Figma - Solving Problems with JavaScript | Figma
The discussion focuses on using JavaScript within Figma to automate the organization of a large icon library. The library contains both solid and outline variants of icons, which are currently mixed together. Manually separating these icons would be time-consuming, but JavaScript can automate this task. By utilizing Figma's web-based nature and its plugin API, users can write a simple script to filter and select icons based on their names, specifically targeting those that start with 'icon outline'. This script changes the selection to only include outline icons, allowing users to easily move them to a separate section. This approach demonstrates the power and efficiency of using JavaScript in Figma for repetitive tasks, saving time and effort.
Key Points:
- Use JavaScript to automate icon organization in Figma.
- Filter icons by name to separate outline from solid variants.
- Utilize Figma's plugin API for efficient task execution.
- Save time by avoiding manual selection of hundreds of icons.
- Leverage Figma's web-based platform for running scripts.
Details:
1. 👋 Introduction to Solving Figma Problems
- The segment introduces the topic of solving common problems faced by Figma users and emphasizes practical solutions.
- It aims to enhance the user experience in Figma by offering specific strategies and tips.
- The introduction sets the stage for discussing specific challenges, such as collaboration inefficiencies, design inconsistencies, and feature limitations.
- Focus is on actionable strategies that users can implement to overcome these challenges effectively.
2. 🛠️ Organizing Icon Library in Figma
2.1. Introduction to Figma Icon Library Challenges
2.2. JavaScript Implementation for Icon Organization
3. 🔍 Separating Icon Variants
- Icons have both solid and outline versions, providing flexibility for design choices and enhancing user interface aesthetics.
- Maintaining a massive icon library with organized variant types can significantly streamline design processes, offering designers quick access to the appropriate style necessary for different elements of a design.
- For example, solid icons might be used for primary actions, while outline icons can be reserved for secondary actions, ensuring clear visual hierarchy and improving user experience.
- Proper organization and understanding of icon variants can reduce design time and improve overall efficiency, allowing for more consistent and visually appealing designs.
4. 😓 Challenges Without JavaScript
- Organizing icons without JavaScript is inefficient and time-consuming, requiring manual selection of each icon individually. This process becomes particularly challenging when dealing with large numbers of icons, as it involves shift-clicking each one, which is a tedious and error-prone task.
- To improve efficiency, consider using a CSS-based solution to group icons visually, reducing the need for individual selection. Although not as dynamic as JavaScript, CSS can help streamline the process by categorizing icons into sections.
- Another potential workaround is to use HTML5 data attributes to store icon metadata, allowing for easier organization and retrieval through server-side scripts. This can partially mitigate the lack of client-side scripting capabilities.
- Overall, while organizing icons without JavaScript presents significant challenges, leveraging CSS and HTML5 can provide partial solutions to enhance the process.
5. 🌐 Leveraging Web Technology in Figma
- Figma, being web-based, allows the execution of web code directly within the platform.
- This capability eliminates the need for repetitive tasks, such as manually selecting multiple icons.
- Utilizing web technology within Figma can significantly automate and streamline design workflows.
6. 🖊️ Identifying Icons Using Names
- Icon names contain keywords that specify their style, such as 'solid' or 'outline', which aids in their identification and selection.
- To efficiently filter for 'outline' icons, implement a naming filter that targets names containing 'outline'. This allows for streamlined selection based on desired styles.
- For instance, using a filter like 'name: *outline*' can quickly narrow down the choices to only those fitting the 'outline' criteria, making the process efficient and user-friendly.
7. 🖥️ Using JavaScript Console in Figma
- Figma provides a JavaScript console accessible through the actions menu with command K, allowing developers to automate tasks and enhance functionality.
- By typing 'console' in the actions menu, users can access the web console, a familiar environment for executing JavaScript code.
- The console offers full access to the Figma plug-in API, enabling comprehensive manipulation of the canvas and automating repetitive tasks.
- Developers can perform any action within Figma via the console that would typically require manual input, streamlining workflows and increasing efficiency.
- Example: Automate alignment tasks by scripting commands that adjust element positions, reducing manual effort and errors.
- Use Case: Create custom plugins or scripts to handle batch processing of design elements, saving time and ensuring consistency across projects.
8. 🔧 Writing Figma Plugin API Code
8.1. Efficient Element Filtering
8.2. Dynamic Selection with JavaScript
9. 🚀 Executing the Code
- The process begins by accessing immediate children elements using 'figma.doc.currentPage.children'.
- Employ filtering with 'figma.doc.currentPage.children.filter' to selectively identify nodes.
- The filter function specifically targets nodes whose names start with 'icon outline'.
- The method requires minimal code, demonstrating an efficient approach to element selection.
- An example of a node that might be filtered is an element labeled 'icon outline - home'.
10. 🎉 Results and Conclusion
- JavaScript allows for efficient manipulation and automation within web-based applications like Figma.
- The task of changing icon selections can be automated with just one line of JavaScript, eliminating the need for complex plugins.
- Leveraging web technologies directly in Figma can save time and streamline workflows by utilizing the platform's inherent capabilities.