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Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a vector-based, digital designing platform that takes your prototype and design visions to the next level. Launched in March 2016, Adobe XD aka Adobe Experience Design became one of Adobe’s most versatile design software tools, especially for aspiring user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers.
What Is Adobe XD?
Adobe XD is a solid vector graphics design tool or application from Adobe. From prototyping, wireframing, web layout design, and 3D animations, to vector graphics, Adobe XD has your back to form all sorts of digital crafts that are compatible with iOS, macOS, Windows, and Android. Previously known as “Project Comet,” Adobe Experience Design promises to improve your digital design project workflow with advanced design tools and stellar visual effects.
Adobe XD Definition
Adobe XD is a special vector-based app or software made for every UX or UI designer to streamline their digital design and prototype needs.
Features of Adobe XD
Prototype and Wireframe Designs
With Adobe XD, you don’t need to conduct whiteboarding and designing separately because interactive wireframes are available for easy prototyping and designing. Every design also grants you access to numerous Adobe XD studio features such as stacks, padding, components, states, libraries, scroll groups, HTML or HTTPS links, anchor links, triggers, and more.
UI Design
Adobe XD’s specialized UI design consists of vectors, meaning you can create graphics with scalable features and top-tier quality designs. Built-in features for an excellent user interface experience are guaranteed for every font, shape, color, object, video, background, material, or design you come up with on Adobe XD.
3D Animation and Transformation
Besides building vector images and elements, Adobe XD’s 3D Transforms makes your 3D animation process as seamless as possible. Virtual and augmented reality features dominate this part of Adobe XD, making your outputs more interactive and detailed.
Repeat Grids
In case you need content to be repeated such as for photo albums, tabular data, or a card carousel, you will benefit a lot from Adobe XD’s repeat grids. This feature allows you to repeatedly duplicate content either vertically or horizontally.
Adobe XD Plugins
Maximize the use of Adobe XD’s plugins to access extensive design features such as the UnDraw, XD Plug-in Manager, XD Color Palettes, UI Faces, Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries, Color Ranger Pro, PhotoSplash, and many more. Explore the rest of these plugins for a better design experience with Adobe XD.
Adobe XD – Uses, Purpose, Importance
No matter what version of Adobe XD you are using or whether you access it through the web or mobile app, this transformative interface design tool has a bunch of elements to offer that lean toward your UI or UX design needs. Its versatility already makes it one of the best vector-based project tools in the digital world, and its functions, significance, and purposes aren’t only limited there.
Designs Graphics, Prototypes, Wireframes, and More
You can design out of anything through Adobe XD such as wireframes, illustrations, prototypes, templates, web design mockups, voice design, components, and vector graphics. Whether your goal is to come up with realistic designs or responsive prototypes, your design project can be processed quickly and effectively using Adobe XD’s array of tools.
Facilitates the UI/UX Design Workflow
Adobe XD itself is favorable to UI/UX designers, meaning it has special features to streamline your design experience such as repeating content, automating CSS text code language, facilitating workflows, adding realistic images, scaling vector sizes, etc. Be sure to take advantage of Adobe XD’s custom design program because there are endless options and tools available to meet your design needs.
Allows Collaboration Tools with Adobe Products and Others
Adobe integration is made possible with Adobe XD where you can collaborate and share with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, PSD, SVG, EPS, Bootstrap, and other Adobe products. Also, you can integrate Adobe XD with Figma, Zeplin, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Anima, and other programs not limited to Adobe’s products.
Adobe XD vs Adobe Illustrator
Adobe XD is a vector-based program of Adobe that is mainly used for prototyping, wireframing, and overall digital design.
Adobe Illustrator is the main and most prominent vector graphics design or editing tool of Adobe.
See a more detailed comparison in the table below.
