Convert ORG to SVG

Why Convert ORG to SVG?

Converting Org-mode documents to SVG is valuable when you need to create visual representations of your content, especially diagrams and flowcharts. Org-mode supports various diagram syntaxes (Ditaa, PlantUML, Graphviz) that can be rendered to SVG for use in web pages and presentations.

SVG's scalability makes it perfect for diagrams that need to look crisp at any size. Whether displayed on a mobile device or printed on a large poster, SVG graphics maintain perfect quality. This is ideal for technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and flowcharts created in Org-mode.

The conversion is particularly useful for sharing diagrams with non-Emacs users. While your source documentation remains in Org-mode, you can export beautiful, interactive diagrams that anyone can view in a web browser without any special software.

SVG's web-native nature makes it ideal for documentation websites and wikis. Diagrams converted from Org-mode can be embedded directly in HTML, styled with CSS, and even made interactive with JavaScript.

Key Benefits of Converting ORG to SVG:

• Infinite Scalability: Diagrams look perfect at any zoom level
• Web Ready: Native browser support, no plugins needed
• Small File Size: Efficient for web delivery
• Editable: SVG can be modified in vector editors
• Interactive: Add CSS animations and JavaScript interactivity
• Print Quality: Perfect for both screen and print
• Accessible: Text remains searchable and readable by screen readers

Practical Examples

Example 1: Architecture Diagram

Input ORG file (architecture.org):

#+TITLE: System Architecture

* Overview

#+BEGIN_SRC ditaa :file arch.svg :cmdline -E
+----------+     +----------+     +----------+
|          |     |          |     |          |
|  Client  +---->+   API    +---->+ Database |
|   App    |     | Gateway  |     |  Server  |
|          |     |          |     |          |
+----------+     +----+-----+     +----------+
                      |
                 +----v-----+
                 |          |
                 |  Cache   |
                 |  Layer   |
                 |          |
                 +----------+
#+END_SRC

Output SVG file (arch.svg):

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="500" height="300">
  <!-- Client Box -->
  <rect x="20" y="50" width="100" height="60"
        fill="#f5f5f5" stroke="#333" rx="5"/>
  <text x="70" y="85" text-anchor="middle">Client App</text>

  <!-- API Gateway Box -->
  <rect x="180" y="50" width="100" height="60"
        fill="#f5f5f5" stroke="#333" rx="5"/>
  <text x="230" y="85" text-anchor="middle">API Gateway</text>

  <!-- Arrows and other elements... -->
</svg>

Example 2: Flowchart

Input ORG file (flowchart.org):

#+TITLE: User Registration Flow

* Registration Process

#+BEGIN_SRC plantuml :file registration.svg
@startuml
start
:User submits form;
if (Email valid?) then (yes)
  if (Password strong?) then (yes)
    :Create account;
    :Send verification email;
    stop
  else (no)
    :Show password error;
  endif
else (no)
  :Show email error;
endif
stop
@enduml
#+END_SRC

Output SVG file (registration.svg):

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
  <!-- Start circle -->
  <circle cx="200" cy="30" r="15" fill="#222"/>

  <!-- Process boxes -->
  <rect x="130" y="60" width="140" height="40"
        fill="#ffffcc" stroke="#333" rx="10"/>
  <text x="200" y="85">User submits form</text>

  <!-- Decision diamond -->
  <polygon points="200,120 260,160 200,200 140,160"
           fill="#ccffcc" stroke="#333"/>
  <text x="200" y="165">Email valid?</text>

  <!-- More flowchart elements... -->
</svg>

Example 3: Mind Map

Input ORG file (mindmap.org):

#+TITLE: Project Planning

* Project Mind Map

#+BEGIN_SRC dot :file project.svg :cmdline -Tsvg
digraph G {
    rankdir=LR;
    node [shape=box, style=rounded];

    "Project" -> "Planning";
    "Project" -> "Development";
    "Project" -> "Testing";

    "Planning" -> "Requirements";
    "Planning" -> "Timeline";

    "Development" -> "Frontend";
    "Development" -> "Backend";

    "Testing" -> "Unit Tests";
    "Testing" -> "Integration";
}
#+END_SRC

Output SVG file (project.svg):

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="600" height="400">
  <!-- Central node -->
  <rect x="20" y="180" width="80" height="40"
        fill="#e8f4fc" stroke="#2980b9" rx="8"/>
  <text x="60" y="205">Project</text>

  <!-- Branch nodes and connections -->
  <line x1="100" y1="200" x2="150" y2="100" stroke="#666"/>
  <rect x="150" y="80" width="80" height="40"
        fill="#d5f5e3" stroke="#27ae60" rx="8"/>
  <text x="190" y="105">Planning</text>

  <!-- Additional branches... -->
</svg>

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is SVG?

A: SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics. Unlike raster images (PNG, JPEG), SVG graphics scale to any size without losing quality, making them ideal for web graphics, diagrams, and icons.

Q: What Org-mode content converts to SVG?

A: The conversion primarily targets diagram blocks using Ditaa, PlantUML, Graphviz (dot), and similar tools. Document content like text and tables can also be rendered as formatted SVG graphics for visual presentations.

Q: Can I edit the SVG output?

A: Yes! SVG files can be edited in vector graphics applications like Inkscape (free), Adobe Illustrator, or Figma. You can also edit SVG directly in a text editor since it's XML-based.

Q: Will the SVG work in web browsers?

A: Absolutely! All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) have excellent SVG support. You can embed SVG directly in HTML using <img>, <object>, or inline <svg> tags.

Q: What about complex diagrams with many elements?

A: SVG handles complex diagrams well, but very large diagrams may result in larger file sizes. For web use, consider using compressed SVGZ format or optimizing with tools like SVGO.

Q: Can I add animations to the SVG?

A: Yes, SVG supports animation through SMIL, CSS animations, and JavaScript. After conversion, you can enhance the SVG with interactive elements for presentations or web applications.

Q: How do I include SVG in LaTeX documents?

A: For LaTeX, you may need to convert SVG to PDF using Inkscape or similar tools. Alternatively, use the svg package in LaTeX which can handle SVG files with some configuration.

Q: Is the text in SVG searchable?

A: Yes! Text in SVG remains as actual text (not converted to paths), making it searchable, selectable, and accessible to screen readers. This is a significant advantage over raster image formats.