Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML markup language, designed for creating images for web browsers initially. By now, there are many other programs that can read, manipulate and produce SVG files. If you are unfamiliar with coding, don't be intimidated. Markup languages are among the easiest to learn, and with the files I provide, the most difficult parts are done for you.

For an introduction to SVG, try:

Tuts+  getting started with scalable vector graphics
SVG-Whiz!  Home
SVGBasics  SVG Basics Tutorials

Independent of my musical endeavors, I began learning SVG in 2004, fascinated by the ability to create images on a computer without any special program; just a text file and Firefox. Being a guitarist, composer, transcriber, I tried a number of music notation programs, and was always disappointed. It didn't take me long to start playing with the idea of using SVG. I had already created a bitmap library of music symbols, so off I went. One of the great things about SVG is, there is no limitation on what symbols you have and what they look like, or how they are placed; a huge advantage over the programs I tried. SVG is mostly limited by your imagination and your knowledge of the language, and like most things, the more you use it the easier it gets. I believe I've gotten to the point where I can turn out a piece of music faster than I could have using a program, and nothing that I want in it is missing.

I've named the process VectorGraving.

The complete package is available at:
https://www.fosshub.com/VectorGraving.html

As I began this for myself, most of the original library is for standard guitar notation. The updated library is for multiple staff systems, including symbols rarely, if ever, used in guitar notation. Not all symbols are represented yet; I create them as I need them. The work on both libraries is on-going.

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Contents of the Man Pages

• Introduction
• Beams and Slurs
• Groups Within a Measure
• Type Setting
• Converting To Other File Types