator. Also then just make your paths shapes. So yes, it is still moot. They simply could have just made only shapes a requirtement for saving as SVG.

I know what the point of SVGs are. Kind of the reason why I'm trying to save as SVG... It's also kind of in the name...Scalable Vector Graphics. No idea why you're attempting a one up rather than actually providing something helpful.

Edit: I've found the solution. It is going to the Photoshop application in finder, selecting info and choosing the open with Rosetta option. 

Link to the post I made for help that has answer: 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/no-option-for-svg-export/m-p/13432431...

[grini5FAE]

expoort preference > mark legacy exports > and you will be able to export as SVG 

[rangorLostBroke]

I guess "export as svg" is discontinued. But the new one "Vectornator" is quite good in exporting png files to svg files 

[Janosch24737471i936]

Just wow... Photoshop... aiming to be a leader in the market... removes svg export. Seriously?

[Nancy OShea]

Photoshop is a raster editor.  I never use Photoshop for SVG. 

For best results, export to SVG from Illustrator or some other vector graphics app.

[iampurple]

Hope the photoshop put back the export SVG and work better on web, since now a day using SVG a lot.

[PMWSTUDIO]

OMG!  Bring back now svg export for legacy users. I've been use photoshop since 1996!!! It's hard to to copying and pasting 16 px web icons to Illustrator all the time! Im thinking that i'm not the only one who design beautiful webpages and apps directly in Photoshop.

[GXC7243]

I was having the same issue. I found the solution but only put how to do it on Mac OS. It shouldn't be hard to do the same for PC.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/no-option-for-svg-export/m-p/13432697...

Crazy that they'd do this.

[PECourtejoie]

Yes, I do not understand why Photoshop, despite being a bitmap editor, could not simply save/export to the most prevalent vector format for the web, when it is able to extract vectors from images using many different methods (Create from image; manual tracing; conversion of selections to paths; and the content aware path tool) and when Photoshop as an entire section of its toolbar dedicated to vectors.

[Lumigraphics]

I'm not sure this is the answer but I find it interesting...

https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/convert/png-to-svg

[PECourtejoie]

Yes, there must be a good SVG-writing API available for Photoshop...

Crazy how many feature requests for the pro apps end up in the consumer side.

[Nancy OShea]

I've never used Express for high quality graphics.  I wonder if pixel-based PNG to math-based SVG converter could produce an acceptable vector or just a raster/vector hybrid?

[Lumigraphics]

There has to be a way to get vectors to Inkscape and save SVG from there.

[Mohit Goyal · Accepted solution]

Hi everyone,

I understand how difficult it must be not to be able to export into an SVG format through Photoshop. However, I wanted to suggest trying Adobe Express as a possible solution for converting your images into the desired format: https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/convert/svg?cgen=JQVGW3QK&mv=other

I genuinely hope this helps in your work. Let us know your feedback.

Thanks,

Mohit

[GXC7243]

This is an unacceptable option. When saving in Adobe Express the file is distorted and becomes unusable. Every time I attempt to save it as SVG it creates extra shapes, and colors or/and removes details. 

Why would you remove saving as SVG from Photoshop, instead of just making it a requirement to have only paths when saving?

[Nancy OShea]

For best results, use a math-based vector graphics app for SVG output; not a pixel-based raster editor. My tool of choice is Adobe Illustrator, but Inkscape will do, too.

[GXC7243]

My results never had any issues in Photoshop before the removal. This seems like nothing more than an attempt to sell more Illustrator subscriptions. 

[Nancy OShea]

Photoshop fails when it attempts to be something it's not.

• It's NOT a vector graphics app, never was, never will be.
• It's NOT a 3D builder, never was, never will be.
• It's NOT a video editor, never was, never will be.
• Photoshop is and always has been a raster image editor.

Use the right tools for the job.

[GXC7243]

I and many others had no issue with it saving SVGs. This is an excuse I constantly see. It worked perfectly other than saving non-paths. I used it for a variety of projects and never had any issues. There is no point in removing it when all that was needed is requiring only paths for saving. 

[Nancy OShea]

You are in the minority.  SVG output from Photoshop was unacceptable for professional users like me.  Adobe did the sensible thing by removing it; should have done it sooner, IMO.  🙂

If you're married to SVG in Photoshop and can't use other tools, then REVERT to an older version of Photoshop.  See direct download links below.

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cc-2019-direct-download-links.html

Goodbye & good luck. 

[GXC7243]

Or you can rectify the current version:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/no-option-for-svg-export/m-p/13434423...

Photoshop shouldn't be limited and it's abilities stunted. 

Goodbye & good luck.