Figma Ships Text-on-Path Tool and Auto Layout to Draw Mode.

Figma announced on LinkedIn that it has released a set of quality-of-life updates to Figma Draw, adding a dedicated text-on-a-path tool, expanded brush and texture controls, and the ability to use auto layout directly within Draw. The update also separates text and vector elements into independent layers, giving designers more granular control over freeform illustration work.

The text-on-path feature has been a frequent request from designers working in Draw, particularly those creating logos, badges, or decorative typography. Users can now drag on an empty canvas to instantly create text on a circle, streamlining a workflow that previously required workarounds. Figma has not provided detailed release notes on its blog at the time of reporting, but the LinkedIn post outlines the core additions.

Figma Draw now includes gradient support, an eyedropper tool, and noise controls for brushes and textures. These additions bring Draw closer to feature parity with standalone illustration tools, though Figma has not indicated whether further painting or drawing capabilities are planned.

The update also introduces new layer panel icons and the ability to apply auto layout in Draw, features previously limited to Figma Design. Auto layout has been a defining feature of Figma's design workflow, allowing responsive frame structures that adapt to content changes. Bringing it to Draw suggests Figma is positioning the tool for more production-ready illustration work, not just sketching or prototyping.

The ability to separate text and vector elements into independent layers addresses a longstanding friction point. Previously, text on a path or combined with vector shapes could become difficult to edit if they were grouped or flattened. With this update, designers can maintain editability across both text and vector layers, making iterative changes faster.

This change aligns with Figma's broader push to reduce context-switching between tools. The company has been steadily adding features to Draw since its introduction, and these updates indicate continued investment in making it a viable alternative to tools like Adobe Illustrator for certain workflows.

For teams already using Figma for interface design, these updates lower the barrier to doing more illustration work in the same tool. Designers working on brand assets, marketing collateral, or icon systems can now handle more tasks without jumping to external apps. The addition of auto layout to Draw is particularly notable, as it suggests Figma sees potential for Draw to support layout-driven illustration, not just freeform sketching.

Figma has been expanding its toolset aggressively over the past year, including recent updates to Make workflows and the rollout of Slots. The company has also been experimenting with AI-driven design tools, as seen in its Codex MCP server for bidirectional design-to-code workflows. These Draw updates fit into a larger pattern of incremental feature additions aimed at reducing the need for external tools.

The text-on-path tool, brush controls, and auto layout in Draw are live now. Figma has not shared a detailed changelog or documentation page for these features, but they should be accessible in the latest version of Figma Draw.