Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect, exclude) in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the Union boolean operation do in Figma?

Union combines two or more shapes into one single shape that covers all areas of the original shapes.

beginner

Explain the Subtract boolean operation in Figma.

Subtract removes the top shape's area from the bottom shape, leaving a cut-out effect.

beginner

What is the result of the Intersect boolean operation?

Intersect keeps only the overlapping area shared by all selected shapes.

beginner

Describe the Exclude boolean operation in Figma.

Exclude removes the overlapping area between shapes, leaving only the non-overlapping parts combined.

intermediate

Why are boolean operations useful in designing dashboards or reports?

They help create complex shapes and icons easily by combining simple shapes, improving visual clarity and design speed.

Which boolean operation in Figma combines all selected shapes into one shape covering all areas?

A Exclude

B Subtract

C Intersect

D Union

Union merges all shapes into one shape covering every part of the originals.

If you want to cut out the top shape from the bottom shape, which boolean operation do you use?

A Union

B Exclude

C Subtract

D Intersect

Subtract removes the area of the top shape from the bottom shape.

Which boolean operation keeps only the overlapping area of shapes?

A Intersect

B Union

C Subtract

D Exclude

Intersect keeps only the shared overlapping area between shapes.

What does the Exclude operation do?

A Combines all shapes fully

B Removes overlapping parts, keeps non-overlapping

C Removes the top shape from the bottom

D Keeps only overlapping parts

Exclude removes overlapping areas and keeps only the non-overlapping parts combined.

Boolean operations in Figma help designers by:

A Combining simple shapes to create complex designs quickly

B Making shapes more complex manually

C Removing all colors from shapes

D Automatically generating data reports

Boolean operations let designers combine simple shapes quickly to form complex shapes.

Describe each of the four boolean operations in Figma and give a simple example of when you might use each.

Think about how shapes overlap and what you want to keep or remove.

Explain why boolean operations are important for creating dashboard visuals or icons in Figma.

Consider how combining shapes helps in design.

Practice

1.

Which Boolean operation in Figma combines two shapes into one shape that covers all areas of both?

easy

A. Subtract

B. Union

C. Intersect

D. Exclude

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the Union operation

   Union merges two shapes into a single shape covering all areas of both shapes.

2. Step 2: Compare with other operations

   Subtract cuts one shape from another, Intersect keeps only overlapping parts, Exclude removes overlaps. Only Union combines fully.

3. Final Answer:

   Union -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Union = Combine all areas [OK]

Hint: Union joins all shapes fully without cutting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Subtract with Union
• Thinking Intersect combines all areas
• Mixing Exclude with Union

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to apply the Subtract Boolean operation in Figma?

1. Select two shapes
2. Click on Subtract in the Boolean operations menu
3. The top shape cuts out the bottom shape

easy

A. The top shape cuts out the bottom shape

B. The bottom shape cuts out the top shape

C. Both shapes merge into one shape

D. Only the overlapping area remains

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Subtract operation behavior

   Subtract removes the area of the top shape from the bottom shape.

2. Step 2: Verify the direction of subtraction

   The top shape acts as the cutter, so it cuts out from the bottom shape, not the other way around.

3. Final Answer:

   The top shape cuts out the bottom shape -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Subtract = Top shape cuts bottom [OK]

Hint: Top shape always cuts out bottom in Subtract [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Reversing which shape cuts which
• Thinking Subtract merges shapes
• Confusing with Intersect or Exclude

3.

Given two overlapping circles in Figma, what will the Intersect Boolean operation produce?

medium

A. A shape of the overlapping area only

B. A shape excluding the overlapping area

C. A shape of the first circle minus the second

D. A shape covering both circles completely

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Intersect operation

   Intersect keeps only the overlapping area between two shapes.

2. Step 2: Apply to overlapping circles

   Only the area where both circles overlap remains visible after Intersect.

3. Final Answer:

   A shape of the overlapping area only -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Intersect = Keep overlap only [OK]

Hint: Intersect keeps only the overlap area [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Intersect merges full shapes
• Confusing with Union or Subtract
• Assuming it excludes overlap

4.

In Figma, a user tries to apply the Exclude Boolean operation but the result is the same as Union. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The user selected only one shape

B. The shapes are grouped, not boolean combined

C. The shapes are locked

D. The shapes do not overlap

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Exclude operation effect

   Exclude removes overlapping areas between shapes, leaving non-overlapping parts.

2. Step 2: Analyze why result equals Union

   If shapes do not overlap, Exclude cannot remove anything, so it behaves like Union.

3. Final Answer:

   The shapes do not overlap -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   No overlap means Exclude = Union [OK]

Hint: Exclude needs overlap to differ from Union [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming grouping affects Boolean results
• Thinking single shape can exclude
• Ignoring shape overlap requirement

5.

You have three overlapping shapes: A, B, and C. You want to create a new shape that includes all areas covered by A and B but excludes any area where C overlaps. Which Boolean operation sequence should you use?

hard

A. Intersect A and B, then Exclude C

B. Subtract C from A, then Union with B

C. Union A and B, then Subtract C

D. Exclude C from A, then Intersect with B

Solution

1. Step 1: Combine A and B fully

   Use Union to merge A and B into one shape covering all their areas.

2. Step 2: Remove overlap with C

   Use Subtract to cut out any area where C overlaps from the combined shape.

3. Final Answer:

   Union A and B, then Subtract C -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Union then Subtract excludes C overlap [OK]

Hint: Union first, then subtract to exclude overlap [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Intersect instead of Union first
• Excluding before combining shapes
• Mixing order of operations