How do I render a Lottie animation with ThorVG in C++?

Use tvg::Animation::gen() to create an animation, load the Lottie JSON file with picture()->load(), and control frames with animation->frame(). The README provides a complete code snippet for rendering and updating animations in a canvas.

ThorVG vs Skia: which is better for embedded systems?

ThorVG is generally better for embedded systems due to its smaller footprint (~150KB vs Skia's larger size) and optimized CPU rasterization. However, Skia offers a more feature-rich API and broader ecosystem, so choose based on binary size constraints versus feature needs.

Does ThorVG support SVG animations?

No, ThorVG does not support SVG animations as it adheres to the SVG Tiny Specification, which excludes animation features. For animated vector graphics, use the Lottie format with ThorVG's built-in Lottie support.

How to disable Lottie expressions in ThorVG for smaller binaries?

Build ThorVG with the -Dextra="" option in meson to disable Lottie expressions. This reduces binary size and performance impact, making it suitable for microcontroller deployments where resources are limited.

What platforms does ThorVG run on?

ThorVG supports web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile (Android, iOS), and embedded systems like Tizen and microcontrollers (e.g., ESP32). Its abstraction layer ensures consistent functionality across these diverse environments.

How to use ThorVG with WebGPU for web applications?

ThorVG includes WebGPU support in its multi-backend engines; ensure you have webgpu-native v0.27 or a WebGPU-compatible browser. Build with meson, and use the WebGPU backend via ThorVG's APIs for high-performance vector rendering in web apps.

Open-Awesome

ThorVG

MITC++v1.0.4

A production-ready C++ vector graphics engine for SVG and Lottie rendering, optimized for performance and lightweight integration.

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1.5k stars204 forks0 contributors

What is ThorVG?

ThorVG is a production-ready C++ vector graphics engine that renders SVG and Lottie animations with high performance and a lightweight footprint. It solves the need for efficient, scalable vector graphics across diverse platforms, from embedded devices and IoT to desktop and web applications, by offering optimized CPU and GPU rendering backends.

Target Audience

Developers building interactive applications, creative tools, or UI frameworks that require efficient vector graphics rendering, especially those targeting cross-platform deployment, embedded systems, or performance-critical environments.

Value Proposition

Developers choose ThorVG for its combination of speed, small binary size (~150KB), and broad platform support, including WebGPU and microcontroller compatibility. It outperforms alternatives in CPU rasterization and offers smart rendering features like partial updates, making it ideal for resource-constrained or high-performance scenarios.

Overview

A production-ready C++ vector graphics engine supporting SVG and Lottie formats, featuring advanced rendering backends such as WebGPU for high-performance graphics.

Use Cases

Best For

Rendering Lottie animations in mobile apps with low memory usage
Embedded system GUIs requiring lightweight vector graphics
Cross-platform applications needing consistent SVG rendering
Web-based graphics tools utilizing WebGPU for high performance
UI frameworks for IoT devices with limited resources
Server-side or headless vector graphics processing

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring full SVG specification features like animation and interactivity
High-performance 3D game rendering or real-time 3D graphics, where dedicated 3D engines are more appropriate
Rapid prototyping with drag-and-drop UI builders, as ThorVG requires manual C++ API integration without pre-built UI components
Environments where a mature, feature-rich ecosystem like Skia is prioritized over lightweight design

Pros & Cons

Pros

Lightweight and Portable

Core library size is ~150KB with broad platform support from microcontrollers like ESP32 to web and desktop, enabling efficient deployment on resource-constrained devices.

High-Performance CPU Rasterization

Benchmarks show ~1.8x faster CPU rasterization than Skia for common vector workloads, making it ideal for environments with limited GPU access or CPU-focused optimization.

Smart Partial Rendering

Updates only changed regions of a scene, reducing computational overhead and improving efficiency in UI rendering and design tools where most content is static.

Multi-Backend Flexibility

Supports CPU/SIMD, OpenGL/ES, WebGL, and WebGPU backends, allowing developers to choose the optimal rendering engine for their platform and performance needs.

Cons

Limited SVG Compliance

Adheres to SVG Tiny Specification, missing full SVG features like animation, interactivity, and multimedia, which may require workarounds or alternative formats for complex graphics.

Build Configuration Complexity

Requires meson build system and specific flags (e.g., -Dloaders or -Dextra) to enable features like Lottie expressions or image loaders, adding setup overhead compared to drop-in libraries.

Younger Ecosystem

As a newer project, it has a smaller community and fewer third-party resources compared to established alternatives like Skia, which can affect support and integration ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

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