Statistical Graphics Using ODS


Scalable Vector Graphics

Scalable vector graphics output is supported in ODS Graphics. The output type support depends 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 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 that have smooth gradient fills

  • graphs that have continuous legends

  • graphs that have data skins (such as bars charts that appear to be shiny or have depth)

  • graphs that have rotated annotation images

  • graphs that have transparency (EMF and PS only)

The LISTING destination can generate all 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 in a larger report. The default output format is a PNG image.

Like the LISTING destination, the ODS PRINTER destination can generate all the supported vector output types. The output format depends on the type of printer that you select. If you select the PDF, SVG, or PCL5C printer, vector-based output is automatically produced. However, if you select the PS or EMF printer, 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 contained in one file instead of individual files for each graph.

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

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

The RTF destination produces PNG image output by default. It also supports vector-based EMF output for this destination. You can specify OUTPUTFMT=EMF 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 type.

The HTML destination produces PNG image output by default. It also supports vector-based SVG output for this destination. You can specify OUTPUTFMT=SVG 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 type.

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