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SVG Essentials
Scalable Vector Graphics -- or SVG -- is the new XML-based
graphics standard from the W3C that will enable Web
documents to be smaller, faster and more interactive. J.
David Eisenberg's insightful book takes you through the ins
and outs of SVG, beginning with basics needed to create
simple line drawings and then moving through
more
complicated features like filters, transformations, and
integration with Java, Perl, and XSLT.
Unlike GIFs, JPEGs or PNGs (which are bitmapped), SVG images
are both resolution- and device-independent, so that they
can scale up or down to fit proportionally into any size
display or any Internet device -- from PDAs to large office
monitors and high-resolution printers. Smaller than
bitmapped files and faster to download, SVG images can be
rendered with different CSS styles for each environment.
They work well across a range of available bandwidths.
SVG makes it possible for designers to escape the constant
need to update graphics by hand or use custom code to
generate bitmap images. And while SVG was created with the
Web in mind, the language has a variety of other uses. SVG
greatly simplifies tasks like:
Creating web sites whose graphics reflect the content of the
page, changing automatically if the content changes
Generating graphs and charts from information stored in a
wide variety of sources
Exchanging detailed drawings, from architectural plans to
CAD layouts to project management diagrams
Creating diagrams that users can explore by zooming in and
panning around
Generating bitmap images for use in older browsers using
simple automatable templates
Managing graphics that support multiple languages or
translations
Creating complex animation
By focusing sharply on the markup at the foundation of SVG,
SVG Essentials gives you a solid base on which to create
your own custom tools. Explanations of key technical tools
-- like XML, matrix math, and scripting -- are included as
appendices, along with a reference to the SVG vocabulary.
Whether you're a graphic designer in search of new tools or
a programmer dealing with the complex task of creating and
managing graphics, SVG Essentials provides you with the
means to take advantage of SVG.
CONTENTS:
Preface
Chapter 1. Getting Started
Graphics Systems
Scalability
SVG's Role
Creating an SVG Graphic
Chapter 2. Coordinates
The Viewport
Using Default User Coordinates
Specifying User Coordinates for a Viewport
Preserving Aspect Ratio
Nested Systems of Coordinates
Chapter 3. Basic Shapes
Lines
Stroke Characteristics
Rectangles
Circles and Ellipses
The polygon Element
The polyline Element
Line Caps and Joins
Basic Shapes Reference Summary
Chapter 4. Document Structure
Structure and Presentation
Using Styles with SVG
Document Structure--Grouping and Referencing Objects
Chapter 5. Transforming the Coordinate System
The translate Transformation
The scale Transformation
Sequences of Transformations
Technique: Converting from Cartesian Coordinates
The rotate Transformation
Technique: Scaling Around a Center Point
The skewX and skewY Transformations
Transformation Reference Summary
Chapter 6. Paths
moveto, lineto, and closepath
Relative moveto and lineto
Path Shortcuts
Elliptical Arc
Technique: Converting from Other Arc Formats
B\('ezier Curves
Path Reference Summary
Paths and Filling
The marker element
Marker Miscellanea
Chapter 7. Patterns and Gradients
Patterns
Gradients
Transforming Gradients and Patterns
Chapter 8. Text
Text Terminology
Simple Attributes and Properties of the text Element
Text Alignment
The tspan element
Setting textLength
Vertical Text
Internationalization and Text
Text on a Path
Whitespace and Text
Case Study--Adding Text to a Graphic
Chapter 9. Clipping and Masking
Clipping to a Path
Masking
Case Study--Masking a Graphic
Chapter 10. Filters
How Filters Work
Creating a Drop Shadow
Creating a Glowing Shadow
The feImage Filter
The feComponentTransfer Filter
The feComposite Filter
The feBlend Filter
The feFlood and feTile Filters
Lighting Effects
Accessing the Background
The feMorphology Element
The feConvolveMatrix Element
The feDisplacementMap Element
The feTurbulence Element
Filter Reference Summary
Chapter 11. Animating and Scripting SVG
Animation Basics
How Time Is Measured
Repeated Action
The set Element
The animateColor Element
The animateTransform Element
The animateMotion Element
Using Links in SVG
Scripting SVG
Chapter 12. Generating SVG
Using Perl to Convert Custom Data to SVG
Using Java to Convert XML to SVG
Using XSLT to Convert XML Data to SVG
Chapter 13. Serving SVG Files
Serving Web Files--The Task at Hand
Partitioning the Task
Setting up the Server
Appendix A. The XML You Need for SVG
Appendix B. Introduction to Stylesheets
Appendix C. Programming Concepts
Appendix D. Matrix Algebra
Appendix E. Creating Fonts
Appendix F. Using SVG with Other XML Applications
Index
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