Can You Import Into Figma?

September 17, 2023 figma

When it comes to design collaboration and prototyping, Figma has become one of the most popular tools in the industry. With its powerful features and intuitive interface, designers can easily create and share their work with others. However, a common question that arises is whether you can import existing designs into Figma. Let's dive into this topic and explore the possibilities.

The Basics

Figma is primarily a cloud-based design tool that allows you to create designs from scratch or collaborate with others in real-time. It provides a wide range of features such as vector editing, prototyping, and design version control. However, unlike some other design tools, Figma does not have a direct import feature for external design files.

Importing Graphics

While Figma doesn't have an import feature for entire design files like Photoshop or Sketch, it does allow you to import individual graphic assets. This means you can bring in icons, illustrations, or other visual elements created in external software into your Figma project.

To import graphics into Figma:

Make sure you have the graphic file saved locally on your computer.
In Figma, select the frame or component where you want to place the imported graphic.
Drag and drop the graphic file from your computer's file explorer onto the selected frame/component.

This will add the imported graphic as a new layer within your existing Figma project. You can then resize, reposition, or apply any additional edits using Figma's editing tools.

Working with SVGs

If you are working with scalable vector graphics (SVGs), Figma provides even more flexibility when importing them into your project. SVGs are widely used for icons, logos, and illustrations as they can be scaled without losing quality.

To import SVGs into Figma:

Make sure your SVG file is saved locally on your computer.
In Figma, select the frame or component where you want to place the imported SVG.
Drag and drop the SVG file onto the selected frame/component.

Figma will automatically convert the SVG into editable vector shapes, allowing you to further customize and adjust them according to your design needs. This makes it incredibly convenient when working with external assets created in software like Adobe Illustrator or Sketch.

Considerations and Limitations

While importing graphics or SVGs into Figma can be a useful feature, there are some considerations and limitations to keep in mind:

Precision: When importing graphics, it's important to ensure that they are properly aligned within your Figma project. In some cases, imported graphics may require manual adjustments to fit seamlessly with other elements in your design.
File Size: Large graphic files can slow down your Figma project's performance. It's recommended to optimize the file size of imported graphics before bringing them into Figma.
Editability: While you can edit imported graphics within Figma, it's worth noting that complex edits may still require external software. Figma provides robust design capabilities but has its limitations compared to dedicated illustration tools.

The Verdict

Figma may not offer a direct import feature for entire design files like some other design tools do. However, its ability to import individual graphic assets and work seamlessly with SVGs provides designers with enough flexibility to incorporate existing designs into their Figma projects. While there are considerations and limitations, Figma's collaborative features and cloud-based nature make it a powerful tool for design collaboration and prototyping.

So, if you're wondering whether you can import into Figma, the answer is yes. While it may not be as straightforward as importing entire design files, Figma's import capabilities allow you to leverage external graphics and SVGs within your projects, making it a versatile tool for designers.