Category |
Adobe XD |
Adobe Illustrator |
Pricing Info | Starts at $9.99 per month | Starts at $19.99 per month |
Target Audience | Preferably for UI and UX designers | Preferably for graphic artists and designers |
Focused Function | Meant for prototyping, wireframing, and complex graphics | Meant for creating a logo, icon, sketch, or any detailed illustration |
Product Features | Offers drag and drop tools, UI/UX prototyping, 3D animation, repeat grids, and more | Offers color syncing, unembedded photos, expanded links, auto pattern brush corners, and more |
Collaboration and Plugins | Accepts Adobe collaborations and other plugins such as UnDraw, UI Face, Color Ranger Pro, PhotoSplash, etc. | Also accepts Adobe collaborations and plugins including Ziflow, VectorScribe, Graffix, Fontself, etc. |
Adobe XD Tips and Tricks
With so many Adobe XD parts, features, and functions to expect using this vector-based prototyping program, it is possible for first-timers to have an adjustment period to get used to the software. Thankfully, you’ll have the ultimate Adobe XD tutorial in no time using these essential Adobe XD tips and tricks:
Drag and Drop Images in Adobe XD
Whether you deal with GIF, JPG, PNG, or any type of image, be sure to master the basic steps of how to drag and drop images in Adobe XD to control your image files seamlessly.
Mask in Adobe XD
Hide layers of your image objects using the layer mask tool, and you shall learn how to mask in Adobe XD shortly.
Design Interactive Wireframes Using Adobe XD
Setting a responsive design for wireframing has never been easier, and you should ace that process when you design interactive wireframes using Adobe XD.
Add Fonts to Adobe XD
Practice how to add fonts to Adobe XD until you can work on your typography skills or change the font style, font size, and overall font design of your art.
Create Button in Adobe XD
One of the few things to learn on basic wireframing is to create a button in Adobe XD, and it is super easy to do so that such a button would be workable on your prototype’s menu soon.
Prototype a Mobile App with Adobe XD
Your dream to produce an excellent online or mobile app can surely happen in reality as you effectively prototype a mobile app with Adobe XD—your ultimate strategic map to form the best app possible.
Export Assets from Adobe XD
Update your knowledge on how to export assets from Adobe XD so that you can leverage your files in PDF or any other external file format that suits your needs.
Create a Pie Chart in Adobe XD
There is no need to slide to another program in building pie charts because it is certainly possible to create a pie chart in Adobe XD whether you use a template or make one from scratch.
Add/Insert Video into Adobe XD
Don’t only focus on absorbing knowledge related to image files but you can also add/insert a video into Adobe XD.
Add an Image in Adobe XD
It is standard that those who are new to Adobe’s vector-based program should uncover the steps on how to add an image in Adobe XD.
Create a Drop Down Menu in Adobe XD
If your prototyping concern involves making a dropdown button or menu for your web page, practice how to create a dropdown menu in Adobe XD briefly.
Export Adobe XD to HTML
Besides exporting Adobe XD to PDF, you can also export Adobe XD to HTML so that either version is accessible to you.
Create a High-Fidelity Prototype and Export HTML with Adobe XD
Another smooth process you can achieve on a simple step-by-step basis is how to create a high-fidelity prototype and export HTML with Adobe XD.
Export Production-Ready Assets from Adobe XD to File Formats
Adobe XD’s shareable features are no joke because you are even allowed to export production-ready assets from Adobe XD to file formats accordingly.
Do Hover Effect in Adobe XD
Unleash your inner graphic designer by practicing the quick steps on how to do hover effect in Adobe XD.
Add Guides and Grids in Adobe XD
Be conscious of the measurements and dimensions of your graphic project as you work when you add guides and grids in Adobe XD.
Convert Adobe XD to WordPress
In case you want to use your Adobe XD files for WordPress purposes, don’t forget to convert Adobe XD to WordPress in just several steps.
Create New Artboard in Adobe XD
The pages you work on in Adobe XD are called artboards and you can practice how to create a new artboard in Adobe XD to get started.
Add Bullet Points and Numbers in Adobe XD
It is often better to enumerate data rather than write in long paragraphs for certain information and you can present data better once you add bullet points and numbers in Adobe XD.
