DesigNet: Learning to Draw Vector Graphics as Designers Do

arXiv cs.CV / 4/9/2026

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Key Points

  • DesigNet is an AI model for generating scalable vector graphics (SVG) that aims to better match how human designers work by using designer-style operations like axis alignment and explicit continuity control at junctions.
  • The approach uses a hierarchical Transformer–VAE that outputs directly on SVG sequences with a continuous command parameterization to produce vector outputs that are more readily editable.
  • It introduces differentiable refinement modules: a continuity self-refinement module that predicts and enforces C0, G1, and C1 continuity by adjusting Bézier control points, and an alignment self-refinement module that includes snapping for horizontal and vertical lines.
  • Experiments reportedly show competitive results and improved accuracy versus state-of-the-art methods specifically for continuity and alignment, making the generated outlines easier to refine and integrate into professional design workflows.
  • The research announcement includes publicly available code via the provided GitHub repository.

Abstract

AI-driven content generation has made remarkable progress in recent years. However, neural networks and human designers operate in fundamentally different ways, making collaboration between them challenging. We address this gap for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) by equipping neural networks with tools commonly used by designers, such as axis alignment and explicit continuity control at command junctions. We introduce DesigNet, a hierarchical Transformer-VAE that operates directly on SVG sequences with a continuous command parameterization. Our main contributions are two differentiable modules: a continuity self-refinement module that predicts C^0, G^1, and C^1 continuity for each curve point and enforces it by modifying B\'ezier control points, and an alignment self-refinement module with snapping capabilities for horizontal or vertical lines. DesigNet produces editable outlines and achieves competitive results against state-of-the-art methods, with notably higher accuracy in continuity and alignment. These properties ensure the outputs are easier to refine and integrate into professional design workflows. Source Code: https://github.com/TomasGuija/DesigNet.