Fill SVG path element with a background-image

Question

Is it possible to set a background-image for an SVG <path> element?

For instance, if I set the element class="wall", the CSS style .wall {fill: red;} works, but .wall{background-image: url(wall.jpg)} does not, neither .wall {background-color: red;}.

Answer 1

You can do it by making the background into a pattern:

<defs>
  <pattern id="img1" patternUnits="userSpaceOnUse" width="100" height="100">
    <image href="wall.jpg" x="0" y="0" width="100" height="100" />
  </pattern>
</defs>

Adjust the width and height according to your image, then reference it from the path like this:

<path d="M5,50
         l0,100 l100,0 l0,-100 l-100,0
         M215,100
         a50,50 0 1 1 -100,0 50,50 0 1 1 100,0
         M265,50
         l50,100 l-100,0 l50,-100
         z"
  fill="url(#img1)" />

Working example