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. 

[Nancy OShea]

Using paths would allow you to save without raster content... If you saved a path-only file it would be accepted everywhere*. I know because I did it and even used them to start off SVG animations, make responsive SVGs and make interactive SVGs. All for web content.

By @GXC7243

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Professional content creators operate under different rules than amateurs.

As an example, Adobe Stock contributors cannot submit SVGs from Photoshop.  See vector requirements below. Notice the Illustrator specs.

https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/vector-requirements.html

That's just one example.  There are countless others where Photoshop SVGs would be unfit for commercial use. 

[GXC7243]

I'm a professional content creator, but nice slight Nancy; very productive. There are tons of examples where it is accepted and not just because of policies. Not every professional is required to upload icons and clipart to Adobe Stock. 

[Nancy OShea]

Stock assets are frequently used in commercial print industry  -- magazines, textiles and merchandise (t-shirts, tote bags, calendars, coffee mugs, etc..).  Print requirements exceed those of web display.  That's what I mean by "professional" content creators.  

Inasmuch as you don't require professional print quality output, you're free to keep doing business as usual with an older version of Photoshop.   Nobody here is stopping you. 

[GXC7243]

You're typing without reading. I posted a way to use current versions and still save SVGs, yet you keep resorting to attempted one ups. I think you lack understanding how diverse the professional graphic design industry is. So what may be ok with you isn't ok for other professionals. You are not required to use PS to save your SVGs but some professionals were able to use it, and it made working a lot more efficient. In the web industry it is perfectly acceptable to use PS for saving SVGs. Not only is it acceptable but I've used it for making advanced SVGs; such as: animated, interactive and SEO powered. No one is saying all people have to use the PS SVG saving tool if it isn't ok for their work; that's you projecting. What is being addressed is limiting PS ability for no reason other than people were using it incorrectly. When what could have been done is make requirements for saving files as SVGs. Yours and other's arguments about PS not being the best place for SVGs is moot. Especially when considering the official stance of using Adobe Express for SVGs. A program that is far more limited and ill equipped for making proper SVGs. "Nobody is stopping you" from not using the feature, but there are people attempting to stop me from using it in current PS version; affecting my work's efficiency. There is a difference. 

[nomasprime]

Unacceptable, doesn't give professional results.

This feature was pretty much the only Adobe functionality I still use.

Probably a good time to cancel my subscription.

[MagdalenaMan]

Sadly for me this is not a solution, as I have a PSD file with pixel data AND clipping paths - I need the picture as it is including the paths I made as an SVG. If I try it over the tool I just get a flatted svg image with no paths at all ...
Sadly not what I need.

[PMWSTUDIO]

Thats no big deal... Adobe restored one day forgotten function : GENERATE IMAGE ASSETS - so easy - just name a layer *.png or *.svg and choose location ... wonderful is happening :D.  ... End of discussion xD

[MagdalenaMan]

You can always learn something new (or old). 😄 Haha thanks for that!

Though in my case it's not useable, as I need PATHS extracted, not just pixel files. 😉

But I found a solution for what I needed, thanks anyway to bring this up though!

[PMWSTUDIO]

No way! Pure Vector based svg on export no crappy pixels. But remember always "merge shape components" before generating assets ;). 

[Elana B]

I suggest exporting your file into Adobe Illustrator and choosing export for the web. The format has the SVG option.

[GXC7243]

Just a few weeks ago before updating I was able to export as SVG, but that option is completely gone. I feel like this is extremely shady on Adobe's part. Just seems like a way to get more Illustrator subscriptions. There isn't even an option for me to use legacy export. Does anyone know what's going on?

iMac macOS Monterey

[Myra Ferguson]

You can go to File > Export > Export As... (or right-click on a layer and select Export As...), and select SVG as the Format.

[GXC7243]

That has been taken away.

[Myra Ferguson]

I forgot to mention that you would need to select "Use legacy "Export As" in the Export section of the Preferences.

[GXC7243]

They took away the legacy option being displayed as default. You have to go through a few steps to reinstate the legacy options. I posted the steps to do it on Mac OS here.

[Lumigraphics]

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/export-artboards-layers.html#discontinue-export-as-svg

[GXC7243]

This doesn't have the solution. I have found the solution however. 

If your legacy options are not showing you have to change how Adobe Photoshops opens. For Mac OS:

Go to Finder > select Applications > select Photoshop Folder > Select Photoshop application and right click > Select info option > Select open with rosetta option in the info panel > Then relaunch Photoshop.

[Ted Bradshaw AD]

Adobe why did you do this?  It worked perfectly fine for years.  It allows me to work between Photoshop and many 3D packages.  It also enables me to export for 3D printing.   Supper dissapointed that you did this.  Please bring it back!!!  The solution posted in this Chat with Rosseta does not seem to work as the option is not displayed in the "Get Info" pannel anymore. 

[Jeff Arola]

What version of photoshop and macOS are you using?

Open using Rosetta is only available on Apple Silicon processor macs.

[Ted Bradshaw AD]

Boom that was it.  TY Jeff.  

[GXC7243]

I think it's a sly way to get more subs to different Adobe applications; like Illustrator. Why else make an official stance to use a worse method (Adobe Express) rather than something that worked if people to knew what they were doing.

I constantly see graphic designers that make a living uploading icons and clipart say the PS SVG save feature was bad, because it gave them problems uploading work (which only happens when it wasn't made properly). But they have no clue of SVGs' full capabilities and assume everyone in the industry has the same needs as them. I used it for many diverse SVGs such as; animation, interactive, SEO powered etc. Adobe removing the feature seems to be a money grab and doesn't make sense when considering functionality of the program. 

I'm glad you had your question answered BTW. Sorry, my soultion doesn't work for you. If you have any questions please feel to ask and I'll help look into it. 

[D Fosse]

That's a neat theory, but the truth is much simpler: SVG is a vector format, and Photoshop is a pixel-based raster editor with very limited vector capabilities, none of them intended for final output.

Illustrator is Adobe's vector editor, and that's where SVG belongs.

[GXC7243]

That's a neat deflection, ignoring everything said in its totality. Limiting PS function when it was working for lot's of people is regressive. Explain why they are officailly telling people to use Adobe Express for SVGs now if you don't have Illustrator. 

[Lumigraphics]

We are not Adobe employees and we have no sway over their decisions. We can mostly answer how and what questions but not why questions. The fact here is that SVG export has been removed and presumably is not coming back. You'll need to use a different tool. I wonder if it has to do with Adobe moving to Metal and DirectX12, if SVG output was easy to do under their oldered imaging engine. Regardless, you'll need to use a different tool (Illustrator, Adobe Express, the free Inkscape, etc.)

[D Fosse]

If I recall correctly it was the whole Export code that was replaced (hence "legacy export").

In any case, this is clearly a case of getting the toothpaste back in the tube - very much like when they introduced direct save to jpeg in CS5. When one day it's no longer possible due to outside changes, it blows up.

SVG should never have been in Photoshop to begin with. A vector format, with expected vector content, causes nothing but misuse in a raster application, because, let's just say it right out, most people have no idea what the difference is or why it matters. So you get all these SVGs out there with raster content - files that should have been PNGs.

We've had plenty of posters here who think that saving out as SVG magically turns it into vector data.  That's just a fact.

And sometimes it's necessary to educate people. There is such a thing as good working practices, and bad ones. Someone has to say it. That never wins you any popularity contests, but my hope is that eventually the facts will gain some traction.

SVG belongs in Illustrator, not Photoshop.