# Saving Plots

Description | PNG Images | JPEG Images | Scalable Vector Graphics | See Also

## Description

Draco can output charts and plots to a variety of common image formats. by default, Draco will output Portable Network Graphic (PNG) files, a common image format featuring lossless compression. JPEG images can also be output, but the resulting images are of a lower quality than corresponding PNGs. Draco also supports Scalable Vector Gracphics (SVG) format, a modern vector graphics format that allows rescaling without any loss of resolution.
When plots are saved in Draco, the resulting files are written in a size and resolution equal to the current on-screen display. To save the graph as a larger image, simply resize the Plot Window to the desired size before saving the picture. Working with SVGs is recommended if your target program supports the format because resizing vector graphics does not cause pixelation, unlike the other two bitmap formats.
To save using a specified format, simply add the proper extension to the file in the save dialog. Draco will determine the format to use based on the extension. If no extension is given, Draco will append the proper extension based on the format selected in the file filter box.

## PNG Images

PNG images are the default saving format for Draco plots and charts. This format is compatible with all popular office suites, including OpenOffice and Microsoft Office. Furthermore, PNGs are supported by all modern web browsers. This format will not cause any blurring of the chart lines and text when saved. However, the user should be aware that PNGs are a bitmap format, and the resolution of the output image will be constrained to the size of the Plot Window.

## JPEG Images

JPEG images are a popular image format for the storage of photographic images. JPEG have also seen wider acceptance than PNG images in the past. Draco can generate JPEG images from plots and charts, but the resulting files may lose some definition and "sharpness." This phenomenon is inherent in the JPEG format's compression algorithms. Therefore, the creation of JPEG images in Draco is not recommended. However, Draco does support JPEG images.

## Scalable Vector Graphics

Scalable Vector Graphics is a relatively new file format for saving vectorized pictures. The main feature of SVGs is their ability to be resized without loss of definition. All lines, texts, and shapes in SVGs are saved based on relative coordinates. At this time, many office suites do not support SVG files directly. However, SVGs are a documented web standard, and more software is supporting the format every day.
Currently a variety of software is available to view and modify SVGs. The Apache Batik project has produced Java programs and libraries for working with SVG files. Most popular commercial vector graphics programs support the format. Inkscape is an exceptional and free vector graphics program designed to work directly with SVG files; Inkscape is available on most major platforms, including Windows, Linux, *BSD, and MacOS.

## See Also

Plot Window

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