To open and set constraints for a layer in Figma, you need to select the layer and access the Constraints panel in the right sidebar.
Accessing Constraints in Figma
Constraints in Figma determine how layers within a frame resize or move when the frame itself is resized. They are a fundamental tool for creating responsive designs. You don't exactly "open" constraints like a separate window, but rather access their settings panel within the main Figma interface.
Here's the process to access and manage constraints:
- Select the Layer: In your Figma canvas, select the specific layer (or a parent group/frame) within a frame that you want to apply constraints to. You must select an element inside a Frame for constraints options to appear.
- Locate the Position Section: Look at the right-hand sidebar in Figma. This sidebar contains various properties and settings for your selected layer. Scroll down to the "Position" section.
- Find Constraints: Within the Position section, you will find the Constraints option.
- Click Constraints: As the reference states, Click Constraints from the Position section of the right sidebar. This action makes the interactive controls for setting horizontal and vertical constraints visible.
Once clicked, you will typically see visual controls (often represented by dashed lines or pins) that allow you to set how the layer should behave relative to its parent frame – for example, anchored to the top-left corner, stretched horizontally, centered vertically, etc.
Visual Indicator
When a layer has constraints applied, Figma shows a blue dotted line on the canvas around the selected layer. This visual cue quickly indicates which constraints are currently active for that element.
Setting Constraints
After clicking the Constraints control, you can interact with the visual anchors to set:
- Horizontal Constraints: Define how the layer behaves horizontally (e.g., Left, Right, Left & Right, Center, Scale).
- Vertical Constraints: Define how the layer behaves vertically (e.g., Top, Bottom, Top & Bottom, Center, Scale).
By utilizing these controls, you effectively "open" or access the ability to modify the constraints for your selected layer.
