While we are in public beta for our Adobe XD integration, we do not fully support Adobe XD library files.
Adding libraries
A library is a type of Sketch file with Symbols, Text Styles, and Layer Styles that can be shared. You can share a library across an organization’s projects by linking it or you can use a library to keep a single project consistent.
Create a new Sketch library
To create a Sketch library:
- Open the Abstract desktop app.
- Select the project where you’d like to create a library.
- If you’ll be sharing this library across projects, you may want to create a dedicated project for the library and link your project to it. If you won’t be using the library across multiple projects, you can create the library right inside the project.
- Select Master from the left side pane.
- It’s also possible to create a library directly in one of your branches. You can't link to / from branch libraries until they are merged to master.
- Select the FILES tab at the top.
- Click ADD FILE.
- Click Create Sketch File as library….
- Name and create your new library file.
The Sketch icon for the new library will turn from white to yellow. Abstract also records the change as a commit.
Note: If your library file does not contain any symbols, the library won’t appear in Sketch.
Add an existing Sketch library
Before you import a Sketch library, consider consolidating and categorizing your team’s symbols. We've seen teams successfully separate library symbols into platform-specific assets, branding, and UI assets files.
To import a Sketch library:
- Open the Abstract desktop app.
- Select the project where you’d like to import the library.
- If you’ll be sharing this library across projects, you may want to create a dedicated project for the library and link your project to it. If you won’t be using the library across multiple projects, you can import the library right inside the project.
- Select Master from the left side pane.
- Select the FILES tab at the top.
- Click Add File > Import Sketch File as Library or Import Sketch File (if new project).
- Select the library file you'd like to import.
- If new project, you'll need to right-click the file you added and select Use as library....
Convert an existing Sketch file to a library
If you already added a Sketch file to your project that you’d like to use as a library, you can convert it.
To use an existing Sketch file as a library:
- Open the Abstract desktop app.
- Select the project where you’d like to create a library.
- Select Branches from the left side pane.
- Select the branch with the Sketch file you’d like to convert.
- Right-click the file name.
- Select Use as library....
The Sketch icon for the new library will turn from white to yellow. Abstract also records the change as a commit.
Stop using a Sketch file as a library
If you ever want to stop using a file as a library file, follow the steps to convert a Sketch file to a library and uncheck Use as library….
Advanced library setup
See our library best practices.