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. 

[Mohit Goyal]

Hi all,

If you are missing SVG format from Export as option after the Photoshop 22.5 update then, go to Photoshop > Preferences > Export > Enable "Use legacy Export As" option > restart Photoshop. You should start seeing the SVG format under Export as option.

If you are seeing this issue prior to Photoshop 22.5 update and using M1 machine (Apple Silicon), take a look at M1 native known issue here: Photoshop for Apple Silicon

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Mohit

[irish1228]

Except the legacy Export as is no longer an option.

Funny that in order to save SVG's, which many people still use, you need Illustrator which is twice the price of Photoshop.

[D Fosse]

Just a quick reminder that SVG is a vector format and you can't really output vector data from Photoshop. You need Illustrator for that.

An SVG can contain raster data, and that's what you'd get from Photoshop. Exporting to SVG won't make it vector.

[TomH07]

Well Photoshop can handle both vector and raster data, and it output SVG files perfectly when the image contained just shapes. I think Adobe just wants to force people who need SVG for web development to lease another app from them for a monthly fee. Instead I bought Affinity Designer for $50 to do SVG exports of vector images. It works very well, and I now have an illustration app for those odd times I need one without paying a monthly ransom to Adobe. 

[wende60]

Sorry but wrong. A path in PS can be properly exported as a SVG, containing coordinates - if you turn on the old export in the settings.

[D Fosse]

A path Exported to SVG from Photoshop opens in Illustrator as raster. No editable path, in fact no path at all. Just a raster shape. You could just as well use PNG.

[Bryan246166144wjl]

I know your post is old, but your explanation is wrong.  I am using 2024 PS with legacy exports enabled and yes, it is watered down a bit, but has total SVG functionality similar to AI.

[D Fosse]

@Bryan246166144wjl 

It is beyond "watered down". It is pixels, no longer vector data. That's a very fundamental difference.

As I keep trying to explain throughout this thread, SVG is a vector format, and vector data is what is expected. That's the purpose of the format. If you're building a website and you ask for an SVG with, say, a logo, that needs to be a vector logo. If it's raster, pixels, it's useless for the purpose and you need to get a new file, properly made. That gets people upset pretty fast.

[jane-e]

As I keep trying to explain throughout this thread, SVG is a vector format, and vector data is what is expected.

By @D Fosse

You get an A++ for your excellent explanations in this thread and elsewhere, DFosse!

Jane

[D Fosse]

Thanks, Jane, appreciate it. One of my early usernames in the Adobe forum, way back in 2008, was sisyphos. I've been thinking of resurrecting it  😉

[jane-e]

Haha!

Jane

[Marketing35341657qiln]

This worked for me, thank you! 

Had the option to export to SVG just about two weeks ago.

[dawebmastr]

When I was creating SVG logo using photoshop I can convert the object to shape then export as... I can usually select SVG as an option but its gone. I thought maybe it was the layers or something...

I went into preferences and export option and SVG is gone as well. I am using windows and Have the latest version of photoshop 22.5

Am I the only one missing SVG as an export option?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Funny … I can reproduce the issue (Photoshop 22.5.0 on Mac OS 10.15.7), but svg still seems to be listed in the Help: 

Export files in Photoshop

Ah, there is a mention of the changes here 

Other changes and enhancements

Quote:

»Navigate to Preferences > Export and enable Use Legacy "Export As". Quit and relaunch Photoshop.«

[ChelseDaniel]

They took that away too now with the latest update.

[Willi Adelberger]

Open the PSD in Illustrator and save there as SVG. Illustrator is better for vectors anyway.

[dawebmastr]

I agree Illustrator is better but photoshop allowing the SVG is game changing especially if your really good in photoshop and not illustrator.

Use Legacy "Export As" then closing and reopening the app fixed my issue....

[Mohit Goyal]

Hi all,

If you are missing SVG format from Export as option after the Photoshop 22.5 update then, go to Photoshop > Preferences > Export > Enable "Use legacy Export As" option > restart Photoshop. You should start seeing the SVG format under Export as option.

If you are seeing this issue prior to Photoshop 22.5 update and using M1 machine (Apple Silicon), take a look at M1 native known issue here: Photoshop for Apple Silicon

Hope this helps!

Thanks,

Mohit

[svens53530737]

Thanks for the help - this is crazy. Why would this be an upgrade or update by Adobe - Hide the SVG? That's terrible.

[svens53530737]

I noticed today the I'm unabe to Export (File > Export > Export As) my PSDs as file type SVG - Only PNG JPG and GIF are available in the File Settings. I've tried with PSD files which I recently Exported as SVG and they are also not able to be Exported to SVG anymore. Curious. Worried.

[Melihkurt9]

I am using Photoshop 22.5 but when I want to export as SVG, I can not export. How can I do that?

Thank you.

[Reiner Schmeinck]

SVG export is only possible up to version 22.3.1. This bug has been around for a while, but Adobe doesn't seem to care. Sorry, but it is useless to report this bug here.

[J453]

See the section for Legacy "Export As" here: Other changes and enhancements

With this release, the export of Photoshop documents as SVG is no longer supported in Photoshop using the Export As option. The 'Export As SVG' feature is being discontinued due to low usage and known limitations. 

If you still want to export your Photoshop document as SVG, you can follow any of these workarounds:

• Navigate to Preferences > Export and enable Use Legacy "Export As". Quit and relaunch Photoshop.
• Open your PSD in Adobe XD or Illustrator and use their export as SVG functionality.

[Reiner Schmeinck]

I've been using Photoshop since 1999 and don't have Adobe XD or Illustrator. What I do have are tons of PSD files for logos with vector data. All the work I've done now that I need the SVG export for, can I throw away now? Are you guys kidding me?

[PECourtejoie]

Guten tag, the second line is an alternative option, it is not a mandatory step.