Figma's AI can now cut out objects in one click and draw editable icons
On 5 and 6 November Figma made its AI image tools quicker and taught its agent to draw vector illustrations and icons you can actually edit. Here is what changed, who gets it and what it costs.
Figma shipped two AI updates in the first week of November 2026. One makes cutting things out of photos much faster. The other is aimed at a common complaint about AI art: you get a picture you cannot edit.
Cut out or erase with one click
Figma's release notes for 6 November say the Select area tool can now pick out an object when you click on it. You can then isolate it, which removes the background, or erase it from the photo. The update is for the Figma desktop app on Mac.
The tools themselves are not new. Select area, Isolate object and Erase object arrived in December 2025, TechCrunch reported at the time. Figma's help centre says they are on all plans, limited to Figma Design on the free Starter plan, and that they use AI credits.
Icons and illustrations you can edit
On 5 November Figma improved the vector illustrations and icons made by the Figma agent, its built-in AI assistant. According to the release notes:
- Layers are grouped sensibly, so each part can be edited on its own.
- You can attach your own illustrations as a style reference.
- Lines are drawn as strokes, so you can change their weight.
- The files are ready to animate in Figma Motion.
The agent is available on Full seats in the Professional, Organization and Enterprise plans. Collab and Dev seats can use it in drafts only, and it is not included in Starter. The release notes do not say how many credits vector drawing uses.
Code layers now use credits
Figma's code layers, which let you design with working code on the canvas, opened in beta on 15 October. Figma said creating and editing them would be free on paid plans until 4 November. From 5 November they use AI credits too.
Using them well
- Attach two or three of your existing icons as a style reference, so new ones match your brand.
- Check every generated icon at the size it will be used. Small icons need clean, simple shapes.
- Keep an eye on credits. Image edits, the agent and code layers now draw from the same allowance.
- Before a cut-out photo goes into an ad, look closely at hair, glass and fine edges, where automatic tools still slip.
Need an icon set or illustrations that feel like your brand? ALXO designs them, by hand and with the help of AI where it makes sense. Get in touch.
