Quick Tip: How to Use Adobe Illustrator Files in Figma

In this quick tip I’m going to show you how to get an Adobe Illustrator file into Figma, without needing Adobe Illustrator.

Note: this is part of our regularly updated learning guide The Designer’s Guide to Figma. To learn more about Figma, try our dedicated Figma tutorial, which takes Figma beginners through all the essential features of the app.

How to Open an Adobe Illustrator File in Figma

Let’s say you have some icons, such as the example we’re using here, Flat Books Icons on Envato Elements:

You’ll notice on the file information displayed by the asset that it’s an Adobe Illustrator file, which means you won’t be able to open it directly in Figma, straight out of the box.

So Figma can’t open Adobe Illustrator files, but Adobe XD can. Happily, Adobe XD is free too, so you’ll be able to use it for our purposes without purchasing a Creative Cloud subscription.

To get your Illustrator file into Figma without using Illustrator itself, follow these steps:

Open your .ai file using Adobe XD.
Go to Menu > Plugins > Discover plugins and search for Copy SVG Code.
Install the plugin.
Select the elements you want to open in Figma.
Go to Menu > Plugins > Copy SVG Code.
Open up Figma and hit Edit > Paste to take the vector object over.

It’s as simple as that! That’s how you can open an Adobe Illustrator file in Figma, without needing an Adobe Illustrator subscription.

Useful Links

Figma templates on ThemeForest
Flat Books Icons on Envato Elements
Copy SVG Code XD plugin by Charlie Hield

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