Skip to main content
R
romusrx
Known Participant
December 13, 2019
Question

Differences between components and libraries in XD?

  • December 13, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 1871 views

n,Hello,

I admit I find components and libraries confusing. Or, I don't see th difference between the two. As I can create components to share among teams, what's the added value of putting them in a library ? I would appreciate any explanation to really understand the benefits and drawbacks of them.

 

One more thing, having to add each component individually to a librarie is really a pain in the ass.

 

Thanks.

 

<The Title was renamed by moderator>

This topic has been closed for replies.

1 reply

Harshika Verma
Community Manager
Harshika VermaCommunity Manager
Community Manager
December 13, 2019

Hi there,

 

Thank you for reaching out and using Adobe XD. Here is the short explaination of the two.

 

Creative Cloud libraries:-

XD makes it easy for you and your teams to use assets that are shared using Creative Cloud Libraries. You can add colors, character styles, and components from XD to Creative Cloud Libraries and readily use them within other apps such as, Photoshop and Illustrator. Similarly, you can bring colors, character styles, and graphics from these apps into XD using Creative Cloud Libraries. 

Please check out this article for more info: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/xd/help/cc-libraries-xd.html

 

Components:-

Components (previously known as symbols), are design elements with unmatched flexibility that help you create and maintain repeated elements while varying the instances for different contexts and layouts. For example, usage of buttons in varying contexts.

For more info see this article: https://helpx.adobe.com/in/xd/help/components.html

 

Hope it helps. Let us know if you need further assistance on the same. We'd be happy to help.

 

Thanks,

Harshika

M
Michael Corn
Participant
December 14, 2019

Hi,

 

I understand the difference between the two but I do not understand which is better to use. You can create a design system in Adobe XD or you can import those same elements into a CC Library and share it right? Why would you use one over the other?

 

Thanks,

Mike

Peter Villevoye
Community Expert
Peter VillevoyeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 14, 2019

Adobe CC Libraries are cloud-based and shared among all applications.

Well, maybe not all, but let's say the most popular ones.

So these Library elements can be added from and used in various applications. You can create a logo in Illustrator, put it in a library, use it in Photoshop or XD, edit it Illustrator again, and see all instances reflect its change. And you can share libraries with co-workers, so others can view and even edit (if you allow them) your libraries.

It does pose some challenges, resulting in inevitable trade-offs. E.g. InDesign might add a library item with very precise spacing, or Illustrator can toss in an element with a complex mask and gradient fill. But this element might be too much to swallow for a less capable application...

So there's no guarantee that everything will work everywhere.

 

Adobe XD Assets like Components are stored in and limited to Adobe XD files.

You can link Components 'live' between files, but that's it – there's no centralized platform, and no hookup (yet) with other Adobe applications, just XD. My personal observation is that the Adobe XD product team initially and intentionally wanted to stay clear of the Adobe CC Library eco-system, and implement a connection to CC Libraries as an after-thought. There were/are too many ideological and technical pitfalls to wholly embrace the CC Libraries from the beginning, so they took care of their own and more reliable paradigm for reusable (XD) content, first.

 

Does this help ?

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices