Masks
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Using masks to clip content and compose your design in Figma

Figma Handbook
1
The Figma Design Tool
0:54
2
The Editor in Figma
1:17
3
Basic Tools
2:14
4
Position, Size, Rotation, & Corner Radius properties
1:27
5
Color Styles
1:13
6
Masks
1:47
7
Dark Mode with Selection Colors
1:17
8
Gradients
1:36
9
Creating Backgrounds
2:37
10
Blending Modes
2:02
11
Alignment, Distribution, & Tidy up Properties
1:24
12
Union and Corner Radius
2:53
13
Shadow and Blur Effects
1:48
14
Using Images
2:00
15
Fill, Stroke, & Advanced Stroke
3:21
16
Text Properties and Styles
1:37
17
Google Fonts and Custom Fonts
1:13
18
Accessibility
19
Responsive Design
3:07
20
Constraints
1:11
21
Layout Grid
2:00
22
Auto Layout in Figma
8:17
23
Vector Mode
0:55
24
Vector Network
1:19
25
Perspective Mockups
2:00
26
3D Mockups
1:20
27
Using Illustrations in Design
2:03
28
Booleans
2:24
29
Icon Design
1:48
30
Components
1:50
31
Team Library
2:14
32
Creating Confetti
1:59
33
Looper Shape Duplication
1:41
34
Apple Watch Ring
2:23
35
Exporting Assets in Figma
1:39
36
Exporting CSS Code
1:04
37
Designing with Data
1:57
38
Prototyping
2:25
39
Version History
1:25
40
Multiplayer, Commenting, & Previews
1:36
41
Variants
5:39
42
Interactive Components
5:40
43
UIKits
4:47
44
Plugins
5:47
45
Blob Background
4:45
46
Wave Background
6:46
47
3D Shapes
12:27
48
Parallax Prototyping in Figma
7:52
49
3D UI Perspective Design
7:16
50
Glass Icon
9:16
51
Crystal Ball with Water Effect Animation
12:54
52
Design and code a line animation with letters
29:38
53
Futuristic line animation
19:30
54
Import from Adobe Illustrator to Figma
3:16
55
Create an Illustration in Figma
4:07
56
Remove BG plugin
2:27
57
Circular Lines Advanced Stroke
3:27
58
Publish Design to Community
4:49
59
Turn Image into Vector
3:11
60
Prototype with Scrolling Content
3:42
61
Hug Content and Resizing
2:04
62
Advanced Auto Layout
4:13
63
Circular Text on Path
5:57
64
Mirror Prototype
2:39
65
Sticky Nav and Tab Bar Prototyping
4:37
66
Video in Figma Prototype
5:04
67
Mesh Gradients
3:03
68
Figma Sections
3:53
69
Unsplash Stock Photos
2:07
70
Angular Gradient
4:17
71
Radial Gradient
5:11
72
After Delay Animation Prototyping
3:14
73
UI Wireframe
2:53
74
Lottie Animations
3:55
75
Design Sign Up Screen
6:42
76
Content Generator
2:53
77
Design Lint Missing Style
2:36
78
Slice Tool
2:04
79
Adaptive Layout with Breakpoints
6:25
80
Chart Designs
4:51
81
Design Modals
4:08
82
Batch Rename
2:35
83
Design Onboarding Screen
2:28
84
Animated Button Prototype
3:06
85
Smart Selection
2:15
86
Component Properties
4:37
87
RedLines
2:54
88
Interactive Calendar
7:46
89
Measure Distance
3:33
90
Variable Fonts
2:51
91
AI Plugins
6:16
92
Text Animation
3:11
93
Resize Layers
2:36
94
View Layer Outlines
2:23
95
Prototype Connections
2:38
96
Export SVG Files and Code
2:47
97
3D Illustrations
4:14
98
UI Placeholder
2:38
99
Dark Mode Switch
4:23
100
Dev Mode
6:26
101
Dark Mode Variables
10:04
102
Figma to HTML
10:51
Masks
Masks allow us to show specific areas and hide the rest of an image or object. Masking is a very effective way to control the visibility of some specific areas of any layer.
Clip Content
The Hide any objects within the Frame that extend beyond the Frame's bounds feature allows you to hide any objects that extend beyond the Frame's bounds. This feature can be used to keep images from being cropped, for example.
Clip Content - Hide Objects Outside the Frame - You can hide any objects within the Frame that extend beyond the Frame's bounds.
- You can find this option on the resizing property panel, which is located in the Inspector panel.
Using Masks in Figma
All the digital designing tools have the masking feature. Different tools have different ways to mask or unmask an object. But the main use case is almost the same - using a layer or shape as a container of another layer or multiple layers/objects.
Within a mask group in Figma, the bottom-most layer is considered as the mask container, and all the outside areas of the layers above the container will be cut off, we'll only be able to see the areas which will fall inside the mask layer areas. To understand this better, let's create something using masks.
- Place an image on your artboard.
- Select the Ellipse tool by pressing 'O' on your keyboard, and create a circle.
- Place the circle on top of the image, and place it right on the areas which you want to show.
- Now from the layers panel, place the Ellipse layer under the image layer.
- Select the Ellipse layer, and press Ctrl+Alt+M on your keyboard, or press the Mask icon on top of the toolbar.
- You'll see the rest of the areas outside of the circle are hidden.
Customizing Masks
Drag the image to make it fit the proportions. Then, let's add more shapes on top of it to customize the avatar.
An important thing to remember is that everything on the artboard on top of the mask layer will be considered to be inside the mask. So, it's better to group (Ctrl+G) the layers after creating/customizing the mask.
Activating/deactivating Masks
After creating any masked element, you can always deactivate the mask. In our case, just select the Ellipse layer underneath, and click on the Mask icon on top of the toolbar, it will deactivate the mask. If you click on the Mask icon again, the mask will be reactivated.
Masking With Texts
Not all the design tool supports masking directly with a text layer. You'll need to flatten the text layer, which means making the text layer an outline shape. And you won't be able to change/edit the text after making an outline shape.
In Figma, you can apply mask directly on a Text layer. Let's see how it works.
- Place an image or shape on your Artboard. In this case, we made some shapes with gradients to make it look like a nice background.
- Press T on your keyboard or select the Text tool from the tool panel. Write your text on the Artboard.
- Now from the layers panel, place the Text layer under the shape group.
- You can apply masks by any of the processes you've learned above. Here we'll press the shortcut keys Ctrl+Alt+M to apply the mask.
Masking with Multiple Shapes
This objet below is a multi-shape, which means that it combines shapes to create one new shape. You can combine shapes into one shape. You do this by selecting the shapes and then clicking "Union Selection" in the shape menu.
This will create a new shape, which is a combination of the original shapes. This new shape will have an outline around it that represents the border of all the original shapes.
- To start, create a shape or import it from your existing project
- Group the combined shapes into a folder, just select all of them and right-click. Then choose "Group Selection"
- Add the photo to your frame
- Select the group folder "Pattern 1"
- Apply masks by any of the processes you've learned above
Remove Backgrounds in Figma
We're going to go over how to remove the background from a photo in Figma. This is a useful skill for designers who want to create mockups of their websites and apps, but don't have access to Photoshop or other image editing software.
This technique uses masking tools in Figma, which allow you to cut out any elements of your design and place them on top of other images or illustrations. This process can be used for many applications, but we'll be focusing on how to use it for creating cutouts from photos.
- Add the photo to your frame
- Use the pen tool to trace around the chair
- Once you have completed the path, click on the fill tool and pick a color for your fill
- Drag the layer "Vector 1" down below the image
- Apply masks by any of the processes you've learned above
Conclusion
Masking is the easiest solution to crop any portion of a layer. The main advantage of using a mask is that it's non-destructive, we can make the masking portion visible or invisible whenever we want.
