Supported Image Formats

Supported image formats for editing

You can open and edit PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, BMP and SVG images.

Impict images in the Windows version:

You can import IPP images created with the older Impict graphics program included with Help+Manual®.

Save Formats

Supported Save formats

You can save your SnipSVG pictures as SVG, PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF, PNG and the program's own SnipX format. SVG is set as the default save format when you first use SnipSVG but you can change this in the Preferences.

Save as SnipX or SVG for later editing

If you intend to edit your pictures again later we recommend using SVG or the program's own native SnipX format. In both these formats the individual elements remain editable and all added elements except bitmaps are vector images that have the same quality at all zoom settings. In the bitmap formats everything is baked into the image and quality goes down on larger zoom settings.

You can use SnipX and SVG files directly in Help+Manual®

Both SnipX and SVG files created with SnipSVG can be used directly in Help+Manual® projects. Both remain editable in SnipSVG and both are exported as SVG by Help+Manual. There are just two things to be aware of: Shadows in your SVG images are not displayed in the Help+Manual editor, but they are exported normally. And image effects on bitmap images in your pictures are permanent and non-reversible when you save as SVG, for security reasons. See SnipSVG in Help+Manual® for more details.

The SnipX save format

SnipSVG's own native format is called SnipX and it uses the extension .snipx. This format includes all your editable elements.

SnipX files in Help+Manual® and HelpXplain

Help+Manual® is EC Software's help authoring suite. HelpXplain® is our infographics tool for creating animated screencasts and HowTo tutorials from a series of screenshots. SnipX files can be inserted in Help+Manual® projects directly as images, and as slides in HelpXplain® projects.

Differences between the SVG and SnipX formats

The SVG format is a universal standard and SVG files created by SnipSVG can be used anywhere where SVG files are supported, for example in any web pages. They can also be edited in most drawing programs and many general graphics programs as well. In contrast, the .snipx formats is specific to SnipSVG, although it can also be used in Help+Manual® and HelpXplain.

The SVG vector graphics format

SVG files keep all your edited elements separate and editable, and everything except bitmap images will have the same quality at any zoom setting. At the same time, SVG files can be inserted directly in web pages and edited and used directly by many other software tools.

The only limitation of saving directly to SVG is that image effects applied to bitmap images in your SVG cannot be edited when the SVG is reloaded. Everything else remains editable.

Benefits of the SVG format

The SVG format is actually more than just a simple vector graphic format. You can think of it as a container for multiple images and elements. Screenshots are bitmap images, of course, and these are stored as bitmaps inside the SVG container. However, any other elements you add — text, callouts, shapes, arrows, stamps, borders and so on — are added as scalable vector graphics that have the same sharp quality at all zoom settings. Every element is a separate object within the SVG container. This also applies to your screenshots and any other bitmap images you insert, which can all be manipulated and scaled separately within the SVG.

You can even add additional SVG images inside an SVG image saved with SnipSVG, and they too remain editable later.

Standard bitmap formats

Of course, if you wish you can also save your SnipSVG images as standard BMP, PNG, JPG, GIF or TIF graphics. When you do this, however, you do need to remember that all the individual components then become part of the image and are no longer editable separately.

Format reference

Format	Editable elements	Description
SVG Extension: .svg	Yes	The industry standard Scalable Vector Graphics format. These files can be used directly in web pages, HelpXplain, Help+Manual® and many other applications. At the same time, all the elements you add remain editable in SnipSVG, so you don't need to maintain separate source and output files. Uses: Graphics for web use with scalable quality and compact file size. Can be inserted directly in Help+Manual® projects and edited in most graphics programs, including HelpXplain.
SnipX format: Extension: .snipx	Yes	This is the standard SnipSVG file format when you are not saving your images as SVGs directly. It is very similar to the HelpXplain® format. The main difference is that it always only contains a single image with all its elements and assets. This is what would be referred to as a "slide" in HelpXplain® itself. Uses: Can be used for any SnipSVG image that you want to edit later, just like the SVG format. In addition to this it can also be inserted directly in Help+Manual® projects. There, it will be exported as an SVG in output formats that support it, and in the appropriate graphics bitmap type in other formats. This can be a little more flexible than using SVGs directly in Help+Manual. You can also import .snipx files to HelpXplain® projects as slides. They cannot be used directly elsewhere, however.
Bitmap graphics: BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, WEBP	No	Saves your SnipSVG images as standard bitmap graphics. This "bakes" all the individual elements added in SnipSVG to the final image and they can no longer be edited separately. Uses: Direct use anywhere where you would normally use these image formats.

Format

Editable
elements

Description

SVG
Extension: .svg

Yes

The industry standard Scalable Vector Graphics format. These files can be used directly in web pages, HelpXplain, Help+Manual® and many other applications. At the same time, all the elements you add remain editable in SnipSVG, so you don't need to maintain separate source and output files.

Uses:

Graphics for web use with scalable quality and compact file size. Can be inserted directly in Help+Manual® projects and edited in most graphics programs, including HelpXplain.

SnipX format:

Extension: .snipx

Yes

This is the standard SnipSVG file format when you are not saving your images as SVGs directly. It is very similar to the HelpXplain® format. The main difference is that it always only contains a single image with all its elements and assets. This is what would be referred to as a "slide" in HelpXplain® itself.

Uses:

Can be used for any SnipSVG image that you want to edit later, just like the SVG format. In addition to this it can also be inserted directly in Help+Manual® projects. There, it will be exported as an SVG in output formats that support it, and in the appropriate graphics bitmap type in other formats. This can be a little more flexible than using SVGs directly in Help+Manual.

You can also import .snipx files to HelpXplain® projects as slides. They cannot be used directly elsewhere, however.

Bitmap graphics:
BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, WEBP

Saves your SnipSVG images as standard bitmap graphics. This "bakes" all the individual elements added in SnipSVG to the final image and they can no longer be edited separately.

Uses:

Direct use anywhere where you would normally use these image formats.

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