This article explains what an SVG file is and how it differs from other image formats. It also explains how to open an SVG file and how to convert it to a more common format such as PNG or JPG.
SVG explained in 100 seconds
A file with the SVG file extension is most likely a Scalable Vector Graphics file. Files in this format use an XML-based text format to describe what the image should look like.
Because text is used to describe the image, an SVG file can be scaled to different sizes without losing quality; the format is resolution independent. This is why website and print graphics are often built in the SVG format, so that they can be adapted to different designs in the future.
When an SVG file is compressed using GZIP compression, the file ends with the file extension .SVGZ and can be 50 to 80 percent smaller than an uncompressed file.
