Figma tutorial: Export from Figma design

Summary

This video tutorial guides users through exporting content from Figma, essential for sharing, developer handoffs, or backups. It covers exporting single or multiple objects, utilizing groups and frames, and employing sections or slices for organized exports. The video also addresses common issues, such as restricted access and missing content, and explores customization options like scale, DPI, and suffixes for file naming. Additionally, it touches on exporting entire canvases and files, and provides tips for bulk exporting and variant properties in file names.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Figma allows exporting various layer types such as objects, groups, frames, and sections to share with others or for backups.
• 🎨 To export a single object, select it and apply an export configuration, then use the Export button to finalize the process.
• 📂 The location of the Export section in Figma varies based on user access level and the mode being used (Design or Dev Mode).
• 🚫 If the Export section is missing, it could be due to restrictions set by the file owner, who should be contacted for assistance.
• 👥 For exporting multiple objects, select them and apply a common export configuration; each object will be exported to its own file.
• 📁 To export multiple objects into a single file, use grouping or framing, which treats the selected objects as a single unit for export.
• 🖼️ Frames can be exported with or without their fill, and the export preview will reflect the chosen settings.
• 🔑 Editors of a file can create persistent and visible export configurations, while viewers' configurations are temporary and not visible to others.
• 📐 When exporting frames, ensure all intended objects are nested within the frame in the Layers panel to avoid missing content.
• 🗂️ Sections and slices are tools for exporting multiple objects into the same file without disrupting the design, with slices allowing for specific export areas.
• 🌐 The entire canvas of a Figma page can be exported by deselecting all objects and applying an export configuration to the canvas.
• 💾 For exporting an entire file, Figma allows saving the file as a local .fig file, which can be imported back into Figma but doesn't include version history or comments.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of exporting content in Figma?

Exporting content in Figma is crucial for sharing with collaborators, facilitating developer handoffs, saving copies of work outside of Figma, or for any other reason one can imagine.

Which layer types can be exported from Figma?

In Figma, you can export various layer types including objects, groups, frames, and sections.

How do you export a single object in Figma?

To export a single object, select the object and use the export settings to apply an export configuration, then click the Export button.

What are the different locations of the Export section in Figma based on user access and mode?

For users with edit access in Design Mode, the Export section is at the bottom of the Design tab. For viewers in Design Mode, it's on the Export tab. In Dev Mode, it's on the Inspect tab when an object is selected.

Why might you not see the Export section in Figma?

If you don't see the Export section, it could be because the file owner has restricted viewers from copying or exporting content, and you would need to contact the file owner for assistance.

How can multiple objects be exported to a single file in Figma?

Multiple objects can be grouped or placed within a frame to export them as a single file. Alternatively, sections or slices can be used to organize objects for export without affecting the overall design.

What happens to export configurations when you're a viewer versus an editor of a Figma file?

As an editor, your export configurations persist and are visible to others in the file. As a viewer, your configurations do not persist and are not visible after the file is refreshed.

How can you ensure all content within a frame is included in the export?

Ensure that objects are nested inside the frame in the Layers panel and not just visually on top of the frame on the canvas. Using the export preview helps confirm everything is included.

What file formats does Figma support for exporting content?

Figma supports exporting content into PNG, JPG, SVG, and PDF files, with the choice of format depending on the user's specific needs.

How can you customize the scale of your export in Figma?

The Scale option in the Export section determines the size of the export. You can choose default scale options or manually enter a custom scale, including fixed width or height by entering a number followed by 'w' or 'h'.

How does Figma handle exporting for high-density screens like retina displays?

For high-density screens, it's recommended to export designs at 2 times the intended asset resolution to ensure clarity and detail.

What is the significance of the Suffix field in Figma's export settings?

The Suffix field allows you to add labels to the end of the file name for better organization without changing layer names in the file.

How can you export an object at multiple scales or different file formats in Figma?

You can apply multiple export configurations to an object, adjusting the scale and format as needed. Figma automatically sets new configurations and adds suffixes like '@2x', which can be modified.