Image MIME Reference
ACES
ACES Image Container File
image/aces
VS
Simple Vector Format
image/vnd.svf
SVF
A complete technical comparison of ACES Image Container File and Simple Vector Format — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | ACES | SVF |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | Yes |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| EXIF Metadata | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| ICC Color Profile | ✕ No | ✕ No |
ACES Image Container File
image/aces
Extension
.exr
Container
OpenEXR (SMPTE ST 2065-4)
Compression
Lossless / Uncompressed
Algorithm
PIZZIPRLEB44Uncompressed
Color Depth
16-bit (Half-float), 32-bit (Float)
Developed by
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) / SMPTE
Released
2013
Magic Bytes
76 2F 31 01
Simple Vector Format
image/vnd.svf
Extension
.svf
Container
Custom Binary/Text (Legacy) or ZIP (Autodesk Forge)
Compression
Uncompressed / Deflate (in modern Autodesk SVF implementations)
Algorithm
None
Color Depth
Vector Data (Not Applicable)
Developed by
SoftSource & NCSA (National Center for Supercomputing Applications)
Released
1995
Magic Bytes
Unknown (SoftSource SVF)
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | ACES | SVF |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ | ✕ |
ACES
ACES Strengths
- Industry standard for high-end visual effects, compositing, and color grading
- Supports 16-bit half-float data, accurately capturing immense dynamic range without clipping
- Standardized by SMPTE (ST 2065-4) to guarantee universal color interoperability across different post-production facilities
Limitations
- Considerably larger file sizes than conventional consumer image formats
- Completely unsupported in web browsers and most standard desktop viewers
- Requires specialized compositing or color grading software to interpret and view the scene-linear data correctly
SVF
SVF Strengths
- Acted as a crucial pioneering stepping-stone in proving that scalable, zoomable vector graphics were viable and necessary for the World Wide Web
Limitations
- Completely obsolete and unsupported by modern web standards
- Required end-users to install bulky, proprietary browser plugins
- Causes significant developer confusion today due to Autodesk adopting the exact same acronym and file extension for a completely different technology
When to choose which format
ACES
Use ACES when…
- Visual Effects (VFX)
- Digital Intermediate (DI)
- Color Grading
- Archival
SVF
Use SVF when…
- Historical Web-based CAD Viewers (1990s)
- Legacy 2D Vector Archival
- Autodesk Platform Services (Forge) Model Translation (Name Collision)