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Videos
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ePub
Subtitles
1
The Figma Design Tool
Getting started with Figma as your design tool
0:54
2
The Editor in Figma
Getting familiar with the Figma interface
1:17
3
Basic Tools
Getting to know the tool panel in Figma
2:14
4
Position, Size, Rotation, & Corner Radius properties
Working with Position, Size, Rotation, & Corner Radius properties
1:27
5
Color Styles
Working with color styles on Figma
1:13
6
Masks
Using masks to clip content and compose your design in Figma
1:47
7
Dark Mode with Selection Colors
Learn to design and adapt for designs for Dark Mode with Selection Colors
1:17
8
Gradients
We'll walk through all the different ways to use gradients in your work, as well as techniques when creating them
1:36
9
Creating Backgrounds
Design backgrounds in Figma
2:37
10
Blending Modes
Learn to interesting techniques with Blending Modes
2:02
11
Alignment, Distribution, & Tidy up Properties
Exploring Alignment and Tidy up in Figma
1:24
12
Union and Corner Radius
Working on union and corner radius
2:53
13
Shadow and Blur Effects
Exploring ways to incorporate shadows and blur to your design
1:48
14
Using Images
Steps on how to use images in Figma
2:00
15
Fill, Stroke, & Advanced Stroke
Get to know more about the Fill and various Stroke options in Figma
3:21
16
Text Properties and Styles
Explore and learn about Figma's type properties
1:37
17
Google Fonts and Custom Fonts
Explore the differences between Google Fonts and custom fonts for your website
1:13
18
Accessibility
Exploring a11y in design
19
Responsive Design
Designing responsive layouts in Figma using Constraints and Auto Layout
3:07
20
Constraints
Working with Constraints in Figma
1:11
21
Layout Grid
Learn to design using grids, columns, rows and margins.
2:00
22
Auto Layout in Figma
Working with Auto Layout for responsive design
8:17
23
Vector Mode
Exploring vector mode to edit and customize vector shapes
0:55
24
Vector Network
Learn to use vector networks and design icons
1:19
25
Perspective Mockups
Use realistic mockups to present your designs
2:00
26
3D Mockups
Adding 3D mockups to design
1:20
27
Using Illustrations in Design
Incorporate illustrations into your design
2:03
28
Booleans
Using booleans to design icons
2:24
29
Icon Design
Learn how to design icons using the tools provided by Figma
1:48
30
Components
Make your design more reusable by using components.
1:50
31
Team Library
Publishing your design styles and components
2:14
32
Creating Confetti
Working with Confetti plugin
1:59
33
Looper Shape Duplication
Working with Looper Figma plugin
1:41
34
Apple Watch Ring
Creating apple watch ring in Figma
2:23
35
Exporting Assets in Figma
Learn about exporting assets in Figma for implementation
1:39
36
Exporting CSS Code
Working with CSS code on Figma
1:04
37
Designing with Data
Plugins to help you design with real content
1:57
38
Prototyping
Quickly create an entire flow for your app design in Figma
2:25
39
Version History
Working with version history on Figma
1:25
40
Multiplayer, Commenting, & Previews
Learn about collaboration & sharing with Figma
1:36
41
Variants
Combining similar components into variants
5:39
42
Interactive Components
Creating reusable interactions using interactive components
5:40
43
UIKits
Designing using UIKits in Figma
4:47
44
Plugins
Exploring and Designing using Plugins in Figma
5:47
45
Blob Background
Create a simple blob background in Figma
4:45
46
Wave Background
Create a wave design in Figma using the Bend tool and the Wave plugin
6:46
47
3D Shapes
Create 3D-looking shapes using vector tools in Figma
12:27
48
Parallax Prototyping in Figma
Learn how to create a parallax scrolling animation technique where the background and the foreground layers move at different speed
7:52
49
3D UI Perspective Design
Transforming your user interface with the power of three-dimensional perspective
7:16
50
Glass Icon
Learn how to design a creative icon using background blur
9:16
51
Crystal Ball with Water Effect Animation
Animate waves in a crystal ball using the prototyping tool
12:54
52
Design and code a line animation with letters
Learn how to animate lines using CSS in CodeSandbox
29:38
53
Futuristic line animation
Learn how to create a futuristic background with lines using the pen tool in Figma
19:30
54
Import from Adobe Illustrator to Figma
Best practices for importing an Illustrator file to Figma
3:16
55
Create an Illustration in Figma
Use the vector tool in Figma to create an illustration from scratch
4:07
56
Remove BG plugin
Remove an image background with the RemoveBG plugin in Figma
2:27
57
Circular Lines Advanced Stroke
Design a camera controller with clock lines in Figma
3:27
58
Publish Design to Community
Publishing design files in the Figma Community
4:49
59
Turn Image into Vector
