Masking and Boolean Operations in Figma
Masking and Boolean operations are powerful tools in Figma that allow you to create complex designs by combining or subtracting shapes, and by selectively revealing parts of your design. Whether you’re looking to craft intricate patterns, merge elements, or create cutouts, mastering these techniques will greatly expand your design capabilities and streamline your workflow. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of masking and Boolean operations, providing you with practical tips and examples to enhance your Figma projects.
In this section, we’ll cover the following topics.
- Masking
- Boolean Operations
Masking
Masking in Figma is a powerful feature that allows you to control the visibility of objects by using a specific shape to “mask” or hide parts of other layers. This is especially useful when you want to reveal only a portion of an image or complex design.
Basic Masking Technique:
In Figma, you can fill a shape with an image, but when dealing with multi-layered objects, masking becomes essential. Masking enables you to trim and control the visibility of objects using a specific shape. The shape you select acts as a mask, and any objects placed above it in the layer hierarchy are trimmed according to the mask’s boundaries.
Example: If you have an image and want to display it within a circular shape, you can place the circle above the image and use it as a mask. The result is that only the portion of the image within the circle is visible, while the rest is hidden. Watch the video below.
Editing Masked Objects:
Even after applying a mask, each element remains editable within its layer. This means you can modify individual components, such as changing the image within the mask, without affecting the overall structure of the design. This flexibility allows for non-destructive editing, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity of your design while making adjustments.
Boolean Operations
Boolean operations are useful to create custom shapes. There are four Boolean operations in Figma.
Types of Boolean Operations
There are four main Boolean Operations.
Union:
Combines two or more shapes into a single shape, merging their areas into one unified object.
Subtract:
Removes the area of one shape from another. The shape in the top layer subtracts from the shape beneath it.
Intersect:
Displays only the overlapping area of selected shapes, hiding everything else.
Exclude:
Hides the overlapping area of selected shapes, showing only the non-overlapping parts.
Perform Boolean Operations
Executing a Boolean operation in Figma is straightforward:
- Select the Objects: Choose the shapes you want to manipulate.
- Access Boolean Operations: Click on the two-square icon located in the top center of the canvas.
- Choose an Operation: Select from Union, Subtract, Intersect, or Exclude to apply the desired effect.
Flatten Boolean Groups
Each object that a Boolean operation was executed for still remains under an object group (union, subtract, intersect or exclude). If you want to make the object group one object, you need to flatten the group. You can flatten objects from the right-click menu.
The flattened object will become one vector object. You cannot edit original elements anymore; however, the flattened object is more stable when you change the size of the object. (Grouped objects might not be properly scaled.)
FAQ: Masking and Boolean Operations in Figma
What are masking and Boolean operations in Figma?
Masking and Boolean operations are powerful tools in Figma that allow you to create complex designs. Masking controls the visibility of objects by using a shape to hide or reveal parts of other layers, while Boolean operations enable you to combine, subtract, intersect, or exclude shapes to create custom designs.
How does masking work in Figma?
Masking in Figma allows you to use a shape to hide or reveal parts of other objects. By placing a shape over an image or design, you can control which parts of the underlying layers are visible. This is especially useful for creating specific cutouts or highlighting portions of a design.
Can I edit objects after applying a mask?
Yes, after applying a mask, each element within the mask remains editable. You can modify individual components, such as changing the image or adjusting the shape of the mask, without affecting the overall structure of your design. This non-destructive editing capability ensures flexibility in your design process.
What are the different types of Boolean operations in Figma?
Figma offers four types of Boolean operations:
- Union: Combines multiple shapes into a single, unified shape.
- Subtract: Removes the area of the top shape from the shape beneath it.
- Intersect: Displays only the overlapping area of the selected shapes.
- Exclude: Hides the overlapping area and shows only the non-overlapping parts of the shapes.
How do I perform Boolean operations in Figma?
To perform Boolean operations:
- Select the shapes you want to manipulate.
- Click on the two-square icon located in the top center of the canvas.
- Choose one of the operations (Union, Subtract, Intersect, or Exclude) to apply the effect.
What is the purpose of flattening Boolean groups in Figma?
Flattening Boolean groups in Figma converts the grouped objects into a single vector object. This action is useful when you want to ensure stability in scaling, as grouped objects might not scale properly. Note that flattening is irreversible, meaning you won’t be able to edit the original elements afterward.
Can I still edit a shape after performing a Boolean operation?
Yes, you can edit shapes after performing a Boolean operation as long as you don’t flatten the group. Once flattened, the shapes become a single vector object, and further editing of individual elements is not possible.