SVG, standing for 「Scalable Vector Graphics」, is a popular file format for vector graphics, in which graphical elements are represented in a resolution-independent format, in contrast to raster graphics; in which graphical elements are represented as arrays of pixels. GIMP is mainly a raster graphics program, but paths are vector entities.

Fortunately, paths are represented in SVG files in almost exactly the same way they are represented in GIMP. This compatibility makes it possible to store GIMP paths as SVG files without losing any information. You can access this capability in the Paths Dialog.

It also means that GIMP can create paths from SVG files saved in other programs, such as Inkscape, a popular open-source vector graphics application. This is nice because dedicated vector editing programs have much more powerful path-manipulation tools than GIMP does. You can import a path from an SVG file using the Paths dialog.

SVG 形式はパスにとどまらず様々な多くの画像要素を扱えます。 中には正方形や長方形、 円と楕円、 一般的な多角形などがあって、 GIMP はこれらを成分として扱うことは一切できませんが、 パスとしては読み込めます。