Scalable vector graphics output is now supported in ODS Graphics. The output type support varies based on the ODS destination that you use. You can specify the OUTPUTFMT= option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to specify the output type for any destination. For destinations that generate vector graphics by default, you can get image output by specifying the option OUTPUTFMT=STATIC.

Vector graphics are not supported for all graph types. When vector graphics are requested but not supported, the graph automatically changes to image output. Vector graphics are not supported for the following graph types:

• three-dimensional graph

• contour plots with smooth gradient fills

• graphs with continuous legends

• graphs with data skins

• graphs with rotated annotation images

• graphs with transparency (EMF and PS only)

The LISTING destination can generate all of the supported forms of vector-based output: PDF, PS, EMF, SVG, and PCL. Each graph is generated in a separate file that can be included into a larger report. The default output format is a PNG image.

Like the LISTING destination, the ODS PRINTER destination can generate all of the supported vector output types. The output format depends on the type of printer you select. If you select the PDF, SVG, or PCL5C printers, vector-based output is automatically produced. However, if you select PS or EMF printers, you need to set the OUTPUTFMT= option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to PS or EMF, respectively, to create vector-based output. By default, the output from this destination is in one file instead of individual files for each graph.

The PDF destination renders PDF vector output by default, except for the exceptions noted. You can specify the OUTPUTFMT=STATIC option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to produce an embedded image in the PDF file.

The LATEX destination renders PS vector output by default, except for the exceptions noted. You can specify the OUTPUTFMT=STATIC option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to produce an embedded image in the postscript file.

The RTF destination renders PNG image output by default. Vector-based EMF output is also supported for this destination. You can specify the OUTPUTFMT=EMF option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to select this output type. If one of the noted exceptions occurs, the output type for that graph changes to a PNG image.

The HTML destination renders PNG image output by default. Vector-based SVG output is also supported for this destination. You can specify the OUTPUTFMT=SVG option in the ODS GRAPHICS statement to select this output type. If one of the noted exceptions occurs, the output type for that graph changes to a PNG image.

In most cases, the file size with vector graphics is much smaller than a comparable static image file. However, in some cases, the vector graphics file size is larger than the image version. This is likely for scatter plots of data sets with a large number of observations.