Export a single object in Illustrator without the other objects to SVG code?

Question

So I am pretty much desperate by now.I am a web developer and -designer, but I don't use Illustrator. I just don't need it at all.The file that I got from the graphic designer contains two artboards with several icons spread all over these. I need to export every single icon as `SVG`.So I selected every object, clicked <kbd>Object > Artboards > Fit to Selected Art</kbd> and exported that. I was a little worried because the `SVG` Code I got from that was very bloated and had so many paths defined in it, that I couldn't add classes to it without having to fear that I am doing something wrong.When I opened the exported `svg` to look if I did something wrong, the whole icon, wrapped by the artboard borders was there, with all the other icons below a grey overlay (!!!). So all the other paths were actually in every single `SVG` file.I tried everything but it just doesn't work. I cant go in 50 files to delete all the code.Any solutions?

Answer 1

Hi there. I've totally run into this problem before, as a designer and developer. I have to use illustrator to create my assets - then make them small (and sane) enough to work with via something like Material UI's SvgIcon. I was going to answer with the detailed Illustrator steps to get a simple, clean SVG file but instead here's my modified work flow!

1. Design in Illustrator
2. Copy vector
3. Open a Figma project
4. Paste vector
5. Export as SVG

It saves me HOURS of cleaning up Adobe's generated SVG paths. Of course, there's always a million ways to complete a task. I'm sure Adobe has an official way too. I just find this faster.

Hope it helps!