Version 54 continued to enhance XD's core strength in rapid prototyping. Key features included Auto-Animate , allowing designers to create complex, animated transitions between artboards by simply defining changes. This enabled smooth, realistic micro-interactions, essential for realistic mobile and web app testing.

A major update in 2021 allowed designers to import and embed playable videos directly into XD prototypes. This permitted the simulation of video playback within a design interface, enhancing the fidelity of user-testing prototypes.

While the 2021 releases were powerful, it is important to note that Adobe XD entered a "maintenance mode" following the failed acquisition of Figma, with no major new feature development reported in 2024 or 2025. The 2021, 54.1.12 version is therefore viewed as a mature point in the software's life cycle before it became a "legacy" product. Everything You Need To Know - Adobe XD Update (2022)

A major selling point for existing Adobe users was the seamless integration with Creative Cloud. Assets from Illustrator and Photoshop could be directly imported or copied into XD, and projects could be sent to After Effects for advanced animation.

A hallmark of the 2021 release was its speed—handling massive, multi-artboard projects without significant lag, which was a competitive advantage at the time.

The platform featured tools like Repeat Grid to quickly replicate elements (buttons, lists) and Responsive Resize , which automatically adjust layout elements as frames change size, making it easy to create cross-device mockups.

Adobe XD CC 2021 (specifically, versions within the 54.x.x range released around mid-2021) represented a significant milestone in Adobe’s push to make Experience Design a dominant player in the UI/UX landscape. Positioned as a direct competitor to Figma and Sketch, this version emphasized high-performance prototyping, enhanced collaboration, and deeper integration within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, particularly with Photoshop and Illustrator.