All about the Figma File Format

Figma is a powerful cloud-based design platform that simplifies the design process. But that’s not all. It gets better. It’s the best software for any team-based collaborative design projects. So if you’re looking for vector tools to create fully-fledged illustrations, prototypes, or hand-off code generation, Figma has your back.

Why use Figma?

It works on all platforms

Any OS that can run a browser works with Figma. From Mac to PC, Linux, and even Chromebooks. Got to admit it’s the only design tool that can be shared, opened, and edited across all platforms. Nothing brings all designers together without some mediation mechanisms to avail the design work to everyone. They now have a Desktop application.

Simpler and familiar collaboration

Have you ever collaborated with someone on a Google Doc? It was so easy, right? The same applies to Figma. Anyone viewing or editing the file will appear as an avatar at the top of the app page. They are all assigned a named cursor so you’ll know who is doing what. Say goodbye to ‘design drifting’ as real-time collaboration helps keep everyone on the same page. It mitigates the chances of people straying from the agreed design. Keeping people in check.

Team collaboration on Slack

Design collaboration can very often be like fighting a bobcat. By the time the project is done, some people have to pull tufts of feline hair out of their teeth. I know most designers don’t like to be ‘spied on’ while working. Adapting to a shared work environment may be an uphill task.

However, Figma makes it easy and smooth by allowing the lead to create a Figma channel on Slack. It makes it possible for changes to be updated, vetted, and feedback given which saves so much time especially when designing live. This cuts the back and forth which is usually a potential headache for designers.

All project files under one roof

File organization is so simple when you have all your files in one place – online. Teams can make the organization of files as granular as possible depending on the project at hand.

What files are in Figma?

Figma files are in the .fig file extension.

This file format is very specific to Figma and can’t be opened by any other application. If you want to share files between Figma accounts, backup files, or export them, use the .fig extension.

However, you can use the SVG file format if you want to export files to other applications. Or you can copy-paste the frames.

Oh! And you can import the .sketch files to open, view, and edit.

How do I Open a Figma File?

This works for both the browser-based app or the desktop application. You can import Figma files (.fig), Sketch files (.sketch), or image files (.png, .jpg, .gif)

1. Open the page in Figma you want to add the file to either the File Browser or a specific Figma File.

2. Find and select the file(s) you want to open.

3. Drag and drop the file(s) over to Figma.

4. Depending on the file size, the import process can take a couple of seconds.

5. Once completed, click Done to return to the File Browser

How do I convert Figma Files?

As we stated earlier the .fig file extension is impossible to open with other design tools. As a result, you need to convert the files to either SVG, PSD, PNG, JPG, or GIF.

Filestar will help you convert your Figma file to either of these formats. Your file will remain you designed. No need to fret about add-ons or deductions. And being a secure platform, you won’t be downloading a corrupt file.

It will take you less than a minute to convert. Here is how to go about it.

Convert Figma to PSD

1. Download and install the latest version of Filestar.

2. Right-click on one or more Fig file(s) on your desktop and select Convert with Filestar.

3. Type convert to PSD in the search box.

4. Press Convert.

And you’ll use the same simple process to convert Figma to JPG, GIF, PNG, or SVG.