ICNS and SVG file types have transformed how graphic designers and web developers work in digital image space. Currently, image format users must comprehensively understand the key features of each format and know when and where to use it based on their benefits and drawbacks.
The article highlights and discusses ICNS vs. SVG to help graphic designers and web developers identify the best format depending on animation and transparency support, structure, performance, file size, image quality, compression method, storage needs, and web browser support.
When is SVG better than ICNS?
SVG images are broadly supported and highly compatible with nearly all web browsers, platforms, software, applications, and operating systems, while most web browsers and platforms do not universally support ICNS images and hardly function in non-MacOS programs and software.
The .svg extension is suitable for creating and displaying crude pictures, 2D charts, and lively and interactive application icons that update in real-time. The advantages of SVG files include smaller files that support interactive elements, including animations and hyperlinks.
When is ICNS better than SVG?
ICNS images are multilayered editable and allow for upward and downward scaling without losing resolution and image quality levels, while SVG images are individual files that can only be embedded in other documents or texts.
The ICNS file type is ideal for producing sharp, visually attractive, and distinctive photos, desktop shortcuts, and application icons. The advantages of an ICNS file extension include support for alpha channel transparency, easy editing, high quality, and high resolution.
Comparison Table
| Element | SVG | ICNS |
| Transparency | Supports transparency. | Supports transparency. |
| File Size | Smaller files than ICNS files | Larger files compared to SVG files. |
| Image Quality | High-quality images. | High-quality images. |
| Performance | Smaller and loads faster than ICNS. | Increased image loadings times than SVG. |
| Structure | Vector-based: Has the XML markup language and XML code specifying vector graphics. | Raster-based: File structure consists of a file header and binary icon data. |
| Animation | Supports animations. | Supports animations. |
| Storage | Minimal storage space demand than ICNS. | High storage space demand than SVG. |
| Compression | Supports lossless compression. | Supports PackBits and lossless compression. |
| Browser Support | Wider web browsers support compared to ICNS. | Limited browser support compared to SVG. |
Differences and similarities between SVG and ICNS images
The SVG versus ICNS comparison table above shows that the formats support lossless compression, high-quality images, animations, and transparency. But they differ in performance, structure, storage, file size, PackBits and lossy compression, and browser support.
Transparency
SVG and ICNS files support transparency. The ICNS file content has one or more images in PNG format, which is handy as a base for the ICNS as it allows transparency. An ICNS file extension supports 1-bit and 8-bit alpha channels.
On the other hand, SVG files have a 'Default' transparent background. They rely on the HML language to support transparency and allow users to create transparent images easily embedded in different web content.
File Size
SVG files are smaller than the ICNS files. Each ICNS file size ranges between 4KB and 660 KB. An ICNS file stores multiple icons of such sizes and color depths that become larger when pooled together than SVG files. Both formats retain all file data during compression, resulting in larger files.
Image Quality
ICNS and SVG are both high-quality image formats. ICNS files, commonly used for macOS icons, can contain multiple resolutions and color depths, including 32-bit ARGB color, providing flexibility for scaling. However, they are raster-based at each resolution. On the other hand, SVG is a vector format, meaning it is created using mathematical formulas and commands, not pixels. SVGs can be scaled up or down infinitely without losing resolution or quality.
Performance
Due to their large sizes, ICNS files take longer to load than SVG files. Users prefer SVG over ICNS when improved web performance is the priority.
Structure
ICNS files are rasterized, while SVG extension is vector-based. Both file types have structural components that are unlike the other, making them difficult to compare. An ICNS file has a file header and binary icon data. Its header has 8 bytes of data: four for the magic literal and four for the file length.
The file size and type for all ICNS icons are stored in the icon data unit, followed by the binary image data. Its image size defines the size of the binary section. The ICNS file supports 1-bit and 8-bit alpha channels but differs from Windows' ICO files since ICNS files hold separate icon resources.
In contrast, the SVG file extension stores files based on mathematical formulas, which support and define images on grid points, curves, shapes, and lines. It uses XML markup language or code to define and specify vector-based graphics like texts, shapes, colors, and paths and stores and transmits digital data.
The XML code can be easily embedded directly into HTML documents or XML texts or inserted and saved to the SVG file. Scripting languages like JavaScript and CSS interactively manipulate or animate every feature and element within the SVG file.
Animation
ICNS and SVG file types support animations and interactive content. ICNS icon features allow computer applications and website icons to be customized and used to create animations or lively content. Animated ICNS uses 1- and 8-bit alpha channels, suitable for sharp, visually appealing, and presentable animations.
Storage
ICNS format uses the inefficient lossless and PackBits algorithms to compress and store data in multiple files, while lossless compression significantly minimizes SVG file sizes by 20 to 50%. ICNS format compresses and stores single files, each 26KB to 660KB; multiple such files stored in icons can be larger than SVG files and demand more storage space than SVG files.
SVG and ICNS compressed data can last forever when processed and kept properly under favorable storage conditions and mediums such as File Systems, PPackageContents, Content Delivery Networks, Cloud, Folders, Hard Drives, Icon directories, and Base64 encoding.
Compression
SVG files support lossless compression, while ICNS extensions use PackBits and lossless compression to compress specific pixel data parts. For example, the ARGB and 24-bit RGB pixel data in an ICNS file are compressed per channel using PackBits. PackBits algorithms depend on the Run Length Encoding (RLE) algorithm to compress its files to meet the demands of users.
In contrast, SVG images are compressed using the gzip algorithm to generate 20-50% smaller images than the initial file. Thus, SVG and BMP compression algorithms preserve all image information, resulting in larger files.
Browser Support
Different web browsers than ICNS universally support SVG files. They are supported by Firefox, Safari, Discord, Opera, Brave, Chrome, Edge, Samsung Internet, and Vivaldi, but they are only incompatible with Internet Explorer 8.
Unlike SVG file type, ICNS has limited browser support and is only compatible with Chrome and Firefox. ICNS files are unsupported by new and old web browsers like Discord, Internet Explorer, Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, Safari, Edge, and Samsung Internet. Convert ICNS to other formats for better browser support.
Convert SVG to ICNS or ICNS to SVG
Convert SVG to ICNS using an online tool called Convertjack. ICNS offers smaller, scalable, high-resolution, and high-quality images that can be displayed optimally without losing image quality.
Convertjack is a resourceful ICNS to SVG converter. SVG files are ideal since they are data-rich, easily manipulated, high-quality, and scalable upwards or downwards while retaining image resolutions.