Convert a SVG Icon to BMP with IconVectors

This guide shows how to export any SVG icon as a crisp BMP bitmap using Axialis IconVectors. We’ll cover rasterization basics, pixel‑perfect sizing, and how to choose between flat (24BPP, no alpha) vs alpha (32BPP with transparency) BMPs.

Why export an SVG to BMP?

SVG has become the modern standard for using icons in applications and websites. Still, BMP remains widely adopted due to its long history in older technologies for user interface icons. For this reason, you may sometimes need to export an SVG icon as a BMP.

Below are a few key points to keep in mind when working with SVG:

• Rasterization: SVGs are vectors. When exported to BMP, they’re sampled onto a pixel grid. That’s why settings like size and alignment matter.
• Scale & clarity: Export at whole‑pixel sizes (e.g., 24, 48, 96 px) to avoid sub‑pixel sampling that can blur strokes.
• Pixel‑perfect vs blurred: Paths that land on half‑pixels or odd stroke widths at the chosen size can soften. Export at integer multiples of your design grid for best results (e.g., a 24×24 icon → 24/48/72/96 px).
• Transparency: Use alpha BMP (32BPP) to keep real transparency. Use flat BMP (24BPP) only if you must deliver opaque pixels or a keyed background.

Step‑by‑step in IconVectors

1. Open, draw, or import an icon.
   • Open existing SVG: File → Open… (Ctrl+O).
   • Create from scratch: New Icon (Ctrl+N), then draw shapes and paths.

   

2. Open the bitmap export dialog: File → Export → Export to Bitmap (Ctrl+F3). This command exports a raster version of your icon and supports many formats, including BMP. (Also available as a batch via Export to Multiple Bitmaps — Shift+F3.)
3. Understand the options in the Export to Bitmap dialog:

   

   • File Format — choose the target bitmap format. For this tutorial, select BMP. You can export either:
     • BMP — 32BPP RGB/Alpha Channel (keeps true transparency).
     • BMP — 24BPP Flat RGB (no alpha; for opaque outputs only).
   • Image Size — define Width and Height in pixels (or set a Percent). Keep Keep Aspect Ratio checked to avoid distortion.

     Tip
     If your source canvas is 24×24, export at 24, 48, 72, 96… px for pixel‑perfect results.

   • Colors — appears when the chosen format has no alpha channel (flat bitmaps):
     • Flat RGB Background — the solid background color to composite behind your icon.
     • Flat RGB Transparency — the color to treat as “transparent” (for keyed transparency).
     • Flat RGB Transparency Matt — optional matte color for smoother edges in formats like GIF.
4. Choose transparency:
   • Alpha BMP (32BPP) — pick BMP – 32BPP RGB/Alpha Channel to keep real transparency. Background fields are ignored because an alpha channel is written.
   • Flat BMP (24BPP) — pick BMP – 24BPP Flat RGB (or any non‑alpha bitmap). Choose a Flat RGB Background to bake a solid color, or use Flat RGB Transparency when you need a keyed “transparent” color.
5. Export the BMP — click OK, choose a filename, and save. The result is a standard BMP you can use in app UIs (toolbars, buttons, notifications, stores) and across platforms.

Notes & troubleshooting

• Edges look soft? Export at integer multiples of your design grid and prefer even stroke widths for small sizes.
• Need many sizes? Use File → Export → Export to Multiple Bitmaps (Shift+F3) to generate 1×/2×/3× variants in one go.
• Keep the vector too: BMP is final output; keep the SVG source for future edits.