Connecting frames in Figma is essential for creating interactive prototypes that simulate user flows through your design. This process links different screens or states of your application or website, allowing you to test navigation and user experience.
Understanding Frame Connections for Prototyping
In Figma, connecting frames is done within the "Prototype" tab. You link interactive elements (called hotspots, which can be layers, groups, or even entire frames) on one frame to a destination frame. When a user interacts with the hotspot in the prototype preview (e.g., clicks a button), Figma navigates to the connected destination frame.
Step-by-Step Process to Connect Frames
Based on the core actions in Figma's prototyping mode, here's how you connect frames:
- Select the Hotspot: Begin by selecting the specific layer, group, or frame that you want to initiate the connection from. This element acts as your interactive control (like a button, link, or image).
- Click to Create the Connection: Hover over the selected hotspot element. A circular node will appear on the side of the element. Click on this node. This action initiates the creation of a connection line.
- Drag it to the Destination: While holding the mouse button, drag the connection line that appears from your selected hotspot towards the frame you want to navigate to.
- Release and Configure: Release the mouse button when the connection line is over the desired destination frame. A connection arrow will now link the hotspot to the destination frame. A settings panel will typically appear, allowing you to configure the interaction details, such as the trigger (e.g., On click, On drag), the action (e.g., Navigate to, Open overlay), and the animation.
Simplified View of Connection Steps:
Here's a table summarizing the core actions:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Select Hotspot | Choose the element you want to make interactive. |
| Initiate Connection | Click the circular node that appears when hovering over the selected element. |
| Draw Connection Line | Drag the line from the hotspot node to the target frame. |
| Link to Destination | Release the mouse button over the destination frame. |
Setting the Starting Point
An important aspect of prototyping is defining where your flow begins.
- If there are no existing connections in your file, Figma will automatically make the first frame you connect from a starting point for the prototype. This means that when you run the prototype, it will open starting with that specific frame.
- You can also manually set or change the starting point frame at any time by selecting the desired frame and clicking the "Flow starting point" option in the Prototype tab.
Connecting frames is a fundamental skill in Figma for bringing your static designs to life and creating functional user flow demonstrations.
