The 32 New Features of Figma in March 2023

Figma is a UX/UI design tool that has gained significant popularity in recent years due to its flexibility, real-time collaboration, and ease of use. This platform continually evolves to meet the needs of designers and users alike. In this article, we will explore the 32 new features that were added to Figma in March 2023, from blending mode previews to creating multiple prototyping animations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, each of these tips will surely be beneficial for your upcoming projects. 

1. Real-time preview of blend modes on the canvas

Get a real-time preview of blend modes and layers when you hover your mouse over them. This feature allows designers to quickly visualize the various blend modes of layers, merging options, and transparency effects directly on the Figma canvas without the need to test them one by one. This functionality will help designers save time on image retouching.

2. Luminance masking is now supported

Luminance masking is a masking technique that allows certain parts of an image or layer to be revealed or concealed based on the brightness of the image. This feature is especially useful for designers working on complex images or illustrations.

3. Multi-selection during a search with the option to replace/edit

This feature allows designers to select and edit multiple elements simultaneously from the search bar, which can be extremely useful for updating or modifying content.

• Access the search bar: Cmd + F
• Multi-selection: Shift + Click

4. Reduced height of text boxes in relation to the baseline

This feature can help designers create more balanced layouts by reducing the height of text boxes and aligning them more easily with other elements on the page.

5. Number lists no longer necessarily start with "1"

It is now possible to customize numbered lists and add custom prefixes, which can be handy for designers working with task lists, product catalogs, or price lists.

6. Placement of punctuation outside the text area

When writing text in Figma, you can now place punctuation, such as quotation marks and parentheses, outside the text area. This feature allows you to control the spacing between the text and punctuation and can help improve the readability of your designs.

7. File search in new Figma app tabs

When opening a new tab in Figma on your desktop, you can now easily search for a specific file using the search bar. This functionality enhances navigation and productivity by allowing quick access to files you need.

8. File previews on hover over tabs

You can now preview your files in the tabs of your desktop by hovering over the file icons. This feature improves navigation and productivity by allowing you to quickly find the files you need.

9. New trackpad animations in the FigJam application

The Figma application now supports new trackpad haptics. These vibrations help you feel the interactions you make with your mouse or trackpad while using the application.

10. Comment formatting

You can now bold, italicize, and add links to your comments in Figma. This feature allows you to better organize and highlight important information that you share with your team.

11. Consolidated notifications for comments

When collaborating on files with others in Figma, you can now receive consolidated email notifications of comments. This feature keeps you informed about relevant comments without overwhelming you with unnecessary notifications.

12. Move projects to other teams

Right-click on one of your Figma projects to quickly move it to another Figma team. This feature allows you to better organize and transfer your files according to their progress.

13. Component properties features enabled by default

Certain component properties features, such as exposed nested instances, are now enabled by default for everyone in Figma. This improvement facilitates the creation of designs and saves time by avoiding manual configuration of each feature.

14. Preferred component properties enabled by default

Other component properties, such as preferred instances, are also now enabled by default for everyone. This makes it easier to decide what the default properties of instances used in the project will be, rather than having to reconfigure them each time.

15. Improved image resizing

When resizing an image, it now adjusts only when the aspect ratio is perfect. You can also hold down the Ctrl key to temporarily disable snapping, allowing you to easily return to the original dimensions of the image.

16. Selective fill replacement

You can now select a specific fill layer to paste and replace it with images or videos without overwriting all fills. This preserves any other added layers and effects associated with the image.

17. Simplified image realignment

You can now realign images using the designer alignment options. This feature is available even in editing mode, making it easier to position images within a Frame.

18. Simplified alignment of instances

Easily align non-instance layers in relation to nested instances.

19. Quick removal of rules and guides

Right-click on rules to quickly delete them, along with all vertical guides.

20. Library updates

You can now apply library updates to a single instance or style. You can preview the library updates.

21. Improved SVG import

SVG import has been enhanced, including support for clipping paths and addressing the issue of extra path segments.

22. Fetch API for plugins

Use the Fetch API for your plugin to simplify network requests.

23. Easy image creation for plugins:

Use the createImageAsync API for your plugin to easily create images.

24. Enhanced Photobooth widget

The Photobooth widget now displays a mirrored image.

25. Transparency fill option on FigJam

There is now a transparency fill option for FigJam shapes.

26. Default color for FigJam shapes

You can set the default color of FigJam shapes from the toolbar.

27. Animation effects to differentiate stickies and FigJam shapes

We’ve added some animation effects to differentiate FigJam stickies from shapes.

28. Sticky animation at the top of elements during scrolling

Elements can now stick to the top during vertical scrolling in prototyping.

29. Preview in archived Frame

Archived images are now selectable in prototyping settings.

30. Improved display of blur effects

Background blur effects on overlay frames now display correctly in prototypes.

31. Prototyping links in the same tab

Prototyping links (i.e., from other pages) can now open in the same tab.

32. Create multiple prototyping interactions at once

No need to create interactions one by one for prototypes; it is now possible to create multiple interactions at once.

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