Exported SVGs with Image from Figama, Doesnt show the embeded image on illustrator.

[Darken5E82]

Hi,

I exported SVG files that contain images from Figma, but when I try to edit them in Illustrator, the images are missing. Instead, I see blank areas where the images should be, and the drop shadows applied to the shapes are not rendering either. But the images look fine on Chrome.

Thanks

[Monika Gause]

The images are probably not embedded in the SVG code.

ALso Illustrator is probably not able to convert the drop shadow to its own drop shadow.

[Darken5E82]

Shadows applied in Illustrator don't save as well. 

[Monika Gause]

WHich shadows are you using? You need to use the ones from the SVG effects submenu.

[Darken5E82]

The drop shadows under effects. It appears in Google Chrome after being applied and saved. However, when I reopen the document to edit it, the shadows are gone, and if I save it again, they will be permanently removed. What is happening?

[Monika Gause]

WHat are you doing step by step?

What kind of format are you saving?

What is the goal of all of this?

SVG is a one way road in Illustrator. After exporting, do not open them again, but use your work file (saved as AI)

[Darken5E82]

I am designing some illustrations for a client. which required images in them mostly headshots. The client requires SVG format to upload them on his/her website. I designed them in Figma and exported them in SVG and delivered them to the client. but the client doesn't see the embedded images when he opens them in Illustrator. So I manually put them again through illustration and embed them. When I go to embed them the shadows are gone them I add the drop shadows again through fx and save it. when I see the svg through Chrome it looks great. In figma great but the moment I open it again in Illustrator the shadows are broken again.

[Monika Gause]

As I said: you cannot expect an SVG file to open again in Illustrator after saving. That might be regrettable, but it's just fact.

Also: Illustrator has issues importing SVGs from other editors. Again: regrettable, but so be it.

If your client asks for SVGs, then they cannot expect them to open in Illustrator. For simple paths it might be successful though. If they need that, they would need to tell you upfront.

An SVG would need to be valid - are the Figma SVGs valid? Testing if they work in Chrome is not sufficient.

When designing in Illustrator, don't ever use SVG as your work file format. It will not work as such. Always save as AI. 

[Bobby Henderson]

Judging by the description of the project (headshot images with drop shadow effects applied) it sounds like it would have been better to do the work in Illustrator, or even Photoshop and perhaps export PNG images of the end result. I don't understand why the client wants SVG files of what sounds like embellished photo images.

The SVG format has a number of limitations; I don't really like it for mixing raster and vector-based elements. The flavors of SVG meant for displaying graphics in web pages are not very friendly to further editing. It's possible to get by using such SVG files if the graphics elements are all vector-based and simple in appearance (flat color fills, no effects). Anything more complicated will invite trouble. I get headaches having to deal with SVG files from customers that were exported from Canva. About 95% of the time I have to ask them for a "PDF for Print" file instead (and even that will be far from perfect).