Linked Objects / Images
Option to link objects (or generate smart objects) when pasted from a PSD or AI source to maintain a reference.
This would provide a simple method for single or multiple object updates (beyond the CC Design Libraries integration)—saving time and ensuring all objects are the most current.
Example: Revision to a microphone icon via Illustrator, which is used across 20 artboards

54 comments
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Cubelodyte commented
Forgive me if I'm over-simplifying the greater request here, but I have a workaround for updating multiple objects (the reason I found this post). This, of course, does not solve the requested parameter of linking to objects from Photoshop or Illustrator, but it does provide a way to update the same object across multiple artboards.
Workaround -
If you turn the object into a symbol and then place it on all the appropriate artboards, you can update them all at once or bring in a new object and replace the existing one with it.
This latter procedure is done by making the new object a symbol as well and then dragging it into one of the existing symbol positions. -
Jakub commented
As others siad already – I'd love to work in PS with some advanced composition and link it to Xd. It can only render the preview file in 72ppi or something like that not to heat the hardware and give an opportunity to export as asset like in sketch <3 So it should be integrated with psd file itself to export in jpg/png etc.
Cheers!
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Jack Ridley commented
Is this still not a thing? Would love this, a lot like how indesign etc work with the links panel!
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owen commented
It would be great if you could have the option of 'edit in photoshop/illustrator' for an image inserted in XD that would update similar to smart objects in Photoshop, for example:
- I insert an image with an off-white background that needs adjusting
- Right click on the image and select the option ''edit in photoshop'
- This opens up the image in photoshop where I can adjust the levels and do what I need to do.
- Once I click save this then automatically updates the image in XD. -
Anders JPG commented
Would love to see if i can work in PS and have the file open in XD and as i make changes in PS i will see the changes auto update in XD
<3
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Alexey Kletsel commented
It is a must have feature. We need an ability to link Illustrator files with choosing artboard and even layers, just like in InDesign. I need to be able to design icons for a project, each one on its artboard, as ONE file and place them separately in an XD file. Thank you.
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z4ne commented
Cannot believe something so basic as relinking images is still not possible.
The "Place" command in Indesign upon any selected rectangle or SHAPE - is byfar the most critical feature that should have been made consistent and standard to all adobe apps.
Whilst XD seems promising replacement to Sketch, I just don't understand all these accumulating feature requests which ARE SO FUNDAMENTAL TO ALL OTHER programs yet does not exist in XD?
Otherwise XD is at the moment is simply a cut-down Illustrator with online publishing features with slide transitions inbetween artboards.
It's one step forward, two steps backwards.
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Rafael Valentim commented
And work with PSD!
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Ryan Brown commented
This feature would be one of those that would make me switch from Sketch
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Justin Caruana commented
Much Needed
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kamgrus commented
I think one of the powerful thing that Adobe XD can have is full support to PSD and AI. I don't get the import option that we have right now. I'm talking about option that I can place a PSD and "edit original" from XD, same like in InDesign.
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raul commented
Totes! This feature should have been implemented from the start. One of the reason I'm holding back from fully embracing XD tool. Adobe, I know you have the resources let's just get 'er done!
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hayley commented
Is there another workaround for this besides for having all images/illustrations in a CC library? How am I supposed to edit an image after I've imported it into Adobe XD? Makes no sense why this isn't a feature
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Wolfgang commented
I'd be fine with using PSD files for the moment
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Derek commented
Building components in Illustrator, exported with Asset Export with XD having ability to update imported graphics automatically as InDesign can.
The Fireworks ability to edit master file assets were created with was a huge time saver.
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Anonymous commented
Transform the object to symbol It's simple to refresh whole instance after change it
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martin rigby commented
Oh yeah. This leverages many existing workflows for file and version management. As far as I know, Sketch doesn't do it without a plugin.
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cecilia commented
Tretating copy/paste vectors from illustrator as smart objects, the same way photoshop does.
Double clicking on the vector layer on XD would open it on Ai so you can make your changes, hit save, and they'd reflect on xd. -
Josef commented
This should be a priority. It would be nice to have auto updating links from the filesystem. This suggestion goes hand in hand with another suggestion on providing additional properties on images such as source.
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Giuseppe Castiglione commented
Totally agree with this.
Currently have an image with text on top in XD which isn't working so I am editing in PS, exporting and then dragging into XD, to see how it looks with the text on top, having to go back to PS and start the cycle again. Not very efficent way of working.