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.

O formato SVG suporta muitos outros elementos gráficos além das curvas Bézier: entre outras coisas ele trata formas tais como quadrados, retângulos, círculos elipses, polígonos regulares, etc... O GIMP não pode criar nenhuma dessas entidades sozinho, pela interface de usuário, mas pode carrega-las de arquivos de vetores.