Share Designs and Collaborate in Adobe XD
Optimize Adobe XD’s integration feature by learning the easy ways on how to share designs and collaborate in Adobe XD.
Create Custom Shadows in Adobe XD
Produce shadow figures or artistic silhouettes when you create custom shadows in Adobe XD for professional or creative purposes.
Make Website UI Design Using Adobe XD
You already know that user interface designers can benefit from Adobe XD so be sure to make a website UI design using Adobe XD that fits standard web standards out there.
Add Animation in Adobe XD
Bring life to still images by using the 3D Transforms tool and other animation features when you add animation in Adobe XD.
Crop an Image in Adobe XD
An icon, logo, sketch, or any picture you are designing can be cropped to meet your resizing needs, and a tutorial on how to crop an image in Adobe XD will guide you accordingly.
Duplicate Items in Adobe XD
You never have to repeat the same process of replicating a web page, graphic design, or any object once you practice how to duplicate items in Adobe XD in just a few steps.
Create a Table in Adobe XD
Another basic element that is super easy but you must learn properly is how to create a table in Adobe XD.
Export Adobe XD to PDF
Adobe XD files can be converted into many different versions and one example of it is to export Adobe XD to PDF.
Import Google Material Icons and Screens into Adobe XD
Adobe XD isn’t all about exporting files because importing is part of the must-have lessons to master too, such as how to import Google Material icons and screens into Adobe XD.
Get Color Schemes in Adobe XD
Add color to your special graphics or vector files with a variety of options to choose from; simply get color schemes in Adobe XD.
Create a Scroll Bar in Adobe XD
Formulate a scroll bar for your future website or any digital page by learning the procedures on how to create a scroll bar in Adobe XD.
Turn On the Dark Mode of Adobe XD
Save your eyes from harmful UV light or keep your workstation dark for aesthetic appeal as you turn on the dark mode of Adobe XD.
Create a Hyperlink in Adobe XD
Web pages aren’t complete without hyperlinks, especially in directing audiences to other links; to create a hyperlink in Adobe XD is one of the important steps worth mastering as well.
Navigate and Use Workspace in Adobe XD
Don’t lose track of your workspace because you can definitely learn the basics of how to navigate and use workspace in Adobe XD without hassle.
Open DMG File in Adobe XD
DMG files refer to Apple disk image files and those are certainly accessible in Adobe XD; just open a DMG file in Adobe XD and you’ll get the hang of it.
Change App Language in Adobe XD
If you can’t understand the current language of your Adobe XD program or you simply want to test out new languages in using the app, make sure to change the app language in Adobe XD using only a few steps.
FAQs
What does Adobe XD run on?
Adobe XD runs on Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Sketch, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and many other collaborative tools.
What is an XD file?
An XD file or .xd extension refers to the mockup web or mobile app design that is programmed with Adobe XD.
What are the requirements for Adobe XD?
Adobe XD needs at least 4GB of RAM as well as 4GB of free storage space; it also requires access to Windows 7, macOS 10.12, and other later versions of these examples.
Is Adobe XD good for web design?
Yes, Adobe XD is a good starter pack to practice your skills in web design thanks to its customizable tools, templates, and other web-compatible features.
Who should use Adobe XD?
Adobe XD is highly recommended for UX/UI designers or anyone who is concerned with prototyping, wireframing, web design, or vector graphics.
What file types can Adobe XD open?
Adobe XD supports the following file types: AI, PSD, JPG, GIF, PNG, Sketch, TIFF, and SVG.
What is Adobe XD compatible with?
Adobe XD is compatible with macOS 10.12, Windows 7, and other recent versions of these examples.
Can you import Photoshop into XD?
Yes, you can by dragging the Photoshop file to the icon or simply clicking “File” and “Open” on Adobe XD’s menu.
What type of software is Adobe XD?
It is a vector-based software.
Where are Adobe XD files stored?
Adobe XD files are stored on the Creative Cloud.