Using the Toolbar and Panels in Figma

Key Concepts

Understanding the Toolbar and Panels in Figma is crucial for efficient design work. The Toolbar contains essential tools for creating and editing designs, while the Panels provide additional functionalities and settings to refine your work.

1. The Toolbar

The Toolbar in Figma is located at the top of the interface and contains a variety of tools that allow you to create and manipulate designs. These tools are grouped into categories such as selection, drawing, and text tools.

Selection Tools

The Selection Tools include the Arrow Tool (V) and the Frame Tool (F). The Arrow Tool is used to select and move objects within your design, while the Frame Tool is used to create and resize frames, which act as containers for your design elements.

Example: If you want to move a button within your design, you would use the Arrow Tool to click and drag the button to its new location. If you need to create a new section for your design, you would use the Frame Tool to draw a new frame and then place your elements inside it.

Drawing Tools

The Drawing Tools include the Pen Tool (P), Line Tool (L), and Shape Tools (R for Rectangle, O for Ellipse, and T for Triangle). These tools allow you to draw custom shapes, lines, and paths within your design.

Example: If you need to create a custom icon, you might use the Pen Tool to draw a path that outlines the icon's shape. For a quick rectangle, you would use the Rectangle Tool to draw and then adjust its size and position.

Text Tool

The Text Tool (T) allows you to add and edit text within your design. You can adjust the font, size, color, and alignment of the text directly within the Toolbar.

Example: To add a headline to your design, you would select the Text Tool, click where you want the text to appear, and then type your headline. You can then use the Toolbar options to change the font style and size to match your design.

2. The Panels

The Panels in Figma are located on the right side of the interface and provide additional settings and functionalities to refine your design. These panels include the Design, Prototype, and Inspect panels.

Design Panel

The Design Panel allows you to adjust the properties of selected objects, such as color, opacity, and effects. This panel is essential for fine-tuning the visual aspects of your design.

Example: If you want to change the color of a button, you would select the button with the Arrow Tool, then use the Design Panel to choose a new color from the color picker. You can also adjust the opacity or add a shadow effect to enhance the button's appearance.

Prototype Panel

The Prototype Panel is used to create interactive prototypes by linking different frames and adding interactions. This panel is crucial for testing the user flow of your design.

Example: To create a clickable button that navigates to a new screen, you would select the button in the Design Panel, then use the Prototype Panel to set the destination frame and the type of interaction (e.g., click or hover).

Inspect Panel

The Inspect Panel provides detailed information about the selected object, including its size, position, and CSS properties. This panel is useful for developers who need to implement the design in code.

Example: If you need to provide specifications for a developer, you would select the object and then use the Inspect Panel to view and copy the exact size, position, and CSS properties of the object. This ensures that the implementation matches the design precisely.

By mastering the Toolbar and Panels in Figma, you can efficiently create and refine your designs, ensuring a smooth and collaborative design process.