Well, you also can't do that in PNG format.

Pxtl · on Sept 30, 2013

Plus, couldn't you have multiple layers of SVG, and have the javascript respond by hiding/showing detail layers? SVG is more javascript-friendly than PNG so there's opportunity to have one SVG that gets tweaked by your js instead of multiple raster files.

foobarian · on Oct 1, 2013

SVG is more javascript-friendly than PNG

That sounds more like a problem than a solution to me.

masklinn · on Oct 1, 2013

Correct. But PNG works and is widely deployed today. Considering SVG fails at one of the primary use cases where it could have an edge over PNG, it's no surprise few care for it.