A guide to Apache Batik?the Java library that can be used to read SVG files and translate the instructions in the files into graphics?this book shows how Batik can also be used to save the graphics as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, and other formats, so that the graphics can be transferred. Covered is how Batik can also be used to create animation, just like Flash movies and how Batik can potentially be used to create a drawing program such as Corel DRAW.

A guide to Apache Batik—the Java library that can be used to read SVG files and translate the instructions in the files into graphics—this book shows how Batik can also be used to save the graphics as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, GIF, and other formats, so that the graphics can be transferred. Covered is how Batik can also be used to create animation, just like Flash movies and how Batik can potentially be used to create a drawing program such as Corel DRAW.

Very accessible book on using the Apache Batik library
Batik simplifies dealing with SVG content in Java based applications or applets. For example, using Batik’s SVG generator module, a Java application or applet can easily export its graphics into the SVG format. Using Batik’s SVG viewing component, an application or applet can also integrate SVG viewing and interaction capabilities without much trouble. Another possibility is to use Batik’s modules to convert SVG to various formats, such as raster images (JPEG, PNG or TIFF) or other vector formats (WMF or PDF). This is a very good book for the Java programmer who wants to learn how to use Batik in their programs. Thus, prior knowledge of Java is assumed. The following is a run down of the chapters and their contents:

Chapter 1 Getting Started with Batik - discusses what Batik consists of and what the benefits of its modules are. In particular, this chapter explains how to use Squiggle to create, view, and manipulate an SVG document and how to use Rasterizer to export an SVG document to different formats.
Batik Overview
Batik in Real World Projects
Your First SVG Document
Using SVG Rasterizer
Using Pretty-Printer
What Else Comes with Batik?
Summary

Chapter 2 Creating SVG - shows you how to use one of the core modules in Batik, SVG Generator, in a simple Swing application that generates SVG documents with a single click.
Drawing in Java
Using SVG Creator
Other Features of SVG Generator
Summary

Chapter 3 Viewing SVG - discusses how to display SVG documents using JSVGCanvas, a specialized Swing component that comes with the Batik distribution.
Displaying Generated SVG Documents
JSVGCanvas Interactivity
Saving the Generated Document
Displaying an SVG File
Summary

Chapter 4 Working with Transcoders - explains how to use the Transcoder API to convert SVG images to raster formats such as JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
The Transcoder API
Using Transcoders in Applications
Setting the Area of Interest
Using the SVGTranscoder for Pretty Printing
The Enhanced Version of the SVG File Viewer
Summary

Chapter 5 Document Object Model- explains that, behind the scenes, Batik uses the tree-like structure of the Document Object Model (DOM) to represent an SVG document. Using Batik, developers have full access to the DOM and can easily change the properties or structure of the document from Java code.
SVG Document as a DOM Tree
Creating Documents with the DOM API
Building an SVG Document
Working with Gradients
Using the DOM API
Other Thoughts
Summary

Chapter 6 Working with Text and Fonts - demonstrates the many ways of being creative with text. Shows that any font can be used in SVG documents and also shows how to convert a True Type FOnt to an SVG Font.
Using the text Element
SVG Fonts
Using the Font Converter
Using SVG Fonts in a Document
Text Workbench: SVG Writer
Text Elements, Text Nodes, and Text Content
Characters Positioning
Using tspan elements
Text Layout
Text on A Path
Text Selection
Summary

Chapter 7 Batik on the Server Side - puts Batik to the test in a couple of actual projects. Here you can find some interesting solutions for a Java-driven web site.
The SVG Graph Web Application
SVG Filter Effects
SVG Filters Web Application
Summary

Chapter 8 Batik Interactive - discusses the use of scripting in Batik. This chapter shows how to make your SVG images move and interact with the user. However, to accomplish this you do not need to resort to writing javaScript, as animation and interactivity can be defined directly in your Java applications.
SVG and Scripts
Interactivity
Animation
Scripting Alternatives
Using Java for Scripting
Adding Animation
Summary

Appendix A Introduction to XML

Appendix B Introduction to JavaScript