Both HTML5 Canvas and SVG are based on standard HTML5 technology and can be used to create stunning graphics and visual experiences.
First, let's spend a few words on HTML5 Canvas and SVG.
What is Canvas?
Canvas (used via tags) is an HTML element used to dynamically draw graphics (lines, bars, shapes, etc.) on the user's computer screen. However, the canvas element is just a container for information, and the drawing is done through JavaScript. All modern web browsers that support HTML5 and can render JavaScript support it.
This element provides scripts with a resolution-dependent bitmap canvas that can be used to dynamically render graphics, game graphics, art, or other visual images.
What are SVGs?
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based markup language for describing two-dimensional based vector graphics.
It is an open, text-based web standard for describing images that can be rendered clearly at any size, and is specifically designed to work well with other web standards, including CSS, DOM, JavaScript, and SMIL. SVG is essentially graphics, just like HTML is text.
SVG drawings can be interactive and dynamic. Animations can be defined and triggered declaratively (ie, by embedding an SVG animation element within the SVG content) or via script.
SVG vs. Canvas: API Differences
Since Canvas is a lower-level API than SVG, it offers greater flexibility than SVG in exchange for greater complexity. What can be drawn on a Canvas is limited only by how much code a developer is willing to write. Any SVG image can be drawn using the Canvas API, with enough effort.
In contrast, because SVG is a higher-level API than Canvas, it can create complex images without requiring developers to write complex code.
SVG vs. Canvas: Which Is Better?
Considering the differences between SVG and Canvas, we can assess the needs of our graphics project and determine which technology might serve us better. It's worth asking the following points:
Does the chart have many elements or is very detailed? Canvas may do a better job of displaying data without bogging down the browser with many DOM nodes. However, if the diagram is relatively simple, SVG may be an easier and faster solution to quickly achieve a beautiful diagram.
Does the chart require multiple animations or width responsiveness? While it is possible to render animations using Canvas or make the Canvas element adapt to width changes, it may be more straightforward to achieve these effects using SVG + CSS.
Does the chart need to be interactive? Since the SVG elements live in the DOM, responding to user actions such as clicking on a specific element of the chart is as easy as responding to events on any other DOM element. Canvas can also achieve interactivity, but requires some additional code.
SVG and Canvas: Blending Together
SVG and Canvas are two completely different technologies for drawing graphics applications on HTML5. The two ways of drawing graphics have their own advantages and disadvantages, but the two are not incompatible, especially the function that SVG content can be directly drawn on Canvas, making the two methods The latter can be perfectly integrated, so that Canvas can enjoy the existing rich SVG materials without losing the feature of SVG vector stepless scaling.
For example: Sovit2D and Sovit3D visual editors of Numerical Map combine SVG and Canvas technologies. Sovit2D/ Sovit3D is a PaaS development platform for Internet of Things and Industrial Internet visualization. Based on JavaScript language, it provides rich display forms and Visual effects help software development companies and solution providers to easily build 2D/3D configuration visualization interfaces. The platform focuses on visual application fields such as production control of industrial digital twins and monitoring operation and maintenance of smart cities. The modular configuration form of products can meet the construction of all-factor smart scenarios. It is widely used in various fields such as electric energy, water conservancy, Internet of Things, industrial Internet, smart city, smart medical care, smart agriculture, IT operation and maintenance, etc.
Sovit2D/ Sovit3D platform adopts B/S architecture, provides 2D/3D visualization industry components based on Web browser, supports the latest technologies such as HTML5/SVG, and can be easily browsed and debugged on the browser. Create large-screen visualization applications that meet user habits for developers, including 2D chart analysis, 2D configuration diagrams, 3D architectural real scenes, 3D industrial equipment models and other related content, which can be realized by dragging and dropping, controlling real-time data and animation display, Functions such as historical playback, alarm, and command issuance.
Summarize
Both SVG and Canvas are powerful and mature technologies, each with a robust ecosystem of libraries and documentation to help bring diagrams to life. Some libraries even support rendering to SVG or Canvas!
Don't be afraid to invest some time in evaluating alternatives to find a solution that fits your specific project needs. Here are some quick rules of thumb when deciding to use SVG or Canvas:
Does a diagram need to be responsive or interactive? SVG may provide these capabilities more simply than Canvas.
Are the charts highly detailed or complex? Canvas may offer better performance and greater control than SVG.