This week’s new tools, tutorials, and resources 👇
TravelAnimator: Turn Google Maps URLs into stunning map animations (Free app).
Landingfolio: A curated collection of landing page design inspiration, templates, and more (FREE).
Vectorpea: A free, web-based alternative to Adobe Illustrator (FREE).
VolumeHub: Per-app volume control for macOS with no driver installs (Mac App).
In partnership with
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TOP STORY
✏ Figma releases “Vectorize Images”
This week, Figma released "Vectorize Images," a new AI-powered image editing tool that converts raster images into fully editable vectors directly on the Figma canvas.
Vectorize joins Figma's growing AI image editing toolkit, which already includes: Remove Background, Erase Object, and Expand Image.
A vector is a graphic made of mathematical paths (points, lines, curves) that scales infinitely without losing quality, unlike a raster image, which is a fixed grid of pixels that gets blurry when enlarged.
With Vectorize, you can now:
Convert images in one click: Drag and drop any raster image (e.g., a sketch, photo, or texture) into Figma Design or Draw and convert it into an editable vector instantly.
Simplify color output: Use the "Recolor" slider to reduce vectorized artwork into a manageable set of colors and shapes, making it easier to refine and adapt.
Edit with existing Figma tools: Adjust anchor points, reposition individual elements, and apply color variables to standardize artwork across themes and brand systems.
Create reusable assets: Turn hand-drawn lettering into editable logos, or convert captured textures into scalable overlays for layered UI designs and landing pages.
Vectorize is available now in Figma Design and Figma Draw for Full-seat users on Professional, Organization, and Enterprise plans with AI enabled. AI actions use credits.
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DESIGN
🖨 Paper releases “Halftone CMYK”
This week, Paper released a new "Halftone CMYK" shader, an image filter that recreates the look of analog CMYK printing directly in the browser.
The shader was inspired by Inklab, a discontinued Photoshop plugin known for its print-style rendering. Paper rebuilt the effect as a real-time WebGL filter that renders instantly (no loading spinners or plugins required).
Paper is a web-based design tool (currently in alpha) that combines layout, shaders, and AI image generation into one canvas. Think of it as a modern alternative to traditional design tools, with real-time WebGL effects built in.
With the Halftone CMYK shader, you can now:
Apply realistic print effects: The filter simulates physical CMYK printing by layering cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink dots — complete with overlapping, soft edges, and grid noise that mimics imprecise printheads.
Choose between three dot types: Use "Dots" for clean halftone patterns, "Ink" for a gooey, bleeding effect with a 90s zine feel, or "Sharp" for a direct pixel-sampled look.
Customize every layer independently: Adjust colors, gain, and flood controls for each CMYK channel to create duotone effects, isolate accent colors, or push into pop-art territory.
Use built-in presets: Start with presets like Newspaper, Vintage, and Drops, then tweak parameters like dot size, softness, contrast, and grid noise to dial in your look.
Open the shaders panel, drag in Halftone CMYK, upload an image, and start experimenting.
The shader is available now for free in the Paper app.
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ANIMATION
❌ Adobe Animate is “shutting down”
This week, Adobe announced plans to discontinue Adobe Animate effective March 1, 2026, meaning the software would eventually stop working entirely. But after massive community backlash, the company reversed its decision within days.
Adobe Animate is a vector animation tool used by motion designers, animators, and game developers to create interactive animations, cartoons, and web content (originally known as Macromedia Flash).
It's been used to produce major shows like Teen Titans Go!, Peppa Pig, and The Cuphead Show!, and was the backbone of early internet culture (plus powering sites like Newgrounds, YouTube's original video player, and countless browser games).
The announcement sparked immediate outrage from animators, studios, and long-time users who rely on Animate for professional workflows, many pointing out that it remains the industry standard for vector animation with no true alternative.
