Why Aren’t Certain Items Imported from Legacy DSM?

When importing a legacy design system to the new DSM, you may notice that some items aren’t able to be imported. This article covers common items that aren’t imported and why.

Non-symbol layer groups

The new DSM integrates with Sketch via Sketch Libraries, and non-symbol layer groups can’t be referenced from a Sketch library. Therefore, these items can’t be imported.

To resolve this issue:

1. In the Sketch file associated with your legacy design system, convert the layer groups to symbols.
2. Place the symbols in component containers.
3. Re-upload the Sketch file to the new DSM.
4. From the DSM website, run the import process again.

If you have several non-symbol layer groups, consider using the file export feature in legacy DSM.

Non-symbol icon layer groups

The new DSM integrates with Sketch via Sketch Libraries, and non-symbol icon layer groups can’t be referenced from a Sketch library. Therefore, these items can’t be imported.

To resolve this issue:

1. In the Sketch files associated with your legacy design system, convert the icon layer groups to symbols.
2. In the same Sketch files, mark the symbols for SVG export.
3. Re-upload the Sketch files to the new DSM.
4. From the DSM website, run the import process again.

If you have several non-symbol icon layer groups, consider using the file export feature in legacy DSM.

Symbols outside components

The new DSM exclusively uses component containers to document components; therefore, all symbols should be saved inside component containers.

To resolve this issue:

1. In your legacy system, place the symbols in component containers.
2. Add the symbols to the Sketch files used by the new DSM, and then re-upload those Sketch files to the new DSM.
3. Try importing to the new DSM again.