4D SVG Component

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is a two-dimensional vector graphics file based on XML. 4D includes an integrated rendering engine that can be used to display SVG files.

The XML language used for manipulating SVG pictures is particularly rich and extensive. In order to make getting started easier, 4D provides the SVG component, which includes numerous commands that can be used to create and manipulate common graphic objects. This library is not intended to be exhaustive but rather to meet the most frequent needs of 4D developers. Note that additional needs can be processed with the 4D XML commands.

You can install the 4D SVG Component in 4D v11 SQL release 3 (version 11.3) or higher. The host database must be running in Unicode mode (you cannot use this component in databases running in ASCII Compatibility mode).

Like all 4D components, the 4D SVG Component is installed by copying the component folder (4D SVG.4dbase) into the Components folder of the database. The Components folder of the database must be located at the same level as the structure file. Since components are loaded on startup, the database must not be launched before completely copying all the elements.

If the component is correctly installed, the 4D SVG element appears on the Methods page of the database, in the "Component Methods" section:

You can expand this element in order to view all the component commands. These commands can be used in the 4D Method editor just like 4D language or standard plug-in commands.

Note that the 4D SVG Component lets you benefit from additional windows for the selection of commands and for SVG code rendering. For more information, please refer to the Development tools section.

Starting with 4D v13, the Direct2D graphics rendering engine is used by default on Windows. Depending on your hardware and software configuration, using this engine can alter the rendering of some SVG effects such as shadows. In this case, you can disable Direct2D in your application with the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command.