Within days, Adobe's Mike Chambers issued a public apology, acknowledging the announcement "did not meet our standards" and caused unnecessary confusion. Here's what changed:
Maintenance mode, not discontinuation: Animate will no longer receive new features, but will continue to get security updates and bug fixes.
Continued availability: Both new and existing users can still install and use Animate (a direct reversal from the original announcement).
Long-term content access: Adobe is committed to ensuring users will always be able to access their Animate files, regardless of the application's future development status.
While Animate's days of active development are over, the community pushback successfully prevented a full shutdown, a reminder of how much creative professionals still rely on the tool.
OTHER STORIES
Everything else in creative news 🗞
Adobe announced the “Adobe Creative Collective” and its founding members.
Adobe Firefly added support for Luma AI’s “Ray 3.14.”
Figma added support for Claude Opus 4.6 in Figma Make.
Figma released “Figma for Government Mobile App,” a dedicated Government mobile app for secure on-device design review and commenting.
Figma added all emojis to the FigJam stamp wheel.
Figma released bounding box editing, allowing you to transform multiple vector points at once.
Figma released “Automatic Guest Removal” for Org Admins using the Governance+ add-on.
Runway released “Motion Sketch” for Gen-4.5 Image to Video, allowing you to upload your first frame image and sketch & annotate what you want to happen.
Webflow is deprecating its legacy Editor and is introducing free migration options and resources.
Webflow added multi-page site creation, built-in animations, enterprise access, and more to its AI website builder.
Webflow released “Page-specific Access Control,” allowing you to limit which pages team members have access to.
Webflow increased its comment limits to 20,000 per website and 50 replies per comment.
Webflow now allows Guests to share comment-only links.
Webflow now allows Reviewers or stakeholders to request edit access directly from the canvas.
Webflow “Client Seats” are now free on all Workspace plans.
ElevenLabs raised $500m at a $11 billion valuation.
ElevenLabs’ “Eleven v3” is now out of alpha and ready for commercial use.
ElevenLabs added back the “Adam” and “Bella” voices to its Voice Library.
KREA AI added support for “Krea Realtime” in its iOS app.
Freepik released “List Notes,” allowing you to generate hundreds of outputs from one visual and localize campaigns across markets instantly.
Descript rebranded from blue to red colors.
Descript added support for Claude Opus 4.6.
Mirage added new horizontal styles to its AI Edit library.
MagicPath released “Custom Fonts,” allowing you to bring your own fonts, create design systems with them, and generate designs with AI.
MagicPath released new editor updates: you can now press “K” when selecting an element to bring up the Scale option, new text decoration and case options, and new positioning, rotation, and background blur settings.
Gamma released “AI Animations,” allowing you to generate AI animations directly in its editor or prompt animations right into any card.
Spline released updates to Hana: Pencil tool, Strokes Gradient, Pages, Fill as 3D Texture, and Copy & Paste from Figma.
LottieFiles released new updates in Lottie Creator: editable corner radius, timeline zoom control, adaptive import behavior, and nested scene source control.
Filmora released “Filmora Mobile 15.1.9,” introducing Story-to-Video and AI Auto Cut.
Streamyard released branded “Welcome Cards” for guests.
Replit added support for Claude Opus 4.6.
Lovable added support for Claude Opus 4.6.
v0 added support for Claude Opus 4.6.
Bolt added support for Opus 4.6.
MagicPath added support for Claude Opus 4.6.
VEED announced the “Creative Partner Program,” its official network where they connect, reward, and partner with creators.
VEED announced the “VEED Insider Program,” a 6-month opportunity for creators, editors, and marketers.
VEED released “AI Playground,” a new editor that allows you to: use multiple AI models, edit in the same timeline, all without switching tools.
Higgsfield AI released “Vibe-Motion,” allowing you to create motion designs with text prompts.
Higgsfield AI added support for Kling 3.0.
VEED added support for Kling 3.0.
Freepik added support for Kling 3.0.
Invideo added support for Kling 3.0.
Descript added support for Kling 2.0 and Kling 2.0 Pro.
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