3 Easy Ways to Export Files From Figma To Illustrator

In this article, you get a comprehensive, step-by-step guide and basically, everything you’d need to know on how to export files from Figma to Illustrator. Let’s get to it!

How to Export From Figma to Adobe Illustrator

You can export designs with editable text from Figma to Adobe Illustrator by first grouping all selected elements.

Then, in the Design panel, under the Export section, select file format as SVG and uncheck Outline Text.

Next, right-click your design and select Copy/Paste As > Copy as SVG. Go to your Illustrator file, right-click, and select Paste.

To smoothly export your design to Illustrator, follow these detailed steps:

Method 1: Export As SVG To Preserve Editable Text

Step 1: Prepare Your Figma Design

Before exporting, ensure that your Figma design is well-organized and that related elements are grouped together. First, select one element on your frame by clicking on it.

Then, select all elements using the keyboard shortcut keys Command + A on Mac.

Or Ctrl + A on Windows.

You can group the selected elements together by doing a right-click and selecting Group Selection on the pop-up menu.

Or use the keyboard shortcut Command + G on Mac.

Or Ctrl + G on Windows.

Name your layers and components and double-check for any missing or misaligned objects. To name your Layers, go to the Layers panel on the left side

Step 2: Export Layers as SVG

In Figma, select the frame or elements you want to export. Then, open the panel on the right side of the Figma app by clicking the Design tab.

If you don’t see the panel on the right, go to the top menu bar, select View > Panels > Open Design Panel.

Next, scroll to the bottom to find the Export section. Then, select SVG in the drop-down menu next to the Suffix field.

Click on the More Options button represented by the three dotted lines on the right-hand side.

Then, in the pop-up dialog box, uncheck Outline Text.

Next, click on the button that says “Export [Name of Your Layer]“.

A dialog box to save your file in SVG appears. Name your file in the Save As field and click the Save button.

Related: What To Do When Illustrator Won’t Save My File

This SVG vector format is compatible with Illustrator and preserves your design’s attributes including your text.

Step 3: Import SVG into Illustrator

Open Illustrator and create a new document. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Place, locate the exported SVG file, and click the Place button.

Use the cursor that appears to click once on your artboard. This will import the SVG into your Illustrator document.

Alternatively, open your Illustrator document, then drag the SVG file from the folder location onto the opened Illustrator file.

You can now edit and manipulate the imported design as needed.

Once your design is in Illustrator, you may need to make adjustments, such as changing fonts, resizing objects, or tweaking colors. Use Illustrator’s extensive toolset to fine-tune your design as needed.

Method 2: Export As PDF

Besides exporting your design file to SVG format, Figma also allows you to export your design as a PDF, which can be opened in Illustrator. Note that this method may not preserve all design elements as accurately as the SVG format.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Export Design As PDF

Select the frame or group of elements you want to export. In the Design panel, go to the Export section. Click on the downward arrow and select PDF from the drop-down menu.

Next, click on the button that says “Export [Name of Your Layer]“.

In the Export dialog box, name your file in the Save As field and click the Save button.

Step 2: Open PDF in Illustrator

Open your Illustrator app and go to the top menu bar and select File > Open.

Locate and select your exported PDF file in the dialog box by clicking on the file. Click the Open button.

Your PDF file exported from Figma is now opened in Illustrator.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Plugins

Several third-party plugins and tools can help you streamline the process of exporting from Figma to Illustrator. Some popular options include:

Figmotion: A plugin that allows you to animate and export Figma designs directly into Illustrator.

Magicul.io: A simple online tool that converts Figma files to Adobe Illustrator files.

FAQ

Final Thoughts

Exporting your design from Figma to Illustrator is a relatively straightforward process if you follow the steps outlined in this article.

By preparing your design, choosing the right export format, and addressing common issues, you can ensure a seamless transition between these two powerful design tools.

So, get started on your next design project and unlock the full potential of both Figma and Illustrator!