Adobe XD explained

Developer:Adobe Inc.
Latest Release Version:57
Genre:User interface builder
License:Trialware
Platform:x64, ARM64
Language:English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese

Adobe XD (also known as Adobe Experience Design[1]) is a vector design tool for web and mobile applications, developed and published by Adobe Inc. It is available for macOS and Windows, and there are versions for iOS and Android to help preview the result of work directly on mobile devices. Adobe XD enables website wireframing and creating click-through prototypes.

History

Adobe lastly announced they were developing a new interface design and prototyping tool under the name "Project Comet" at the Adobe MAX conference in October 2015, which was a response to the rising popularity of Sketch, a UX and UI design-focused vector editor, released in 2010.[2]

The first public beta was released for macOS as "Adobe Experience Design CC" to anyone with an Adobe account, on March 14, 2016.[3] A beta of Adobe XD was released for Windows 10 on December 13, 2016.[4] On October 18, 2017, Adobe announced that Adobe XD was out of beta.[5] As of June 22, 2023, Adobe XD was announced as discontinued as a purchasable item.[6]

After the failure of Adobe's attempt to acquire Figma, Adobe disclosed it would not "further invest" in XD.[7]

Features

Adobe XD creates user interfaces for mobile and web apps. Many features in XD were previously either hard to use or nonexistent in other Adobe applications like Illustrator or Photoshop.[8]

Repeat grid

Helps creating a grid of repeating items such as lists, and photo galleries.

Prototype and animation

Creates animated prototypes through linking artboards. These prototypes can be previewed on supported mobile devices.

Interoperability

XD supports and can open files from Illustrator, Photoshop, Sketch, and After Effects. In addition to the Adobe Creative Cloud, XD can also connect to other tools and services such as Slack and Microsoft Teams to collaborate. XD is also able to auto-adjust and move from macOS to Windows. For security, prototypes can be sent with password protection to ensure full disclosure.[9]

Content-Aware Layout

Design and edit components without the nudging or the tinkering. Content-Aware Layout aligns and evenly-spaces as you add, remove, or resize objects. Make adjustments with smart controls and get back to exploring.

Voice design

Apps can be designed using voice commands. In addition, what users create for smart assistants can be previewed as well.

Components

Users can create components to create logos, buttons, and other assets for reuse. Their appearance can change with the context where they are used.

Responsive resize

Responsive resize automatically adjusts and sizes pictures and other objects on the artboards. This allows the user to have their content automatically adjusted for different screens for different sized platforms such as mobile phones and PCs.

Plugins

XD is compatible with custom plugins that add additional features and uses. Plugins range from design to functionality, automation and animation.

Design education

Adobe offers educational articles, videos and live streams through various mediums to help designers learn Adobe XD and best practices.

Adobe XD Learn Hub

Launched in 2021, the Learn Hub[10] is a resource for learning how to use XD and what features the program offers. The Getting Started series[11] includes beginner to advanced tips & tricks[12] for designers looking to improve their work..

Adobe Live

Adobe Live[13] is a live stream hosted on Behance which delivers online training for a variety of Adobe applications, including Adobe XD, Photoshop and Illustrator.

Adobe MAX

Adobe MAX is an annual conference held by Adobe, showing various new products by Adobe in a format similar to other tech companies as well as various sessions and workshops.[14] What was previously an in-person event has since transitioned online.

Alternatives

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adobe Experience Design CC (Beta). live. 2021-04-19. www.adobe.com. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20160317072905/http://www.adobe.com:80/products/experience-design.experience-design-marquee-video.socialshare.html? . 2016-03-17 .
  2. Adobe's Project Comet Is a Start-to-Finish UX Design App . Margaret . Rhodes . . October 18, 2015 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020040950/https://www.wired.com/2015/10/adobes-new-project-comet-start-finish-website-design-app/ . October 20, 2017 . live . mdy-all .
  3. Web site: Adobe launches Experience Design CC, a new tool for UX designers . Frederic . Lardinois . . March 14, 2016 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020041101/https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/14/adobe-launches-experience-design-cc-a-new-tool-for-ux-designers/ . October 20, 2017 . live . mdy-all .
  4. Web site: Adobe XD now available to Windows 10 users in beta . Mehedi . Hassan . MSPoweruser . December 13, 2016 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020041243/https://mspoweruser.com/adobe-xd-now-available-windows-10-users-beta/ . October 20, 2017 . dead . mdy-all .
  5. Web site: Adobe's XD prototyping and wireframing tool is now out of beta . Frederic . Lardinois . . October 18, 2017 . October 20, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171020041352/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/18/adobe-xd-designing-at-the-speed-of-thought/ . October 20, 2017 . live . mdy-all .
  6. Web site: Adobe XD put on life support ahead of Figma acquisition . June 22, 2023 .
  7. News: Ford . Brody . Adobe Gives Up on Web-Design Product to Rival Figma After Deal Collapse . 30 January 2024 . Bloomberg.com . 30 January 2024 . en.
  8. Web site: Adobe XD. The New Hope.. Futurice. January 30, 2017 . en. 2019-02-14.
  9. Web site: Create and share designs, layouts, and prototypes quickly Adobe XD CC. www.adobe.com. 2019-02-14.
  10. Web site: Get Started with Adobe XD Adobe XD. 2021-05-16. www.adobe.com. en.
  11. Web site: Learn XD Design Adobe XD. 2021-05-16. www.adobe.com. en.
  12. Web site: Introduction to prototyping a gaming experience Adobe XD. 2021-05-16. www.adobe.com. en.
  13. Web site: Behance. Adobe Live. 2021-05-16. www.behance.net. english.
  14. Web site: Adobe MAX – The Creativity Conference Review on demand . 2022-03-10 . Adobe . en.