Figma Unveils AI-Powered Object Removal & Image Expansion, Taking Aim at Adobe

Figma has launched a suite of new AI image-editing tools. The features allow designers to remove objects, isolate elements, and expand images directly within the platform. This major update was announced on December 10, 2024.According to TechCrunch, the move is designed to keep users from switching to other apps for edits. It addresses a core need for granular control without relying solely on text-to-image generation.

New Tools Streamline the Designer Workflow

The enhanced lasso tool is a centerpiece. Designers can now select any object with precision. They can then delete it or pull it into a separate layer.The AI intelligently fills the background when an object is removed. It preserves the original image’s lighting, shadows, and color palette. This makes edits look seamless and professional.Another key feature is “image expansion.” It allows users to alter an image’s aspect ratio. The AI generates new background content to fill the empty space.This is useful for adapting a square social media post into a web banner. It eliminates tedious manual cropping and content reconstruction. All these tools are now grouped into a single, accessible toolbar.

Competitive Pressure in the Design Software Market

Figma is clearly responding to rivals. Companies like Adobe and Canva have offered similar AI edits for years. Figma’s integration aims to make its platform a more complete, one-stop shop.The update is available now in Figma Design and Figma Draw. Plans are in place to roll it out across all Figma tools in 2025. This strategic timing is notable.It coincides with Adobe integrating its own AI features into ChatGPT. Figma was a launch partner for the ChatGPT desktop app last October. The competitive landscape is heating up rapidly.For designers, this means less app-switching and faster iteration. It strengthens Figma’s position as a collaborative design hub. The focus remains on practical, time-saving utilities over pure generation.

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Figma’s new AI image editing capabilities mark a significant step in closing the feature gap with giants like Adobe. By bringing powerful, context-aware tools in-house, Figma is betting on a more streamlined and efficient future for its global design community.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Are Figma’s new AI editing features free to use?

The company has not announced specific pricing for these new tools. They are available within Figma Design and Figma Draw, which operate on a freemium model. Users should check their specific plan details for any potential limits or costs.

Q2: How does Figma’s object removal compare to Adobe’s?

Early reports suggest Figma’s tool is highly capable for common use cases. It focuses on seamless integration within the existing design workflow. Adobe’s equivalent feature, powered by Adobe Firefly, has had more time in market and may offer slightly more refined results for complex images.

Q3: What is the “image expansion” feature used for?

It is used to change an image’s dimensions or aspect ratio. For example, you can turn a square portrait into a wide landscape banner. The AI generates new, context-aware background imagery to fill the expanded areas automatically.

Q4: Will these tools be available in the Figma ChatGPT plugin?

Figma has not confirmed this yet. The company was a launch partner for the ChatGPT desktop app. Integration of these specific new editing features would require a separate technical implementation.