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What is React Native SVG?

Published in \ React Native Graphics 2 mins read

React Native SVG is a library that provides Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) support to React Native applications.

Based on the provided reference, react-native-svg provides SVG support to React Native on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and a compatibility layer for the web.

Essentially, this library allows developers to use SVG files and draw vector graphics directly within their React Native components. Unlike traditional raster images (like PNG or JPG) which are based on pixels and can lose quality when scaled, SVGs are based on mathematical descriptions (vectors). This means they can be scaled to any size without losing definition, making them ideal for icons, logos, illustrations, and complex graphical elements that need to look sharp on various devices and screen densities.

Why Use React Native SVG?

Using SVG in React Native offers several advantages:

  • Scalability: Graphics remain crisp and clear regardless of screen resolution or size.
  • Performance: Often, SVGs are smaller in file size than equivalent raster images, leading to faster loading times.
  • Flexibility: SVGs can be easily manipulated using JavaScript, allowing for dynamic changes to colors, shapes, and animations.
  • Resolution Independence: They look great on standard and high-density (Retina) displays without needing multiple image assets.

Supported Platforms

The react-native-svg library extends SVG capabilities across multiple platforms where React Native applications can run. The reference explicitly mentions support for:

  • Mobile: iOS, Android
  • Desktop: macOS, Windows
  • Web: Provides a compatibility layer

This broad platform support ensures that your vector graphics behave consistently across different environments when building cross-platform applications with React Native.

Using react-native-svg

Typically, using the library involves installing it via npm or yarn and then importing specific SVG components (like <Svg>, <Circle>, <Path>, etc.) to construct your graphics.

import Svg, { Circle, Rect } from 'react-native-svg';

const MySvgComponent = () => (
  <Svg height="100" width="100" viewBox="0 0 100 100">
    <Circle cx="50" cy="50" r="45" stroke="blue" strokeWidth="2.5" fill="green" />
    <Rect x="15" y="15" width="70" height="70" stroke="red" strokeWidth="2" fill="" />
  </Svg>
);

export default MySvgComponent;

(Note: This is a conceptual example and not directly from the provided reference.)

The library effectively translates SVG code into native drawing commands for each platform, ensuring efficient rendering.

[[\ React Native Graphics ]]

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