Sketch Design Document
Creative ProjectsSKETCH is an editable Sketch document containing screens, layers, styles and images. Distinguish local files from Workspace documents and choose a workflow for viewing, editing or developer handoff.
- Main use
- Edit interface designs and reusable components
- Data type
- Binary data
All sections, questions and sources
Content reviewed： · Editor：Kai
Opening steps
Choose your environment or purpose to see its steps.
Menu labels and support vary by app, OS and version. Preserve the original before making changes.
Troubleshooting by symptom
- Cannot edit on Windows: distinguish Mac editing from web-based sharing.
- Text widths change: check missing and substituted fonts.
- Library does not update: inspect source permissions and connectivity.
- Layers disappear in images: bitmap export flattens editing structures.
SKETCH → SVG / PNG / PDF
- Select the required frames/layers and set the export format and scale.
- Agree on exported dimensions, appearance, transparency and filenames.
Bitmap output flattens layers; vector output may change effects and component relationships.
ZIP internals versus normal editing
SKETCH uses a ZIP structure containing JSON and assets. Extracting images is not equivalent to correctly resaving the design; preserve originals and known-good versions before structural repair.
Source for these steps：Sketch · Saving and managing documents / Sketch · File format / Sketch · Importing & exporting
Worked example: checks before handoff
Example: hand off a button as SVG and required PNG scales, checking padding, shadows, colors and text; provide SKETCH separately for editing.
Source for these steps：Sketch · Saving and managing documents / Sketch · File format / Sketch · Importing & exporting
Related-format differences
| Format / method | Purpose and preserved information |
|---|---|
| .sketch | Edit interface designs and reusable components |
| FIG / SVG | FIG has its own compatibility conditions; SVG is for vector exchange. |
| SKETCH → SVG / PNG / PDF | Bitmap output flattens layers; vector output may change effects and component relationships. |
Handling and security
Documents can contain unpublished screens and embedded images; review sharing permissions and scope.
Questions and answers
Can a browser directly edit a local SKETCH?
Workspace sharing and Mac-app editing differ; check available permissions and features.
May I rename it to ZIP?
It can help inspect a copy, but renaming does not convert the design for another app.
Can I deliver text as rendered artwork?
Rendered images/outlines can preserve appearance but not ordinary text editing.
Format facts: name, steward and MIME type
- Formal name
- Sketch Design Document
- Steward / specification
- Sketch
- MIME type
- Consult the producer or delivery system. The extension alone does not establish a MIME type.
Primary and official sources
- Software documentationSaving and managing documents
Local saving and Workspace document management.
Sketch · Link checked： - Software documentationFile format
JSON and image assets inside the ZIP document.
Sketch · Link checked： - Software documentationImporting & exporting
Importing designs and exporting bitmap/vector assets.
Sketch · Link checked：