Figma Toolbar

When the Move tool is selected on the bottom toolbar, the cursor transforms to resemble a specialized arrow. This arrow is distinct from the standard web arrow cursor and is tailored specifically for design work. It serves as a clear visual indicator that you are in a mode designed for actively manipulating design elements.

This custom arrow cursor makes it effortless to select and rearrange layers within the Layers Panel. It also enables precise movement of objects on the canvas. To move an object, simply click and drag it using your mouse or touchpad. For finer control and minor adjustments, the arrow keys can be used.

The Scale tool, essential for proportionally resizing objects while maintaining their aspect ratios, is slightly tucked away for access. To find it, click the arrow next to the Move tool on the bottom toolbar. This reveals additional tools, including the Scale tool, which can be identified by an icon showing an outlined square with a two-sided arrow in the right corner. You can also activate it quickly by pressing K on both Windows and Mac.

This tool is invaluable for resizing layers and objects. It smartly bypasses the constraints of nested layers, ensuring everything scales uniformly. Even blurs and strokes are adjusted in scale.

To use the Scale tool:

1. Activate the Scale tool.
2. Click on the object you want to resize.
3. Move your cursor over the object’s bounding box until the scale cursor appears, then click and drag to adjust size.

In Figma, frames are similar to artboards in other design tools, used to define specific areas on the canvas for your designs. It is crucial for organizing design elements, enabling structured layouts, and ensuring efficient workflow.

To access the Frame Tool, press A or F, or find its icon on the bottom toolbar. This icon looks like a mesh of 4 intersecting lines, making it easily recognizable. You can create frames with your own dimensions directly on the canvas or choose from Figma's preset sizes in the right-hand panel.

The Slice tool, found by clicking the arrow next to the Frame tool on the bottom toolbar and recognizable by its slicing knife-like icon, is designed for specifying screen regions to export.

Upon activating the Slice tool, the cursor changes to a cross, signifying its precision in selecting export areas. To activate it quickly, just press S on your keyboard.

Unlike the Frame tool, which is used for designing and structuring layouts, the Slice tool zeroes in on specific design areas for export. This allows for precise control over which parts of your design are saved as image files, making it a key tool for exporting individual elements without altering the entire design layout.

The Pen tool, represented by a retro fountain pen icon on the bottom toolbar and accessed with the shortcut P, is a powerful asset for designers. It's specially designed for creating custom shapes and icons, enabling the construction of complex vector networks. This involves using vector paths, anchor points, and bezier curves for precise control.

Commonly employed for tasks like logo design, crafting unique graphic elements, or generating detailed vector illustrations, the Pen tool offers precision and versatility. Whether you're shaping a brand's identity or adding intricate details to a digital illustration, this tool is key for achieving sharp, clean lines and curves in your design work.

The Pencil tool, identifiable by its pencil icon, offers a freehand approach for adding sketches, annotations, or artistic touches to your designs. Hidden in the bottom toolbar under the Pen tool dropdown, it's easily accessible yet neatly tucked away. Mac and Windows users can quickly access the Pencil Tool using the Shift P shortcut.

Ideal for jotting down rough ideas or adding creative flair, the Pencil tool brings an organic feel to digital designs. Figma lends a helping hand by smoothing paths as you draw. And if you need to fine-tune these paths on Vector Edit mode, click on the path and press:

• Mac: Return
• Windows: Enter

Figma offers a variety of default shape tools, each marked by a representative icon. To draw a shape, simply select the Shape tool from the dropdown menu on the bottom toolbar and click and drag on the canvas.

Available shapes and their shortcuts include:

• Rectangle:R
• Line:L
• Arrow: Shift L
• Ellipse: O
• Polygon
• Star

Some common use cases include creating button components with rectangles, designing UI card layouts with subtle shadows, building custom icons using polygons and stars, and establishing visual connections between interface elements using lines and arrows.

The Shape tool also offers the option to place images on a canvas. You can use the shortcuts:

• Mac: Shift Command K
• Windows: Shift Ctrl K

Text is a key element in interface design, with its placement, arrangement, and font choice significantly impacting the overall look and feel. To add text to your design in Figma, choose the Text tool from the bottom toolbar or simply press T. This action allows you to incorporate text layers into your project.

For a text layer that expands horizontally, click once on the canvas. If you prefer a text layer with fixed dimensions, click and drag to define its size. This flexibility in creating text layers ensures that your textual content perfectly fits and enhances your design's visual harmony.

The Hand tool, nested within the Move tool on the bottom toolbar, is your companion for seamless navigation within a file, ensuring you can move around without unintentionally selecting or shifting objects. Press and hold the Space bar or just click the letter H once to activate the Hand tool.

This tool is particularly handy when you're working on intricate designs and need to shift your view without disturbing the layout. On touch screen devices, the Hand tool makes it even more intuitive, allowing you to pan through your file effortlessly with finger gestures. It is ideal for reviewing extensive designs or presenting your work smoothly.

The Comment tool on the bottom toolbar in Figma, symbolized by a chat bubble icon, facilitates smooth communication with your team. It's perfect for discussing changes, responding to feedback, and refining your designs directly within the design file. Once activated, the cursor turns into a chat bubble icon, allowing users to click anywhere on the design to leave a comment.

To post the comment, simply press Return (Mac) or Enter (Windows). This tool brings collaboration to the forefront, allowing anyone with viewing or editing access to the file to join the conversation. It's an efficient way to gather input and iterate on your designs, ensuring everyone's on the same page without leaving the Figma environment.

To quickly access the Comment tool, you can use the shortcut C .

The main menu in Figma provides access to file operations, preferences, and account settings. Located in the top-left corner as the Figma icon, it serves as the primary navigation hub for application-level functions.

Key sections within the main menu include File operations for creating, opening, saving, and exporting work, Preferences for customizing your Figma experience, and Help resources for learning and troubleshooting. The menu also provides quick access to Figma's as well as your team's design libraries.

Account management functions are accessible through the main menu, allowing you to switch between teams, manage billing, adjust notification settings, and log out. This centralized approach keeps administrative tasks separate from active design work.

The Draw tool lets you draw and paint directly inside Figma Design files. Use the Pencil tool for quick sketches and line work, while the Brush tool adds texture and color for a more organic, hand-painted look. These tools create vector networks by automatically placing points along your drawn paths, which you can edit later. To draw, open the Figma Draw icon that looks like a brushstroke in the bottom toolbar. This will trigger a UI change within the bottom toolbar. Then, select the Pencil or Brush tool, set the stroke size, and drag your cursor to start drawing. You can adjust stroke properties like color, opacity, and corner radius in the design panel.