Core Features & Capabilities
Explore the powerful features that make Figma a leading design tool on macOS, from vector editing to advanced prototyping.
Design Tools & Vector Editing
Figma's macOS application provides a comprehensive set of design tools that rival traditional desktop applications while maintaining the flexibility of modern web-based platforms.
Vector Networks
Unlike traditional pen tools that create separate path segments, Figma's Vector Networks allow you to draw in any direction without worrying about path direction or closing paths. This innovative approach makes it easier to create complex illustrations and modify existing shapes.
Boolean Operations
Combine shapes using union, subtract, intersect, and exclude operations. These operations are non-destructive, meaning you can always go back and modify the original shapes. On macOS, these operations are hardware-accelerated for smooth real-time previews.
Auto Layout
One of Figma's most powerful features, Auto Layout allows you to create responsive designs that automatically adjust when content changes. It works similarly to CSS Flexbox, making it intuitive for designers familiar with web development.
Auto Layout features include:
- Automatic spacing between elements
- Padding controls for containers
- Responsive resizing based on content
- Nested auto layout frames for complex layouts
- Alignment and distribution controls
macOS-Specific Features
Keyboard Shortcuts
Full support for macOS keyboard shortcuts with customizable key bindings. Common Mac conventions like Cmd+Z for undo and Cmd+Shift+Z for redo work as expected.
Trackpad Gestures
Pinch to zoom, two-finger pan, and smart zoom gestures provide intuitive navigation. Figma fully supports macOS multi-touch gestures for a native feel.
Touch Bar Support
On MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar, Figma provides contextual controls for common actions like zoom level, layer selection, and tool switching.
Finder Integration
Double-click .fig files in Finder to open them directly in the Figma app. Quick Look support allows you to preview Figma files without opening them.
Notifications
Native macOS notifications for comments, mentions, and file updates. Customize notification preferences in System Preferences.
Offline Mode
Continue working even without internet connection. Changes sync automatically when you reconnect, with conflict resolution for simultaneous edits.
Collaboration Features
Figma's collaboration capabilities are among its strongest selling points, and the macOS app provides full access to these features with enhanced performance.
Real-Time Multiplayer
See collaborators' cursors in real-time as they navigate and edit the file. Each user is assigned a unique color, and you can follow their view to see exactly what they're working on. The macOS app optimizes network traffic to provide smooth collaboration even on slower connections.
Comments & Feedback
Add comments directly on the canvas by clicking the comment icon or pressing 'C'. Comments can include mentions using @username, attach to specific layers, and be resolved when addressed. The macOS app sends native notifications when you're mentioned or someone replies to your comments.
Live Embed & Presentations
Share designs with stakeholders using live embed links or presentation mode. Changes made to the design are instantly reflected in all shared views. Presentation mode on macOS supports full-screen viewing with keyboard navigation.
Version History & Branching
Every save creates a new entry in version history, accessible through the file menu. You can name important versions, restore previous states, and even create branches for experimental work. The macOS app provides a streamlined interface for browsing version history with thumbnail previews.
Prototyping & Interactive Design
Transform static designs into interactive prototypes without leaving Figma. The macOS application provides smooth playback and advanced interaction options.
Interactive Components
Create reusable components with multiple states and interactions. Interactive components can include hover states, pressed states, and custom variants, making it easy to build realistic prototypes.
Smart Animate
Create smooth transitions between frames by automatically animating matching layers. Smart Animate detects position, size, rotation, and opacity changes to create fluid animations.
Advanced Interactions
Prototype features include:
- Click, hover, drag, and keyboard trigger events
- Conditional logic and variables for complex interactions
- Device preview with accurate iOS and Android viewport sizes
- Overflow scrolling for scrollable content areas
- Fixed position elements for navigation bars and floating buttons
- Back navigation and navigation history
Device Preview
The macOS app includes a built-in device preview that mirrors your prototype on connected iOS devices via USB. This provides the most accurate representation of how your design will look and feel on actual hardware.
Design Systems & Libraries
Build and maintain scalable design systems with Figma's component and style libraries.
Components & Variants
Create master components that can be instanced throughout your designs. Variants allow you to group related components (like button states or size variations) into a single component with properties.
Shared Libraries
Publish component libraries to your team and receive automatic notifications when libraries are updated. The macOS app handles library syncing efficiently, downloading only the necessary assets.
Styles
Define reusable color, text, effect, and grid styles that can be applied across your designs. Update a style definition, and all instances update automatically.
Component Properties
Component properties allow you to create flexible, customizable components with boolean toggles, text overrides, instance swaps, and variant selection. This feature significantly reduces the number of components needed in a design system.
Developer Handoff
Figma bridges the gap between design and development with powerful inspection and export tools.
Inspect Mode
Developers can inspect designs to view dimensions, colors, fonts, and CSS properties. The macOS app provides copy-to-clipboard functionality for quick code snippets in CSS, iOS Swift, and Android XML formats.
Export Options
Export assets in multiple formats (PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF) at different scales (1x, 2x, 3x) with a single click. The macOS app uses native image encoding for faster exports and better quality.
Design Tokens
Export design tokens for colors, typography, and spacing as JSON or other formats for use in development workflows. Third-party plugins extend this functionality to support various design token standards.
Plugins & Extensions
Extend Figma's functionality with thousands of community-created plugins. The macOS app provides a robust plugin API that runs with native performance.
Popular Plugin Categories
- Content Generation: Lorem ipsum text, realistic user data, placeholder images
- Accessibility: Color contrast checkers, focus order validators, screen reader previews
- Data Visualization: Chart generators, data table creators, icon libraries
- Animation: Lottie export, GIF creation, micro-interaction helpers
- Productivity: Batch renaming, spell checkers, measurement tools
- Integration: Slack notifications, Jira connections, Notion sync
The macOS app's plugin system runs in a sandboxed environment for security while maintaining fast execution. Plugins can access the file system for import/export operations with user permission.