Mastering SVG Icon Color Retrieval in Webflow's Collection Lists

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVGs) are a powerful tool in a Webflow designer's toolkit, allowing for crisp, scalable icons and illustrations that maintain their quality no matter the screen size. But what if you could take it a step further and control the color of these SVG icons using a Webflow collection list? That's exactly what we're going to delve into in this post. Buckle up, because we're about to take your SVG game to the next level.

The Problem

As a Webflow user, you know how important it is to have control over every aspect of your website's design. SVG icons are great, but their static nature can sometimes feel limiting, especially when you're working with dynamic content. For instance, you might want an SVG icon's color to change based on a specific color field in a collection list. Unfortunately, CSS can't control the color of an external SVG file, leaving you stuck with the original color of the icon.

The Solution

The good news is that there is a workaround. The solution lies in using inline SVG code inside of a custom code component, and then adding CMS variables to control aspects like color, size, and stroke width. This approach will give you the flexibility to dynamically control the color of your SVG icons based on a collection list color field.

Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let's break this down into a step-by-step guide:

• Add a color field to the relevant CMS item and specify a color for each item.
• Copy the SVG icon's code by opening it in a text editor and pasting it in a custom code component.
• In the icon's code, identify the color (usually starting with a # after a fill or stroke attribute) and select it.
• Make sure your custom code box is inside a dynamic list or a template page to enable the 'Add field' link at the top right of the box.
• With the color selected in the code, click on 'Add field' and look for your CMS color value.
• Now, the color of the SVG icon is dynamic and will change based on the color defined in the CMS item.

Additional Tips

If you want to have different icons and different colors for each item, you can also add the SVG code in the CMS and clean the SVG code to control it with embedded CSS. You'll just need to add the SVG code and the color in the CMS and then have a CSS code with a custom code element, targeting the SVG class, and coloring it.

As a Webflow user, you'll appreciate the flexibility and control this method offers. So, try it out and take your SVG icons to the next level!

Useful Resources

• Vincent's demo
• Guide to SVG Use Elements
• Webflow Forum Discussion

Pro Tip: Embrace SVG Filters for Dynamic Effects

If you want to take your dynamic SVG game even further, why not experiment with SVG filters? This is an incredibly powerful but often overlooked feature of SVGs that can give you even more control over your icon's appearance.

With SVG filters, you can create a range of effects such as blurring, lighting, color manipulation, and more. For instance, you could use the feColorMatrix filter to dynamically adjust the color values of your SVG icons, leading to some really unique and eye-catching effects.

But here's the real kicker: because these filters are applied as CSS, you can actually use Webflow's CMS to control them. That's right, just like with icon color, you can set up a CMS field for your filter values and then insert these as CMS variables into your SVG code. This gives you the ability to dynamically adjust not only the color but also the filter effects of your SVG icons based on each CMS item.

This might sound complex, but once you get the hang of it, the potential for customization is huge. So don't be afraid to dive in and start experimenting!

For more on SVG filters, check out this great tutorial.