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How to Export a Prototype in Adobe XD

Published in Adobe XD Export 5 mins read

Exporting a prototype in Adobe XD primarily involves sharing the interactive experience online or recording a video walkthrough. While there is also a function to export design elements as static assets, which is discussed in resources like the provided reference, exporting the prototype itself focuses on sharing its interactivity and flow.

Here's a breakdown of the common ways to "export" or share your Adobe XD prototype:

Share Your Prototype Online for Review or Development

The most frequent method for sharing an interactive prototype is publishing it to Adobe's Creative Cloud and generating a shareable link. This allows stakeholders, clients, or developers to view and interact with your prototype in a web browser without needing Adobe XD installed.

Steps to Share Online:

  1. Switch to Share Mode: In your Adobe XD project, click the Share tab located in the top-left corner of the window.
  2. Select Share Settings: In the Share panel, choose the purpose of your share from the dropdown menu, such as:
    • Share for Review: Great for getting feedback from stakeholders.
    • Share for Development: Provides design specs and downloadable assets for developers.
    • Presentation: Full-screen presentation view.
    • User Testing: Designed for conducting usability tests.
    • Custom: Configure your own settings.
  3. Configure Options: Depending on your chosen setting, configure options like setting the starting artboard, enabling comments, requiring a password, or inviting specific people.
  4. Create Public Link: Click the Create Public Link button (or Update Link if you've shared before).
  5. Copy and Share: Adobe XD will process and upload your prototype. Once ready, it will provide you with a public URL. Copy this link and share it with your intended audience.

This process effectively "exports" your interactive prototype to the web.

Record a Video of Your Prototype Flow

You can also export a video file (.mp4) demonstrating the interaction flow of your prototype. This is useful for presentations or showcasing specific user journeys.

Steps to Record Video:

  1. Enter Prototype Mode: Ensure you are in the Prototype tab (top-left) to see your defined interactions.
  2. Open Desktop Preview: Click the Desktop Preview play icon (▶️) in the top-right corner of the application window. This opens a separate preview window of your prototype.
  3. Start Recording: In the Prototype Preview window, click the Record button (🔴). Recording will begin immediately.
  4. Navigate Your Prototype: Interact with your prototype in the preview window as you would normally, clicking through the screens and demonstrating the user flow you want to record.
  5. Stop Recording: Click the Record button again (which turns into a square stop icon ⬛) to end the recording.
  6. Save Video File: Adobe XD will prompt you to choose a location on your computer to save the recorded .mp4 video file.

This method "exports" a video representation of your prototype's interactivity.

Exporting Assets: A Related Process

While exporting a prototype focuses on the interactive experience, Adobe XD also allows you to export static assets from your design, such as images, icons, or entire artboards, in various file formats. This is a separate export function commonly used for design handoff to developers or for creating static graphics.

As highlighted in resources like the video titled "How to Design & Prototype in Adobe XD - Exporting Assets...", exporting assets is a core function. The video specifically mentions working with "two completed screen designs" (0:05) and discusses "exporting assets in adobe xd". This process involves selecting design elements and saving them as files like PNG, JPG, SVG, or PDF.

General Steps for Exporting Assets:

  1. Select Elements: Choose the specific layers, groups, or artboards you wish to export.
  2. Access Export Options: Go to File > Export in the menu bar. You can choose Selected or All Artboards.
  3. Choose Format & Settings: Pick the desired format (e.g., PNG for web, SVG for icons, PDF for documentation) and adjust any format-specific settings (e.g., quality, size multiplier).
  4. Specify Location: Choose where on your computer you want the exported files to be saved.
  5. Export: Click the Export button.
Export Goal Primary Method in XD Output Type Typical Use Case(s)
Share Interactive Prototype Share Mode (Publish to Creative Cloud) Shareable Web Link User testing, stakeholder review, presentations
Demonstrate Prototype Flow Record in Prototype Preview MP4 Video File Presentations, showcasing flows
Export Static Graphics File > Export (Selected or All Artboards), Asset Export PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF Files Developer handoff (images, icons), static mockups

In summary, while "exporting a prototype" most often means sharing an interactive link or video, Adobe XD also provides robust tools for exporting the static assets that make up your design, as seen in the referenced material.

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