When exporting a raster image (JPG, PNG, PDF), now you can choose an image resampling option. Image resampling helps maintain the quality of your exports by determining the color of each pixel. It’s useful when exporting images to different sizes or a vector design to a raster format.

The Detailed option (default) uses an image resampling method called ​“bicubic sampling.” This method looks at each pixel and uses a weighted average of at least four surrounding pixels from the original image for export. Best used when optimizing for detail in exports, such as high-quality images, vector art, and assets with gradients or drop shadows.

The Basic option uses an image resampling method known as ​“nearest neighbor sampling.” This method looks at pixels from the original image and finds the closest matching pixel to use for the export. Best used when optimizing for hard lines in assets or for assets that don’t need finer details, like icons, low-resolution images, and pixel art.

Miggi explains and shows the new export options in action.

SVG exports will now correctly render background blur and both angular and diamond gradients.

“You can now lock the aspect ratio of almost any object in Figma – including frames, shapes, images, videos, vectors, and text – so that the proportions of that object are respected as you scale the object or its parent container. This functionality replaces Constrain proportions, which only worked when you adjusted the width or height fields of an object in the properties panel.”

To see it in action, watch video explainers by Miggi and Christine Vallaure. Miggi shows how to temporarily unlock the aspect ratio by holding down the Ctrl key, while Christine points out the correct CSS syntax for implementation.

A new sidebar provides a large collection of diagramming shapes for engineers, along with quick access to recently used ones. Stroke color is now independent of fill color for shapes and sections, and connector labels are movable. Additionally, there is an updated color palette with more variety and consistency.

This obviously oversimplified attention-grabber made the rounds on design Twitter last week. Tools, processes, and skills are rapidly changing, but they complement each other. Instead of being line cooks focused on a single station, designers can now prepare an entire meal. However, if the ingredients are undercooked and the sauce is sloppy, that meal won’t be worth much.

Ideation, visual exploration, prototyping, and even building deserve the best tools for the job. Check out insightful takes on this from Noah Levin, Jordan Singer, Ridd, and Jess.

Dev Mode users can now see variables used in gradients. Binding variables to gradients was also added to the plugin API so plugin developers can offer variables support out-of-the-box.

Two new AI features — quickly search through top Community files to find assets you need and increase the resolution and clarity of your images in just one click in the editor.

Figma Community Forum got a big makeover in January. It’s a great place to ask questions or share your thoughts.