How Do I Export a Symbol as SVG in Adobe Animate?

To export a symbol as an SVG file in Adobe Animate, you have two primary methods: exporting a specific image or using the publish settings.

Method 1: Exporting an Image

1. Select the Frame: In Animate, scrub the timeline or move the playhead to the frame where the symbol is displayed as you want it to appear in the SVG. This is important to ensure the correct visual representation is exported.

2. Access Export Options: Go to File > Export > Export Image...

3. Specify Location and Settings:

   • Choose the location where you want to save the SVG file.
   • Enter a filename for the SVG file.
   • In the "Save as type" or "Format" dropdown, select "SVG (*.svg)".
   • Click "Save."

4. SVG Export Settings (Optional): A dialog box might appear allowing you to customize SVG export settings, such as:

   • Layer Export: Choose how layers should be handled in the SVG.
   • Image Asset Options: Control how image assets are embedded or linked.
   • Object ID Options: Customize the IDs assigned to objects in the SVG.
     Configure these options as needed for your specific use case.

5. Click OK: Finalize the export process.

Method 2: Using Publish Settings

This method allows you to configure SVG export as part of your overall publish settings for your Animate project.

1. Access Publish Settings: Go to File > Publish Settings...

2. Select SVG Image Option: In the Publish Settings dialog, locate the "Other Formats" section. Check the box next to "SVG Image."

3. Configure SVG Settings: Click the settings icon (often a wrench or gear) next to the "SVG Image" option. This opens a dialog where you can customize various SVG export settings, similar to those in Method 1.

4. Specify Location and Filename (Optional): The publish settings usually derive the SVG filename and location from the main project file. However, you might find options to override these settings.

5. Click OK: Save the Publish Settings.

6. Publish: Go to File > Publish (or press Shift+Ctrl+F12) to generate the SVG file based on your configured settings.

Important Considerations:

• Complexity: Very complex symbols with many vector points might result in large SVG files. Consider simplifying the symbol if file size is a concern.
• Animation: If your symbol contains animation, only the visual state of the symbol at the selected frame will be exported as a static SVG image. To export animations as an SVG animation, you need to use other methods that are not directly built-in to Animate. These may include specialized plugins, javascript libraries like GSAP, or dedicated SVG animation software.