Convert an image into vector in Figma
3:11
60
Prototype with Scrolling Content
Add vertical and horizontal scrolling on your Figma Prototype
3:42
61
Hug Content and Resizing
Learn how to choose the right resizing options including hug content, fixed width or height, fill container and text truncation
2:04
62
Advanced Auto Layout
Learn how to use spacing mode, canvas stacking, text baseline alignment, stroke values in advanced layout
4:13
63
Circular Text on Path
Make a circular text on path using ARC plugin in Figma
5:57
64
Mirror Prototype
View your prototypes on your mobile device using the Figma mobile app
2:39
65
Sticky Nav and Tab Bar Prototyping
How to fix the position with sticky Nav Bar and Tab Bar
4:37
66
Video in Figma Prototype
Apply a video as a fill using any vector network on your prototype
5:04
67
Mesh Gradients
Create beautiful and wave shaped gradients using shapes or the mesh gradient plugin in Figma
3:03
68
Figma Sections
Use sections in Figma to organize designs better and make it easier for collaboration
3:53
69
Unsplash Stock Photos
Insert beautiful images from Unsplash straight into your designs
2:07
70
Angular Gradient
Step-by-step guide to creating and customizing an angular gradient in Figma
4:17
71
Radial Gradient
Creating vibrant radial gradients in Figma for a professional design look
5:11
72
After Delay Animation Prototyping
The easiest way to animate anything on the web using simple after delay interaction in Figma
3:14
73
UI Wireframe
Use various tools and plugins to create a wireframe that helps you easily plan and design your user interface
2:53
74
Lottie Animations
Step-by-step guide to using Lottie animations in Figma to improve collaboration and enhance your designs
3:55
75
Design Sign Up Screen
Easily design a sign up screen in Figma for your app or website
6:42
76
Content Generator
Useful plugins that can help designers design with real content and save time
2:53
77
Design Lint Missing Style
Save time finding and fixing errors in your Figma designs with Design Lint
2:36
78
Slice Tool
Export your designs using the slice tool in Figma
2:04
79
Adaptive Layout with Breakpoints
Creating flexible and responsive web designs with adaptive layout and breakpoints
6:25
80
Chart Designs
Exploring the endless possibilities of chart designs for data visualization
4:51
81
Design Modals
How to design modals that enhance user interfaces
4:08
82
Batch Rename
Quickly and easily rename multiple files in Figma using the Batch Rename plugin
2:35
83
Design Onboarding Screen
Creating an engaging experience to drive user retention with onboarding design
2:28
84
Animated Button Prototype
How to create a dynamic interactive button
3:06
85
Smart Selection
Arrange layers more efficiently with smart selection
2:15
86
Component Properties
Reduce the number of variants in your design system by using component properties and editing them directly in the properties panel
4:37
87
RedLines
Measure distances and annotate your Figma designs before handoff with Redlines Figma plugin
2:54
88
Interactive Calendar
Learn how to use interactive components in Figma to create an interactive calendar with hover and clicked-on states
7:46
89
Measure Distance
Place your design elements in the right place with measure distance in Figma
3:33
90
Variable Fonts
Learn how to replace static fonts with the variable font version
2:51
91
AI Plugins
Enhancing design efficiency by exploring advanced AI tools in Figma to optimize your workflow
6:16
92
Text Animation
Create an impressive motion text animation using interactive component and after delay
3:11
93
Resize Layers
Resize layers using the scale tool
2:36
94
View Layer Outlines
Understanding and organizing your design with view layer outlines
2:23
95
Prototype Connections
Configure your prototypes so that anyone with view access can see the interactions
2:38
96
Export SVG Files and Code
Exporting your artwork as an SVG file allows you to easily embed it in your HTML and CSS code
2:47
97
3D Illustrations
Enhancing Project Design with 3D Illustrations
4:14
98
UI Placeholder
Insert a temporary element to visualize the design
2:38
99
Dark Mode Switch
Transform your design into dark mode in just one click
4:23
100
Dev Mode
Explore Figma's Dev Mode, your essential tool for simplifying design-to-code workflows
6:26
101
Dark Mode Variables
Learn how Figma's dark mode variable feature enhances design by allowing seamless transitions between themes
10:04
102
Figma to HTML
From Figma to Web: Simplifying HTML Export with Anima
10:51
Meet the instructors
We all try to be consistent with our way of teaching step-by-step, providing source files and prioritizing design in our courses.
Aunnur Sakkhor
Designer
Designer, helping to build the future of Design+Code.
Akson Phomhome
UI Designer
Designer at Design+Code.
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