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. 

[D Fosse]

Sorry but you are wrong. All you need do do is to create a path.

By @wende60

Yeah, you can make a path - but any fill or stroke will be pixels. A PNG would serve exactly the same purpose.

[jane-e]

---

@wende60 wrote:

"Adobe ... updates basic stuff like "safe as" by simply ruining it, is anoying."

---

If you mean "Save a Copy", it was driven by changes Apple made to the API and left Adobe to fix at their end.

https://petapixel.com/2021/05/18/photoshops-save-as-function-has-changed-on-mac-heres-why/ 

~ Jane

[D Fosse]

Yes, everybody should read that. But even though this goes a long way to set the record straight, they are still missing an important part of the equation. The piece starts:

"Rather than continuing to act as it has across applications on all computers for decades, Adobe altered the basic functionality and has left users baffled"

In fact, this ability to save directly to jpeg was introduced in Photoshop CS5, with much fanfare. In CS4 and earlier, you couldn't save to jpeg at all, if the file had layers/16 bit depth etc. That's right! It wasn't possible at all! First you had to flatten/convert/anything it took to satisfy the jpeg spec.

Not only that. No other application on the planet can save directly if the file has properties not supported in the target format. Affinity, anyone? You have to go through a full Export. Save won't do it there either!

So all these people ranting either have short memories, or haven't tried other software, or both. This was an extraordinary hack, and I bet they regret that now. If they hadn't done anuthing back then, just let everything work as it always had, everybody would be blissfully ignorant and happy.

[Kukurykus]

The system doesn't like your post. It is hidden in Threaded view (and 'Earliest' Linear). You can access it now only from first post of 'Latest' Linear view: I cannot see my reply in the forum.

[wende60]

What should it tell Adobe, that many users go back to both, legacy export and legacy save as. Seems that the Abo pricing leads to a lot of "improvements" that ruin a solid software. Pls Adobe, stop it.
Here some needed improvement for you: PS is not able to update a PS file on a Synology NAS (Mac, BigSur). This is a real challange for you devs!

[@MsParkerazzi]

This worked for me but when I attempted to open that svg file in my vinyl cutter, it does not recognize it.

[D Fosse]

Probably because it has raster content, which is what Photoshop generally outputs whatever the file format.

If you need a vector file, just saving to svg won't help you if it's raster data. Then you could just as well save to png. If you need a vector file, save out vector data from a vector application like Illustrator.

[apuzikov]

@D Fosse  you are absolutely correct - correct application for correct job.

But for some of us this is a hobby, one that does not bring extra income to justify spending extra for the Adobe Illustrator upgrade package.

Some of us actually just need a pass (for vinyl cutters or lasers) not whole fill, as it is mentioned in the above post.
Ability to use Photoshop to create that pass, although difficult, but exists.

And People prefer to use application that they already have and know, vs. application that they need to start paying extra for.

I can guarantee that if AI was part of Photog Package - you would not have thread that long.

[Nancy OShea]

@apuzikov 

Inkscape is a free vector app.

[apuzikov]

You are correct, there are plenty of the apps that will do job as good or better, but they all will require initial investment of time to learn how to use them. Photoshop I already know.
All we are asking from Adobe is not to get rid of the functionality that so many of us already using.

Alex

[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...

[damianb_]

'low usage' etc... inferring low demand: is this why there's a thread about it then? Why's it a feature in any application then? Correct answer: because people want it.

[D Fosse]

It's because SVG is used as a vector format, and Photoshop is not a vector application.

About 95% of SVGs exported from Photoshop would likely contain raster content, because most people don't understand the difference, thus creating nothing but problems for people receiving these files.

SVG belongs in a proper vector application like Illustrator. Adding it to Photoshop was a mistake, but now the toothpaste won't go back into the tube.

[jane-e]

It's because SVG is used as a vector format, and Photoshop is not a vector application.

By @D Fosse

Adding to DFosse's response, SVG stands for Scalable Vector Graphics — not Scaleable Raster Graphics.

Jane

[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.

[jane-e]

For best results, export to SVG from Illustrator....

By @Nancy OShea

In Illustrator, use Save As not Export to save as Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).

Jane

[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.