For designers, transitioning between tools like Adobe Illustrator and Figma has often been a challenge. While both platforms are powerful in their own right, compatibility issues have made it difficult to seamlessly move files from one tool to the other. Many designers find themselves manually recreating elements or using time-consuming workarounds, which can be frustrating and inefficient.

Fortunately, with new solutions like the illustrator.to.design Figma plugin, migrating from Adobe Illustrator to Figma has become a much smoother and more efficient process. Whether you're moving existing designs, collaborating with a team using different tools, or simply converting assets for a new project, this guide will walk you through how to import Illustrator files into Figma as fully editable designs.

From Illustrator to Figma quick guide:

1. Run the Figma plugin illustrator.to.design
2. Drag-and-drop your Adobe Illustrator .ai file
3. It’s automatically converted into editable Figma layers!

How to migrate from Adobe Illustrator to Figma

Follow these steps to quickly transfer your Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files into Figma:

1) Run theillustrator.to.designplugin in Figma – Open Figma and access the plugin to initiate the import process. You can find the plugin in the Figma Community by searching for "illustrator.to.design."

2) Upload your .ai file – You can either select your file manually from your computer or drag and drop it directly into the plugin. If your file contains multiple artboards, the plugin will detect them and allow you to choose which ones to import.

3) “Import” – The illustrator.to.design plugin will process your file and convert it for use in Figma. Depending on the complexity of your design, this step may take a few seconds.

4) Designs converted! – Your Illustrator artboard is now available in Figma, either as fully editable layers or high-resolution images, ready for further design work.

What happens to your design elements after import?

One of the biggest concerns when migrating files is how well the different design elements are preserved. Here’s what you can expect when using illustrator.to.design:

• Vector shapes and paths: Illustrator vectors remain fully editable in Figma, allowing you to adjust anchor points and manipulate shapes without quality loss.
• Typography: All fonts will carry over, but you will need to have the same font installed in Figma to ensure perfect consistency. If you don’t have the same font, the plugin gives the option to map all fonts to new ones in Figma.
• Layers and groups: The plugin keeps your layers structured, maintaining hierarchy and layout.
• Effects and gradients: Shadows, gradients and transparency settings typically convert well, though some highly complex effects might require minor adjustments.
• Images and embedded elements: Any images included in your Illustrator file will be imported as high-resolution images in Figma.

Benefits of importing Illustrator files into Figma with illustrator.to.design

➡️ Direct workflow: Save time by skipping extra conversion steps. Move files straight from Adobe Illustrator to Figma without additional software.

💎 High-quality conversion: Ensure your designs maintain their precision and integrity during the transfer, preserving layers, vector elements, and details.

🤸‍♀️ Design flexibility: Whether you're working on new projects or repurposing old designs, this workflow allows seamless adaptation across tools.

🤝 Team collaboration: If your team works across different design tools, this method ensures everyone stays on the same page without losing design fidelity.

🚀 Faster iteration: Making updates and modifications is easier when files are editable rather than static images.

Why go from Adobe Illustrator to Figma?

Here are just a few practical scenarios where this workflow can be particularly useful:

• Branding and marketing materials: If you’ve designed assets in Adobe Illustrator but need to collaborate with a team working in Figma, this method ensures a smooth transition.
• UI/UX prototyping: While Illustrator is good for creating vector assets, Figma is superior for interactive design. Importing your Illustrator designs allows for quick prototyping without rebuilding elements.
• Client work: If a client provides an Illustrator file but requests edits in Figma, you can easily import and refine the design without delays.
• Design tool migration: Teams shifting from Adobe-based workflows to Figma can efficiently move their assets without losing structure or functionality.

Start importing your Illustrator files into Figma!

Migrating design files from Adobe Illustrator to Figma no longer needs to be a tedious process. With illustrator.to.design, designers can efficiently import their files while retaining quality and keeping designs editable. This ensures a smoother workflow and greater flexibility when working across both platforms.

If you’re looking to simplify your design workflow, try out the illustrator.to.design plugin for a hassle-free way to move your designs from Adobe Illustrator to Figma!