How to create an SVG with JFreeChart?

Question

On the JFreeChart web site it says that the library can output the chart in vector format.

From the JFreeChart site:

• support for many output types, including Swing components, image files (including PNG and JPEG), and vector graphics file formats (including PDF, EPS and SVG);

But how can I actually output in SVG format?

There is a way using the Apache Batik library, but from the statement above I would think JFreeChart can do it without Batik.

I could figure out the output for PNG and JPG in the ChartUtilities class, but there seems to be no class for vector graphics output.

Answer 1

No, JFreeChart supports SVG in the sense that it can be used in conjunction with Batik or JFreeSVG, which are required. Related resources include these:

• The JFreeChart Developer Guide^†.

• The JFreeChart forum.

• Saving JFreeChart as SVG vector images using Batik.

• JFreeSVG, which can "generate content in SVG format using the standard Java2D drawing API, Graphics2D." Demonstration programs may be found here, including this SVGBarChartDemo1 excerpt:

  JFreeChart chart = createChart(createDataset());
  SVGGraphics2D g2 = new SVGGraphics2D(600, 400);
  Rectangle r = new Rectangle(0, 0, 600, 400);
  chart.draw(g2, r);
  File f = new File("SVGBarChartDemo1.svg");
  SVGUtils.writeToSVG(f, g2.getSVGElement());
  

^†_{Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Object Refinery Limited; just a satisfied customer and very minor contributor.}