SVG Layers is a Photoshop plug-in that enables you to open, edit, and save SVGs as vector layers. This lets you take full advantage of Photoshop as a vector editor, and allows for a simpler and more efficient workflow.
Works on Mac (intel) and Windows
with Photoshop CC2014 to 2024*
When importing a SVG in Photoshop you get a rasterized version of the entire SVG. That’s basically like a flat image you can’t edit. With SVG Layers you get access to every individual shape in the SVG as editable vector layers. When you’re done editing you can export back to SVG and your artwork will still be proper scalable vectors.
Well yes, unless you want to use the vector in Photoshop. If that’s the case then maybe you’ve been using Illustrator to open SVGs and copy the paths into Photoshop. However, that's an in-efficient workaround, which also doesn't work for SVGs consisting of multiple shapes and colors. Now there's a better way.
| Basic Shapes |  GREAT |
| Path Shapes | GREAT |
| Groups | GREAT |
| Text Elements |  GOOD |
| Fills and Strokes | GOOD |
| Transforms | GOOD |
| Gradients | BETA |
| Clipping Paths | NOT SUPPORTED |
| Filter Effects | NOT SUPPORTED |
| Shape Layers | GREAT |
| Vector Masks | GREAT |
| Clipping Masks | GREAT |
| Opacity and Fill Opacity | GREAT |
| Bitmap Masks | GOOD |
| Text Layers | GOOD |
| Fills and Strokes | GOOD |
| Gradients | GOOD |
| Layer Effects | GOOD |
| Patterns | NOT SUPPORTED |
| Embedded Illustrator Objects | NOT SUPPORTED |
*NOTE: SVG LAYERS is not compatible with Photoshop running natively on Apple Silicon chips (M1 etc).
If you have a new Mac with Apple Silicon you will need to open Photoshop in Intel mode using Rosetta.
SVG Layers is created & maintained
by Danish designer Rune Lund-Hermansen.
May contain traces of long nights and single malts.
© 2015-2024 Rune Lund-Hermansen
All rights reserved
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