To ensure pixel-perfect consistency and seamless developer handoff for intricate vector graphics with complex gradients and effects, what is the recommended export format and its primary advantage for web applications?

The recommended export format for intricate vector graphics with complex gradients and effects for web applications is SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics). Its primary advantage is that it is an XML-based vector image format that scales infinitely without losing quality. This means that an SVG graphic, unlike a raster image (like JPG or PNG), is defined by mathematical equations that describe points, lines, and curves, rather than a grid of pixels. When you zoom in on an SVG, the browser or viewer recalculates these equations to redraw the image at the new size, ensuring it remains sharp and clear at any resolution. This inherent scalability directly contributes to pixel-perfect consistency across different screen sizes and resolutions, from high-density displays to standard monitors. For developer handoff, SVG files are essentially text files containing code that describes the graphic. This makes them easily inspectable, editable, and animatable directly by web developers using code. Complex gradients, which are smooth transitions between colors, and effects, such as shadows or filters, are all mathematically defined within the SVG code, allowing for precise reproduction and manipulation. The advantage for web applications is twofold: guaranteed visual fidelity regardless of screen scaling and simplified integration and modification by developers, leading to a more efficient workflow and consistent user experience.