Best Ways to Import EPS Files into Figma

Figma is a prominent tool that digital designers use to make interactive and impressive designs for websites, mobile apps, and other digital platforms. When designing prototypes or creating user interface designs, one might need to work with different file types. One such file type is an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file, which is a graphics file format used in vector-based images in Adobe Illustrator and other similar software. However, it is important to mention, at least at the time of writing this blog that Figma doesn't support EPS files directly. This article will walk you through the best ways to import EPS files in Figma.

Why You Might Want to Import Your EPS Files to Figma

EPS is a file format that was developed by Adobe Systems to ensure compatibility of images and graphics produced by their software with other software and platforms. These files are mostly used for saving and sharing images where it is important to maintain precise lines, colors, shapes, and sizes of the elements, regardless of the image, or device dimensions. This makes these files particularly useful for logos, drawings, and other designs.

If part of your design workflow involves using tools that export files as EPS files, you might want to import them into Figma for refining, further design, or integration with other designs. However, the process is not straightforward because Figma doesn't support EPS files directly.

Working Around Figma's Lack of Direct EPS Support

While Figma currently doesn't support the direct importation of EPS files, there are a few ways you can still get your EPS files into Figma. This involves converting the EPS files to a format that Figma supports before importing them. Some of the supported formats include .JPEG, .PNG, .SVG, .PDF, etc.

Let's explore several tools you can use to do this.

Adobe Illustrator for Converting EPS to SVG

As Adobe developed the EPS file format, it is only logical that an Adobe product will be able to open these files. Adobe Illustrator can open and work with EPS files. If you happen to have Adobe Illustrator, you can easily use it to convert your EPS files to SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) which can be easily imported into Figma.

How to Use Adobe Illustrator to Convert EPS to SVG

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and click on 'File' in the top menu.
2. Click on 'Open' and select the EPS file you want to convert and click 'Open'.
3. Once the EPS file has been opened, click on 'File' in the top menu again.
4. Select 'Save As' and in the dialog box, enter a name for your converted file.
5. Select SVG (svg) as the format.
6. Ensure that in the SVG options, the type is set to SVG.
7. Click 'OK' to save the file.
8. You can now import this SVG file into Figma.

Using Online Tools for Converting EPS to Figma-Compatible Formats

If you don't have Adobe Illustrator and you don't work with EPS files that often, using online tools can be a convenient and cost-effective option. It is also quite practical if you work with smaller files since these sites often have file size limitations for free users. One of the online tools you can use is EPS Viewer.

How to Use EPS Viewer to Convert EPS to Figma-Compatible Formats

1. Go to the EPS Viewer website.
2. Click on the 'Open' button to upload your EPS file.
3. Once uploaded, you will have options to resize and rotate the image, or leave the image as is.
4. Then click the 'Convert' button. In the file type dropdown, select SVG or another Figma-compatible format.
5. Click 'Start' to convert.
6. Finally, click 'Download' to download your newly converted file. You can now import this file into Figma.

Conclusion

All in all, while Figma's lack of native support for EPS files is a drawback, the workarounds outlined above allow you to continue designing seamlessly. Whether your design workflow involves Adobe Illustrator or you're looking for a free, quick solution such as EPS Viewer, you can convert your EPS files to a Figma-friendly format and continue working on your project.