Do you want to easily transfer your Adobe Illustrator ideas into Figma? You cannot simply load Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files into Figma; however, there are ways to enable you to keep the functionalities of your design tools. Here’s an entire guide that will take you through how to convert AI to Figma step by step. We will look at several ways to ensure the move goes smoothly, such as saving as SVG and using online translators and specialized conversion tools.
Why Change Files From Adobe Illustrator To Figma?
However, on this point, before we get into how to convert AI to Figma, let us first consider why would one need to convert one’s illustrator files to Figma.
Transition to Figma
If you decide that what you were looking for is all-in-one software and move it all over to Figma then most likely your Adobe Illustrator files must be brought along. This way, you can continue working on your thoughts without any problems and cooperate with your team members in a real-time environment.
Collaboration
Figma is a perfect tool for team projects because it supports real-time collaboration. With converted your Adobe Illustrator files into Figma allows easy sharing of ideas with colleagues as they work together thereby speeding up the process of designing. You can use many AI Art Generators that can help you in many designs.
Having known why it’s crucial to convert Adobe Illustrator files into Figma let’s check out how to convert AI to Figma.
Various Methods for How to Convert AI to Figma
Changing your Adobe Illustrator files to Figma can be done in several ways. Let’s talk about how to convert AI to Figma each way in more depth.
Using Adobe Illustrator for SVG Exporting
Exporting files as SVG files is one of the most popular ways to change them from Adobe Illustrator to Figma. How to convert AI to Figma with this method:
- Open the.ai file that you’d like to be converted into Adobe Illustrator.
- Click on File, then Export, then Export As. Pick SVG as the file type.
- Open Figma and make a new file. Then, import the file. To add the saved SVG file to the Figma surface, drag and drop it there.
Remember: You can bring your ideas from Adobe Illustrator into Figma this way. But keep in mind that designs or files with lots of effects that are too complicated might not change correctly. Figma might not be able to handle all SVG properties, which would mean the transfer is not as good.
Using Adobe XD as an Intermediary
For those who don’t have Adobe Illustrator but still have the.ai file, Adobe XD can be used to change it to Figma. How to convert AI to Figma with this method:
- Download and have Adobe XD on your device if it’s not yet there. You can get Adobe XD for free.
- Bring your work from Adobe Illustrator into Adobe XD.
- Select the image in Adobe XD and copy it. Then, paste it into Figma. This image should then be copied, and placed in a new Figma file.
If you lack access to Adobe Illustrator, you can potentially use Adobe XD instead. However, keep in mind that the style may vary slightly when you copy paste.
Using Online Converters
You can also use free translators to change files from Adobe Illustrator to Figma. You can use many free tools to change your.ai files to forms that Figma can read. These are some well-known online converters:
Zamzar
An AI to SVG converter is available on Zamzar, which lets you change your Adobe Illustrator files to SVG format.
CloudConvert
Another free tool from CloudConvert lets you change your files online from AI to SVG.
Note: Using a converting tool can be helpful, especially if you want to change something quickly and without any problems. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that not all online adapters can handle complicated designs or keep your original file’s purity.
Dedicated Conversion Tools
If you need to turn Adobe Illustrator files to Figma often or are having trouble with other ways, you may want to use a specialized conversion tool. One of these tools is XD2Sketch, which has a translator that works only with Illustrator and Figma.
- If you want to use the Illustrator to Figma translator, go to the XD2Sketch website.
- Pick the .ai file you want to change and add it to the translator.
- Once the change is done, you can download the file in a format that Figma can read.
- Open Figma and make a new file. Then, import the file. Use the import tool to bring the changed file into Figma.
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Issues That Can Happen in the Conversion Process
During the conversion of files from Adobe Illustrator to Figma, there are a few things you need to remember. Understanding these potential concerns may enable you to handle any problems that might arise while making the switch.
Path Problems
Path issues can happen when adding SVG files into Figma, especially those that were saved from Adobe Illustrator. Some lines may be broken, which could lead to the wrong forms or angles. You might have to change the lines by hand in Figma after the translation to fix this.
Feature Limitations
It’s possible that not all of Adobe Illustrator’s effects and features will work perfectly in Figma. It’s possible that colors, effects, or layer styles with a lot of details won’t work properly, so you might have to make them again or change them in Figma.
Read: Top 5 AI Tools For UX Design in 2024
Final Thoughts on How to Convert AI to Figma
When you convert files from Adobe Illustrator to Figma, you can easily switch between design tasks and work with your team. Even though Figma doesn’t allow direct.ai files, you can still make the change work by saving it as SVG, using Adobe XD as a bridge, using online translators, or using special translation tools. As you go through the change process, keep in mind that there may be problems with the paths and features. If you follow these steps, you can make sure that moving your Adobe Illustrator files to Figma goes smoothly. You can then keep making beautiful designs in Figma’s shared setting.
Bonus Tips on How to Convert AI to Figma
- Before sharing your Adobe Illustrator designs, it’s best to make them easier to change by flattening layers, turning text into outlines, and rasterizing effects.
- You could ask for help and advice on Figma’s support or community sites if you run into any problems during the switching process.
- Keep an eye on Figma for changes and new features, as the platform may soon add full assistance for Adobe Illustrator files.
FAQs
Is there a straight way to change an AI file to Figma?
No, unfortunately, AI and Figma share files in different ways, so they can’t be converted directly. But there are a few ways to get around this problem, which are explained above.
How can I change my AI file to Figma in the best way?
- To add single vector pieces to Figma, export them as SVG files and then drag them in.
- To keep the style and quality, export as a PDF and then rebuild parts in Figma.
- If you want to change quickly (but with the risk of mistakes), use an online converter like Zamzar.
Even though I saved my AI file as an SVG, the text doesn’t look the same in Figma. Why?
Illustrator and Figma both use fonts in different ways. You might have to reapply the fonts you want in Figma for the text to look right.
Can I copy and paste my whole drawing from AI into Figma?
Vector parts can be copied and pasted, but styles and text layout may not be copied correctly. You could send certain parts as SVG files or modify them to have full control.