Commons:Graphics village pump/September 2015

SVG not loading

Hi, I noted this SVG file I've created using an online tool years ago stopped rendering, or at least is not rendering in my machine. Does anyone have a clue about what is causing this? Note: I only know the most elementary basics about SVG, this was not meant to be a professional work, just a rapid workaround to vectorize that lettering. Thanks,-- Darwin ^Ahoy! 15:55, 8 September 2015 (UTC)

The image hasn't actually been vectorized; the file is an SVG containing a raster image. See {{BadSVG}}. That shouldn't stop it from rendering though; it displays normally for me. SiBr₄ (talk) 17:02, 8 September 2015 (UTC)

It is also rendering for me (both the mediawiki PNG preview and the SVG itself) in Chromium on Linux. Storkk (talk) 20:25, 8 September 2015 (UTC)

I see, I also could render it on Chrome, the problem could be with FireFox (running in Windows10). I understand that what I've done is not the best practice, but I would like to clarify, is there any advantage at all in using that svg, instead of the original format (png I seem to recall, or a small jpg)? — Preceding unsigned comment added by DarwIn (talk • contribs) 11:49, 9 September 2015 (UTC)

FWIW, it renders fine for me in Firefox 41.0b7 in Windows 7. To answer your question, there is no advantage (that I know of) and some disadvantages. If I zoom in on your file, it pixellates - whereas a traced "native" SVG wouldn't. Storkk (talk) 12:58, 9 September 2015 (UTC)

IMO, SVGs with embedded rasters are worse than raster images, since the former are not anti-aliased by MediaWiki's SVG renderer, causing scaled-down versions to look really pixelled. Compare (PNG) with (SVG with embedded PNG for emblem). Of course the best solution would be to create a real SVG version, though for now, replacing with the original raster would be best. SiBr₄ (talk) 18:23, 9 September 2015 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your explanations, I'll replace the falsely vectorized image with the original raster version. I wish I could do a vectorized version of it, but I don't know how. I tentatively produced a truly vectorized image with Inkscape, which is now rendering in my machine. It's not the best looking thing in the world, but it's not ugly either, and seems to be nicer than the raster image, anyway.-- Darwin ^Ahoy! 08:30, 10 September 2015 (UTC)

Request for feedback on map series

I've just uploaded this series of maps as part of w:NACIS' MapLift 2015 event. They're meant for the wiki pages of each island in the w:San Juan Islands archipelago, to replace the .pngs that are currently there.

I've had a hell of a time learning the quirks of SVG and librsvg rendering, and I'm not sure I'm entirely satisfied with the result. I'm also a little unsure if I've used the correct set of conventions for the subject. I'd like to gather critiques of these maps if they need improvement.

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Hotshot977 (talk) 02:24, 2 September 2015 (UTC)

@Hotshot977: I'm not a map maker, but here are some things I noticed:

• The blue of the coast lines is a bit intense for my taste – I'd try using the same color as for the "Haro Strait" etc.
• The north arrow and scale bar are a bit too prominent for my taste
• Please specify the source(s) of the geographic data you used. You surely didn't walk along all those coastlines with a GPS-tracker yourself, right?

--El Grafo (talk) 13:31, 11 September 2015 (UTC)

Proposal SVG help button

Hello,

I'm trying to improve usability of SVG contribution to Wikipedia. For that reason I suggested a SVG help button. See my proposal for details.

--Menner (talk) 07:26, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

It is a nice and useful script to improve file testing. But I doubt that it will "improve the usability of SVG contributions" in general. The usability which means the implication of WMcommons SVG files in Wikipedias, other wikis and third party projects is long time established and proven. -- MaxxL - talk 08:09, 19 September 2015 (UTC)

Simlifying file testing already improves usability of SVG since our SVG renderer has many bugs. Closer promoting of file testing reaches more people and gives them advice without asking. Promoting the village pump encourages people to ask if they can't solve their problems on their own.

-- Menner (talk) 07:32, 20 September 2015 (UTC)