7-1 Exporting Assets in Figma

Key Concepts

Exporting assets in Figma is a crucial step in the design process, allowing you to share your work with developers, stakeholders, or other team members. Here are the main concepts:

• Export Settings: Customize the format, size, and quality of exported assets.
• Exportable Layers: Identify which layers or components can be exported.
• Export Presets: Save and reuse export settings for consistent outputs.
• Batch Exporting: Export multiple assets simultaneously.
• Asset Naming: Ensure exported assets are named logically for easy identification.
• File Formats: Choose the appropriate file format for different types of assets.

1. Export Settings

Export Settings allow you to customize how your assets are exported. This includes choosing the file format, size, and quality.

Detailed Explanation

To set export settings:

1. Select the layer or component you want to export.
2. Open the "Export" panel in the right sidebar.
3. Choose the desired format (e.g., PNG, SVG, JPG).
4. Set the size and quality options.
5. Click "Export" to generate the asset.

Example

Imagine exporting a logo for a website. By setting the export format to SVG, you ensure that the logo retains its quality at any size, making it suitable for both small icons and large banners.

2. Exportable Layers

Not all layers in Figma are exportable. Understanding which layers can be exported is essential for managing your assets effectively.

Detailed Explanation

To make a layer exportable:

1. Select the layer you want to export.
2. Open the "Export" panel in the right sidebar.
3. Enable the export option for that layer.

Example

Consider a design with multiple icons. By enabling the export option for each icon layer, you ensure that all necessary assets are available for export, making it easier to hand off to developers.

3. Export Presets

Export Presets allow you to save and reuse export settings, ensuring consistency across your exported assets.

Detailed Explanation

To create an export preset:

1. Set the desired export settings for a layer.
2. Click the "+" button in the "Export" panel to save the settings as a preset.
3. Name the preset for easy identification.

Example

Imagine a project where you consistently export icons at 2x resolution. By creating an export preset for this setting, you can quickly apply it to all icons, ensuring consistent quality and size.

4. Batch Exporting

Batch Exporting allows you to export multiple assets simultaneously, saving time and effort.

Detailed Explanation

To batch export assets:

1. Select multiple layers or components that you want to export.
2. Open the "Export" panel in the right sidebar.
3. Set the desired export settings for all selected assets.
4. Click "Export" to generate all assets at once.

Example

Consider a project with dozens of icons. By batch exporting all icons at once, you can quickly generate all necessary assets without manually exporting each one, significantly speeding up the process.

5. Asset Naming

Proper asset naming ensures that exported assets are easy to identify and manage. Logical naming conventions help in organizing and locating assets.

Detailed Explanation

To name assets logically:

1. Select the layer or component you want to export.
2. Open the "Export" panel in the right sidebar.
3. Rename the asset using a consistent naming convention (e.g., "icon_home_2x.png").

Example

Imagine a project with multiple icons. By naming each icon with a prefix (e.g., "icon_") and a suffix indicating the resolution (e.g., "_2x"), you create a clear and organized naming system, making it easier to locate and use assets.

6. File Formats

Choosing the appropriate file format for different types of assets ensures that they are optimized for their intended use.

Detailed Explanation

To choose the right file format:

1. Select the layer or component you want to export.
2. Open the "Export" panel in the right sidebar.
3. Choose the appropriate format based on the asset type (e.g., PNG for images, SVG for vectors).

Example

Consider a project with both raster images and vector icons. By exporting raster images as PNG and vector icons as SVG, you ensure that the images retain their quality and the icons are scalable without loss of detail.

By mastering these 7-1 Exporting Assets concepts in Figma, you can efficiently manage and share your design assets, ensuring consistency and quality in your projects.