Boolean Operations in Figma

Boolean Operations in Figma are powerful tools that allow designers to manipulate shapes by combining, subtracting, or intersecting them. Understanding these operations is crucial for creating complex and precise designs. Here are the key Boolean Operations:

Key Concepts

• Union: Combines two or more shapes into a single shape.
• Subtract: Removes the overlapping area of one shape from another.
• Intersect: Retains only the overlapping area of two shapes.
• Exclude: Combines shapes and removes the overlapping areas, leaving only the non-overlapping parts.
• Divide: Splits a shape into multiple parts based on the overlapping areas with another shape.

Detailed Explanation

To use Boolean Operations in Figma, follow these steps:

1. Union:
   1. Select the shapes you want to combine.
   2. Right-click and choose "Union" from the context menu.
   3. The selected shapes will be merged into a single shape.
2. Subtract:
   1. Select the shape you want to subtract from (base shape) and the shape you want to subtract (cutting shape).
   2. Right-click and choose "Subtract" from the context menu.
   3. The overlapping area of the cutting shape will be removed from the base shape.
3. Intersect:
   1. Select the shapes you want to intersect.
   2. Right-click and choose "Intersect" from the context menu.
   3. Only the overlapping area of the selected shapes will be retained.
4. Exclude:
   1. Select the shapes you want to exclude from each other.
   2. Right-click and choose "Exclude" from the context menu.
   3. The overlapping areas will be removed, leaving only the non-overlapping parts.
5. Divide:
   1. Select the shape you want to divide and the shape you want to use for division.
   2. Right-click and choose "Divide" from the context menu.
   3. The base shape will be split into multiple parts based on the overlapping areas with the dividing shape.

Examples and Analogies

To better understand Boolean Operations, consider the following examples:

• Union:

  Imagine you have two puzzle pieces. Using the Union operation is like fitting these pieces together to form a complete picture.

• Subtract:

  Consider a cookie cutter. Using the Subtract operation is like cutting out shapes from a dough, leaving holes where the cutter was applied.

• Intersect:

  Think of two overlapping circles. Using the Intersect operation is like focusing only on the area where these circles overlap, ignoring the rest.

• Exclude:

  Imagine a Venn diagram with two overlapping circles. Using the Exclude operation is like removing the overlapping area, leaving only the distinct parts of each circle.

• Divide:

  Consider a cake with multiple layers. Using the Divide operation is like slicing the cake into smaller pieces based on the layers, creating distinct sections.

By mastering Boolean Operations in Figma, you can create complex and precise designs, making your workflow more efficient and your projects more professional.