desigma is a free, open-source design tool written in Rust. Its repository is barely two weeks old and already has a thirteenth alpha, and it opens Figma and Pencil files.
desigma is a desktop design tool written in Rust. The repository describes it in one line, a free Figma alternative. The README also leans on the fact that it runs natively, with no web view and no Electron.
The repository was created on October 11. When I checked on the afternoon of October 28 it had 830 stars and 91 forks. GitHub lists the license as Apache-2.0, while the README badge says MIT or Apache-2.0. The two read slightly differently, so check it yourself before you rely on it.
Image: desigma repository
The release list shows thirteen alphas between October 11 and October 27. Here are the latest three, taken apart.
The latest three alphas
| alpha.13 | Oct 27 | Opens Pencil .pen files, fit-to-screen on a 9,000-layer file goes from seconds to milliseconds, six .fig import fixes |
| alpha.12 | Oct 25 | Update from inside the app, comments and styles and variables and votes edited at the same moment merge entry by entry |
| alpha.11 | Oct 25 | A guest who drops rejoins automatically, adds desigma-server to keep a file shared |
v0.1.0-alpha.13 includes several fixes from outside contributors. alpha.12 changed the sharing protocol version, so alpha.11 and alpha.12 cannot join each other's sessions. From alpha.11 on, editing together through a link, with no server, got sturdier.
What it can import: .fig files, Figma REST JSON, Pencil .pen files and SVG. What it can export: PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF, and animated GIF and WebM. One catch is that an imported file is not written back to its original format. Save goes to .desigma.
- .fig file → desigma
- Pencil .pen → desigma
- Figma REST JSON → desigma
- desigma → .desigma save
- desigma → PNG, SVG, PDF
- desigma → GIF, WebM
The README is frank about the weak spot. The .fig format has no public documentation, so the decoder follows what the community has worked out, and real-world files may show gaps.
These are the screens from the README. The README says they show the app's built-in showcase file.
Installation is covered in the install guide. Release builds are not code-signed yet, so Windows and macOS warn you the first time you open the app. The guide says so itself.
I would not move real work over yet. The repository calls itself alpha, and it says .fig import has gaps. Still, it is worth a look. Open one copied .fig file and see how far components and variables follow. That alone is enough to judge it.
The pace stands out. Thirteen alphas in barely two weeks, and 5 contributors. Whether that keeps up, I don't know. I also could not find out from the repository who the team behind it is.
Sources
- deepfounder-ai/desigma, stars and forks
- desigma releases: v0.1.0-alpha.13, alpha.12, alpha.11, release list
- Install guide