Android: Convert SVG to VectorDrawable (via Vector Asset Studio)

Android’s VectorDrawable lets your icons scale cleanly across densities. In this guide, you’ll export a clean/minified SVG from Axialis IconVectors, import it with Vector Asset Studio, and optionally generate PNG fallbacks for older targets.

Prep your SVG for Android

1. Open or create your icon in IconVectors:
   • File → Open… (Ctrl+O) or New Icon (Ctrl+N).
   • Design on a square grid (e.g., 24×24) and keep shapes crisp at small sizes.

   

2. Flatten & simplify (as needed)
   • Remove filters/masks/clipping. Vector Asset Studio imports a subset of SVG.
   • If you used complex strokes (dashes, wide outlines), consider converting them to filled paths for predictable results.
   • Ensure the root has a clean viewBox (e.g., 0 0 24 24).
3. Export Minified SVG

   Choose File → Export → Export Minified (Shift+Ctrl+M) and save ic_check_24.svg. This strips metadata and preserves the geometry.

Import with Vector Asset Studio (Android Studio)

1. Open Vector Asset Studio
   • Resource Manager → + → Vector Asset, then pick Local file (SVG) and select your exported SVG.
   • Or use File → New → Vector Asset from the Project view.
2. Review the preview & name
   • Set a descriptive name (e.g., ic_check_24) and verify the tint/fill if you rely on a single color.
   • Fix warnings: simplify gradients, remove unsupported attributes, or re‑export with strokes outlined.
3. Finish to generate a VectorDrawable

   Android Studio creates res/drawable/ic_check_24.xml. A minimal VectorDrawable looks like this:

   <vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
       android:width="24dp"
       android:height="24dp"
       android:viewportWidth="24"
       android:viewportHeight="24">
     <path
         android:fillColor="#000"
         android:pathData="M4,12 L9,17 L20,6" 
         android:strokeColor="#000"
         android:strokeWidth="2" 
         android:fillAlpha="0" />
   </vector>

Use the drawable in layouts

• ImageView:

  <ImageView
    android:layout_width="24dp"
    android:layout_height="24dp"
    android:src="@drawable/ic_check_24" />

• Tint with theme color (Material):

  <ImageView
    android:layout_width="24dp"
    android:layout_height="24dp"
    android:src="@drawable/ic_check_24"
    android:tint="?attr/colorPrimary" />

Optional: PNG fallbacks

• If you support very old devices or specific toolchains, export small PNG sizes from the same SVG via File → Export → Export to Multiple Bitmaps (Shift+F3) and place them under density folders (e.g., mipmap- or drawable-).
• Keep the vector as the primary asset; use PNGs only where strictly required.